Gluten Free Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

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While turkey may be the star of the meal, the holiday feast isn’t complete without the sides. And these Gluten Free Side Dishes for Thanksgiving has classic and new recipes that are sure to impress. They are great for Christmas too!

collage of thanksgiving side dishes, including green beans and mushrooms, cranberry sauce, and more

Make a Gluten Free Thanksgiving

We know it isn’t Thanksgiving without a perfect Roast Turkey. Or maybe you are having a smaller gathering and just want to make an Air Fryer Turkey Breast or Slow Cooker Turkey Breast.

But so many people really look forward to the side dishes! While a gluten free turkey is pretty much a no-brainer, the sides can be a gluten minefield.

With food being the centerpiece of the holiday, it can feel scary, isolating, or frustrating for those who are gluten free. So it’s time to take the sides into your own hands. Make some gluten free Thanksgiving side dishes to share with family and friends!

Thanksgiving Side Dishes Made Gluten Free

Before we get into the collection of gluten free side dish recipes, let’s talk about some of your options.

  • Salads: Veggie-based salads are a great gluten free option, as long as you avoid things like croutons. Also, read the labels on any bottled dressings. In fact, making your own is easy. Something like Creamy Maple Dijon Dressing or Gluten Free Hot Bacon Dressing are great with seasonal ingredients.
  • Potatoes: Most mashed potato recipes are gluten free. And sticking with mashed or roasted sweet potatoes is also usually a safe option, even when they are topped with marshmallows.
  • Stuffing: You can buy a gluten free stuffing mix or bread to use in your recipe. Or make your own gluten free bread or cornbread. For a new idea, try a grain stuffing made with quinoa, rice, or even something like millet.
  • Vegetables: From roasting to steaming to sauteeing, there are many gluten free vegetable side dishes. While you’ll have to avoid some traditional sauces, there are options such as using gluten free flours or starches to make gluten free cheese sauce. Or make creamy sauces with ingredients like Greek yogurt, sour cream, or cream cheese.
  • Gravy and Sauces: Gravy can be made with alternative thickeners like rice flour or cornstarch. And cranberry sauce is typically thickened naturally just by cooking it down or adding gelatin.
  • Breads: This requires a bit more time and some baking skills, but there are so many gluten free bread recipes out there now. There are even great gluten free mixes you can find in the grocery store.

Mouthwatering Gluten Free Side Dishes for Thanksgiving

Sure, the mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce are naturally gluten free. However, gravy is usually thickened with flour, stuffing is a big pile of bread, and even the sweet potatoes might be covered with streusel. The veggies don’t escape, either. Whether it’s green bean casserole made with canned cream of mushroom soup or broccoli topped with cracker crumbs, gluten seems to lurk everywhere.

With these recipes, you can find ways to enjoy all of the classics you’ve loved your entire life. And maybe even discover some new dishes that will become part of your holiday traditions.

Soups and Salads

If you are looking for something light to start or accompany your meal, look no further than these classic soup and salad recipes.

A bowl of harvest salad surrounded by apples and dried cranberries.

Harvest Salad

With apples, pears, cranberries, and pecans, this seasonal salad has all the flavors and colors of the holiday. And it's all tied together with a maple balsamic vinaigrette.
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Butternut squash soup in a bowl with a spoon, next to salt and pepper shakers.

Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Thyme

A bowl of velvety smooth and savory soup is creamy and satisfying, and it’s easy to make on the stove or in your Instant Pot. The addition of sage and thyme perfectly complement all of the other holiday dishes.
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Two side salads with poached pears and blue cheese

Poached Pear Salad

This recipe is an elegant and simple side dish with blue cheese, glazed walnuts, blue cheese, and a creamy sherry dressing. It is easy, fresh, and delicious addition to the menu.
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash Salad

The veggies are roasted until perfectly tender and toasty. Then they are piled on top of greens with creamy, warm, sweet, tangy, smoky hot bacon dressing.
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healthy coleslaw in a bowl

Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw

This crisp and creamy apple slaw is a healthy coleslaw recipe we can all love because it is sweet and savory and made without mayo! It is lightened up with Greek yogurt, plus the juicy apples, dried cranberries, and maple Dijon dressing give it a delicious flavor.
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A white serving bowl of Healthy Apple Broccoli Salad with Walnuts and Cheddar

Apple Broccoli Salad

This healthier broccoli salad is a fresh addition to a holiday meal with seasonal flavors. Made with Greek yogurt plus walnuts and cheddar cheese, you get an extra burst of deliciousness, protein, and crunch.
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Closeup of the side of a bowl of cauliflower broccoli cheese soup garnished with crumbled bacon.

