We’re living in a time where being both gluten free and dairy free comes with a huge range of delicious options. You won’t be eating meals that taste like bland cardboard, have an awful mouthfeel, and are made with science experiment ingredients. Instead, you can feast on delicious gluten free dairy free meals, and today, we’re looking at side dishes.
I’m going to share some awesome ideas for gluten and dairy free sides that will work for weeknight dinners, pot lucks & parties, BBQs, and other occasions. I’ll also share some delicious recipes that are on my membership site, RAISE.
Easy Gluten Free, Dairy Free Side Dishes for All Occasions
First, I’d like to share with you some easy side dish ideas that you can serve at just about any event. Many of these ideas are also very kid friendly, so keep that in mind if you plan to bring your side dish to a gathering where children are present.
- Gluten Free Pasta Salad
- Quinoa Salad
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables
- Potatoes (mashed, baked, smashed, fried)
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Fruit Salad
- Vegetable Kebabs
- Cornbread/Millet Muffins
- Sorghum or Millet, cooked and seasoned well
- Rice (pilaf, risotto, steamed, seasoned)
Gluten Free, Dairy Free Side Dishes for BBQ
Here’s the great news: if you’re free-from in any capacity, you can still have amazing food at your next backyard BBQ.
Popular side dishes that are naturally gluten free and dairy free include:
- Grilled Vegetables (make sure they’re plain or coated in oil, NOT butter)
- Potato Salad (remember, mayo contains egg, not milk)
- Basic Coleslaw
- Macaroni Salad (traditional version with mayo, egg, and mustard)
- Grilled & Stuffed Mushrooms
- Fresh Fruit
- Tomato Gazpacho
- Mango and Black Bean Salad
- Fruit Salsa
- Guacamole + Corn Chips
BBQ Sides that are EASY to make both gluten and dairy free include:
- Baked Beans (you’ll need to use a safe BBQ sauce)
- Southern Succotash (you’ll need to use a dairy free butter when cooking the veg)
- Mexican Street Corn (swap the Mexican cheese for a safe dairy free cheese or skip)
- Greek Salad (Follow Your Heart makes a great dairy free feta)
Tips For Having a Successful Gluten & Dairy Free BBQ
Shared grills are going to be the biggest concern in my opinion. Make sure you know what’s previously been on the grill. If there’s any doubt, put down a few layers of foil to protect your food when it’s cooking on the grill.
Make sure you have safe serving utensils that are to only be used for your food, and that your dishes/plates are clearly labeled.
If food is being served family style, which it usually is at a BBQ, consider having a special table that holds the free-from foods. If others will be eating these dishes, it’s a good idea to people start at this table to prevent any cross-contact/contamination.
People might be your downfall, especially children who are serving themselves, so make sure you take the appropriate safety measures ahead of time. After everyone has eaten, in some cases, you’ll need to have everyone wash up well to prevent allergens transferring from people’s hands to surfaces such as door handles.
Gluten Free, Dairy Free Appetizers for Parties
If you’re attending or hosting any kind of party, these are some great appetizers that you can serve. With many of these ideas, you can make a small swap to make it holiday friendly as well.
- Bacon Wrapped Meatballs
- Fruit Kebabs
- Buffalo Chicken Bites (Follow Your Heart has dairy free salad dressings if you want an easy dip)
- Hummus + Veg Platter
- Fondant Potatoes
- Stuffed Button Mushrooms
- Mango Chicken Toothpicks
Gluten Free, Dairy Free Dips for Parties and More
If you’re a fan of finger food, or want an easy option to share with others, dips are a great option. Chips and vegetables are easy foods to offer alongside for dipping. Don’t be afraid to host an event that’s dip focused. One of the perks is that you can easily make all of the dips and accompaniments gluten free and dairy free without it being OBVIOUS.
Some people are hesitant around free-from foods (usually due to a prior bad experience), however, these are foods that can be naturally gluten and dairy free, or easily made/adapted to GF + DF, meaning most people aren’t going to notice.
- Cashew Trout/Salmon Dip
- Eggplant Dip
- Hummus (sweet or savory)
- Guacamole
- Bean/Layered Dip (I like making mine with beans, meat, and caramelized onion)
- Sloppy Joe Dip (serve with a scoop/bowl chip if possible)
- Mango Strawberry Pineapple Fruit Salsa
- Egg/Tuna/Chicken Salad Dip (serve with a scoop/bowl chip if possible)
Vegan Sides
If you’re vegan reading this or serving a vegan, the good news is that many of the ideas I’ve shared will work well for you. Here’s a recap of gluten free, dairy free sides that are vegan:
- Fruit Kebabs
- Hummus + Veg Platter
- Fondant Potatoes
- Eggplant Dip
- Mango Strawberry Pineapple Fruit Salsa
- Grilled Vegetables (make sure they’re plain or coated in oil, NOT butter)
- Basic Coleslaw
- Tomato Gazpacho
- Mango and Black Bean Salad
- Guacamole + Corn Chips
- Quinoa Salad
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables
- Potatoes (mashed, baked, smashed, fried)
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Vegetable Kebabs
- Sorghum or Millet, cooked and seasoned well
- Rice (pilaf, risotto, steamed, seasoned)
Delicious Recipes
Here are links to some recipes on RAISE which all make great sides. Each recipe is both gluten free and dairy free (and very allergy friendly).
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