15 Paleo Thanksgiving Side Dishes Everyone Will Love
Thanksgiving is really all about the sides, and eating paleo doesn’t mean giving up the stuffing, the casserole, or the gravy. We rounded up 15 grain-free, dairy-free-friendly side dishes from some of our favorite food bloggers, from bread-free stuffings to creamy mashes and maple-roasted vegetables. Many are Whole30-friendly too, so the whole table can dig in.
Every recipe below links straight to the food blogger who created it, so click through for the full ingredient list, instructions, and their tips.
1. Whole30 Paleo Stuffing
Butternut squash, apple, celery, and a few dried cranberries are bound with eggs and almond flour, then baked until the edges turn crisp. You get all the sage, thyme, and rosemary flavor of classic stuffing without any bread.
Get the recipe at Organically Addison
2. Roasted Cauliflower Mushroom Stuffing
Roasted cauliflower stands in for bread here, tossed with cremini mushrooms, leeks, celery, walnuts, and plenty of fresh parsley, thyme, and sage. A splash of lemon juice keeps it bright, and it’s on the table in a little over an hour.
Get the recipe at Eat Well Enjoy Life
3. Whole30 Sweet Potato Casserole
No marshmallows or added sugar needed: this casserole leans on cinnamon, vanilla, and a generous pecan layer for its holiday feel. Choose the ghee option to keep it paleo and dairy-free.
Get the recipe at Tastes of Lizzy T
4. Healthy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Half Yukon Gold potatoes and half steamed cauliflower, blended with rosemary and garlic until extra creamy. The recipe has you squeeze the water out of the cauliflower first, so the mash stays rich and never watery.
Get the recipe at Bake It Paleo
5. Turkey Gravy (Paleo, Whole30)
Ghee and arrowroot starch thicken turkey bone broth (and your pan drippings, if you have them) into a smooth, grain-free gravy. It’s a short ingredient list you can whisk together on the stovetop.
Get the recipe at Primal Gourmet
6. Date and Orange Cranberry Sauce
Four ingredients (cranberries, pitted dates, an orange, and a pinch of salt) make a tart, gently sweet sauce with no refined sugar. It takes about 20 minutes, and you can make it ahead to free up the stove on the big day.
Get the recipe at Paleo Gluten-Free Guy
7. Paleo Green Bean Casserole
A homemade dairy-free cream of mushroom soup, crispy bacon, and gluten-free fried onions bring back the classic. It’s ready in about 35 minutes and is Whole30 and AIP-friendly as well.
Get the recipe at Grass Fed Salsa
8. Healthy Green Beans Almondine
When the oven is already packed, this stovetop side is a lifesaver: green beans, garlic, and toasted slivered almonds in olive oil. It’s done in about 12 minutes.
Get the recipe at The Clean Eating Couple
9. Thanksgiving Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Butternut Squash
Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and apples roast with thyme and rosemary, then get finished with pecans, cranberries, and a maple-lemon drizzle. Sweet, savory, and made for a holiday table.
10. Simple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Sometimes the simplest side wins. Brussels sprouts, oil, salt, and pepper roast until crispy at the edges in about 40 minutes, almost all of it hands-off.
Get the recipe at Downshiftology
11. Maple Roasted Root Vegetables with Pecans and Thyme
Carrots, parsnips, orange and purple sweet potatoes, radishes, and red onion roast in a maple and apple cider vinegar glaze, then get topped with pecans and fresh thyme. It’s one colorful sheet pan, ready in under an hour.
Get the recipe at Our Salty Kitchen
12. Warm Harvest Salad
Roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts piled over massaged kale with Fuji apple, pomegranate, and pecans. A warm salad brings something fresh to a heavy holiday plate.
13. Autumn Kale Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
A no-roast option: thinly sliced lacinato kale with Honeycrisp apple, pomegranate seeds, and slivered almonds, tossed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette. Plan on about 30 minutes.
14. Easiest Whole30 Butternut Squash Soup
Roast butternut squash, onion, and an apple with cinnamon and nutmeg, then blend it all with broth. It’s dairy-free, simple, and makes a cozy starter before the main event.
Get the recipe at Jessica Eats Real Food
15. Paleo Dinner Rolls (with Almond Flour)
These grain-free rolls use almond and tapioca flour and no yeast, so they’re ready in about 30 minutes. A brush of olive oil and garlic powder on top gives them a savory finish.
Get the recipe at Bake It Paleo
Which side are you making first? Save this post to your Thanksgiving board on Pinterest so it’s easy to find while you plan your menu!