Creamy Cauliflower Broccoli Cheese Soup

Just as cheesy and delicious as any other recipe or restaurant version, but it is better for you. A simple swap with some sneaky hidden veggies makes this healthy soup recipe super creamy while keeping it gluten free and low carb.
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A bowl of quinoa with roasted butternut squash cubes and pomegranate seeds on top of a red plaid cloth napkin.

Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

Tossed with a simple balsamic dressing and pomegranate seeds for a colorful, flavorful, and healthy side dish. You can enjoy it hot or cold, and even add goat cheese to dress it up. It can even be made in advance.
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Pie crust crust crackers on the top of a bowl of turkey pot pie soup.

Leftover Turkey Soup

While you may want to wait to make this with leftovers, if you have some turkey or even a rotisserie chicken, you can make this hearty soup loaded with vegetables and topped with gluten free pie crust crackers.
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More Soups and Salads

Gravy and Sauces

Gravy for the turkey and taters, and cranberry sauce on the side are absolutely essential. Yes, you can make gluten free gravy. And there are even other sauces to enjoy besides just cranberry.

Gluten Free Turkey Gravy

This is the easiest gravy recipe, made with sweet rice flour and chicken or turkey broth for a flavorful make-ahead holiday side dish. Perfectly smooth with no lumps!
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Cinnamon orange cranberry sauce in a scalloped glass bowl with a spoon.

Cinnamon Orange Cranberry Sauce

Sweet and tart Cinnamon Orange Cranberry Sauce adds citrus and warm spice to the all-time favorite holiday side dish. Simmer fresh cranberries with orange juice and cinnamon sticks to take a classic jellied cranberry sauce recipe to the next level and make your house smell amazing while it cooks.
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Gluten Free Apple Cider Gravy with Dried Cranberries on chicken

Apple Cider Gravy

This is an easy make ahead gravy recipe for your Thanksgiving turkey. With the perfect balance of sweet and savory, plus a pop of tart cranberry, this is a delicious addition to a holiday meal.
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A spoon and a bow of apple chutney on a wooden board.

Apple Chutney

This apple chutney recipe is a sweet and savory mixture of apples, cranberries, and thyme, with the tang of vinegar, and a splash of sparkling cider. Serve it with turkey or even add it to an appetizer platter.
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More Gravy and Sauce Recipes

Mashed Potatoes

Thanksgiving isn’t complete until s bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes hits the table. Whether you like them super creamy, homestyle, basic, or flavored, there is a version for everyone. You can even find a sneaky low carb alternative.

A wooden spoon stirs a pot of parmesan mashed potatoes.

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

A tasty way to change up your traditional mashed potatoes recipe with cream cheese to make them extra creamy and a nice dose of parmesan cheese.
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bowl of mashed potatoes with a pat of butter in the center

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

If you’re a fan of creamy, savory and fluffy mashed potatoes that don’t take hours to make, this quick and easy Instant Pot recipe is for you. These potatoes have the fluffiest texture you can imagine with a tangy, buttery flavor from sour cream.
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A bowl of mashed potatoes with bacon and cheddar cheese on a striped placemat with a serving spoon next to it.

Cheddar Bacon Mashed Potatoes

With plenty of cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon, everyone will be asking for seconds. But even a holiday meal can be fast and easy with only five ingredients, and even lightened up a bit with Greek yogurt.
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A scoop of cheesy mashed cauliflower being picked up out of the casserole dish with a spoon.

Horseradish Cheddar Whipped Cauliflower

This fluffy side dish is a veggie-packed and low carb alternative to mashed potatoes with the creamy texture you love. Plus, they are kicked up with horseradish cheddar cheese.
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A scoop of Low Carb Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes with cheddar cheese and bacon on a plate

Bacon Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower

Easy and cheesy, and fully loaded with plenty of cheddar cheese and bacon. With only five ingredients, a few minutes of work, and a couple of tricks, you can whip up this easy low carb side dish recipe.
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More Mashed Potato Recipes

Sweet Potatoes

From glazed to scalloped to mashed to casseroles, this tasty veggie always finds a place on the Thanksgiving menu.

bowl of mashed sweet potatoes with butter

Maple Cinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These maple cinnamon mashed sweet potatoes are a family favorite Thanksgiving and holiday side dish at my house. They’re light, fluffy, and creamy, but not too sweet. Cinnamon adds a touch of warming spice to balance out the sweetness of maple syrup.
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Overhead view of sweet potato casserole in a baking dish with a large serving spoon.

