65 Healthy Side Dishes Exciting Enough To Pair With Any Entree
These colorful sides are full of crunch, spice, herbs, and more!
Especially when we're trying eat healthier, it’s almost too easy to fall into the trap of going for the same boring meals again and again. We’ve found that the best way to avoid that is to add fun, colorful side dishes with lots of flavor and good mouthfeel (crunchy! spicy! herby!). Check out these 65 side dish recipes that all have a little something extra going on—they great for jazzing up everything from weeknight dinners to holiday mains.
Most nights, we definitely fall prey to the ease of just tossing whatever veggies we’ve got around in a pan with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. When we look for ideas to shake our menu up, we’ve got to get creative so as to add flavor, but not lose that simplicity. The easiest way to do this is to take all we know about stir frying, roasting or grilling our vegetables, and then taking it a few steps further with the toppings. We’re talking feta cheese, black and white sesame seeds (or use everything bagel seasoning, we won’t judge), dill… the options are truly endless.
We’re also very partial to a protein-packed bean salad, particularly ones we can make ahead of time and serve hot or cold. We’ve included a few of our favorites here, like our black bean and corn salad or mediterranean chickpea salad, but get creative with the beans you like best (or whatever you’ve got kicking around in your cabinets).
We know eating healthier can sometimes mean avoiding some of your favorites, like potatoes. We’ve also included a few ways we like to make them that cut some of the calories but not the flavor, like our air fryer roast potatoes or oven baked french fries. Love mashed potatoes but hate all the butter and carbs? Try swapping in butternut squash or parsnips for all that creamy goodness, sans potatoes.
For more healthy ideas, check out our list of better-for-you appetizers, dinners, and desserts too.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries can sometimes have a bad reputation—especially the oven-baked ones. They’re usually a floppy, bland pile of under-seasoned sadness, but it doesn’t have to be that way! There’s a way to get crisp and savory fries fresh out of the oven, and we've got the tips and tricks to help you get there.
Get the Sweet Potato Fries recipe.
Brussels Sprout Salad
When we want to incorporate more Brussels sprouts into our dinner routine, we turn to this fresh, seasonal salad. With toasted almonds, shaved Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds, this is the holiday side that will convert even the biggest Brussels sprout haters.
Get the Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.
Balsamic Glazed Carrots
Roasted carrots are a classic easy side dish that I turn to time and time again, whether I'm serving up a holiday dinner or a quick weeknight meal. That being said, topping them with a balsamic glaze truly takes them over the top. I include how to make a homemade balsamic glaze here, which if you've never made it before, you'll be surprised by just how easy it is to whip up.
Get the Balsamic Glazed Carrots recipe.
Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples
You may have seen crisp, anise-y fennel bulbs dotting the famers' market stands, nuzzling up alongside sweet delicata squash and tart apples. The three find their way into this healthy side dish that's perfect for elegant dinner party menus, simple weeknight meals, or paired with richer, holiday spreads.
Get the Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples recipe.
Bacon Fried Cabbage
If you want to venture into the world of cabbage that goes beyond corn beef or coleslaw, try this fried cabbage on for size. Hearty and flavorful, it only requires 5 ingredients (if you don't count the salt and pepper). Plus, one of those ingredients is BACON!
Get the Bacon Fried Cabbage recipe.
Cacio E Pepe Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts are great as is, but add a quick roast to get the bottoms crisp and a healthy dusting of pecorino and Parmesan? As soon as they come out of the oven, these cheese will gently melt into them, reminding us of one of our favorite pastas, cacio e pepe.
Get the Cacio E Pepe Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Sweet Potato Salad
This sweet potato salad is the perfect way to lighten up any winter dinner or even your Thanksgiving spread. Feta, dried cranberries, and red onions pair really nicely with the earthy sweetness of the orange superfood. Did we mention it's great warm or cold?
Get the Sweet Potato Salad recipe.
