Looking for the best vegetable side dishes to make your meals even healthier? From roasted potatoes to cauliflower rice, these sides are guaranteed to delight.
Including vegetables in every meal can foster the healthiest eating habits at your home. And today is all about turning these nutrient-dense ingredients into exquisite side dishes. Even the kids won’t say no to these hearty, yummy, and easy vegetable dishes that go well with any main course. So, let’s dive into these amazing vegetable side dishes. I hope you don’t skip the main entrée!
1. Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes (With Rosemary and Garlic)
This recipe is so easy, and everyone goes a little crazy over this dish. The insides are so delicious and creamy, and the oven creates a crispy crunchy crust. It’s the best way to prepare potatoes in my opinion. But let’s not forget that aromatic punch of rosemary and garlic! My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
2. Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Say goodbye to soggy, flavorless broccoli! One bite of this recipe, and you’ll never go back to steamed broccoli ever again. The parmesan cheese adds a hint of nutty, cheesy goodness that pairs so well with the earthy flavors of garlic. And the oven helps keep everything nice and crispy, and never soggy.
3. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish recipe. That creamy sauce and crispy crust is why it’s in the side dish hall of fame. Those tender green beans are just a convenient vehicle for this amazing sauce. And no green bean casserole is complete without crispy fried onions for a fantastic crunch!
4. Parmesan Asparagus
Greens and cheese are undeniably a match made in HEAVEN. Come spring, fresh asparagus will be available in farmers’ markets. That’s the perfect time to transform these veggies into an irresistible dish. The recipe will instruct you to sauté the greens, season with salt and pepper, and then sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese on top. So easy, right?
5. Cabbage Salad
Crunchy cabbage and green apples are tossed in a tangy-sweet dressing. This is not your average cabbage salad. This recipe is perfect if you have leftover cabbage and want a quick side dish that you can make while cooking the main course. All it takes is some slicing and tossing. In a few minutes, you’ll have a nourishing dish!
6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Turn Brussels sprout skeptics into converts with this amazing roasted Brussels sprouts recipe! Seriously, it’s a must-try. The Brussels sprouts are so tender on the inside while the outsides are crispy and delightful. All they need is a simple drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper to deliver bright, earthy flavors. But, you can also serve them up with a creamy dipping sauce.
7. Irish Mashed Potatoes
If anyone knows potatoes, it’s the Irish! These aren’t your average mashed potatoes. Irish mashed potatoes, aka colcannon, are a staple Christmas side dish. With creamy potatoes and crunchy savory cabbage, it almost feels like a full meal! If you want a twist on the classics, colcannon is a must-have at your next holiday party.
8. Roasted Beet and Ricotta Salad
Want to bring a little holiday color to your Christmas table? Roasted beet and ricotta salad is more than just a pretty face. The pairing of earthy, savory beets with creamy ricotta is to die for. And you’ll love the hit of citrus, too. It’s pretty, flavorful, and something a little different.
9. Roasted Zucchini
Following three easy steps — cutting, seasoning, and roasting — you’ll have a low-carb side dish in 25 minutes. Introducing oven-roasted zucchini. This recipe requires simple seasonings such as sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Still, you’re free to make other variations. Give it a spicy kick by using Cajun seasoning. Want to add a Mexican flair? Try using taco seasoning instead.
10. Broccoli Salad
I’ve tried many broccoli salad recipes, but nothing comes close to the tasty rendition of Paula Deen. Honestly, I’m a fan of her cooking, so I just can’t let this recipe slide! I’m pretty sure this will be a hit at your dinner table, too. Imagine fresh broccoli swimming in a creamy dressing of mayo, vinegar, and sugar.
11. Baked Parsnip Fries
Healthy fries, anyone? Yup, that exists, but instead of potatoes, you’ll use parsnips. When sliced finely, parsnip fries will be fully baked in just 18 minutes. This recipe uses a garlic-paprika mixture and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese at the end. The end result is a mouthwatering, guilt-free side dish that doubles as a snack!