Gluten Free Sweet Potato Casserole

No need for marshmallows! This is a perfect side that’s naturally gluten-free, brimming with scrumptious mashed sweet potatoes baked beneath a buttery oat and pecan streusel.
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Scooping up cheesy sweet potato casserole

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes and Apples

With sweet and savory flavors, a rich and creamy sauce, and plenty of cheddar cheese, this cheesy casserole will be a tasty addition to the holiday meal. It’s a delicious gluten free twist to the classic potatoes au gratin, and not as sugary as your usual sweet potato casserole.
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Pumpkin Pie Spice Melting Sweet Potatoes with maple glazed pecans on in a casserole dish

Pumpkin Pie Spice Melting Sweet Potatoes

Crispy and buttery on the outside, tender on the inside, and literally melt in your mouth! These roasted sweet potatoes with pumpkin spice butter topped with maple syrup-glazed pecans are a delicious and easy Thanksgiving side dish.
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baked haselback sweet potatoes

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Basic baked sweet potatoes are turned into something extra special. THey are roasted until soft and tender, and all those slices allow the honey butter to soak into every bite.
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A lightly browned piece of goat cheese sweet potato gratin in front of a pan of gratin.

Goat Cheese Sweet Potato Gratin

Layers of thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes with goat cheese are baked until tender, creamy, and golden brown. Easy to make, but sure to impress, with the perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors.
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More Sweet Potato Recipes

Gluten Free Breads and Stuffings

It’s always nice to have some sort of bread, biscuit, or roll to slather with butter or soak up the gravy. You can also crumble up that bread and turn it into stuffing or try a grain stuffing too for a gluten free option.

Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing

A popular Thanksgiving side dish with comforting classic flavors from fresh thyme and sage, along with apples, carrots, and celery. It’s moist and fluffy in the center with perfectly crispy edges.
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Assorted gluten free crescent rolls nestled in a bowl lined with a dishcloth.

Gluten Free Crescent Rolls

If you miss the ones you pop out of a can, you'll love these deliciously buttery crescents. They are as soft and flaky as you remember and, and brushed with a honey-milk wash for a hint of sweetness.
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A casserole dish of wild rice stuffing.

Wild Rice Stuffing

Try something different for the holidays with this naturally gluten free alternative to the usual bread stuffing. This savory side dish is flavored with pork sausage, studded with apples, dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans for texture.
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a dinner roll split in half and buttered on a white plate

Gluten Free Dinner Rolls

Make a pan of these soft and fluffy rolls to pair with your feast. So wonderful when you slather them with butter!
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gluten free stuffing in a baking pan and some on a plate

Gluten Free Thanksgiving Stuffing

This incredible stuffing is made with cubed sandwich bread. It has a soft texture from eggs and broth on the inside, plus perfectly crispy edges and plenty of fresh flavor from mixed herbs.
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slice of cornbread with honey being drizzled on top

Gluten-Free Cornbread

Easy, fluffy, and made with yogurt, cornmeal, honey, and butter, this is a crowd-pleaser. Stir it together in one bowl and bake it to a perfect golden brown in minutes!
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Homemade Biscuits Piled Into a Bowl Next to More Biscuits and a Small Bowl of Honey

Gluten Free Buttermilk Biscuits

There’s something about a Southern-style biscuit that just hits all the right notes. They’re soft and flaky on the inside with a crisp exterior, and they taste amazing with a pat of melty butter or a drizzle of honey on top.
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A bread basket filled with golden baked, gluten free breadsticks.

Gluten Free Breadsticks

These soft breadsticks are just what you need to scoop up any gravy left on your plate after you eat your turkey and mashed potatoes. They are simple to make and baked until perfectly golden.
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gluten free cornbread muffins in a black and white plaid cloth napkin-lined basket

Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins

Buttery and tender, these corn muffins are the perfect addition to your meal. These have an extra level of earthy flavor with a hint of sage that pairs well with the corn and the other side dishes.
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A white pan of gluten free apple stuffing topped with fresh sage leaves.

