17 Gluten-Free Side Dishes For Your Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving dinner should be a celebration everyone can enjoy, no matter their dietary needs. Finding gluten-free side dishes that taste amazing and satisfy the whole table can feel tricky, but it doesn’t have to be.

With these naturally gluten-free recipes, you can create a feast that’s both delicious and safe for guests with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

1. Mashed Potatoes

Nothing beats the comfort of fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving. Naturally gluten-free, they’re made with just potatoes, butter, milk, and seasoning.

The secret to perfect mashed potatoes? Use Yukon Gold or russet potatoes and don’t overmix them. Add warm milk gradually to get that dreamy, cloud-like texture everyone loves piling onto their plates.

2. Cranberry Sauce

Bright, tangy cranberry sauce adds that pop of color and flavor your Thanksgiving table craves. Fresh cranberries, sugar, and orange zest come together in minutes on the stovetop.

Ditch the canned stuff this year! Homemade cranberry sauce is ridiculously easy and naturally gluten-free. Plus, you can adjust the sweetness to match your family’s taste perfectly.

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

If you think you hate Brussels sprouts, you haven’t tried them roasted! High heat transforms these mini cabbages into caramelized, crispy-on-the-outside perfection.

Toss halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 425 degrees. They’ll turn golden and develop a nutty, sweet flavor that converts even the pickiest eaters into fans.

4. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes bring natural sweetness and vibrant orange color to your holiday spread. Cube them, toss with olive oil and cinnamon, then roast until tender inside and crispy outside.

These beauties are packed with vitamins and fiber. How awesome is it when the healthiest thing on the table also tastes like dessert? Your guests will reach for seconds without guilt.

5. Green Beans Almondine

Fancy name, simple dish! Green beans almondine features crisp-tender green beans topped with toasted almonds and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Blanch the beans first to keep them bright green, then sauté with butter and almonds. Though it sounds restaurant-fancy, this classic French-inspired side takes less than fifteen minutes to prepare and looks absolutely elegant.

6. Glazed Carrots

Glazed carrots shine like little orange jewels on your Thanksgiving table. Baby carrots get cooked until tender, then coated in a buttery honey glaze that makes them irresistible.

The sweetness from honey balances the earthy carrot flavor perfectly. Kids especially love these because they taste like candy but are actually vegetables. Sneaky and delicious wins every time!

7. Roasted Butternut Squash

Butternut squash becomes buttery and caramelized when roasted, living up to its name. Peel, cube, and roast with olive oil, sage, and a pinch of nutmeg for fall flavor heaven.

This squash variety is naturally sweet and creamy. Where else can you get such rich, satisfying flavor from just a vegetable? It pairs beautifully with turkey and adds gorgeous autumn color.

8. Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed sweet potatoes offer a sweeter, more colorful alternative to regular mashed potatoes. Boil until tender, then mash with butter, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon.

Some families swear by adding mini marshmallows on top and broiling until golden. However you serve them, these naturally gluten-free spuds bring comfort and nostalgia to every Thanksgiving celebration without any fuss.

9. Wild Rice Pilaf

Wild rice adds a nutty, earthy flavor and beautiful texture to your holiday menu. Cook it with vegetable broth, dried cranberries, pecans, and fresh herbs for a pilaf bursting with flavor.

Fun fact: wild rice isn’t actually rice but a type of grass seed! It’s naturally gluten-free and packed with protein. This sophisticated side dish impresses guests while keeping things wholesome.

10. Braised Collard Greens

Southern soul meets Thanksgiving tradition with braised collard greens. Slow-cooked with onions, garlic, and vegetable broth, these greens become melt-in-your-mouth tender and deeply flavorful.

Collard greens are nutritional powerhouses loaded with vitamins. They bring a savory, slightly bitter balance to all the sweet dishes on your table. Just saying, your body will thank you for this green goodness!

11. Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are the retro appetizer that never goes out of style. Hard-boiled eggs get halved, and the yolks are mixed with mayo, mustard, and spices before being piped back in.

These protein-packed bites are naturally gluten-free and endlessly customizable. Add bacon bits, sriracha, or avocado to make them your own. They disappear fast, so make extra!

12. Roasted Asparagus

Elegant asparagus spears bring a touch of sophistication to your Thanksgiving spread. Simply toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at high heat for about twelve minutes.

The tips get wonderfully crispy while the stalks stay tender. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top before serving for brightness. This simple vegetable side proves that less really is more sometimes.

13. Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed cauliflower is the sneaky stand-in for mashed potatoes that tastes surprisingly amazing. Steam cauliflower florets until super soft, then blend with butter, cream cheese, and garlic until silky smooth.

Lower in carbs than potatoes but just as creamy and comforting. Even picky eaters might not notice the swap! It’s the perfect option for guests watching their carb intake this holiday.

14. Roasted Beets

Roasted beets are like edible rubies on your Thanksgiving table. Wrap whole beets in foil and roast until tender, then peel and slice them into gorgeous jewel-toned wedges.

Their natural sweetness intensifies during roasting, creating an earthy-sweet flavor profile. Did you know beets can help lower blood pressure? Beauty and health benefits in one colorful package makes them holiday table superheroes.

15. Roasted Delicata Squash

Delicata squash has edible skin, which means less prep work for you! Slice into half-moons, scoop out seeds, toss with olive oil and maple syrup, then roast until caramelized.

The striped skin becomes tender and adds beautiful presentation. Its creamy, slightly sweet flesh tastes like a combination of sweet potato and butternut squash. Total crowd-pleaser with minimal effort required!

16. Honey-Mustard Roasted Parsnips

Parsnips look like white carrots but taste sweeter and nuttier. Toss them with honey, whole-grain mustard, and olive oil, then roast until golden and tender with crispy edges.

The honey-mustard combo creates a sweet-tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully. These underrated root vegetables deserve more love at Thanksgiving! They add unique flavor and prove vegetables can absolutely steal the show.

17. Kale Salad With Lemon And Parmesan

Fresh kale salad cuts through all the rich, heavy Thanksgiving dishes with bright, tangy flavor. Massage chopped kale with lemon juice and olive oil to soften it, then top with shaved parmesan.

Massaging the kale breaks down tough fibers and makes it tender and delicious. This salad adds a refreshing, crunchy contrast to your holiday menu. Share your thoughts below about your favorite Thanksgiving sides!