We could all use some more vegetables in our diets, but finding the right recipes is key. Don’t worry. I have 25+ vegetable side dishes that you can serve with any meal and that everyone – even the pickiest of eaters – will love.
25+ Best Vegetable Side Dishes for Every Meal
1. Mexican Roasted Cauliflower
Forget the usual, boring cauliflower. This recipe adds tons of spices – cumin, onion powder, garlic powder and chili powder. Toss the florets with olive oil and the spices before roasting. Top with freshly chopped cilantro, green onions, fresh lime wedges and avocado slices.
This side dish has plenty of healthy fat, vitamins and minerals, so you can feel good about serving it for dinner.
2. Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
These Mediterranean roasted vegetables are so flavorful and pair so well with just about any main dish. This recipe uses eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini, red onion and cherry tomatoes, but you can use any vegetable you like. Fennel, potatoes and broccolini are some other great choices.
Toss your chopped veggies in olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic and spices. Roast on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes, and enjoy.
3. Parmesan Roasted Asparagus with Tomato and Balsamic
A delicious way to enjoy asparagus and roasted tomatoes. Spread out your asparagus on a baking sheet, top with shaved Parmesan cheese and chopped cherry tomatoes, and roast for 12-15 minutes.
Finish with sliced basil and a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
4. Cheesy Root Vegetable Gratin
Root vegetables are packed with nutrients, but you need the right recipe to make them a crowd-pleaser. This one is it! Rows of thinly sliced beets, sweet potatoes and parsnips are cooked in a creamy Gruyere cheese sauce with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Related: 17+ High-Protein Vegetables to Eat on a Regular Basis
5. Marinated Vegetable Salad
A simple vegetable salad side dish that you can serve with any meal. What I love most about this recipe is its versatility. You can add whatever vegetables you like. The recipe calls for sweet bell peppers, broccoli, black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and chopped carrots.
Toss your ingredients in a homemade Dijon mustard and lemon vinaigrette, and you’re ready to serve.
I recommend refrigerating for at least two hours before serving so that all of the flavors have a chance to combine.
6. Greek Roasted Cauliflower with Herbs and Feta
Hearty roasted cauliflower tossed with oregano, lemon zest and garlic powder and topped with crumbled feta and fresh herbs. This side dish is every bit as beautiful as it is tasty. Even the kids will devour it and ask for seconds.
7. Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Vegetable side dishes don’t get much better than this one. Balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, dried cranberries and pecans give these roasted Brussels sprouts tons of flavor. Feel free to add any extra toppings you like to this dish. If you can’t find cranberries, raisins will work just as well.
8. Briam
This traditional Greek dish is so simple but absolutely delicious. It looks gorgeous, too. Thinly sliced gold potatoes, zucchini squash and red onions are roasted in a tomato sauce with fresh herbs and garlic. It’s the perfect side for any main dish and can even stand on its own as a main dish.
I recommend baking in an au gratin dish or a deep round baking dish.
9. 25-Minute Garlic Roasted Radishes
Radishes may not have been on your bingo card for this list, but don’t knock this dish until you try it. Like other root veggies, radishes taste wonderful when they’re properly roasted. What you’ll love most about this recipe is that it’s SO simple to make.
Just toss halved radishes in olive oil and spices, roast and enjoy.
10. Shredded Brussels Sprout Candied Bacon Salad
I love shredded Brussels sprouts because they’re so much tamer and easier to enjoy than their whole counterparts. And I adore this recipe because it adds so much flavor with:
- Bacon
- Brown sugar
- Maple syrup
- Cayenne pepper
- Walnuts
- Kale
- Pomegranate arils
- Pepitas
- Manchego cheese
The cinnamon cider dressing has such a unique flavor and is the perfect complement to this salad’s ingredients.
11. Herb-Roasted Acon Squash with Parmesan
Acorn squash is a hearty vegetable and makes a pretty side dish. This recipe pairs slices of acorn squash with Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, garlic and butter. Just roast and top with additional fresh herbs and cheese.
This is such a simple dish that you can serve with any meal.
12. Garlic Herb Roasted Veggies
Vegetable side dishes don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. This recipe roasts potatoes, carrots and zucchini in olive oil and tasty herbs like rosemary and thyme. You can use dried herbs, but I prefer to use fresh for this dish.
Just toss all of the ingredients together, roast for about 30 minutes and serve with your main dish.
Feel free to use any combination of vegetables you like for this recipe.
13. Roasted Carrots and Green Beans
Carrots and green beans are a classic vegetable pair. This recipe takes it up a notch by adding garlic powder, oregano and thyme into the mix.
