30+ Easy Vegetable Side Dishes for Healthy Meals

It takes a long way for these easy vegetable side dishes to grow on me. I used to hate eating veggies so much, and my parents were never happy with that. But look how things have changed – veggies are now an integral part of my diet.

I started to have some veggies alongside my main course since I knew how beneficial they are to my health – they are an excellent source of essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, and they light up the meal with bright colors. That said, it’s time to incorporate veggies into your diet now!

34 Easy And Simple Vegetable Side Dishes To Enjoy

It’s hard to sweet-talk picky eaters into having greens. If you are one of them, check out the list of the most effortless and delectable vegetable side dishes below – you may change your mind.

Healthy Salad Side Dishes

1. Dill Cucumber Salad
2. Napa Cabbage Salad
3. Berry Tossed Salad
4. Quick Nicoise Salad
5. Everyday Quinoa Salad

Vegetable Side Dishes With Cheese

6. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
7. Artichoke Caprese Platter
8. Beet Salad
9. Broccoli Salad
10. Sweet Potato Salad
11. Simple Spinach Salad
12. Cashew-pear Tossed Salad
13. Radish and Gorgonzola Salad
14. Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
15. Parmesan Asparagus
16. Baked Parmesan Mushrooms
17. Zucchini Parmesan Fritters
18. Mexican Corn (esquites)
19. Loaded Spaghetti Squash
20. Cheesy Sweet Peppers and Corn
21. Broiled Fennel With Parmesan
22. Cheesy Vegetable Bake
23. Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Other Easy Vegetable Side Dishes

24. BBQ Baked Beans
25. Honey-glazed Baby Carrots
26. Roast Vegetables
27. Baked Parsnip Fries
28. Collared Greens
29. Kale Chips
30. Corn on The Cob
31. Mashed Turnips
32. Green Peas With Mint
33. Smashed Potatoes
34. Creamed Corn
35. Easy Homemade Pickles
36. Braised French Lentils

Vegans, green lovers, weight watchers – assemble!

Healthy Salad Bowls Filled With Flavors And Nutrients

Enjoying salad is like a buy-one-get-one promotion: you get to relish the lovely, refreshing flavors of the vegetables and derive many health benefits from the nutrients at once.

1. Dill Cucumber Salad

Can this one be the main entree instead? Honestly speaking, I’ll be pleased to have cucumbers at any time. With refreshing nuances and an underlying sweetness, cucumber is perfect against the grassy, citrus-like taste of dill. Mingle with sour cream.

Watch this video to know more:

2. Napa Cabbage Salad

It’s ironic to start the list with my childhood’s nightmare, napa cabbage. However, things have changed – now I love this vegetable for its luscious stems and ruffled leaves. Napa cabbage is a blank canvas ingredient, so feel free to mix it with whatever you like.

3. Berry Tossed Salad

Having fruits in salad doubles the healthiness, so I always end up adding more than I can eat. That cannot be any truer when it comes to berries – those sweet and sour fruits have the power to hold your appeal. Mix and mingle with feta or goat cheese and almonds for a healthy summer delight.

4. Quick Nicoise Salad

Healthy yet incredibly delicious, this French side dish is what you’ll often come across when it comes to suggestions for making healthy salad meals. Compatible with tuna, anchovies, and eggs, nicoise salad is certainly packed with both fiber and healthy proteins.

The lip-smacking French nicoise salad seems like a lot of hard work initially, but it turns out to be easy as pie. All you have to do is combine all the vegetables and seasonings and lightly coat the mixture with basil dressing. Voilà, bon appétit!

5. Everyday Quinoa Salad

I can’t seem to get enough of quinoa. Quinoa is a tease with a recognizable chewy texture and slight nutty undertones, making it the top-notch choice for salad. Go for any vegetable with bright hues like bell peppers and elaborate the taste with your favorite dressing.

Everything You Want Is In This Refreshing Nicoise Salad!

Easy-Peasy Cheesy Veggie Side Dishes

Vegetables + cheese = easiest side dishes ever! This could not get any more straightforward.

6. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip

This dip is a must-try for cheese lovers, as it contains two kinds of cheese: Monterey and cream cheese. Thanks to them, this recipe has a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a richness that hardly any dip can compare.

7. Artichoke Caprese Platter

Save the best for the last; this side platter is one of the most outstanding chicken casserole side dishes of all time! People say that greens are boring to eat, so I bring in some artichoke hearts to this dish for a dramatic effect – and it works! Loaded with fresh basil leaves and juicy tomatoes, this side dish is a real deal.

8. Beet Salad

No other vegetables can beat beet. This magenta-colored vegetable is rich in fiber and has an earthy, bitter taste that can lift your liking to the extremes. Therefore, beet goes great with something mild or sweet, such as honey or goat cheese.

Rustle Up Authentic Greek Beet Salad Is So Easy!