Wild Rice
Rice is maybe one of the best, all-time favorite carbs, and you don't have to limit yourself to just white and brown. There are tons varieties that can bring about different textures and flavors, like nutty and chewy wild rice. Serve it alongside roast veggies or toss in some mushrooms, and you’ll have a hearty meal that comes together in a flash!
Get the Wild Rice recipe.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
This summer-friendly recipe uses canned chickpeas, meaning it comes together in less than 30 minutes. 😎 Our lemon-parsley vinaigrette here is perfectly tart and fresh with a hint of spice, and you're going to want to put it on everything.
Get the Mediterranean Chickpea Salad recipe.
Green Beans Almondine
This classic French recipe turns humble green beans into an easy and impressive side dish you can make all year round. Sautéed with shallots and garlic, tossed with buttery, toasted almonds, and finished with lemon, these green beans are quick enough to serve for a weeknight dinner while also being fancy enough for holiday meals and dinner parties.
Get the Green Beans Almondine recipe.
Peas & Carrots
A quick side dish is always appreciated, especially one as easy as this combo. It goes well with your steak dinners, your rice & beans, or your vegan meatloaf, but if you really love your peas and carrots, you could just eat this in one sitting, as a meal (we have! 😉).
Get the Peas & Carrots recipe.
Black Bean And Corn Salad
This easy salad comes together quickly and works as a side dish, a great topping for tacos, or as an appetizer with tortilla chips. Think of this as a medley of the most exciting parts of a vegetarian burrito bowl, unadulterated by rice, and hyped up by a little honey-lime action.
Get the Black Bean And Corn Salad recipe.
Shredded Brussels Sprouts
We love classic sautéed Brussels sprouts, but sometimes we crave something with a bit more kick. These slightly spicy salty-sweet sprouts make for a unique and easy side dish.
Get the Shredded Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Roasted Garlic-Parsnip Puree
Parsnips are sweet like carrots and creamy like potatoes. Instead of mashed potatoes, give mashed parsnips a try. They're just as easy to make and with some roasted garlic, they're even more delicious!
Get the Roasted Garlic-Parsnip Puree recipe.
Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
Inspired by the popular Chinese takeout dish Kung Pao Chicken, these saucy Brussels sprouts are dangerously delicious. If you want to up the spice level, feel free to add red chili peppers with the garlic.
Get the Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad
If you’re looking for a new way to serve Brussels sprouts, you have to try thinly slicing them and making a flavor-packed winter salad. This salad has all of our favorite seasonal flavors: apples, cider vinegar, cranberries, nuts and sharp cheese. It’s the perfect side dish for all your holiday get-togethers, especially the fancier dinners.
Get the Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.
Pear Salad
This simple yet satisfying wintery salad packs a flavorful punch with slightly smoky seared pears, creamy blue cheese, and ultra-crunchy candied pumpkin seeds. Tied together by a sweet-sour honey vinaigrette, it’s the perfect holiday side (or add some protein to make it a main!).
Get the Pear Salad recipe.
Best-Ever Keto Mac & Cheese
If you're on keto, you know there are a lot of no-nos in classic mac & cheese. This version takes out all the trouble children (ahem, PASTA) without sacrificing flavor. The pork rind topping is totally optional, but we think it adds a pleasant crunch.
Get the Best-Ever Keto Mac & Cheese recipe.
Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes
The air fryer works some kind of magic on potatoes—they get extra crispy all over and stay perfectly soft on the inside. Toss them in just a little bit of oil so all of the seasonings stick to make these the most delicious potatoes ever.
Get the Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes recipe.
Butternut Squash Mac 'N' Cheese
Creamy, sweet, and conveniently orange, butternut squash adds extra body and richness to mac & cheese. A little thyme does some heavy lifting, making the homey comfort classic a little fancy, and bringing some fall flavors to the table that are *chef’s kiss*.
Get the Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese recipe.
