• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Snacks
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Dessert
      • Cakes & Tarts
      • Cookies & Cupcakes
      • Donuts
    • Recipes
  • Drinks
    • Cocktails
    • Juices
    • Smoothies
    • Coffee
    • Liquor Guides
  • Easy How-Tos
  • The Cocktail Collection

Baking-Ginger logo

  • madras cocktail in highball glass
    Madras Cocktail
  • green tea shot garnished with lime slices
    Green Tea Shot
  • garibaldi cocktail on marble
    Garibaldi Cocktail
  • bay breeze cocktail on marble coasters
    Bay Breeze Cocktail
  • two glasses on gold tray with raspberries
    Clover Club
  • Easy Strawberry Lemon Sheet Cake
  • White Russian Screwball Drink
  • stinger cocktail on wooden tray
    Stinger Cocktail
  • gold tray with mezcalita cocktails and pineapple
    Mezcalita
  • chuck norris shot in ribbed glass
    Chuck Norris Shot
  • vodka and sprite in highball glasses with dehydrated orange slices
    Vodka and Sprite
  • tequila and sprite in highball glass with lemon and mint
    Tequila and Sprite
Home » Recipes » Healthy Recipes

Published: May 11, 2022 by Clara Jane · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

20 Easy Vegetable Side Dishes

Twenty of the most delicious quick and easy vegetable side dishes that are perfect for any main course. From healthy air fryer recipes to roasted root vegetable recipes. This list has any simple recipe you need that is perfect for the whole family.

cropped-Creamy-Cheesy-Brussel-Sprouts-10.jpg

Why Make An Easy Vegetable Side Dish

Side dishes are a must for any main course. Anything from healthy vegetable side dishes, to heartier cheese filled side dishes. Side dishes are a great way to round off the main meal and definitely don't have to be boring or unhealthy.

Vegetable side dishes are a tasty way to add a few health benefits to your meal. With fresh ingredients like red onions, green peas, fresh herbs and collard greens these easy side dishes are a great way to added a little extra nutrients to your meal.

Serve it up with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of goats cheese and you won't even taste how healthy these simple side dish recipes are.

This list of easy side dish recipes is filled with everything from salad recipes to sweet potato recipes. I've included air fryer recipes and even a cheesy brussels sprout recipe that is keto friendly.

Types of Vegetable Side Dishes

Salads

Salads are always my go-to for a side dish. No matter what time of year or what the main course is, a salad always adds a little freshness to the meal. Salads don't have to be boring either, try salads with fresh peaches or add blocks of cheddar cheese for a twist on a classic salad.

Air Fryer Side Dishes

We all love a good air fryer recipe. Air fryer side dishes are some of my favorite to make, they are quick and easy and always healthy. Anything from air fryer green beans to air fryer sweet potato chips. Air fryer side dish recipes are a perfect way to quickly whip up a healthy vegetable side dish.

Roasted Side Dishes

The classic roast vegetable side dish will never disappoint. The great thing about roasted side dishes is that you can pop all the ingredients onto a baking sheet and into the oven and forget about it.

Hearty Side Dishes

Who doesn't love a little cheese? Hearty cheese filled side dishes are a sneaky way to add vegetables into a meal without the fussy eaters noticing. I love making cheesy brussels sprouts or parmesan cheese covered potatoes.

Vegetable Side Dish Tips

  • Choose two or three: Decide ahead of time which side dishes to make and don't make more than two or three side dish recipes. Preferably include one fresh vegetable side dish recipe like a salad and one heartier vegetable side dish like sweet potatoes or brussels sprouts.
  • Make ahead of time: Once you've decided which side dishes you'll be making, go ahead and prep them. If possible, make your side dishes the day before so that you can give all your attention to the main course or dessert.
  • Choose easy recipes: Don't get complicated with the side dishes. Use simple ingredients that you have on hand and stick to side dishes with few steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What side dishes go with collard greens?

The best side dishes for collard greens are corn bread and sweet potatoes. Serve collard greens with lasagna or spare ribs.

Is kale better than collard greens?

Both kale and collard greens are incredibly nutritious and filled with vitamins. Collard greens are higher in fibre and contain fewer calories, whereas kale contains more iron.

What are some popular side dishes?

The most popular side dishes for most main courses are green beans, roasted vegetables, butternut squash and mashed potatoes.

Jump to:
  • Why Make An Easy Vegetable Side Dish
  • Types of Vegetable Side Dishes
  • Vegetable Side Dish Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Greek Pasta Salad
  • Cheesy Brussels Sprouts
  • Mushroom Marsala
  • Asparagus Gratin
  • Cacio e Pepe Zucchini
  • Coriander Roasted Carrots with Parsley and Pistachios
  • BBQ Creamed Corn
  • Air Fryer Green Beans
  • Roasted Root Vegetables
  • Roasted Cauliflower Mash
  • Green Bean Almondine
  • Acorn Squash Salad with Maple Dressing
  • Creamed Corn
  • Air Fryer Turnip Fries
  • Jalapeño Hummus
  • Celery Salad with Apples
  • Pumpkin and Beetroot Salad
  • Simple Cherry Tomato Salad
  • Honey Glazed Carrots
  • Air Fryer Delicata Squash

Greek Pasta Salad

A light a fresh one-bowl pasta salad recipe with olives, tomatoes and cucumbers. Tossed in a quick and easy olive oil dressing.

bowtie pasta salad in glass bowl

Cheesy Brussels Sprouts

An easy to make one-pan keto friendly side dish filled with all the cheesy goodness. Made with brussels sprouts, bacon and fresh herbs. This one pan side dish is a winner for those winter family get-togethers.

