Like most really good gluten-free food, these side dishes weren’t developed specifically to be gluten-free—they just happen to combine naturally gluten-free ingredients. Of course, it helps that all fresh, whole fruits and vegetables are gluten-free! Put those together with crunchy nuts, tangy herbs, creamy cheese and more, and you’ve got fabulous sides.
Sweet and Smoky Skillet-Blistered Green Beans
Sweet and Smoky Skillet-Blistered Green Beans.
Blaine Moats
This easy weeknight side uses jalapeno jelly as a glaze and gets major flavor from crunchy smoked almonds.
While jalapeno jelly is naturally gluten-free, always check ingredients on packaged foods. Foods labeled “gluten-free” must meet certain government standards.
Sweet Potato-Apple Gratin with Gruyère
Sweet Potato-Apple Gratin with Gruyere.
Carson Downing
Our testers loved this luscious gratin, flavored with garlic, rosemary and sage. Serve this sweet potato dish as a side, or pair it with a grain like wild rice, plus a green veggie, for a cozy meatless main.
Pickled Cranberry Arugula Salad
Pickled Cranberry Arugula Salad.
Kelsey Hansen
This salad is so easy to make—and yet it can star as a holiday side dish. Combine just a few ingredients: peppery arugula, tangy cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and creamy goat cheese. Add leftover turkey to make it a main (and gluten-free) meal.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Orange and Mascarpone
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Orange and Mascarpone.
Blaine Moats
A pat of butter and a sprinkle of black pepper is all it takes to crown this creamy dish. Make sure to buy only 100 percent pure maple syrup so it is gluten-free. This dish is almost rich enough to be a dessert—but we have other gluten-free dessert ideas for you!
Roast Potatoes
Roast Potatoes.
Carson Downing
Crispy outside and floury inside, English roast potatoes are typically cooked very simply—water, salt, hot oil. But Chef Kieron Hales of Cornman Farms in southeast Michigan dresses his up with herbs, garlic and Worcestershire sauce. Make sure to buy Worcestershire sauce labeled “gluten-free”—it’s one of those ingredients where “hidden gluten” could trip you up.
Mustard-Dressed Roasted Vegetables with Cranberries
Mustard-Dressed Roasted Vegetables with Cranberries.
Blaine Moats
This pretty dish works well with any roasted meat. Look for a mustard labeled gluten-free.
Butter-Braised Leeks
Butter-Braised Leeks.
Carson Downing
These meltingly tender leeks are a satisfying gluten-free complement to grilled or roasted meat. Tip: Save the cooking liquid from this side dish to use in a soup.
Maple-Butternut Puree
Maple Butternut Puree.
Blaine Moats
Blending roasted butternut squash with maple syrup, butter and nutmeg makes it utterly addictive. You might think of this as a holiday side, but squash is delicious all year round.
Hidden Roots Mashed Potatoes
Hidden Roots Mashed Potatoes.
Blaine Moats
Potatoes or rice are standard side dishes for those eating gluten-free, so it’s fun to mix things up a little. This rich mash is a subtly sweet blend of parsnip, celery root and two kinds of potato, plus plenty of butter, sour cream and nutmeg. It would do nicely for a weekend or holiday side.
Pole Bean Salad with Peaches, Tomatoes and Chickpeas
Pole Bean Salad with Peaches, Tomatoes and Chickpeas.
Carson Downing
This gorgeous, colorful (and gluten-free) salad is summer on a platter, sure to wow your family and friends at every potluck and cookout.
Healthier Potato Salad
Healthier Potato Salad.
Carson Downing
This potato salad looks just like your classic barbecue or potluck dish (and tastes fairly similar too). But Greek yogurt, crisp radishes and fresh lemon juice brighten up the classic. As a bonus, it’s gluten-free!
For another delicious gluten-free potato salad that gets some extra crunch from beans, try Mediterranean Potato and Green Bean Salad.
Corn Off the Cob
Corn off the Cob.
Brie Passano
This easy recipe takes just minutes to put together and tastes great at any temp. Shave the kernels off boiled sweet corn, then toss with lime juice, olive oil, cilantro and red onion. The recipe uses a dash of hot sauce—most hot sauces are gluten-free but check labels.
Honey-Sage Sweet Potatoes, Pears and Walnuts
Honey-Sage Sweet Potatoes, Pears and Walnuts.
Blaine Moats
A colorful mixture of sweet potatoes, red onion and pears blend with sage and sweet honey in this easy-roasted side.
Roasting brings out the natural sugars in ingredients and is a terrific way to prepare gluten-free sides. You can toss just about any vegetable mix with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then add nuts, fruits or simple seasonings if you like. Other great combos include Roasted Potatoes, Fennel and Lemon and Orange Sauced Butternut Squash, Carrots and Dried Cherries.
