Thanksgiving Side Dishes (Paleo, Whole30)

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!

Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Vegan, Paleo, Whole30)

4.89 from 17 votes

This spicy, sweet, and savory Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe that can be made in 30 minutes from start to finish! Perked up with a dash of cayenne pepper, lime juice, and fresh cilantro—this vegan, Whole30, and paleo mash goes well with everything!

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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!

Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes (Whole30, Keto)

4.96 from 24 votes

This Whole30 and keto garlic cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe is nomtastic and super easy to make in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop!

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Cauliflower Colcannon

Want some greens with your spuds? No one will notice that the potatoes have been replaced with creamy puréed cauliflower—they’ll just scoop up seconds and thirds!

Cauliflower Colcannon

4.80 from 25 votes

Cauliflower colcannon is a healthy and keto-friendly twist on the traditional Irish dish of mashed potatoes and cooked greens! Plus, you can make it in the Instant Pot!

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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!

Baked Sweet Potatoes (Yams)

4.85 from 26 votes

This fool-proof method to make baked yams and sweet potatoes is a game changer! Meal prep a bunch of them and store them in the refrigerator so you can grab one whenever you get a craving for something naturally sweet!

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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!

Crispy Swoodles with Bacon

4.88 from 16 votes

This crunchy combo of bacon, roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions—finished off with fresh herbs and lime juice—will win over your pickiest eaters.

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Instant Pot Crispy Potatoes

You can cook the potatoes ahead of time in the pressure cooker and fry them up on Turkey Day!

Instant Pot Crispy Potatoes

4.74 from 34 votes

Let me show you how to use an Instant Pot to make potatoes with crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors in no time flat!

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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!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon (Whole30, Keto, Air Fryer)

4.89 from 17 votes

This Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon recipe is a perfect Paleo side dish for fall! It's perfect for your Thanksgiving table as well!

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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!

Shaved Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

4.67 from 18 votes

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!  

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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!

Roasted Asian Brussels Sprouts Salad with Citrus and Ginger Dressing

5 from 7 votes

A tangy Asian inspired orange and ginger dressing gives this roasted Brussels sprouts salad a zesty zing that’ll liven up your Thanksgiving table!

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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!

Paleo Cranberry Sauce with Cherries

4.95 from 17 votes

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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 Autumn Mash

4.86 from 7 votes

One of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving side dishes is Roasted Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash. Why? ’Cause it’s a feast for both the eyes and tastebuds. My original stovetop version is crazy delicious, but now that I’m a certified Instant Pothead, I was determined to create a shortcut to veggie mash nirvana using my Instant Pot. After some tinkering, I’ve come up with a simpler way to make my Autumn Mash in an electric pressure cooker!

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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!

Instant Pot Braised Kale and Carrots

5 from 12 votes

There’s nothing more comforting than a big pot of tender pressure cooker braised kale and carrots—they’re delicious and nutritious!

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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!

Air Fryer Carrots

4.74 from 15 votes

Air Fryer Carrots are a fast, healthy, and delicious way to roast everyone’s favorite vegetable so they’re golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside. This simple savory side dish can be ready in about 20 minutes and you don’t even need to peel or cut the carrots!

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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 Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash

5 from 6 votes

Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be complete without a generous serving of mashed root vegetables. And while mashed potatoes will always have a special place in my heart, I’ve come to prefer this Autumn Mash as a comforting, colorful alternative because: (A) it tastes better, and (B) it’s so much prettier.

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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 Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic

4.63 from 16 votes

Roasted green beans with lemon and garlic is the quick and easy vegetable side you’ve been looking for! This Whole30- and keto-friendly side dish can be on the table in about 20 minutes and it pairs well with everything. 

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Chinese Garlic Green Beans

Want an Asian spin on green beans this Thanksgiving? Make this simple skillet version!

Chinese Garlic Green Beans

4.91 from 10 votes

These tender and blistered Chinese-style garlic green beans are paleo, Whole30, gluten free, and low carb! Simply stir fry green beans in a hot pan and toss with a garlicky sauce for a quick and easy side dish!

