20+ Gluten-Free Side Dishes (Perfect for Every Occasion!)

What’s Inside: This collection of 20 gluten-free, dairy-free side dish recipes can serve as your go-to guide for learning how to make delicious, healthy sides at home for any occasion, especially dinner parties and holidays. Plus, many of these are Paleo-, Whole30-, and AIP-friendly!

Making Your Favorite Sides Gluten-Free Is Easier Than You May Think!

Side dishes are often some of the favorite foods on someone’s plate, especially around the holidays. (You know the ones I’m talking about – the mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and stuffing.) But these dishes — homemade or store-bought — can often have flour added as a thickener, so it can be tricky when dining out or at a friends for holiday meals, even when a side seems like it shouldn’t have gluten in it.

Moreover, they take up precious real estate in your stomach from how they expand before being digested. You know that overstuffed feeling you get after a big meal, especially on special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, that essentially immobilizes you and sets you up for a post-feast nap in your comfy clothes? Well, it doesn’t have to be that way!

That’s why I developed my own stockpile of delicious and healthy side dish recipes that are perfect additions to your holiday, potluck, cookout, and summer barbecue menus! It’s easy to make all of your favorite side dishes gluten-free (and dairy-free) so anyone can enjoy them whether they have a sensitivity to gluten or not. They all range in being Paleo, low-carb, and AIP-friendly. Yes, you can even enjoy most of these if you’re doing a Whole30, too! (But no one will be the wiser because they’re deceptively delicious)

tip!
People who have sensitivities to gluten are often sensitive to casein, too, which is a protein found in dairy. So take comfort in knowing these gluten-free sides are all dairy-free, as well!

My Favorite Gluten-Free Side Dish Recipes

I’ve rounded up 20+ of my favorite (and flavorful) gluten-free side dish recipes here for you, all in one convenient post. I hope you use this as a guide for what sides to make whether you’re hosting a get-together or bringing a culinary contribution to a meal surrounded by friends and family. Follow each recipe listed below to learn how to make delicious and easy side dish recipes year-round! Most of all, enjoy!

15-minute Flavorful Spanish Cauliflower Rice

4.56 from 43 votes

This easy Spanish Cauliflower Rice features all the flavors you love about the classic carb-loaded side dish, but is packed with veggies and free of grains. It's Paleo, Gluten-free, and Whole30- friendly with swaps to make it AIP as well. It's a perfect side for any protein or your next Taco Tuesday!

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Dairy-free Creamed Spinach (veggie-packed!)

5 from 4 votes

A quick dairy-free veggie side dish that even cheese lovers will love! Packed with delicious flavors and made with frozen spinach and my heavenly cauliflower 'cheese' sauce.

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Sautéed Garlic Kale

This side dish takes just 15-20 minutes to make and is a nutrient-packed and flavorful compliment to any meal. If you struggle with getting more greens on your plate, this is my favorite way to do it!

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Ghee-Roasted Brussel Sprouts (Paleo, Whole30)

Is there anything better than charred, crispy, green veggies? These roasted Brussels sprouts achieve their toastiness from ghee, making them Paleo- and Whole30-friendly.

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Herbed Mushroom Gravy

4.77 from 30 votes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Say goodbye to powdered gravy from a box. It's time to make it your own from scratch! You'll be so thankful you did.

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Salads always make a great side or addition to any table! Look through my favorites right here.

Massaged Kale Salad with Squash and Pomegranates

5 from 1 vote

This hearty salad is so simple yet flavorful and is a really popular potluck or cookout side dish that's plant-based, gluten-free, Paleo, and AIP-friendly. It goes with everything and anyone can enjoy it.

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Creamy Mashed Cauliflower (20-minutes or less!)

4.03 from 42 votes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Mashed potatoes are great, but you know what’s as good or even better? Creamy mashed cauliflower that's dairy-free and low-carb! This easy mashed cauliflower recipe is vegan, keto-friendly and an AIP-approved mashed potato alternative. Can be made with fresh or frozen cauliflower too.

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Best Greek Lemon Potatoes (Whole30, Vegan)

3.98 from 34 votes

These Greek Lemon Potatoes are made with simple ingredients and are roasted to perfection. Once you see how easy and flavorful they are, you’ll love to make them regularly as a go-to side dish! They're Whole30-friendly and Vegetarian.

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Fast, Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Refined Sugar-Free)

4.58 from 21 votes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Skip the canned stuff (and the refined sugar) and grace your Thanksgiving table with heathy homemade cranberry sauce this holiday season!

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Roasted Cabbage With Vegan Green Goddess Dressing (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)

The deep roasted flavor from the cabbage and herbaceous, creamy dressing hits all the notes for me. If you have nuts, preferably hazelnuts – toast those up and throw them on top for added crunch.

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Paleo Chestnut & Bacon Stuffing

5 from 18 votes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Made with paleo bread, chestnuts, veggies, herbs and BACON! This stuffing is easy and will please your crowd.

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Winter Squash Wreaths

4.50 from 12 votes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Beautiful and delicious appetizer or side for your holiday celebrations!

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Watercress Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

4 from 15 votes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Watercress has a delicate but peppery flavor making it the perfect base for this simple salad. Drizzle with my homemade, easy lemon-dijon vinaigrette!

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Everything Tahini Roasted Cauliflower

3.92 from 57 votes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

If Everything Bagel is your jam… you’ll swoon for these delicious cauliflower bites! A perfect side, snack, or appetizer.