12. Cauliflower Au Gratin
This recipe is the healthier version of mac and cheese and is bound to become a family favorite. Creamy with a golden-brown crust, you won’t notice at first that this dish uses cauliflower. The best part is you’ll just need a handful of everyday ingredients to create this cheesy delight. It also goes well with various protein sources like chicken, fish, and steak.
13. Collard Greens
Lemony and garlicky leafy vegetables are cooked Brazilian-style. These collard greens perfectly complement black beans and rice. The Mediterranean taste is also lovely served with lasagna or other Italian dishes. To infuse more flavor, you can add bacon and onions to the side dish. Or perhaps, mix in more red pepper flakes if you’re into spicy foods.
14. Carrot Casserole
Even if you aren’t crazy about carrots, this carrot casserole is worth a look. I mean, who can deny all that cheese? It’s so rich and savory thanks to cream of celery soup and earns a pop of sweetness from carrots. Plus, carrots are always so affordable, which makes this recipe easy on the bank account.
15. Thai Cucumber Salad
Looking for an uncooked side dish? Cucumbers to the rescue! This flavorful holiday side dish is bright and super crispy and easy to make in minutes. Plus, cucumbers are so affordable and easy to come by. When paired with bright and citrusy ingredients, it’s a side dish that’s hard to resist.
16. Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole
Paula Deen has entered the chat. If anyone knows tasty vegetable sides, it’s Paula Deen. This corn casserole has it all. The sweetness from the corn pairs perfectly with all those savory, buttery ingredients. Bonus points: it comes together in 10 minutes and takes about 50 minutes to bake to golden perfection in the oven.
17. Glazed Carrots
Glazed carrots are another one of those recipes that look fancy, but it’s so easy (and affordable). All you need is a bag of baby carrots, some brown sugar, and butter! They’re so buttery, and the brown sugar really draws out the natural flavors from the carrots. If you are scrambling for more vegetable sides this holiday season, you have to try this recipe.
18. Microwave Corn on the Cob
Put that giant stockpot down! There’s no need to boil corn on the cob when you have a microwave. It’s so easy it feels like cheating. But trust me, it tastes just as good as stovetop corn on the cob. You don’t even need to husk the corn. Just pop the whole thing in the microwave and let it work its magic.
19. Mashed Turnips
Mashed turnips make a delightful, creamy side dish for roasted meats and savory stews. They have a sharper flavor than mashed potatoes but are less starchy. Turnips can indeed be a bit bitter than potatoes. Nevertheless, you can get rid of the bitterness by leaving the pot uncovered when cooking. Also, try using small turnips as they tend to be sweeter than large ones.
20. Garlic Herb Hasselback Potatoes
These garlic herb hassleback potatoes are sure to impress at the Thanksgiving table. Mashed potatoes are great but lack that wow factor. This recipe has all the rich flavor of roasted potatoes, and the garlic herb sauce takes the flavor over the top. While they look super fancy, they are easier than you think.
21. Cauliflower Rice
Squeeze more vegetables into your diet by having some of this cauliflower rice. You can also use this vegan dish in place of white rice and save around 190 calories! All you need is one large head of cauliflower and the patience to grate it into rice. It’s well worth the time, trust me.
22. Red Potato Salad
Warning: one bite and your guests will demand you make this scrumptious potato salad every time. Tender red potatoes (with the skin on, of course) is the perfect backdrop for fresh herbs in a creamy sauce. Plus, it looks much more festive as a Christmas side dish than regular old potatoes.
23. Sweet Potato Fries
Who says you can’t have French fries as a holiday side dish? These spuds are ready for the holidays with bright flavors from Italian seasoning and lemon pepper. When paired with the sweet, savory notes of sweet potatoes, they are hard to put down. And even better served with creamy dipping sauce!
24. Smashed Potatoes
For the last recipe, we’re going smashing! This is a step to make one of the best potato recipes out there. With crunchy ridges and soft insides, these crispy and buttery smashed potatoes are insanely good. Boil, smash, drizzle, and bake — these are the things you need to do to complete this super hit recipe.
These 24 easy vegetable side dishes are perfect for adding a healthy and delicious touch to any meal. From roasted potatoes to colorful salads, there's something for everyone. So, why not elevate your culinary game and give these recipes a try? Your taste buds will thank you!
