Veggie delights: 30 irresistible side dishes to elevate your meals

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Indulge in a medley of culinary pleasures with our collection of veggie delights. Discover 30 irresistibly flavorful side dishes that will effortlessly elevate your meals.

Cooked bok choy in a white bowl.
Garlic Bok Choy. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Sauteed Buttered Leeks

Close shot of cooked leeks in white bowl
Buttered Sauteed Leeks. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum

Experience the comforting and nourishing joy of buttered sautéed leeks. This uncomplicated and tender dish offers the perfect option for a swift, delectable side that’s sure to appease your palate. A true embodiment of vegetable comfort cuisine!

Get the Recipe: Buttered Sauteed Leeks

Cherry Tomato Confit

Close shot of cherry tomatoes resting in oil.
Cherry Tomato Confit. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum

Unveil the enchantment of Cherry Tomato Confit—a culinary journey that turns regular tomatoes into delicate, sweet, and utterly irresistible gems for your veggie side dish repertoire.

Get the Recipe: Tomato Confit

Garlic Bok Choy

Cooked bok choy in a white bowl.
Garlic Bok Choy. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

When minutes are precious, turn to this effortless garlic bok choy recipe as your go-to option for a swift and fulfilling weeknight accompaniment.

Get the Recipe: Bok Choy

Stewed Potatoes

Bowl of stewed potatoes.
Stewed Potatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Embark on a journey of nostalgic comfort with Stewed Potatoes—a tribute to those hearty, home-cooked dishes that evoke feelings of coziness and pure contentment.

Get the Recipe: Stewed Potatoes

Sauteed Mushrooms

A tan ceramic bowl filled with sauteed mushrooms garnished with a fresh thyme sprig.
Sautéed Mushrooms. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

When time is of the essence, sautéed mushrooms emerge as the swift and flavorful companion to your veggie spread.

Get the Recipe: Sauteed Mushrooms

Pickled Cabbage

A small dish and jar filled with pickled cabbage.
Pickled cabbage. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Unveil the craft of rapid and effortless pickled cabbage! Enhance your culinary creations with its satisfying crunch and zesty tang, rendering it the ultimate condiment to have on hand in your refrigerator for all your side dish needs.

Get the Recipe: Pickled Cabbage

Roasted Potato Salad

A close shot of roasted potatoes and veggies topped with fresh herbs and spices.
Roasted Potato Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Treat yourself to the yumminess of a colorful roasted potato salad, packed with a mix of garden-fresh herbs, a dressing made from scratch, and a delightful touch of pistachio crunchiness.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Potato Salad

Korean Cucumber Salad

Korean-Style Cucumber Salad
Korean Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Embark on a delectable gastronomic journey with this speedy and effortless Korean cucumber salad. Experience a delightful fusion of zesty and spicy notes that will truly tantalize your taste buds.

Get the recipe: Korean Cucumber Sala

Grilled Asparagus with Garlic

Grilled Asparagus with Garlic on a plate.
Grilled Asparagus with Garlic. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Savor the perfection of tender-crisp asparagus kissed by a hint of smokiness—so scrumptious that it rivals the main course! Effortlessly prepared and quick to be ready, this simple side dish guarantees a delightful culinary experience every time you indulge.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus with Garlic

Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

Caprese salad with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese topped with basil.
Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Experience the essence of Caprese salad, a humble yet vibrant Italian ensemble of tomatoes and mozzarella that bursts with an explosion of taste. This exquisite salad not only captures the heart of Italy but also serves as an ideal, pre-prepared addition to your Easter feast!

Get the Recipe: Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

mashed cauliflower potatoes with butter
Mashed cauliflower potatoes. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Delight in the velvety and tasteful indulgence of mashed potatoes with a nutritious spin. This innovative recipe swaps conventional potatoes for cauliflower, crafting a side dish that’s airy, delicate, and abundant in flavor. With reduced carbs and a bounty of taste, it stands as the ultimate guilt-free substitution—ideal for those on the quest to infuse their meals with more vegetable goodness.

Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Baked Sweet Potatoes With Apple & Cranberries

A spoonful of sweet potato slices with apples and cranberries in a white dish.
Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Indulge in the wholesome goodness of Baked Sweet Potato Slices, harmoniously baked alongside sweet apples and tangy cranberries. This uncomplicated yet delightful combination offers a straightforward, delicious, and healthful addition to your meal.

Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potatoes With Apple & Cranberries

Sauteed Radish with Bacon

Red radishes with bacon in a pan.
Sauteed Radish with Bacon. Photo Credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Step aside, potatoes—these radishes are taking the flavor crown! Sautéed Radishes with Bacon is a speedy and effortless side dish that boasts the same fantastic taste as spuds, minus the carb load!

Get the Recipe: Sauteed Radish with Bacon

Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini fritter getting dipped into sauce.
Zucchini Fritters. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Zucchini Fritters make for a delightful side dish or appetizer for your Sunday dinner. They’re wonderfully crispy, easy to whip up, and a fantastic way to use up that summer zucchini.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Fritters

Garlicky Sautéed Cruciferous Veggies

Sauteed cruciferous vegetables in a white bowl.
Garlicky Sautéed Cruciferous Crunch. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Elevate your plate with this exquisite recipe that brings together sautéed, thinly sliced cruciferous gems such as kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Infused with the aromatic blend of garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, this side dish bursts with vibrant flavors that perfectly complement your meal.

