The best part of a Thanksgiving feast 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 these healthy spins on the classics are naturally grain-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free!
Although I love a perfectly cooked Spatchcocked Turkey smothered in Umami Gravy, 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 to round out your menu!
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! It’s way tastier than the traditional sweet potato casserole!
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!
Cauliflower Colcannon
Here’s a healthy and keto-friendly twist on the traditional Irish dish of mashed potatoes and cooked greens. No one will notice that the potatoes have been replaced with creamy puréed cauliflower—they’ll just scoop up seconds and thirds!
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!
Brussels Sprouts Thanksgiving Side Dishes
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!
Other Vegetable Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Paleo Cran-Cherry Sauce
If you are looking for a healthy, simple, and delicious cranberry sauce, look no further than this fantastic sauce that uses frozen cranberries and cherries!
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!
Air Fryer Carrots
Oven tied up with the turkey or other veggies? This simple savory side dish can be ready in about 20 minutes and you don’t even need to peel or cut the carrots!
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 green bean casserole? 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!
World’s Best Braised Cabbage
Another fantastic make-ahead vegetable side dish that you can warm up on Thanksgiving! It transforms a humble cabbage into a tender, savory, vegetable showstopper!
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!
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Whole roasted cauliflower is a show stopping Whole30-friendly, keto, and vegan side dish. Plus, this recipe only uses 3 ingredients!
Thanksgiving Soup Recipes
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup is super easy to make, super bacon-y, and Whole30-friendly! You can also make it in a slow cooker!
Carrot Cardamom Soup
Craving a creamy vegetable soup at the Thanksgiving table? My Whole30-friendly Carrot Cardamom soup can be made ahead on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup
If you’re an umami evangelist like me, you’ll love this recipe for Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup!
Thanksgiving Salad Recipes
Asparagus Mimosa
Combining tender-crisp asparagus stalks with a lemony vinaigrette and topped with fluffy, sieved hard boiled eggs—it’s the perfect make-ahead vegetable dish for Thanksgiving!
Endive, Radicchio, and Apple Salad
Sometimes you want a salad with your turkey and this one hits all the right notes!
Kale Salad with Persimmons
This Whole30-friendly kale salad with sweet persimmons, toasted almonds, and a zippy lemon vinaigrette will hit the spot without much effort!
Red Cabbage Slaw with Tangy Carrot Vinaigrette
This colorful and tangy Whole30-friendly red cabbage slaw is a refreshing spin on a traditional cole slaw. The acidity of this salad perfectly balances the hearty turkey and gravy!
Need more Paleo and Whole30-compatible Thanksgiving recipes? Check out my epic Paleo Thanksgiving recipe roundup which includes dessert and stuffing recipes! You can also get my downloadable Thanksgiving menu and planning guide there!
[Originally posted on November 17, 2020. Updated on November 13, 2021.]
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 2022).
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Siya Ray says
The swoodles and the gravy are so incredible and make for life-changing sides.