60 Healthy Side Dishes That Are Loaded With Delicious Veggies
Cook up the perfect partner to chicken, fish and more.
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The best way to round out a healthy meal is an array of healthy side dishes that complement any main you choose. These vegetable-based sides, including garlicky roasted potatoes, fresh and crunchy salads and delicious no-cook side dishes (like a bright slaw that rounds out your BBQ menu!), are just the recipes you’ll want to cook up.
We gathered our favorite recipes for every season, whether you’re hosting a big summer barbecue or looking for something healthy to serve at your next dinner party. Bonus: many of these side dishes are vegetable-based, making them a thoughtful choice for any vegetarians you're serving. Some dishes are even vegan or can easily be modified into vegan recipes.
If you’re spending your time whipping up a healthy main course, don’t fret! Try your hand at one of these easy side dishes that pair perfectly with chicken, fish, steak, you name it! Dig into a make-ahead recipe, like an herby butter bean salad, a hearty farro side dish or marinated beets that will taste better the longer they chill. Dinner will be complete with any of these healthy side dishes. It’s time to get cooking!
Summer Squash Panzanella
Keep this summer star raw and simply tenderize with a quick lemony marinade — it lets the fresh flavor shine.
Get the Summer Squash Panzanella recipe.
Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers
We doubt there will be any leftovers, but if there are, good news: This is one of those dishes that holds up well in the refrigerator.
Get the Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers recipe.
RELATED: 36 Easy Mediterranean Diet Recipes That Are Absolutely Delicious
Roasted Okinawan Sweet Potato Wedges
A creamy sauce adds richness to crisp-tender purple sweet potatoes.
Orange- and Garlic-Roasted Broccoli
Crushed cumin seeds and orange zest and juice lend a unique brightness to this vitamin-C-packed veg.
Butter Bean Salad with Herby Vinaigrette
Rely on a pantry staple (canned beans!) and give them a little life with plenty of fresh herbs and bright cherry tomatoes.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Hosting for the holidays? Free up oven space by utilizing your trusty air fryer to "roast" crowd-pleasing green beans.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
RELATED: Try Out More Green Bean Recipes
Roasted Beet and Orange Salad
Everyone at the table is sure to be impressed when you bring out this colorful salad. It's sweet, salty, crunchy and completely delicious.
Get the Roasted Beet and Orange Salad recipe.
Winter Green Salad
Make the most of hardy winter greens in this bright salad, perfectly paired with rich mains, like prime rib.
Get the Winter Green Salad recipe.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Need a vegetable-based side or snack that the kids will eat? These saucy cauliflower bites made in the air fryer are sure to please everyone — children included.
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower Bites recipe.
Cucumber-Melon Salad with Chile and Cilantro
Get out of your salad rut with this refreshing dish that stars thin slabs of aromatic honeydew.
Get the Cucumber-Melon Salad With Chile and Cilantro recipe.
Dry-Rubbed Veggies
Hunting for a healthy and flavorful side dish that you can toss on the grill with your protein? Look no further!
Get the Dry-Rubbed Veggies recipe.
Roasted Carrots and Red Onion
Cooking carrots and onions at high heat will help to bring out their natural sweetness.
Get the Roasted Carrots and Red Onion recipe.
Herbed Bulgur Salad
Toss fiberful bulgur in an herby pesto that stars a vitamin-packed secret ingredient.
Get the Herbed Bulgur Salad recipe.
Coleslaw
We upgraded this classic BBQ side dish with plenty of crunchy veggies, like jicama and cucumber, which add plenty of nutrients.
Get the Coleslaw recipe.
Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Green Beans
This hearty combo is delicious with roasted chicken but also makes an epic vegan main when served with rice.
Wedge Salads with Buffalo Tofu Croutons
Forget the bag of store-bought croutons. This salad is topped with hot sauce-marinated, cornflake-crusted pieces of tofu for a satisfying crunch with a little bit of protein.
Get the Wedge Salads with Buffalo Tofu Croutons recipe.
RELATED: 35 Healthy Tofu Recipes That Even Meat Lovers Will Crave
Tomato and Charred Pepper Farro Salad
Juicy cherry tomatoes and smoky peppers come together in this filling salad. Bonus: this can be prepped ahead of time and enjoyed all week!
Snap Pea and Chicken Salad
This salad is definitely hearty enough to be a main dish, or you can serve smaller portions to make it a side. No matter how you serve it, it's sure to be crunchy and satisfying until the last bite.
Get the Snap Pea and Chicken Salad recipe.
Asparagus and Pea Panzanella
This fresh salad brings all your favorite spring produce together with a creamy yogurt sauce.
Get the Asparagus and Pea Panzanella recipe.
Cucumber Radish Salad
Cutting radishes in a variety of ways will add extra texture — and a slightly spicy bite — to this fresh side.
Get the Cucumber Radish Salad recipe.
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