Brian Nagele
Once you know what main dish you want your dinner guests to indulge in, the next step is to rustle up a gorgeous side dish to go with it…
Here we’re going to show you a total of 40 different sides that not only taste amazing, but are also healthy for you too!
1. Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe
Let’s start off with a real people pleaser – this wild pilaf rice recipe is not only great for vegetarians, but it’s also suitable for vegans, too! Very savory, and very good for you.
2 Stuffed Tomatoes
You will love this! Hot, juicy tomatoes stuffed with breadcrumbs, capers, parsley and garlic – delicious! A beautiful contrast of flavors and textures, really moreish.
3.Mashed Butternut Squash (Keto + Low Carb!)
For most of us, eating healthily means eating as few carbohydrates as possible, especially if we’re trying to lose weight. But despite this dish being so deliciously sweet, it’s actually so low in carbs that you can even eat it on a ketogenic diet!
4. Cauliflower Rice
This is a recipe that’s really been trending. It’s great for those who are looking for an accompaniment to a curry dish that are also trying to cut down on their carbs. Much healthier than regular rice.
5. Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Now, these are always a great hit – crispy and savory, yet fluffy on the inside – great contrast of textures. And the garlic is just yum! And it’s easy to do too, foolproof even.
6. Easy Grilled Squash
Now, if you’re looking for something simple, it doesn’t get much easier than this! And it tastes amazing – those sear marks are to die for!
7. Tabouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)
This is a great little recipe. A truly Mediterranean number made with finely chopped vegetables, bulgar wheat, and topped with some fresh parsley and a good drizzle of lemon juice and olive oil. Super fresh and healthy too. Bon appétit!
8. Mushroom and Spinach Sauté
Now, spinach is a great addition to any dish, and with its high levels of iron, it’s perfect for vegetarians and vegans who are getting their iron intake from red meat. This dish is super simple to make and pairs well with just about any main dish.
9. Eggplant Fries
Now, these are fries that you can enjoy guilt free! Instead of being made with potato, they are made with eggplant, so they’re way healthier. And they have a stunning coating with Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt. Plus, they are broiled rather than fried.
10. Low-Carb Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake
If this isn’t comfort food at its best, I don’t know what is! You’ve got to love all that cheese – and it happens to be low in carbs too, great if you’re cutting down.
11. Simple Roast Radishes
Now, this is a super simple recipe and just takes 20 minutes to cook. You can drizzle them with a little oil, and sprinkle them with a little rock salt to really bring out the peppery flavor.
12 . Spiced Broccoli Fusilli
Who said pasta is unhealthy? This recipe can be made with whole wheat fusilli pasta, which is way healthier than regular pasta, thanks to its low glycemic index. And when you add the crushed chilies and lemon zest, it’s really something else!
13. Vegetable and Barley Pilaf
There’s a lot to be said for this dish. Quick and easy to make, and packed with soluble fiber, which aids digestion. Go ahead and use whatever vegetable you like!
14. Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers
These vibrant stuffed peppers not only look gorgeous, but they also happen to taste great too. Combining crumbled feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and more!
15. Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
If anything goes well with healthy good for you, broccoli, it has to be Parmesan cheese – the perfect pairing. And it’s super simple to make, too!
16. Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage
This tasty little side dish needs just 4 ingredients and is ready in just 30 minutes – not bad, hey?
17. Spicy Homemade Potato Wedges
Want to know how to really make your potato wedges moreish? Add some spice! This recipe includes chili powder, cayenne pepper and garlic – it’s the best.
18.Simple Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Now, if there’s anything that’s packed with flavor, it’s brussels sprouts. And this recipe uses an air fryer, so you don’t need as much oil, and the sprouts stay crispy on the outside and soft inside!
19. Italian Oven Roasted Vegetables
Why settle for just one type of veg in your side dish when you have several? This dish features some bold Italian flavors such as oregano, thyme, and fresh garlic. Simply Divine.
