27 Cold Gluten-Free Side Dishes (Refreshing Ideas)

Side dishes can add a lot of flavor to the main course, highlighting existing tastes or adding them to a dish. A gluten-free diet doesn’t restrict you from enjoying side dishes brimming with flavors.

When considering what foods you can eat on this diet, this list of gluten-free cold side dishes gives you plenty of choices for refreshing picnic ideas, accompaniments for summer meals, and dishes that don’t require heating before serving. So read on to discover the best gluten-free sides around.

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1. Gluten-Free Southwest Pasta Salad

Delicious Gluten-Free Southwest Pasta Salad in a bowl.

When it comes to gluten-free cold side dishes, pasta salad is a must. Plus, it’s easy to whip up a batch of this side for a potluck or to keep in the fridge for a quick meal. This recipe for Gluten-Free Southwest Pasta Salad includes a creamy avocado dressing.

2. Gluten-Free Pasta Salad with Pumpkin Seed Pesto

Healthy Gluten-Free Pasta Salad with Pumpkin Seed Pesto in a gray bowl.

Featuring a uniquely flavored pesto dressing, this Gluten-Free Pasta Salad with Pumpkin Seed Pesto will become your lunch go-to. Instead of pine nuts, grind pumpkin seeds in the food processor before adding basil, garlic, and olive oil.

3. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Flavorful Hawaiian Macaroni Salad in a red bowl. — Image source: **Strength & Sunshine**

This side stands out from other pasta salad recipes with its perfect mix of creamy and tangy flavors. To make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad use gluten-free macaroni and toss it with vegan mayo, sweet onion, carrot, and celery. The fresh flavor from the veggies and subtle sweetness make this meal.

4. Cranberry Sauce with Cider and Orange

Juicy Cranberry Sauce with Cider and Orange in a white bowl.

Most people think of cranberries as an autumn dish, but Cranberry Sauce with Cider and Orange has the fresh flavors you want in a cold side dish for summer. You can use it as a sandwich spread, mix it with yogurt, or mix it into a smoothie or fruit punch.

5. Avocado Lime Dip

A gray bowl of Avocado Lime Dip. — Image source: **Paleo Gluten Free**

You might feel tempted to eat this delicious Avocado Lime Dip by itself. It's a great dip for veggie sticks or gluten-free crackers that is easy to make and requires just two avocados, coconut milk, lime juice, garlic, and sea salt.

6. Chipotle Mango Salsa with Vegan Nachos

Tasty Chipotle Mango Salsa with Vegan Nachos in a white bowl.

You’ll crave Chipotle Mango Salsa with Vegan Nachos as a meal, snack, or side. The salsa uses red onion, mangos, and chipotle pepper for a sweet heat. Dip gluten-free crackers, tortilla chips, or veggies in, or add a dollop of this salsa to a sandwich or entree.

7. Cowboy Caviar

Healthy gluten-free Cowboy Caviar in a blue bowl. — Image source: **AllRecipes**

A cute name for a bean salad that merges several flavors into a delicious side, Cowboy Caviar works with any main dish or is a perfect dip for gluten-free chips. To make this salad, mix pinto beans, black-eyed peas, onion, celery, and bell pepper, and enjoy.

8. Crudite Platter with Sour Cream Dip

Crudite Platter with Sour Cream Dip in a bowl with veggies. — Image source: **Simply Delicious**

Here is a filling, healthy side dish that’s so easy to whip up. Crudite Platter with Sour Cream Dip uses sour cream or Greek yogurt with parsley, chives, and garlic powder. Mix and serve with carrots, broccoli, asparagus, and other fresh veggies and watch the crowd gather.

9. House Salad

Healthy gluten-free House Salad in a white bowl. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

A House Salad may sound basic, but it is the quintessential cold side dish that gives you plenty of fresh vegetables for a healthy meal. Add your favorite lettuce, and top it with shredded carrots, diced tomatoes, cucumber slices, and onion.

10. The Best Beet Salad

Delicious The Best Beet Salad in a white bowl. — Image source: **The Stay At Home Chef**

Beets have an earthy flavor. They are an acquired taste, yet even if they aren't you're favorite, you have to try the Best Beet Salad. Mix cubed beets with your favorite lettuce and goat cheese before topping the salad with a mouth-watering orange-balsamic vinaigrette. We think this beet salad will have you craving this veggie.

11. Beet and Grapefruit Salad

Gluten-free Beet and Grapefruit Salad on a white plate. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

More beets? Well, we said you’d crave them. Beet and Grapefruit Salad is the recipe to try next. With loads of freshness from chilled beets, grapefruit, avocado, and microgreens, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a savory dish you’ll enjoy.

12. Kale and Cranberry Salad

Delicious Kale and Cranberry Salad on a white plate. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

A simple side dish to make and serve as-is, or level it up by adding chicken to make Kale and Cranberry Salad a full meal. Use kale as your lettuce for this salad, topped with pecan pieces, shredded carrots, cranberry, and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese.

13. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Tasty Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad on a white plate. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

Salads are quick and delicious gluten-free cold side dishes, but sometimes you want to make them more unique. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad uses a different type of greens for the lettuce. Dice the sprouts into thin slices and toss them to separate the layers. Add your favorite salad toppings and poppy seed dressing to highlight the Brussels sprout flavor.

14. Avocado Corn Salad

Delicious gluten-free Avocado Corn Salad in a white bowl. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

These veggies are filling, fresh sides, so combining them into this Avocado Corn Salad is a winning recipe. Add red onion, bell pepper, and cilantro to accentuate the natural flavors. A lime dressing adds a delicious tang to the side dish.

