Gluten Free Thanksgiving Sides
My favorite gluten free Thanksgiving sides, from vegetable dishes and savory soups to homemade gravies and cornbreads. These delicious, easy-to-make recipes will help you round out your holiday feast!
Why You'll Love These Gluten Free Thanksgiving Sides
Are you like me and adore vegetables, whether simply prepared or dressed in their holiday best? If you do, you have come to the right place! Not only are the recipes included here are delicious, vegetable-forward inspiration, and they're all gluten free!
As a vegetarian cook of over 30 years, I am always one to sing the virtues of vegetables! I don't believe that the turkey necessarily needs to be the star of the Thanksgiving dinner - a well-made gluten free souffle or gluten free quiche is just as nice as a centerpiece. And of course, whatever your main dish happens to be, you've got to include as many side dishes as your table can hold!
From gluten free vegan gravy to gluten free pumpkin cornbread to lemon green beans and baked sweet potato cubes, there are so many ways to round out your gluten free Thanksgiving meal. You'll find plenty of vegetable dishes here, along with the breads, gravies, and other accompaniments that make a dinner feel complete. And if you want a bit of a change from cranberry sauce, my beautiful homemade maple pear sauce is always a great option.
Whether you're planning a holiday feast or looking for something delicious to serve alongside a weeknight dinner, browse the recipes below for plenty of easy gluten free side dish ideas. And if you're planning Thanksgiving, check out my gluten free Thanksgiving tips and gluten free Thanksgiving menu ideas for more ways to make your best gluten free Thanksgiving ever. Then browse the recipes below for everything you need for your gluten free sides this year.
Tips for Making Great Gluten Free Thanksgiving Sides
This shouldn't be hard, but just as a refresher, the best way to ensure that your gluten-free Thanksgiving sides remain, well, gluten-free is to start with naturally gluten-free ingredients and be mindful of cross-contact in the kitchen. This shouldn't be hard, but it's worth keeping a few things in mind when preparing a gluten-free Thanksgiving meal. The easiest way to make sure your sides stay gluten free is to:
Use naturally gluten-free ingredients like vegetables, potatoes, rice, fresh herbs, butter, olive oil, and many (most?) other everyday ingredients which are naturally gluten free. Build your side dishes around these basics, and check labels on packaged products like broth, spices, sauces, and seasonings before purchasing to make extra sure they are gluten-free.
Be mindful of cross-contact if you're cooking for someone with celiac or who is very sensitive, use clean cutting boards, pans, utensils, and serving spoons. Don't use wooden spoons or cutting boards unless you always cook and bake gluten-free. Keep gluten-containing foods separate from gluten-free dishes, and don't use the same butter or condiment containers if they've been exposed to bread crumbs.
Skip the traditional stuffing, or make a gluten-free version, because everyone loves stuffing! If you're preparing stuffing, use certified gluten-free bread and keep it separate from any conventional stuffing. You can also make a delicious gluten-free cornbread stuffing or serve a naturally gluten-free side dish instead. Or, grab a certified gluten-free package of stuffing at the store and keep your life easy.
My Favorite Gluten Free Thanksgiving Sides Recipes
Soups
Start off your meal with a piping hot bowl of delicious gluten-free and vegetarian soup! I love serving (vegan) butternut squash soup in my pretty ceramic pumpkin bowl, but you don't need to limit yourself to orange-colored soups only! I also love zucchini soup and vegetarian cauliflower soup at Thanksgiving.
Vegetables
The stars of the meal, in my humble opinion! From a creamy, sweet-salty maple butternut squash puree to lemony Brussels sprouts and roasted cauliflower, there is something here for everyone.
PS - See my article in the Press Democrat on easy vegetable sides or my pieces on NPR Online for Thanksgiving with a lighter touch and vegetarian Thanksgiving on for more ideas.
Gravies
Who doesn't love a nice, piping hot gravy drizzled over their holiday plate?! Make gluten free gravy with turkey stock or vegetable stock, or go for a gluten free vegan gravy that everyone can enjoy.
Bread
I love a basket of soft, warm gluten free rolls on the Thanksgiving table along with lots of softened butter! A loaf of gluten free no knead bread is also lovely, and if you're in the mood for a seasonal flair, make gluten free sweet potato biscuits.
Cornbread
Cornbread is such a rustic, homey addition to Thanksgiving and I make a batch of gluten free honey cornbread muffins every year. Gluten free maple cornbread is truly delicious, and if you want something a bit pumpkin-y, make gluten free pumpkin cornbread!
Happy baking! If you make any of these gluten free Thanksgiving sides recipes, let me know! Please leave a comment below or reach out with any questions. I hope you loved it! ❤️
Great post!!!! Can't believe that cranberry offering....how did you come to it? Hope it is cold on Thursday so you can have a pretend CA Thanksgiving! Menu looks scrumptious....enjoy! Photos are so good!
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