20. Steamed Kale
Kale is one of the healthiest foods out there, packed with vitamins and minerals. And you can make it taste great, just by adding a little garlic and balsamic vinegar .
21. Grilled Cabbage
If you haven’t tried this before, boy, are you missing out! Super simple, healthy and delicious.
22. Basil Corn & Tomato Bake
Everybody loves sweetcorn – and when you combine it with flavors like basil, cheese, and tomato, you get a great taste sensation – not to be missed.
23. Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
I just love the crunch you get with sugar snap peas. And you can make them taste amazing, just by adding some chopped shallots and Italian seasoning.
24. Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant Recipe
Baked rather than fried, this healthy dish tastes amazing. Not least because of the garlic and Parmesan bread crumb coating!
25. Mediterranean Black Eyed Pea Salad Recipe
This is a simple and hearty dish, and you can either keep it vegan, or add a little crumbled cheese on the top for extra flavor and texture.
26. Grilled Vegetable Platter
If you’ve got the grill out in your backyard to make your main dish, why not grill up a nice vegetable side medley while you’re there? This recipe will show you how to do it best.
27. Simple Vegan Bean Soup
Who says vegan side dishes are boring? Check this out – it’s got garlic, sweet paprika, and cumin. And the kidney beans provide all the fiber you need. Great with a few nachos!
28. Basil Grilled Corn on the Cob
Sometimes it’s the simple ideas that are the best. With this recipe, you simply take a few ears of corn on cobs, combine with some carefully selected ingredients such as the very aromatic basil leaves, and grill.
29. Tomato-Onion Green Beans
You can really vamp up the flavor of a green bean side dish by following this simple recipe, and with just a few ingredients, too.
30 Sweet Potato Mash
Sweet potato mash makes for an excellent alternative to regular mashed potatoes. Not only does it taste much sweeter, but it also has a higher glycemic index, which makes it a healthier food. And it’s a great people pleaser too.
31. Honey Glazed Baby Carrots
This recipe is made in just 15 minutes and features baby carrots which are packed with vitamin A. And the honey glaze really lifts the flavor and gives it a nice sweetness.
32. Sweet Potato Fries
These sweet potato fries are amazing, nice and crispy on the ends, yet soft on the inside. It makes for great finger food.
33. Irish Colcannon Mash
I just love this dish, mashed potatoes with butter and cream combined with healthy greens and scallions – not just for Saint Patrick’s Day!
34. Dill & Chive Peas
This is not just your plain side dish of peas – this dish is packed with flavor thanks to the addition of fresh dill and chives. And it’s a breeze to prep – you can simply use peas straight from the freezer.
35. Whole Wheat Penne in Fresh Tomato Sauce
Your dinner guests certainly won’t be feeling left hungry if you were to offer them this side dish. The whole wheat penne pasta is really filling. You’ve got sweet and tangy tomatoes in there, and it goes great with a little creamy goat cheese and fresh basil!
36. Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Now, this is crazy delicious! Crispy on the outside and fluffy and buttery on the inside. Super simple to make and goes down a treat.
37. Seriously Good Homemade Coleslaw
This is a quick and easy side dish to make, and you can use any cabbage you like. There’s also a recipe included for the creamy dressing, too! Super healthy and delicious.
38. Pesto Pasta Salad
If you’ve never tried pesto before, boy are you missing out! So flavorful when you make it with fresh basil. I like mine with extra garlic. And the rocket and tomatoes really make this dish pop! Enjoy with whole wheat pasta to be extra healthy.
39. Potatoes Au Gratin (Dauphinoise)
Now, this dish is a classic! It’s a French dish, made with layers upon layers of finely sliced potatoes, combined with cream, butter, cheese and a hint of fresh thyme.
40. Lemon Roasted Asparagus
This healthy side dish uses just 7 ingredients, only needs to be roasted for 10 minutes, and is a breeze to clean up. Best enjoyed with fresh in-season asparagus.