30-Minute Crispy Roasted Radishes

4.87 from 15 votes

This roasted radish recipe is sure to be one of your new favorite go-to side dish recipes! It's super simple and packed with flavor. It's great for Paleo, Gluten-free, and AIP diets!

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Roasted Maduros (Sweet Plantains)

4.68 from 25 votes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

These Oven-Roasted Sweet Plantains (aka Maduros) are super simple to make and the perfect balance of savory and sweet. Plus, they're Paleo, vegan, and AIP-friendly!

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Paleo Greek Spinach Pie (Spanakopita)

4.69 from 22 votes

Total Time: 32 minutes minutes

Gluten-free | Grain-free | Dairy-free | Low-carb | Vegan | AIP

I turned an old favorite into an allergen-friendly, delicious side or snack that you will love and have so much fun making. Using coconut wraps to replace phyllo dough, made this an easy swap to just add filling to! 

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Baked Zucchini Fries

4.49 from 56 votes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

One of my favorite ways to eat zucchini, dredged in almond meal and spices – this 30-minute dish will be a crowd pleaser.

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3-Ingredient Roasted Spaghetti Squash Rings

3.90 from 29 votes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

This is truly the BEST way to cook spaghetti squash in under 1 hour! To make these spaghetti squash rings, cut the squash widthwise into 1-inch rings, and then roast the rings (with the skin still on!) in the oven. Easy and delicious, these fork-tender spaghetti squash rings are a terrific vegetable side dish

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Paleo Stuffed Artichokes

3.89 from 9 votes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

A delicious set it and forget it stuffed artichoke recipe that will have you addicted! Using almond meal or tigernut flour makes this paleo, Whole30, or AIP. You can switch up the seasonings however you like and really make it your own, but this method is a sure fire way to amp up the flavor, texture, and skip the fuss when enjoying whole artichokes.

(Paleo, AIP, gluten-free, vegan, Whole30)

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Paleo Mashed Cauliflower + Parsnip Colcannon with Bacon (AIP, Whole30)

5 from 16 votes

A lower carb option to the traditional Irish mashed potato dish using cauliflower and parsnips for an AIP, Paleo, and Whole30 side dish that's perfect for your St. Patty's table!

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Vegan Pesto Potato Salad (Mayo Free, Gluten Free)

4.67 from 3 votes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

This creamy vegan pesto potato salad is a showstopper. It’s gluten-free, mayo-free, and Whole30. Healthy CAN be delicious!

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Creamy, Dairy-Free Coleslaw

This creamy, crispy coleslaw is served alongside entrees like my juicy grilled pork tenderloin that’s perfectly marinated with balsamic vinegar for an easy low-carb meal.

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Puerto Rican Picadillo with Plantain “Rice” (Paleo, Whole30, AIP-friendly, Low FODMAP-friendly)

4.50 from 12 votes

This Puerto Rican Hash is filled with delicious spices, sweet raisins and salty and briny olives making for a mega-flavorful dish! It’s traditionally served over white rice, but I was in the mood for plantains… so this dish has PLANTAIN RICE instead. 

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Easy Homemade Cauliflower Rice

4.61 from 28 votes

Fresh or Frozen Cauliflower Rice tastes amazing with these key ingredients for the best flavor and texture. It's Paleo, low-carb, AIP, and naturally gluten-free.

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Broccoli Rice

4.80 from 15 votes

Broccoli Rice is a delicious and fun grain alternative and a change of pace from popular cauliflower rice!

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Warm Green Bean and Bacon Salad

4.65 from 14 votes

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Crispy Ranch Roasted Sweet Potatoes

4.85 from 26 votes

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If you love trying these recipes, be sure to leave a star rating below and tag me @foodbymars in your beautiful food photos on Instagram!

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Creamy Dairy-free Mashed Cauliflower + 20 Gluten-Free Side Dish Recipes

4.22 from 14 votes

Mashed potatoes are great, but you know what’s as good or even better? Creamy mashed cauliflower! This easy mashed cauliflower recipe is vegan, low carb, keto-friendly and an AIP-approved mashed potato alternative. Can be made with fresh or frozen cauliflower, too. Plus, try some of my other favorite gluten-free side dish recipes!

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Author: Alison Marras

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Yield: 6 people

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 2 heads cauliflower, chopped into florets (or approx. 20-24 oz. florets, fresh or frozen)
• 2 cups water
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Bunch of fresh chives for topping
• pinch of sea salt and pepper (omit for AIP) to taste

Instructions:

• Bring water to boil and place florets in a steam rack on top, covering until tender and you can easily pierce with a fork (but they’re not falling apart), approx. 7-8 minutes or so. Alternatively, you may steam in the microwave for 3-4 minutes (do in 2-3 batches in a bow.) If using cauliflower rice, a steam basket won't work. You can try sauteéing in 1 Tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil in a non-stick or cast iron skillet just until soft and you'll need the amount of ounces as noted above.
• Once ready, remove the florets and add to a food processor with extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper to taste. (you may need to do this in batches if you have a small food processor). You may alternativeely mash using a hand masher, an emulsion blender in a largee mixing bowl or pot if you don't have a food processor.
• Transfer the mashed cauliflower to a serving dish and top with more oil or butter/ghee and fresh chives and sea salt if needed. Hot tip: check out my herbed mushroom gravy as a perfect topping.

Diet: American

Course: Side Dish