Gluten Free Apple Stuffing

This is not your basic stuffing. It's loaded with apples, bacon, and cheddar for the most amazing flavor ever.
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Close up of gluten-free Hawaiian rolls piled in a cloth-lined bowl.

Gluten Free Hawaiian Rolls

Slightly sweet and so fluffy, these little rolls add something special to the holiday meal. You'll love that they are enriched with butter and brown sugar.
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A piece of apple butter cornbread on a plate with the rest of the cornbread on a cutting board in the background.

Gluten Free Apple Butter Cornbread

This cornbread gets a little extra fall flavor with the addition of apple butter. Tender and slightly sweet, it will be the perfect addition to a holiday meal.
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More Bread and Stuffing Recipes

Green Beans

That traditional green bean casserole is a gluten minefield with the canned cream of mushroom soup and fried onions. But there are so many other options that might even be more delicious.

Gluten-free green bean casserole in a large white baking dish.

Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole

You don't need that canned soup to make this classic Thanksgiving dish. With simple, fresh ingredients, this version is not only gluten free, it's healthier and maybe even more delicious.
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Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans Recipe

Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans

Green beans are tossed in a sweet and tangy glaze made of Dijon mustard and orange marmalade, along with dried cranberries. This easy side dish has just a few ingredients and is ready in about 20 minutes. It is a fresh alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving green bean recipe to lighten up your holiday meal.
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Looking down ar Sauteed Green Beans with Bacon in a small serving bowl.

Bacon Green Beans

Boiled till crisp-tender then added to a skillet sizzling with bacon goodness, this recipe is a surefire way to get everyone eating their vegetables. It’s an easy side dish that can be added to a holiday dinner menu!
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Creamy Skillet Green Beans and Mushrooms in a pan with tongs

Creamy Green Beans and Mushrooms

All the flavors you love of the classic green bean casserole but made with simple, fresh ingredients in one skillet. That’s right, no canned cream of mushroom soup, making it fast, healthy, and naturally gluten free!
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Green beans garnished with almond slices and lemon zest in a white oval dish.

Air Fryer Green Beans

Save space in the oven or on the stove and use your air fryer. Enjoy them served simply roasted or topped with toasted almonds and lemon juice.
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A closeup of a plate of glazed green beans with pineapple tidbits and pecans.

Pineapple Green Beans

These fresh green beans have crunchy pecans for texture, a little zing from ginger, and the bright green and yellow that make it gorgeous on a serving dish. That means it’s certainly special enough to show up on any holiday menu.
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Lemon Green Beans and Mushrooms in a white serving bowl

Lemon-Butter Green Beans and Mushrooms

A simple vegetable side dish of slightly buttery green beans and mushrooms, with crisp lemon and white wine to balance and lighten the flavors.
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Balsamic Green Beans with Cranberries on a white rectangular serving dish topped with goat cheese

Cranberry Balsamic Green Beans

Balsamic green beans get an added festive touch when glazed with shallots and dried cranberries. You also have the option to top them with creamy goat cheese for a deliciously tangy touch.
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More Green Bean Recipes

Other Vegetable Side Dishes

If you like to add more veggies to the menu, then you find lots of fall favorites right here. From squash to Brussels sprouts, carrots to cauliflower, and more.

Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash on a sheet pan.

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash

With just a few simple ingredients, it doesn’t get any easier to make these roasted butternuts and Brussels. You will go crazy for the hint of sweetness that balances the earthy flavor of those sprouts from both the maple syrup and the butternut squash.
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Browned Butter Peas and Carrots on a serving dish with a serving spoon on a striped placemat.

Brown Butter Peas and Carrots

Buttery peas and carrots are a classic staple on many dinner tables. Now give the veggies a simple flavor upgrade by tossing them in browned butter and nobody will be able to resist them.
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A bowl of balsamic roasted vegetables on red and white cloth napkins.

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

When you roast them in the oven, the caramelized balsamic vinegar adds amazing flavor to this easy side dish recipe. And the best part is that you can add your favorite veggies to the mix.
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A spoonful of roasted butternut squash with cinnamon flecks.