9. Broccoli Salad

When life gives you broccoli, you make broccoli salad. There are endless ingredients that pair well with luscious broccoli, but my forever picks are bacon bits, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and cheddar cheese.

A blend of delicious flavors, this broccoli salad is considered a side dish suitable for keto-friendly diets. It’s also gluten-free, and if you leave out the cheddar cheese, you’ll get a vegan dish as well. It might sound too good to be true, but it’s what makes this dish special.

10. Sweet Potato Salad

Salad tastes better when there’s a little sweetness, right? Sweet potato is an excellent addition that you are looking for; when cooked, the skin turns nicely brown and crispy, while the flesh yields out a subtle sweetness that invites you to take a bite.

11. Simple Spinach Salad

If you have smoked salmon or soft-poached eggs, I suggest having some fresh spinach salad on your side. With just a few ingredients, these baby spinach leaves turn into a healthy treat that you can’t stop thinking about once you have finished. 

Enjoy This Quick And Easy Spinach Salad With Grill Dishes:

12. Cashew-Pear Tossed Salad

Fruit, vegetable, and nuts in a single dish? I’m totally in. Juicy pear brings a thrilling spin on the succulent bed of fresh romaine lettuces tossed with cashew nuts for a flavor contrast – optional mix-ins suggestion: dried cranberries, red onions, or Swiss cheese. 

13. Radish And Gorgonzola Salad

This salad is the next big thing that happens in your kitchen! Radish is no stranger in the salad game with its characteristic pungency. On the other hand, gorgonzola, which is used to make the dressing, is a newcomer with many potentials – it’s rich, creamy, and strong-flavored.

14. Cauliflower Macaroni And Cheese

Macaroni and cheese – boring, lame, and overdone. This classic dish needs a green makeover, and my choice is cauliflower, which gives a nice crunch to the cheesy goodness. Suddenly I like macaroni and cheese again!

15. Parmesan Asparagus

Asparagus has a bold taste with bitter notes that remind you of artichokes. They can be cooked using different methods, and the result is a healthy snack or delectable seafood side dish with a gorgeous crisp. Parmesan and garlic butter are the two elements that make asparagus a bit easier on your tongue.

While parmesan asparagus can go with almost anything, they’re considered among the best side dishes to serve during potluck occasions. They might not look as fancy or complex as many other potluck dishes, but it is the simplicity that allows parmesan asparagus to shine.

Watch this video to know more:

16. Baked Parmesan Mushrooms

Parmesan is an easy-going guy, and it can pair with almost anything. The cheese is packed with nutty undertones to round the umami flavors of mushrooms. Serve with chicken, steak, or your favorite cheeseburgers – you won’t be disappointed.

17. Zucchini Parmesan Fritters

These bite-sized fritters made with zucchini and parmesan are a massive hit. Whether you are serving these with your main course, as an appetizer, or snack, I’m confident to say they don’t last long on the table. Don’t blame your guests – these fritters taste so good!

18. Mexican Corn (Esquites)

From the busy Mexican streets to your table, esquites prove that it is a global sensation with exquisite flavors. It is made with elote, which is fresh corn off the cob, mayo, chili powder, and Cotija cheese. The final product is sweet, spicy, and smoky deliciousness.

And although esquites is technically a side dish, you can serve it as a starter dish for summer meal courses as well. The juice’s zesty flavor, the chili powder’s spicy notes, and the creamy hints from Cotija cheese can surely awaken your taste buds for the upcoming main dishes.

Make Authentic Esquites Right At Home!

19. Loaded Spaghetti Squash

A low-carb alternative to the Italian classic, every flavor is fully retained in this innovative side recipe. The filling is made with squash flesh that has been scraped out finely, combined with crispy bacon pieces, and topped with layers of melted cheddar.

Another fantastic combination you can consider is to make this dish with ground bison. With only a few simple steps and equally simple ingredients, you’ll get a tasty dish that is nutrient-rich but low in calories.

20. Cheesy Sweet Peppers And Corn

I’ve been playing around with many vegetables to see which one works best with cheese and came to the conclusion that it’s sweet peppers. They bring an exciting twist with a subtle kick to wake your appetite, and corn completes the dish with its lovely taste.     

21. Broiled Fennel With Parmesan

Most people like to include fennel in their salad, but it’s about time it shines on its own. The bulb is seasoned with cumin, salt, and pepper before being broiled for five minutes. You can notice the light charring on its surface when done, and parmesan completes the dish with its nutty saltiness.

22. Cheesy Vegetable Bake

It’s a feast on the eye for any cheese lover with vibrant colors and gooey goodness – even your kids will ask if they can have some!

The starring role in this bake is indeed the creamy white sauce with a smooth finish, and cheesy breadcrumb makes an excellent last-minute cameo in this successful blockbuster.

This Cheesy Veggie Bake Is An Absolute Delight! Let’s make Cheesy Vegetable Bake with this video:

23. Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes

With a unique stinky scent, you can immediately recognize it’s blue cheese. Despite the hate train it receives, this upgraded version of mash potatoes proves that blue cheese is amazing.