15. Lentil Tabbouleh Salad

Flavorful Lentil Tabbouleh Salad in a gray bowl. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

Savor this Mediterranean as a side, or scoop it up with gluten-free crackers. Lentil Tabbouleh Salad is easy to make. After cooking the lentils, add parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and a splash of lemon juice.

16. Chopped Salad with Hatch Green Chile Vinaigrette

Healthy Chopped Salad with Hatch Green Chile Vinaigrette on a white plate.

Elevate salad from a cold side dish by adding heat. By heat, we mean spice, like the green chili in this Chopped Salad with Hatch Green Chile Vinaigrette recipe. Use arugula or substitute your favorite lettuce, then add sweet corn, tomatoes, and avocados.

17. Lemon Orzo Salad

Scrumptious gluten-free Lemon Orzo Salad in a wooden bowl. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

Lemon is a bright, delicious flavor for cold side dishes, so this Lemon Orzo Salad is a perfect recipe for picnics and warm weather. Make it in advance and keep it in the fridge to heighten the flavor of lemon, asparagus, and red pepper. Almonds add texture and subtle flavor.

18. Strawberry Cucumber Salad

Mouth-watering Strawberry Cucumber Salad on a white plate. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

Adding fruit to a cold salad is a great way to bring a burst of tart sweetness. This Strawberry Cucumber Salad tastes light and fresh due to the high water content of the two main ingredients. Feta cheese levels out the tangy strawberries, and a poppy seed dressing adds a depth of flavor to the fresh vegetables. Include your favorite salad toppings and enjoy.

19. Cherry Tomato Salad

Fresh gluten-free Cherry Tomato Salad on a white plate. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

There are so many bright colors of cherry tomatoes, and you can use all of them in this Cherry Tomato Salad. Perfect for Caprese or pasta salad, just slice the tomatoes and toss them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then top it with garlic.

20. Greek Chickpea Salad

Delicious gluten-free Greek Chickpea Salad in a white bowl. — Image source: **Healthy Gluten-Free Family**

Chock full of fresh ingredients, including cucumber, yellow bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and kalamata olives, Greek Chickpea Salad is a cold side dish everyone will love. Add chickpeas and crumbled feta to balance the intensity of the lemon vinaigrette.

21. Pickled Watermelon Radishes

Healthy Pickled Watermelon Radishe tacos on a white plate. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

Pickles and watermelons are both cold sides for picnics, and this recipe for Pickled Watermelon Radishes combines them. Eat these tart and tangy pickles plain, or layer them on a burger.

22. Old-Fashioned Coleslaw With Vinegar

Flavorful Old-Fashioned Coleslaw With Vinegar in a white bowl with a wooden spoon. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

Coleslaw is a picnic mainstay because it brings fresh veggies to a meal. This recipe for Old-Fashioned Coleslaw With Vinegar gives you a tangy side dish to serve with your favorite entree. Best of all, this dressing doesn’t use mayo, so it’s a light, healthy option.

23. KFC Coleslaw

Delicious gluten-free KFC Coleslaw in a white bowl with a spoon. — Image source: **Insanely Good Recipes**

Instead of trying to buy gluten-free cold side dishes from the store or a restaurant, you can make them yourself. This KFC Coleslaw recipe tastes better than the real thing and only takes 10 minutes to make using fresh veggies, buttermilk, and mayo.

24. Spicy Coleslaw with Avocado Dressing

Scrumptious gluten-free Spicy Coleslaw with Avocado Dressing in a bowl and on a plate. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

Coleslaw is a great cold side dish for picnics and potlucks, but you can also turn it into something new by finding the right recipe. This Spicy Coleslaw with Avocado Dressing is unlike anything you’ve had before. The jalapenos bring the spice while avocado and mayonnaise add creaminess.

25. Blue Cheese Potato Salad

Healthy gluten-free Blue Cheese Potato Salad in a white bowl with a wooden spoon. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

A creamy side dish you can serve cold, Blue Cheese Potato Salad levels up the traditional side into something mouth-watering. Instead of mayo, use Greek yogurt to highlight the tanginess of the blue cheese. Bacon adds delicious saltiness and makes it a filling side suitable for any meal.

26. Rainbow Potato Salad

Mouth-watering gluten-free Rainbow Potato Salad in a white bowl. — Image source: **Peel With Zeal**

Here is a bright take on a standard potato salad. Rainbow Potato Salad uses sweet and purple potatoes tossed with red, yellow, and green peppers, while red onions and cilantro add more color to this delicious dish. The olive vinaigrette takes this cold side dish to the next level. To make, blend balsamic vinegar, kalamata olives, raw honey, and Dijon mustard for a sweet, tangy dressing.

27. Gluten-Free Cucumber Sandwich Bites

Scrumptious Gluten-Free Cucumber Sandwich Bites on a white tray. — Image source: **Make The Best Of Everything**

Salads and cold pasta are great sides, but finger food is enticing, too. These Gluten-Free Cucumber Sandwich Bites deliver a fresh taste without the need for forks or serving dishes—you’ll want to eat them right off the tray! The cracker base is sturdier than bread, which you top with cream cheese and cucumber.

Wrapping Up

There are so many delicious cold sides that are or can be made gluten-free. From dips to slaws to pasta and potato salads, these are the sides you have been craving.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out the salad bowls and pasta dishes. These savory, sweet, and tart sides are healthy, refreshing, and easy to make, and they’re totally gluten-free.