Get the Recipe: Garlicky Sautéed Cruciferous Veggies

Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Grilled Elote Corn Ribs on a black platter.
Grilled Elote Corn Ribs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Loaded with flavor and a kiss of smoke, these elote corn ribs are as impressive looking as they are delicious! With a kick of spice and ready in a jiffy, there’s every reason to try these tonight!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

BBQ Green Beans with Ham

A white bowl with barbecued green beans and chuncks of ham.
Barbecued Green Beans. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Delight in the simplicity of our BBQ Green Beans creation—a recipe designed to showcase tender beans, smoky ham, sweet onions, and a tangy sauce that harmoniously combine to craft a delectable veggie side dish.

Get the Recipe: BBQ Green Beans with Ham

Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill

Beet cucumber salad with feta and dill on a pink plate.
Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This beet and cucumber salad with feta and dill is packed with sweet, savory, earthy, tangy, and salty flavors. Crunchy cucumbers, tenderly cooked beets, and a fresh lemon vinaigrette combine to create a delicious beet salad you’ll crave.
Get the Recipe: Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill

Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone in a black dish.
Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Creamy, smooth, and loaded with spinach, this easy creamed spinach has a secret weapon: mascarpone. This common ingredient transforms the ho-hum spinach into a restaurant-worthy dish in minutes!
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Salt Potatoes

Plate of loaded salt potatoes topped with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, cheese and sour cream.
Loaded Salt Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Experience the sublime creaminess of baby potatoes, achieved through a special boiling technique with an abundance of salt. Enter the world of Salt Potatoes, a cherished tradition hailing from Syracuse, NY, where the simple addition of salt creates a side dish that’s beyond compare.

Get the Recipe: Salt Potatoes

Sautéed Sweet Potatoes

Sautéed sweet potatoes are shown on a black plate with the tines of a fork and a cream-colored linen.
Sautéed Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Sautéed sweet potatoes are an easy, versatile addition to any breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This sweet and savory side is simply seasoned with salt, garlic powder, and cayenne for just a hint of heat.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Sweet Potatoes

Braised Cabbage

Braised cabbage in bowl with spoon
Braised cabbage. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Elevate humble cabbage to new heights with this braised cabbage recipe. Slow-cooked to perfection, the cabbage becomes tender and infused with savory flavors. Whether served as a side dish or a main course, this dish is a comforting and delicious addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Braised Cabbage

Greek Green Salad

Closeup side view shot of Prasini salad in a white dish.
Greek Green Salad. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Be transported to Greece with this Prasini Salad, a simple, delicious Mediterranean dish of crispy romaine hearts, creamy feta cheese, fresh scallions and dill, and bright lemon vinaigrette. It’s a perfect side salad with any meal!
Get the Recipe: Greek Green Salad

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Plate of butternut squash in front of an air fryer with a blue napkin in the background.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Butternut Squash in the air fryer? Absolutely! This method gives the squash a beautifully caramelized surface and a sweet, tender interior. It’s a fast, fuss-free side dish that allows the natural, nutty sweetness of the squash to shine.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Roasted Broccolini

Roasted broccolini on a white plate with garlic.
Roasted Broccolini. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Roasted tender stem broccoli (also known as broccolini or baby broccoli) is delicious when cooked until just crisp with garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccolini

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob in a green corn dish in front of an air fryer.
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Say goodbye to boiling or grilling, and hello to Air Fryer Corn on the Cob! The kernels turn perfectly tender and retain all their juicy sweetness, while the husk gets nicely charred. It’s an easy, hands-off method that results in irresistibly delicious corn.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Calabrian Potatoes

Calabrian potatoes on a white plate.
Calabrian Potatoes. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Elevate the ordinary with the irresistible allure of Calabrian Potatoes. A symphony of gentle heat, zesty citrus, vibrant garlic, and fragrant rosemary transform a humble creamy potato into a side dish that effortlessly checks all the boxes for flavor perfection.

Get the Recipe: Calabrian Potatoes

Coleslaw

Copycat Popeye’s Coleslaw Recipe. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.
Copycat Popeye’s Coleslaw Recipe. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Crisp and refreshing, coleslaw is a classic side dish that complements a variety of main courses. This recipe features shredded cabbage, carrots, and a creamy dressing for a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you’re enjoying it at a barbecue, picnic, or alongside your favorite grilled dishes, coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch to any plate.
Get the Recipe: Coleslaw

Marinated Tomatoes

Marinated tomatoes in a yellow pie dish.
Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These marinated heirloom tomatoes capture the flavor of summer. Garden fresh tomatoes sit in a bright, bold marinade of olive oil, vinegar, fresh garlic, and oregano to create a salad or sandwich topping that looks beautiful and tastes even better!
Get the Recipe: Marinated Tomatoes

Cheesy Grilled Potatoes

Grilled potatoes topped with cheese and bacon in a foil pan.
Cheesy Grilled Potatoes and Onions. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Elevate your grill game by preparing delectable Cheesy Potatoes alongside your main course. Infused with the savory combination of onion and bacon, this side dish promises an extra layer of mouthwatering goodness that perfectly complements your meal.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Grilled Potatoes

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