Gluten sensitivity can often make diets (and life, by default) seem like a daunting challenge. And with most side dishes, especially baked goods that make holidays memorable, having gluten in them, anyone with gluten sensitivity will need to steer clear to avoid unwanted health issues. But you can still enjoy some delicious sides without risking your health.
To save you the trouble, here's a list of 22 gluten-free side dishes that are super easy to prepare, pack a powerful flavor punch, and will help you get some much-needed nutrition without compromising your health.
This vegan rice dish is hearty without being too heavy, making it a perfect gluten-free side. It's loaded with spiced and roasted squash and sauteed mushrooms and is finished with fresh parsley and cashews to deliver a nutty crunch. Fresh, tasty, and incredibly easy to make!
This recipe kills two birds with one stone: it's gluten-free and low in carbs! The gratin is made with lots of cream, butter, and cheese that melt together wonderfully to offer mouthwatering flavors, with the most beautiful golden-brown finish. Safe to say, it is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the tongue.
Crunchy yet tender, these baby carrots - a Cracker Barrel copycat - are coated with brown sugar, honey, and buttery glaze; it's so good you'll want to reach for seconds! Just remember, this recipe can be quite sweet, which may be off-putting to some people. Feel free to adjust the amount of honey and sugar to customize it to your liking.
You can never go wrong with potatoes. In this Hasselback potato recipe, simple ingredients are used to produce potatoes that have crispy skin and are tender on the inside. The potatoes are flavored with a yummy garlic-parsley mixture, delivering amazing flavors that will impress your guests.
This is a simple recipe that yields the most wonderful texture and flavor and is sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters. All you have to do is steam your broccoli to keep it tender but crispy, then season it with garlic, salt, pepper flakes, and pepper. To enhance the overall taste, garnish the broccoli florets with your favorite toppings like hemp seeds, and enjoy!
Looking for a side that will help you soak up the delicious flavors of your main course without being too heavy on the tummy? This garlic parmesan rice, flavored with butter, garlic, and parmesan, is an easy way to elevate the humble rice. The best part? This versatile dish comes together in just one pan, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
If you're looking for comfort food that is both flavorsome and filling, look no further than this Colcannon. It's a twist on the traditional recipe and is made with creamy mashed potatoes, shredded cabbage, and crispy bacon - ticking all the right flavor boxes. And when topped with extra grass-fed butter and bacon bits, it offers a taste of heaven in every bite!
Rice can be quite high in carbs, this is why we're coming through with an alternative - cauliflower rice. You may buy it from your local supermarket, but it's so much better when freshly made at home. It's very easy too! Just pulse raw cauliflower in a food processor until it matches the texture of rice, then lightly sauté and season it for a tasty side dish!
Asparagus - the star of this recipe - yields impressive results when it gets a touch crispy in the oven. It'll deliver concentrated, intense flavors that you wouldn't get from merely steaming or sauteing it. Add a sprinkle of lemon zest, finely grated parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes, and you turn this simple green veggie into an instant favorite!
Getting kids and picky eaters - hey, sometimes even adults! - to eat brussels sprouts can be challenging. But this recipe delivers crispy, caramelized, and delightfully tender brussels sprouts that taste incredible! It produces the perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors and comes with recipe variations to help you find your holy grail.
Earthy beets with an orange citrus vinaigrette placed on a bed of arugula - this is a salad that will persuade you to reconsider your stance on beets. It also includes variations to help you tailor it to your preferences. You can serve it alongside your favorite main course or enjoy it alone for a light dinner.
Green beans can be a challenge to cook; overcook them and they become mushy, undercook them and they become rubbery. This recipe offers a simple and easy recipe to cook green beans to delicious perfection. They are tender yet crispy and come together in just 30 minutes. Toss them with a little garlic and sea salt, and you have a side dish that goes with almost everything!
Making this meal is easy, especially if you choose veggies that cook at the same time. Root vegetables would be a great choice because they roast and caramelize beautifully in the oven, and their natural sweetness and earthiness are enhanced to produce intense flavors. With a meal so delicious, you'll actually look forward to eating your daily serving of vegetables!
A Southern classic, this dish delivers a bowl full of nutritional delight with a perfect balance of healthy greens, aromatic garlic, and delicious bacon. It calls for cooking collard greens until they're fully wilted, then seasoning them with red pepper flakes for added heat. We're positive you'll be making this dish a regular part of your meals!
This recipe uses just 3 ingredients to create potato wedges that are golden and crispy on the outside yet light and fluffy on the inside. It's baked, but it tastes like it's been deep-fried. The secret? Before going into the oven, the potato wedges are parboiled. A simple trick delivering spectacularly tasty results!
This vibrant, flavorful side dish is made with shredded red cabbage, apple juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, and spices. It has sweet, tangy, and tart flavors and is high in nutrients - a dish that is as heart-healthy as delicious! Serve it alongside any protein-rich main course to round up your meal.
Lightly-charred pan-fried potatoes, chickpeas, red onions, and parsley come together to create this vibrant vegan, gluten-free side dish with a range of delicious flavors. Pair it with a tangy lemon dressing for a tangy, zesty burst of flavor in every bite. And the best part? This dish is filling enough to make the cut for a quick, light lunch.
Sweet potato casserole, a holiday classic, combines all of your favorite ingredients in one dish and makes enough for leftovers. It has a wonderful flavor profile, offering a combination of buttery sweet potato and toasted spices, finished with a crisp salty-sweet pecan topping. It's delicious, simple, and easy enough to pair with any main dish!
A sweeter version of the traditional mashed potatoes, this sweet potato recipe adds a beautiful pop of color and offers a sweet contrast to your main course's savory notes. It's creamy, savory, and ultra-comforting with a wonderful dose of non-dairy milk, seasonings, and a vegan buttery spread - delicious enough to make it a top contender for your new favorite side dish.
Thought you could never have dinner rolls while being gluten-free? Think again! This gluten-free twist on the classic delivers dinner rolls with a soft and golden crust and a pillowy-soft and fluffy texture. They're buttery, salty, and sweet, and they're really easy to make and enjoy. Make them ahead of time for a fuss-free weeknight meal!
This gluten-free potato chips recipe is perfect for a side dish that can double up as a snack. Make them by double-frying thin potato slices in two different oil temperatures to create delectably crispy chips. Season them for some extra zing and serve! They're so delicious that we're sure they'll fly off your dinner table within minutes!
If you're looking to make a fancy side dish that is super easy to make, try this twice-baked potato recipe. This savory delicacy includes simple ingredients like russet potatoes, milk, sour cream, granulated garlic/garlic powder, and cheese, along with sliced green onions and parsley. It's a hearty, tasty dish that will be loved by adults and kids alike!