Herbed Brown Rice
Herbed Brown Rice.
Blaine Moats
This seasoned rice dish adapts beautifully to almost any menu and makes enough for multiple meals. Try it with roast chicken, fish or vegetables as an alternative to white rice or potatoes. The nutty flavor and chewiness of brown rice will be especially appreciated by those eating gluten-free.
Sesame Cucumber Salad with Mustards Seeds
Sesame Cucumber Salad with Mustard Seeds.
Carson Downing
This refreshing dish is a new take on old-fashioned cucumber salads. Fresh dill and quick-pickled mustard seeds evoke the flavors of classic fridge pickles.
Lentil and Rice Summer Salad
Lentil and Rice Summer Salad.
Blaine Moats
This is a multipurpose gluten-free side: It can be a potluck salad, a side salad at dinner, or a main dish topped with grilled chicken or a salmon fillet. The recipe comes from the blog A Couple Cooks.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Chutney on Squash
Roasted Cherry Tomato Chutney on Squash.
Blaine Moats
In this beautiful summer dish, juicy cherry tomatoes are roasted and served over spaghetti squash with herbs and mozzarella balls. It was created as a side dish, but would also make a meatless (and gluten-free) main.
While gluten-free noodles are readily available in grocery stores and can be substituted for regular noodles in most recipes, they don’t have quite the same texture or taste as wheat-based noodles. Using spaghetti squash (or other spiralized veggies) solves that issue and gives you a nutritious base, too.
Quinoa Salad with Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Feta
Quinoa Salad with Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Feta.
Whitney Ott
This side dish salad is also hearty enough to be a gluten-free main, with caramelized zucchini, almonds, cheese and quinoa. For those eating gluten-free, quinoa makes a good switch-up for rice.
Two-Bean Salad with Tarragon
Two-Bean Salad with Tarragon.
Brie Passano
This fresh summer salad comes dressed in a lemony homemade vinaigrette you can also use on lettuce salads, asparagus or boiled baby potatoes.
Sweet Corn and Black Bean Succotash
Sweet Corn and Black Bean Succotash.
Rachel Marek
This cilantro-flecked salad with a Southwest-inspired dressing can be served at any temperature, making it ideal for potlucks.
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Halloumi Cheese
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Halloumi Cheese.
Blaine Moats
Here’s a salad for those summer days when tomatoes are at their peak. Tuck grilled Halloumi among ripe heirloom tomatoes; scatter with quick-pickled red onion, oregano, pepper and olive oil.
Another great gluten-free option for fresh tomatoes: Tomato Salad with Edamame Succotash.
Roasted Carrots
Roasted Carrots.
Jason Donnelly
Carrots’ natural sweetness shines in this recipe from Urban Roots Farm in Springfield, Missouri. You can make them with any type of carrot, but heirloom varieties look exceptionally appealing. Some of our other favorite gluten-free carrot recipes include Lazy-Braised, Maple-Glazed Carrots and Carrot and Swede Puree.
Fresh Corn Salad
Fresh Corn Salad.
This summer side dish is both healthy and gluten-free. Mix sweet dressing, fresh veggies and spicy jalapeños to create a fresh-tasting salad with only 77 calories per serving.
Celery and Apple Salad with Walnuts
Celery and Apple Salad with Walnuts.
Blaine Moats
This fresh gluten-free salad with a tangy lemon-thyme vinaigrette would go beautifully with roast pork or chicken.
Roasted Broccoli with Pecorino and Lemon
Roasted Broccoli with Pecorino and Lemon.
Roasting broccoli is a wonderful change from steaming or stir-frying, bringing out the veggie’s sweetness and complexity. “This was so good, I feel like I could have eaten the whole pan standing right there at the stove!” says a website reviewer.
Grilled Squash in Cilantro, Lime and Fish Sauce
Grilled Squash in Cilantro, Lime and Fish Sauce.
Carson Downing
Minneapolis chef Yia Vang created this simple side, dressing charred zucchini and yellow squash in a sweet-tart dressing that has umami notes from fish sauce. Some fish sauces contain gluten, so buy only gluten-free versions.
Cucumber-Honeydew Salad with Feta
Cucumber-Honeydew Salad with Feta.
This no-cook gluten-free salad is full of fruit and vegetable goodness. Feta adds a tang to the sweetness of honeydew melon. With only 20 minutes of prep time before an overnight chill, this recipe is great for a family dinner or a party.
Grilled Vegetables with Summer Hollandaise
Grilled Vegetables with Summer Hollandaise.
Grilling asparagus and Broccolini over dry heat concentrates their sweetness and adds smoky flavor. Make the summer Hollandaise sauce in a blender to prevent it from separating.
Dining and Cooking