I recommend slicing your carrots into thin planks for this recipe so that both veggies cook uniformly and are similarly shaped.
This dish is ready in just 10-15 minutes, so it’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
Related: 11 Unexpected Protein Sources That Will Revolutionize Your Meal Prep
14. Sauteed Vegetables Recipe
One of my favorite vegetable side dishes. It blends some of the most nutritious veggies into a single side dish that’s easy to prepare and has an irresistible flavor.
You’ll need to add your veggies strategically to the pan to avoid over- or undercooking them.
I recommend using a large 12-inch or bigger skillet, so you can avoid overcrowding the pan.
15. Quick Bok Choy with Garlic and Ginger
Tender bok choy cooked with fresh ginger and garlic and coated in soy sauce. This simple dish pairs perfectly with Asian-inspired main dishes and stir fries. But you can also serve as a side dish with chicken or steak.
16. Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad
Sometimes, you’re short on time and just want a healthy salad that you can assemble quickly. Lemon and parmesan cheese add an abundance of flavors to this dish, which will take you all of fifteen minutes to put together.
You’ll wash your kale, chop it up and place in a medium bowl. Add in your dressing ingredients, toss to evenly spread the dressing and then massage it into the leaves of the kale. Next, add in the cheese and croutons.
17. Caramelized Roasted Turnips
Crispy, caramelized turnips always fill the kitchen with a wonderful aroma. You’ll need a 9×13” baking dish to bake your turnips and shallots in, which are tossed in olive oil. Combine the ingredients together before adding your salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder and chives.
Spread some butter on top and begin roasting.
Stir the ingredients halfway through and check that they’re tender before removing. Add your garnish and enjoy.
18. Oven Roasted Potatoes and Fennel
Roasted potatoes and fennel are a great addition to this vegetable side dishes list and you only need a small number of ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Fennel
- Olive oil
- Fresh rosemary
- Fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper
19. Quinoa Stuffed Delicata Squash With Kale
Red wine vinaigrette dressing makes this dish one of my favorites. The dressing is made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, oregano, garlic powder and a few spices. I suggest making the dressing first to allow it to set.
Once set, you’ll cook your delicata squash on your baking sheet.
Everything comes together nicely, including the quinoa, kale leaves, goat cheese and pomegranate arils.
20. Balsamic Roasted Onions
Roasted onions like these look so fancy, but you really need to be a fan of onions to appreciate this dish. The total time to prep and cook is 55 minutes, and you’ll only need butter, olive oil, sweet onions, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper and fresh green herbs.
21. Peas with Shallots and Mushrooms
Peas, mushrooms and shallots go perfectly together in this recipe. You can use fresh or frozen green peas for this dish, but you’ll also need vegetable broth, baby bella mushrooms, olive oil, tarragon, thyme, lemon zest, butter, salt and pepper.
Everything is cooked in a medium skillet, so cleanup is a breeze.
22. Roasted Root Vegetables
Are you a fan of root veggies? I love root vegetable flavors in the fall and winter, and this nine-ingredient recipe tastes divine. You’ll need to pick up the following ingredients at the grocery store: beetroot, garlic, red onion, salt, olive oil, pepper, fresh rosemary, sweet potatoes, parsnips and multi-colored carrots.
23. Roasted Mini Sweet Peppers
Vegetable side dishes that include mini sweet peppers are always a party for your tastebuds. And it’s as easy as roasting the sweet peppers with olive oil, salt and pepper, and garlic.
Related: 25 Easy Party Appetizers You Can Whip Up in No Time
24. Roasted Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots
Five ingredients are all you need for this side dish: shallots, extra-virgin olive oil, green beans, kosher salt and white balsamic vinegar. You’ll roast in the oven at 450°F.
Pro tip: use a mandoline to help chop up your shallots.
25. Crunchy Winter Slaw
A winter slaw is always a good option for refreshing, crunchy and flavorful fish. And just look at the presentation that this slaw offers. It’s almost picture-perfect and it tastes just as good as it looks, too.
Your main ingredients include cabbage, pears, kale, red onion, shredded carrots, roasted pepitas, pomegranate arils, walnuts and salt and pepper.
And How Sweet Eats also gives you the recipe for a citrus vinaigrette.
26. Roast Beets in Oven
You have to be a fan of beets to appreciate this dish. The recipe calls for two pounds of beats, olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, thyme, pepper, salt, cheese and crumbled bacon.
Start by wrapping the beets in foil and bake them until tender. Baking will take about 45 minutes or so.
You’ll need to allow them to cool, but if you don’t have time, you can ice bath them. Once cool enough to touch, you can toss with the remaining ingredients, bake and then serve.
