Let’s get real here. Yes, Thanksgiving has become so synonymous with chowing down on the big bird that it’s even referred to as “Turkey Day” a lot of the time — but turkey isn’t really anyone’s favorite part of the holiday feast. The sides are absolutely where all the deliciousness lies.
Mashed potatoes, stuffing, biscuits with tons of butter and cranberry sauce with extra sugar are where it’s at. And you can’t eat any of it if you’re following a strict paleo diet.
But before you get all sad and lament the end of Thanksgiving as you know it now that you’ve embraced the paleo lifestyle, you should know it’s not hard to whip up some sides that are just as good — if not better — than all the traditional, non-paleo fare. And the bonus? You won’t feel all heavy and gross after you eat yourself into a food coma.
Originally published October 2016. Updated October 2017.
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Creamy green bean mushroom skillet
Image Credit: Wholesomelicious Creamy, spicy green beans and mushrooms are a modern paleo take on the classic green bean casserole.
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Roasted carrots with carrot-top pesto
Image Credit: What Great Grandma Ate Feel slightly less wasteful this holiday season by using both parts of the carrot in this bright paleo side dish.
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Sweet potato orange cups
Image Credit: Anya's Eats Served in orange cups, this paleo sweet potato mash has an alluring hint of citrus.
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Brussels sprouts with kabanos
Image Credit: Eat Drink Paleo Smoky Polish kabanos sausage adds an unexpected depth of flavor to these paleo Brussels sprouts.
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Toasted pine nut pumpkin muffins
Image Credit: Running to the Kitchen Smeared with coconut oil and cranberry sauce, these muffins are a perfect paleo side.
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Roasted root vegetable salad
Image Credit: Slow Burning Passion Root veggies roasted until soft and topped with crunchy nuts will almost make you want to skip the turkey.
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Easy paleo biscuits
Image Credit: Jay's Baking Me Crazy Coconut flour is the secret to these tender, tasty biscuits.
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Roasted sweet potato kale salad
Image Credit: Isabel Eats Sometimes a fresh salad loaded with sweet potatoes, nuts and cranberries, is what your Thanksgiving table needs.
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Blistered green beans and almonds
Image Credit: Heart Beet Kitchen Blistered green beans topped with crushed almonds are a sophisticated, modern paleo Thanksgiving side.
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Crispy paleo roasted sweet potatoes
Image Credit: The Little Green Spoon Crispy roasted sweet potatoes are a scrumptious paleo showstopper.
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Cauliflower celery root mash
Image Credit: Cook Eat Paleo Celery root and cauliflower make for a creamy and flavorful paleo alternative to mashed potatoes.
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Grain-free paleo stuffing
Image Credit: A Clean Bake Grain-free paleo bread is the star of this cozy stuffing.
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Scalloped sweet potatoes
Image Credit: Food Faith Fitness Scalloped sweet potatoes made paleo will be the star of your Thanksgiving side dishes.
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Spinach salad with maple-bacon dressing
Image Credit: Wholesomelicious Maple-bacon dressing. Need we say more?
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Paleo garlic mushrooms
Image Credit: Pure Foods Blog Super-savory garlic mushrooms are roasted in a cast-iron skillet to make this hearty side dish.
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Mashed cauliflower and herbs
Image Credit: Spirited and Then Some A low-carb and paleo cauliflower mash full of herbs will lighten up your Thanksgiving table.
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Delicata-pear salad
Image Credit: Downshiftology Roasted delicata squash tossed with pears, greens and pomegranate makes for an enchanting paleo salad.
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Squash, apple and fig stuffing
Image Credit: Real Food with Dana You won’t miss the bread when you make this flavorful squash, apple and fig stuffing.
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Ginger cranberry sauce
Image Credit: Anya's Eats Ginger adds a hint of spice to this refined sugar-free, paleo cranberry sauce.
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Paleo side dishes
Image Credit: Liz Smith/SheKnows Pin this article so you can make your favorites.
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