The Best Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Sides Recipes

Looking for the best gluten-free thanksgiving sides? In this guide, you'll find a gluten-free versions of thanksgiving classics and ingredient swaps for your favorite side dish recipes!

Jump to:

• Gluten-Free Cooking Tips
• Common Gluten-Free Swaps
• Gluten-Free Stuffing
• Classic Gluten-Free Side Dishes
• Gluten-Free Cream Soup and Gravy
• Gluten-Free Rolls and Bread
• Gluten-Free Thanksgiving FAQs
• Join My Newsletter!
• More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes
• Recipe
• Gluten-free Thanksgiving Stuffing
• Comments and Ratings

Gluten-Free Cooking Tips

Are you new to gluten-free cooking or cooking for a gluten-free friend or family member? If so, be sure to read through these tips before making your gluten-free thanksgiving side dishes!

It is important to take precautions when cooking gluten-free, especially if that person has celiac disease or a severe gluten-intolerance, in which even cross-contact with gluten can make them sick. Here are some tips to help you make a gluten-free thanksgiving dinner that's safe to consume and that your gluten-free guest will feel confident eating!

• Gluten-Free means no Wheat, Barley, Rye or Oats.
• Check Labels: Check labels on every product you'll be using to make the dish.
  • Yes, on every single product! You'd be surprised where gluten can hide, especially if you're not immersed in the gluten-free diet.
  • Look for a gluten-free claim. This can be as simple as the words, "gluten-free" printed somewhere on the label or a small symbol indicating the product is certified gluten-free. If you see either of these, the product is safe to use!
  • Look for an allergen statement. This is usually found under the ingredient list. If the label states: Contains Wheat or May Contain Wheat, avoid this product.
  • There can be a difference of ingredients between the name brand and store-brand items, so never assume a product is safe to swap without checking the label.
• Use fresh ingredients: If you've ever dunked a measuring cup into the flour bin and then into the sugar bin without cleaning it first, guess what? Your sugar is no longer safe to use for someone who is gluten-free.
  • You must buy a fresh bag of any baking ingredient that could have been contaminated with flour.
• Avoid Cross-Contact in the Kitchen: Be sure to keep flour away from your gluten-free dish!
  • Cook in a clean environment and at a separate time from your regular cooking.
  • Use freshly washed counters, utensils, pans, mixing bowls, etc.
  • Keep airborne flour away from your gluten-free dish with a lid or cover.
• Save the labels or ask if you're not sure. Your gluten-free guest will be very appreciative if you save the labels on your ingredients so they can see what you've used to make the dish.
• Use the recommended gluten-free flour: Gluten-free cooking can be more tricky than regular cooking. Gluten-free recipes are typically developed using certain flours. Making a substitution can lead to poor results, so always follow the recipe as written and use the recommended products.

Common Gluten-Free Swaps

Traditional thanksgiving recipes can often lean heavily on wheat flour. Here are some common gluten-free ingredient swaps for many of the traditional Thanksgiving side dish recipes:

• Flour for Thickening (Gravy, Sauces, and Casseroles):
  • Use cornstarch or sweet rice flour as a thickening agent instead of wheat flour. See below for a gluten-free gravy recipe.
• Turkey:
  • Substitute cornstarch, rice flour, or potato flour for regular flour when seasoning turkey or cooking in an oven bag.
• Stuffing:
  • Use gluten-free bread cubes or gluten-free cornbread for making stuffing.
  • Be sure to use gluten-free chicken broth, and ensure any added seasonings are gluten-free. Check labels on bouillon cubes, not all are gluten-free.
  • For a store-bought option, find the best gluten-free stuffing mix brands.
• Mashed Potatoes:
  • Mashed potatoes made with cream and butter are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels on any additional ingredients, like sour cream or cream cheese to ensure they are gluten-free.
• Green Bean Casserole:
  • Use gluten-free fried onions and gluten-free cream of mushroom soup. Some grocery stores, like Aldi, carry these items around the holidays.
• Sweet Potato Casserole:
  • Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free oats in the streusel topping. (Regular oats are not gluten-free.)
• Dinner Rolls:
  • Traditional bread is not gluten-free. Check your local grocery store for gluten-free bread mixes or you can make your own using a gluten-free recipe, there are several recipes down below!
• Macaroni and Cheese:
  • Use gluten-free pasta.
  • Make the cheese sauce with sweet rice flour instead of wheat flour. Refer to this gluten-free béchamel recipe for how to make the cheese sauce.
• Pumpkin Pie (or other desserts):
  • Use a gluten-free pie crust or make a crustless pie.
  • Check labels to ensure canned pumpkin puree and any spices are gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Stuffing

You can't have a thanksgiving feast without stuffing! These classic recipes with delicious flavors will be a hit with the whole family.

Classic Gluten-Free Side Dishes

From creamy mashed potatoes to family favorites like sweet potato casserole and corn casserole, all your favorite thanksgiving side dishes are right here!

• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes: The Instant Pot is absolutely the easiest, no-mess, no-fuss way to make mashed potatoes. Adding a few cloves of garlic takes the flavor to the next level!
• Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole: This gluten free green bean casserole with crispy fried onions tastes like the traditional green beans you remember every Thanksgiving, crispy topping and all!
• Gluten-Free Roasted Brussels Sprouts: These gluten-free roasted brussels sprouts have the perfect mix of salty and sweet. They are topped with balsamic glaze and bacon!
• Gluten-Free Honey Roasted Butternut Squash: This roasted butternut squash with honey and smoked paprika is easy to make and delicious!
• Gluten-Free Cranberry Sauce: This simple, 3-ingredient cranberry sauce recipe is very easy to make and better than canned!
• Gluten-Free Creamed Spinach: This creamed spinach recipe is easy to make in about 15 minutes.

Gluten-Free Cream Soup and Gravy

Cream soups and gravy tend to lean on wheat as a thickening agent, but there are easy alternatives. Instead of using traditional wheat flour as a thickening agent, opt for gluten-free alternatives like cornstarch or sweet rice flour.

Gluten-Free Rolls and Bread

Softy and fluffy gluten-free dinner rolls are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table. Gluten-free rolls are best eaten fresh, the day they are prepared.

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving FAQs

More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes

Need some desserts to add to your gluten-free Thanksgiving menu? Check out these gluten-free pumpkin dessert recipes!

Recipe