When mixed with Yukon potatoes, heavy cream, and butter, the flavor of blue cheese is significantly deepened, leaving a subtle kick that you can’t resist having some more.

More Easy Vegetable Accompaniments To Your Main Dishes

Here are a few more options if salad and cheese are not what you are looking for – and of course, they are all easy as hell!

24. BBQ Baked Beans

Regarding side dishes, I’ll immediately think of BBQ baked beans. Although this dish can take quite a long time, it doesn’t require much effort. You only need to simmer all ingredients in a pot for several hours. Then, you’ll get a pot full of baked beans, bacon, and sausages.

25. Honey-Glazed Baby Carrots

These baby carrots are adorable and glistened with sweet honey, looking more appealing than ever. Indeed, you can go for any regular kind of carrots if you want since they are the same breed.

Personally, I find honey-glazed carrots to be the perfect dish for pairing with chicken cordon bleu. Their slight crunch and sweet honey flavor really complement the crispy texture and cheesy bite from chicken cordon bleu.

Can You Resist These Honey-Glazed Baby Carrots? Check out this video to know:

26. Roasted Vegetables

They are quick to make and downright delicious, so please understand if I’m a little too obsessed with roasted vegetables. If you want to improve the taste, season the vegetables with garlic powder and Old Bay seasoning before putting them in the oven. 

Although there are various varieties of roasted vegetables, depending on what veggie you pick, it’s a no-brainer matter when it comes to what should be served alongside roasted vegetables. Highly adaptable, these can go with almost anything, from simple Quesadilla to smoked salmon.

27. Baked Parsnip Fries

Parsnip fries are the new French fries. With the same crispy texture and golden-brown color, parsnip fries will elevate your culinary experience to the next level. You can season with just salt and pepper or go bold with fresh herbs like rosemary.

28. Collard Greens

Dark green and leafy collard greens do not seem to leave a good impression on you, right?. Well, that changes until you learn that they take only fifteen minutes to get ready, and they bring out a lovely earthiness when you cook them in olive oil. 

Savor These Delectable Collard Greens With Your Meals. Check out this video to know:

29. Kale Chips

Kale is jam-packed with vitamins, so there are no excuses to skimp on it. When raw, the leaves are dry and crunchy, but the incredible taste is out to play once you bake it in the oven. Feel free to remove the stems if you don’t want the bitterness.

30. Corn On The Cob

Who doesn’t like corn? It has a sweet, mellow taste at an affordable price, and you can transform it into a myriad of snacks and side dishes. You can keep it simple by boiling or enhance the flavor by burning it a little on the grill racks.

31. Mashed Turnips

You can’t miss a fluffy side of mashed turnips when you are having stews or roast meat. They flaunt sweet and nutty notes when cooked properly.

Since turnip is the main flavor source for this dish, make sure you know how to keep turnip’s quality. Also, go for the smaller ones since they are less sharp in flavor.

32. Green Peas With Mint

Your frozen peas seem to sit in the fridge for way too long, don’t you think? It’s time to revive them in this quickie side dish recipe. Bring the green peas to a boil and add a bunch of fresh mints to reinforce the flavors – the result is a lingering breath of freshness.

Cool Yourself Off With Minty Peas – Highly Addictive. Let’s see this video:

33. Smashed Potatoes

Enjoy your main meal with style by smashing some potatoes – that’s right, because cooking them is not enough! Smashing is the better option to mashing if you want to keep the skin, which turns crispy when baked.

If you want to add some garlic or dried herbs for an extra taste, make sure it’s just a pinch because they can burn when in the oven. 

34. Creamed Corn

With the trademark sweet and buttery hints, corn is highly praised by many chefs. Plus, it’s cheap, and you can quickly whip up something straight out of a fancy restaurant with little effort – like this creamed corn, for example, which melts softly as it touches your tongue.

35. Easy Homemade Pickles

It’s always a sheer pleasure to open the fridge to see some fresh pickles. Time-saving and cost-efficacy, they make a great side dish or snack to relieve your hunger pangs. The secrets to the best pickles are dill and garlic; the two flavor enhancers provide a unique touch to the final result.

36. Braised French Lentils

What does a deceptively simple side dish consist of? Peppery French lentils, crunchy carrots and celery, with an intricate blend of seasonings to taste. If that does not sound appetizing yet, the gravy is laced with cognac to intensify the flavors – just wow!

It’s Never Too Late To Eat Your Greens!

Those are some easy vegetable side dishes I’d like to share with you, and I’m sure that making them is even quicker than eating them. Of course, you can whoop it up with some personal tweaks to suit your likings – more vegetables, more seasonings, more delicious!

It’s been really amusing writing this post, and I hope you have learned more about these fantastic vegetables. Of course, I may have missed a few recipes in the list, so don’t be shy to add a few more by commenting below. I’d be more than grateful.