brussels sprouts in a white and black cast iron pan with cheese and fresh herbs

Mushroom Marsala

This quick and easy one-pan mushroom side dish made with black pepper and fresh thyme is the perfect side dish for any meat or veggie main course.

cooked mushrooms in a white bowl with fresh thyme

Asparagus Gratin

An elegant side dish made with asparagus gives a classic potato gratin a run for its money. This hearty side dish is made with parmesan and gruyere cheese, making it an absolutely heavenly side dish with a healthy twist.

asparagus side dish with cream and cheese

Cacio e Pepe Zucchini

Charred squashed with cracked pepper, lemon zest and grated parmesan cheese. You definitely can't go wrong with this summer inspired vegetable side dish recipe. Healthy and easy to make.

charred zucchini on white plate

Coriander Roasted Carrots with Parsley and Pistachios

Roasted carrots spiced with coriander and cumin and topped with pistachios and sesame seeds. This simple healthy recipe is the perfect side dish for any main course and pairs perfectly with a roast chicken.

carrots in white bowl with big spoon and striped cloth

BBQ Creamed Corn

An easy to make crockpot recipe takes creamed corn to the next level. Ditch the canned corn and try this make ahead crockpot recipe. This slow cooker side dish recipe is a delicious winter side dish.

creamed corn in white bowl on marble background

Air Fryer Green Beans

Crispy air fryer green beans tossed with lemon juice and grated parmesan cheese. This easy to make air fryer side dish recipe is a super quick weeknight recipe for any time of year.

air fryer green beans on plate with lemons

Roasted Root Vegetables

Made with beets, carrots and red onion. This easy roasted root vegetables recipe is seasoned with fresh herbs and garlic cloves. A quick and easy simple side dish recipe that is ready in 20 minutes.

root vegetables on white plate with fresh herbs

Roasted Cauliflower Mash

A creamy low carb side dish made with cauliflower and ricotta cheese. Seasoned with fresh garlic cloves and served with fresh herbs. A healthy, keto friendly side dish that is perfect for fish or chicken.

cauliflower mash in white bowl on white cloth and fresh herbs

Green Bean Almondine

Fresh green beans sautéed with butter and almonds and finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice makes a delicious green bean almondine!  

green beans with sliced almonds

Acorn Squash Salad with Maple Dressing

This healthy acorn squash salad recipe is topped with a delicious creamy dressing. Made with acorn squash, pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts and lots of greens. This is the perfect side dish recipe for fall.

salad with squash and pomegranate seeds served on white plate

Creamed Corn

Made with simple ingredients like frozen corn. This creamed corn recipe is the perfect side dish for the colder days. Ready in 15 minutes and pairs with just about everything.

creamed corn in pot with fresh herbs

Air Fryer Turnip Fries

This low carb air fryer recipe is quick and easy to make. Gluten-free and dairy-free, served with a sriracha dip. They are definitely a great alternative side dish made with minimal ingredients.

air fryer turnips on white plate

Jalapeño Hummus

Looking for something a little lighter that you can make ahead of time? This hummus recipe is a great addition to any meal. Serve this Jalapeño hummus as a side dish to enchiladas or even as a spread for burgers.

jalapeno hummus in grey bowl with sliced jalapenos

Celery Salad with Apples

Make this simple celery salad recipe in under than 10 minutes. Simply toss sliced celery together with apples, nuts, and fresh herbs together in a large bowl for an easy, simple salad.

salad with celery and sliced apples on grey background

Pumpkin and Beetroot Salad

An easy to make roast pumpkin and beet salad with fresh leafy greens, pumpkin seeds for crunch and a yummy mustard lemon vinaigrette.

pumpkin and beet salad in white bowl with leafy greens

Simple Cherry Tomato Salad

This simple cherry tomato salad takes only 5 minutes to make. A perfect salad recipe for those cooler fall days. Celery complements the cherry tomatoes, giving the salad a nice crunch while bacon brings a punch of salt.

cherry tomato salad with fresh herbs on marble background

Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey Glazed Carrots are a simple side dish to add to your main course. These carrots are quick to make and use just a handful of ingredients.

glazed carrots in large white bowl and small blue bowl with salt

Air Fryer Delicata Squash

This healthy 20-minute side dish is an amazing air fryer side dish recipe. With only a few simple ingredients, this squash recipe is sure to wow all your guests.

air fryer squash on two white plate on grey background

More Healthy Recipes

  • tall glass with gin and sprite
    Low Carb Alcoholic Drinks
  • This Creamy Coconut Turmeric Smoothie Bowl is my favourite breakfast for this time of year. Made with coconut milk, fresh ginger, banana and mango, it's the perfect healthy, vegan breakfast.
    Mango Season
  • whiskey and orange juice garnished with fresh thyme
    Whiskey & Orange Juice
  • three jugs filled with carrot mango juice and a fresh whole mango on marble
    Homemade Mango Nectar

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

profile picture of author clara jane

Hello :) I'm Clara Jane. Welcome to Baking-Ginger, where I share my love for food, health, photography and cookies. I hope you'll stay a little while...

more about me →

Popular

  • Pumpkin Olive Oil Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Pumpkin Banana Oatmeal Muffins
  • Creamy Salted Caramel Mousse
  • This easy 4 ingredient Creamy Coconut Chia Pudding is the ultimate healthy, protein-packed breakfast, dessert or snack! Plus, it only takes 5 min to make.
    4 Ingredient Coconut Cream Chia Seed Pudding
  • Gut Healing Vegetable Soup
  • Nutella Chia Energy Bites

Footer

↑ back to top

EXPLORE

Recipes
Blogging

FOLLOW

Instagram
Pinterest
Facebook

ABOUT

About
Contact
Privacy Policy

Copyright © Baking-Ginger
Design: Brunch Pro