Thanksgiving Side Dishes (Paleo, Whole30)

The best part of Thanksgiving dinner is definitely the side dishes, am I right? These paleo and Whole30-compatible Thanksgiving side dishes will satisfy everyone at your dinner table and no one will will notice that they’re naturally grain-free and gluten-free!

Although I love a perfectly cooked Spatchcocked Turkey smothered in Umami Gravy and accompanied with a fab Paleo Cran-Cherry Sauce, I always find myself piling my plate high with multicolored vegetable side dishes. If you’re in the same boat as me, here are some of my favorite healthy Thanksgiving side dishes!

Potato Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Perked up with a dash of cayenne pepper, lime juice, and fresh cilantro, this vegan, Whole30, and paleo sweet potato mash will be the new favorite at your Thanksgiving table!

Garlic Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes”

Going low carb this Thanksgiving? This Whole30 and keto garlic cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe is nomtastic and super easy to make in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. No one will suspect that you’re serving low carb mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes!

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Looking for the best way to cook sweet potatoes or yams? This fool-proof method to make baked yams and sweet potatoes is a game changer!

Crispy Swoodles With Bacon

This faux noodle dish made with crispy sweet potato noodles isn’t a traditional Thanksgiving side dish—but it should be. Save the leftovers and throw an egg on it for breakfast the next day!

Roasted Brussels sprouts and Bacon

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon is the best Whole30- and keto-friendly holiday vegetable side dish that you can make in the oven or air fryer!

Shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon

Shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon is one of the fastest ways to make a deliciously smoky Whole30-friendly vegetable side dish—and it will knock your socks off, too!

Warm Brussels sprouts Salad with Asian Citrus Dressing

This warm Brussels sprouts salad with Asian Citrus dressing is a crowd-pleaser because you can make it ahead and everyone loves it!

Instant Pot Autumn Mash

This beautiful vegetable mash made with roasted garlic, parsnips, carrots, and cauliflower is cooked even faster in an Instant Pot!

Instant Pot Kale and Carrots

Tender kale and carrots are quickly cooked in an Instant Pot for a simple and delicious side dish that won’t take up room on the stove!

Roasted Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash

Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be complete without a generous serving of mashed root vegetables. Want to make my Autumn Mash but don’t have an Instant Pot? This is the OG stovetop version!

Roasted Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic

Tired of soft, limp, and bland boiled green beans? Roasted green beans tossed in a zesty garlic and lemon marinade will be your new favorite way to cook them!

Roasted Kabocha Squash

When roasted, this Japanese pumpkin has the taste and texture of roasted chestnuts. Roasted kabocha pairs perfectly with turkey, too!

Swiss chard with Raisins, Pine Nuts, and Porkitos

The mere thought of a warm plate of tender chard cooked with sizzling garlic and tossed with pine nuts and raisins makes me weak in the knees, but crumble some crispy Porkitos on top, and pretty much all my stresses and worries disappear. Same? Make this dish!

Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).