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Roasted Kabocha Squash

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

Roasted Kabocha Squash

4.71 from 61 votes

Roasted kabocha squash is my favorite way to cook this winter squash! Japanese pumpkin cooked in the manner has the taste and texture of roasted chestnuts!

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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!

World’s Best Braised Cabbage

4.78 from 117 votes

Molly Steven’s recipe for the World’s Best Braised Cabbage, is an amazing Whole30-friendly vegetable side dish that makes the lowly cabbage a star in its own right. It reheats great so make it ahead!

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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!

Swiss Chard with Raisins, Pine Nuts, and Crispy Prosciutto

4.70 from 10 votes

This hearty Whole30 vegetable side dish is packed with flavor, textures, nutrition, and crispy pork! It’s one of my favorite ways to serve Swiss chard!

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Whole roasted cauliflower is a show stopping Whole30-friendly, keto, and vegan side dish. Plus, this recipe only uses 3 ingredients!

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

4.76 from 98 votes

Whole roasted cauliflower is a delicious, Whole30-friendly vegan dish. It’s also budget-friendly, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress your guests!

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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!

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

4.91 from 21 votes

Got an Instant Pot and looking for a cozy paleo soup recipe that’s perfect for fall and winter? This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup is super easy to make, super bacon-y, and Whole30-friendly!

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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!

Carrot Cardamom Soup (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

4.92 from 23 votes

My Whole30-friendly Carrot Cardamom soup (Instant Pot or stovetop) is a quick and tasty bowl of joy made with carrots, ginger, cardamom, and coconut milk!  

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Pea Soup with Crispy Prosciutto

This Whole30-compatible soup combines fresh or frozen peas, soaked cashews for decadent creaminess, and fresh mint and lemon juice for an extra zing!

Pea Soup with Crispy Prosciutto

5 from 3 votes

This quick and creamy dairy-free pea soup is like spring in a bowl—but you can make it all year-round. This Whole30-compatible soup combines fresh or frozen peas, soaked cashews for decadent creaminess, and fresh mint and lemon juice for an extra zing! 

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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!

Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup

5 from 7 votes

If you’re an umami evangelist like me, you’ll love this recipe for Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup. It's also Whole30, Keto, and Dairy-Free!

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Cream of Tomato Soup

A simple, delicious, and economical crowd pleaser!

Cream of Tomato Soup (Paleo, Whole30, Dairy-Free)

4.75 from 31 votes

Discover a dairy-free twist on the classic tomato soup: a velvety blend of fire-roasted tomatoes, aromatic leeks, and creamy coconut milk! In about 20 minutes, you’ll end up with a comforting and dairy-free tomato soup that’ll warm you from the inside out!

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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!

Asparagus Mimosa (Whole30, Paleo, Keto)

4.91 from 11 votes

Asparagus Mimosa is a classic French recipe that’s the embodiment of spring on a plate! Combining tender-crisp asparagus stalks with a lemony vinaigrette and topped with fluffy, sieved hard boiled eggs—it’s the perfect vegetable dish to serve with Sunday brunch or a colorful spring supper.

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Endive, Radicchio, and Apple Salad

Sometimes you want a salad with your turkey and this one hits all the right notes!

Endive and Apple Salad

4.75 from 4 votes

This Whole30 salad’s packed with sweet apples, bitter greens, crunchy nuts, and even Prosciutto Chips. It's the perfect winter salad!

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Chopped Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

Want a fresh and tasty Asian-inspired chopped salad that’s big on flavor and low in effort? Your guests will love it!

Asian Chopped Salad (Whole30, Vegan)

4.93 from 14 votes

A fresh and tasty Asian chopped salad that’s big on flavor and low in effort. Add some protein to make it a complete meal or serve it as a side dish at picnics!

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Kale and Persimmon Salad

This Whole30-friendly kale salad with sweet persimmons, toasted almonds, and a zippy lemon vinaigrette will hit the spot without much effort!

Kale and Persimmon Salad

4.84 from 12 votes

This easy Whole30-friendly kale and persimmon salad is the healthy winter salad of your dreams!

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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!

Red Cabbage Slaw with Tangy Carrot and Ginger Dressing

4.77 from 26 votes

This colorful and tangy Whole30-friendly red cabbage slaw is a refreshing spin on a traditional cole slaw.

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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!