Anybody else alllllll about the side dishes when it comes to holiday dinners?!
I don't care if it's Thanksgiving or Christmas or Easter, but with any of those high holiday meals the side dishes are a make it or break it situation for me. Good news for my fellow side lovers: I've rounded up 15 Healthy Vegetable Side Dishes that are easy, delicious, and quick to prepare.
Many can be prepared in advance, and all are veggie-forward, flavour-packed vegetarian side dishes that will have your mouth watering before they even hit the table. Shall we dig in?
15 Healthy Vegetable Side Dishes:
1. Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes
These are not your Grandma's mashed potatoes... they're better! Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes made with the skin on for extra nutrients, but don't let that fool you. Lightened up though these may be, they're packed with flavour, moist, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
2. Green Beans Gremolata
If you're looking for a healthy vegetable side dish that doesn't require any oven space, Green Beans Gremolata is where it's at. This dish will punch you in the mouth with big, bright flavours, and it comes together in a flash.
3. Miso Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
I'm confident that any B-Sprout skeptics will be converted with this salty and sweet Miso Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts dish. Just a few ingredients, a quick roast in the oven, and a tangy umami dressing and you'll be adding another plate to your healthy vegetable side dish repertoire.
4. Hasselback Butternut Squash
Move over potatoes, there's a new Hasselback in town! This Hasselback Butternut Squash is basted with maple sage brown butter and if that's not a good enough reason to make it, I don't know what is.
5. Roasted Romanesco
If you've never tried this beautifully freaky looking vegetable before, I encourage you to give it a try. Roasted Romanesco Cauliflower is easy and delicious, topped with triple-P combo of Parsley, Panko, and Parmesan to take it to the next level.
6. Spicy Pickled Onions
Spicy Pickled Onions are incredibly easy to make, yet the add a punch of both flavour and colour to any vegetable side dish spread. I love combining them with other dishes for a bit of spice and tang, and I'm sure you will, too.
7. Stuffed Acorn Squash
If you're looking for a recipe that can hold it's own with the healthy vegetable side dishes while also doubling as a protein-packed vegetarian main, Stuffed Acorn Squash is just the ticket.
8. Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
You won't believe how easy it is to make these Mediterranean Roast Vegetables. Combine your favourite veggies with lots of garlic, fresh herbs, and potatoes, and roast away. The perfect healthy vegetable side dish.
9. Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
A butternut squash salad might not be traditional on your holiday table, but I'm going to argue that it should be. This Spicy Butternut Squash Salad with Lentils packs big flavours and lots of texture into a delicious and healthy vegetable side dish.
10. Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
I've never understood why sweet potato casserole was so loaded with sugar, so I set out to make a HNL version with less sugar, no dairy, and allllll the flavour. This Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole is nutritionist created and southerner approved.
11. Air Fryer Carrots
Whether you've got an Air Fryer or not, these sweet and crispy Honey Roasted Carrots are side dish perfection. Tossed with honey butter and sprinkled with dukkah, these Air Fryer Carrots really elevate your side dish game.
12. Spicy Roasted Hokkaido Pumpkin
Thin-skinned Hokkaido pumpkin is the perfect side dish ingredient because you don't have to peel it. Roasted to perfection in a sweet and spicy crust, these Roasted Hokkaido Pumpkin wedges are as delicious as they are easy to make.
13. Lemony Roasted Tahini Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower has been en vogue the past few years, and for good reason! This Roasted Tahini Cauliflower is crisp, tangy, and served on a puddle of rich tahini sauce. It is side dish perfection.
14. Mashed Potato Stuffing
If you've never tried adding mashed potatoes to your stuffing, you're in for a real treat. Perfectly moist, seasoned with sage and thyme, and studded with buttery fried onions, this is the stuffing of your dreams. I make Instant Pot Stuffing to free up oven space, but it works great baked in the oven too!
15. Wild Rice Salad
This Wild Rice Salad is an HNL classic! Studded with chickpeas, cranberries, and toasted pecans, it's always a crowd pleaser.
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