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash with Cinnamon

    This easy recipe has the rich, caramelized flavor that is brought out from roasting in the oven. It is enhanced with the warm spice of cinnamon and an optional bit of heat from a pinch of cayenne pepper.
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Bowl of Balsamic mushrooms

Garlic Roasted Mushrooms with Balsamic Vinegar

These tasty mushrooms are baked with garlic, rosemary, and a balsamic vinegar glaze for an easy side dish recipe that has tons of flavor. You only need a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep time.
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A serving dish with oven roasted asparagus topped with hollandaise sauce with lemon slices.

Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce

Simple roasted asparagus becomes holiday-worthy with a drizzle of this creamy sauce. It's truly simple to make but adds a touch of decadence.
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A white plate with a pile of cranberry balsamic cauliflower bites.

Cranberry Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower

Everyone will adore this sweet, tangy, sticky glaze on these cauliflower bites. Baked till crispy and coated in a cranberry balsamic sauce, it'll add something new and unexpected to your holiday spread.
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a white bowl of glazed carrots and peas with a black-handled serving spoon and a small dish of honey and salt and pepper shakers in the background

Honey Mustard Carrots and Peas

The carrots are caramelized in butter to bring out their natural sweetness, and a bit of honey gives it that glazed goodness. But it’s all balanced out with a dollop of Dijon mustard and a splash of apple cider vinegar.
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Brussels sprouts with bacon on a serving plate with dip next to a bowl of crispy bacon pieces

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Save space in the oven by making these perfectly crispy and caramelized Brussels sprouts in your air fryer. They are tasty with just salt and pepepr, but a little bacon makes them extra crave-worthy.
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Closeup of a bowl of honey roasted carrots with a spoon in it.

Oven-Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Just a few minutes of prep work and a handful of ingredients will have you on your way to this simple side dish. Oven baked carrots plus a honey marinade adds delicious caramelized sweetness to a vegetable everyone already loves and makes it even better.
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FInal dish in a serving bowl topped with sage leaves

Brown Butter Mashed Butternut Squash

Mashed butternut squash is a healthy gluten free side dish recipe with a bit of brown butter to make it rich, nutty, and delicious. Just a touch adds to the velvety texture, while still keeping it light.
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air fryer asparagus with parmesan cheese crust on a white rectangular plate

Air Fryer Asparagus

No need to heat up the oven to make roasted asparagus. You can get perfectly crisp-tender results using the air fry method. Keep it plain and simple, or add the optional gluten free parmesan crust for more flavor and texture.
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More Vegetable Side Dishes

Side Dish Casseroles

Casseroles are so comforting, and always deserve a place on the Thanksgiving table. But many of the classics aren’t gluten free. With these recipes, you can enjoy delicious baked sides again.

A spoon scooping up some corn pudding out of a glass baking dish.

Corn Pudding

This homemade corn pudding recipe is a family-favorite! Made without corn muffin mix, this creamy, savory, and slightly sweet casserole is naturally gluten free.
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Butternut squash macaroni and cheese is spooned out of a baking dish

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

A gluten free, baked macaroni and cheese that has all the tangy, cheesy flavors of everyone’s favorite. But the butternut squash adds a perfect hint of fall flavor and makes a creamy sauce without flour for thickening.
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piece of the baked casserole on a white plate with a red and white checked napkin on a countertop with utensils in the background

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

It doesn't get much better than golden brown and crispy potatoes with plenty of cheese. That's why this makes a perfect side dish.
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Scooping up a piece of zucchini rice casserole out of the baking dish

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole with Rice

Golden brown on top and packed with plenty of cheddar cheese, this zucchini bake is so delicious. The rice makes it hearty, but it's also full of veggies.
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Creamy pumpkin penne with chicken sausage is spooned from a baking dish.

Pumpkin Penne with Cream Sauce

This penne pasta baked in a velvety, creamy pumpkin sauce is the ultimate fall comfort food. While it can be a meal on its own, it's a tasty alternative to the usual mac and cheese.
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Serving Cauliflower Hash Browns Breakfast Bake from a rectangular pan with a spatula.

Cheesy Cauliflower Hash Browns Casserole

This deliciously cheesy casserole is an easy side dish recipe that’s packed with veggies and plenty of cheddar cheese. With a golden brown top and crispy edges, everyone will be ready to dig in.
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More Side Dish Casserole Recipes

And whether you choose apple pie, pumpkin pie, or something else, don’t forget the Gluten Free Thanksgiving Desserts!

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Welcome to Cupcakes & Kale Chips, where I share gluten free recipes & kid-tested family favorites!

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