Whether you’re trying to trick your kids into eating more veggies or just trying to make sure you have something to eat at a cookout, this roundup of healthy side dishes is a lifesaver. Between only eating meatless meals and constantly trying to eat healthier, I always try to bring something I can eat to a gathering (see more tips on Plus, they’re tasty as all get out, so you can avoid the whole “I’m trying to stick to my diet” conversation.
But What About the Vegetarian Main Dishes?
Ok, let’s be real. I can EASILY make a meal out of sides. It always shocks people that I love steakhouses, and it’s because their side dishes rock! But if you need some vegetarian main dishes to go with these healthy side dishes, here are some. more great ideas:
- “Meaty” Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
- 18 Vegetarian Recipes with Simple Ingredients
- Vegetarian Grill Recipes
- 24 Lazy Vegetarian Meals: Instant Pot, Slow Cooker
- Vegetarian Mexican Risotto
- Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs in the Slow Cooker
35 Vegan and Vegetarian Healthy Side Dishes
These healthy side dishes are perfect for just about any gathering. Shhhh no one even needs to know they're healthy!
This creamy hummus recipe is quick and delicious. Made with classic ingredients including lemon, garlic and tahini, it's not only tasty but healthy, vegan and gluten free!
Love macaroni salad? So do I, but I do NOT love how it slays my diet in one sitting. This version is tasty, creamy, satisfying, and WAY less guilt.
Truly crispy, addictive, perfectly seasoned, Mediterranean baby potatoes cooked in the air fryer. Quick prep and a perfect Mediterranean side on the family dinner table.
Crispy sweet potato wedges are healthy but taste fried! Cinnamon, paprika and rosemary herb seasonings all taste good baked on these!
This easy, cozy vegan loaded sweet potato recipe can be made with 5 ingredients.
A delicious pasta salad to bring to a picnic or party, or serve with a dinner salad.
This version of a family favorite reduces the fat without impacting the flavor. Plus, it only takes four easy ingredients!
Simple and quick to make, this lettuce Greek salad is a twist on the original. Tossed in a red wine and herb dressing it's perfectly fresh and delicious.
This healthy, wholesome Instant Pot Barley Salad is packed with flavor from lime and parsley. What a great option for lunch, picnics, potluck parties, or a quick fix dinner!
Choose from a cheddar, rosemary and shitake mushroom risotto or a vegan risotto (dairy free pea and mushroom risotto).
Delicious gluten free falafel that's light and fluffy on the inside and crispy and crunchy on the outside. This recipe is easy -- only five steps and 30 minutes to make!
These air fryer carrots are crispy on the outside and warm and tender on the inside. The maple tahini sauce on top is swoon worthy.
This salad has a bit of a sweet taste but also an underlying citrusy flavor, and takes just 15 minutes to make.
This potato salad is easy, minimalistic and always a hit!
This easy Asian cucumber salad has minimal ingredients, is quick to make and can be made in advance. It is a great no-cook BBQ side dish and tastes delicious on tacos!
This fresh salsa includes mango for a bit of sweetness and tanginess, pairing perfectly with the vegetables in a traditional pico de gallo.
Fragrant sesame brings toasty flavor to a classic veggie side dish.
Simple to prep and so flavorful, this salad is so quick to toss together and a perfect side dish for any meal.
Nutritious and delicious, this refreshing salad will quickly become a gathering staple with its sweet pops of corn, earthy bell pepper, mild green onion, and zingy jalapeno lime vinaigrette.
This light and fluffy rice pilaf is popular with Mexican food or grilled meats. Packed with fresh spinach, it makes a healthy side dish that’s vegetarian and gluten free.
This cheesy vegan mac recipe will satisfy everyone’s cravings. It is chock full of flavor and, most importantly, nutrients.
Black bean and corn salsa is always a crowd favorite! Its fresh, vibrant flavor boasts a perfect blend of ingredients.
These baked beans are a game-changer, stepping in for the sugary, calorie dense childhood favorite.
This quick, easy pasta salad takes less than 20 minutes to make start to finish. It’s made with simple ingredients that are healthy, colorful and tasty.
These flavorful, delicious vegan dumplings, aka gyoza, are incredibly quick and easy to make ! You can even freeze them.
Perfectly spiced black beans make a wonderful side dish. With only five minutes of prep, the Instant Pot does all the work for you!
This potato salad is packed with flavor, includes a vegan option and is naturally gluten-free.
This pasta salad will be a hit at your next gathering. It's light, refreshing and full of fresh vegetables. Plus, it'll be ready in 30 minutes or less!
Pasilla pepper and tomatoes stewed in seasoned vegetable or chicken broth, sopa de tortilla is an authentic Mexican soup topped with avocado, Cotija cheese and crema fresca.
A quick and easy Italian fava bean/broad bean dish that can be served as a vegan main or side dish.
Crispy oven-baked marinated artichoke hearts is the easiest recipe ever. It is so simple to cook marinated, canned or frozen artichoke hearts in the oven on high heat to get a crispy outside and a tender inside.
In this recipe, butterfly pea flowers naturally color the sushi rice, and these cupcakes are gluten free!
Creamy, colorful, crunchy and packed with vitamin C, this vegan coleslaw is an ideal easy option for your next BBQ, potluck or taco night.
These easy and healthy vegan buffalo cauliflower wings are the perfect meatless appetizer!
This is a vegan take on the classic Waldorf salad. Deliciously creamy apple cider vinegar dressing is used instead of mayonnaise for a lighter and fresher version.
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