11 low-carb sides that will make you forget about mashed potatoes

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Mashed potatoes might be a classic, but these low-carb sides are here to steal the spotlight. They’re packed with flavor, easy to make, and fit perfectly into a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing comfort or satisfaction. Whether you’re cutting carbs or just looking for something new, these recipes will have you wondering why you ever stuck to plain old potatoes.

A plate with breaded chicken cutlet, roasted green beans with seasoning, and lemon wedges.
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Hands holding a white bowl of cauliflower mac and cheese garnished with chopped herbs.
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This creamy cauliflower mac and cheese is the ultimate low-carb comfort food that rivals any cheesy side dish. With tender cauliflower smothered in a rich, velvety cheese sauce, you’ll never even think about mashed potatoes. It’s quick to whip up in just 15 minutes and packed with all the indulgent flavor you crave, minus the carbs.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Beer Cheese Soup

Beer cheese soup with wooden spoon in a bowl.
Beer Cheese Soup. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Rich, creamy, and unbelievably delicious, this beer cheese soup is a low-carb side that’s impossible to resist. With minimal carbs per serving, it’s a guilt-free way to enjoy a cheesy, cozy bowl of soup. Serve it alongside your favorite protein for a dish so hearty, you won’t even miss the mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup

Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Mashed cauliflower potatoes with butter on top in a bowl.
Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This mashed cauliflower is the low-carb hero your dinner table needs. Light, buttery, and perfectly seasoned, it’s a game-changing alternative to traditional side mashed potatoes. You’ll love how easy it is to make and how well it pairs with anything from roasted chicken to grilled steak.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Parmesan Chicken Wings

A hand dips a parmesan chicken wing into a small ramekin filled with white dipping sauce.
Parmesan Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Crispy, cheesy, and low-carb, these Parmesan chicken wings are the side dish you didn’t know you were missing. The golden Parmesan crust adds so much flavor that you’ll forget all about heavier options like mashed potatoes. Perfect for dinner or entertaining, these wings are always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Chicken Wings

Cauliflower Tortillas with Garlic and Oregano

A hand holds and begins to wrap a folded cauliflower tortilla, which is on a white plate.
Cauliflower Tortillas with Garlic and Oregano. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Skip the carb-heavy sides and hello to these garlicky cauliflower tortillas. Flexible and full of flavor, they’re a low-carb side that works for tacos, wraps, or even as a base for mini pizzas. You’ll never think twice about mashed potatoes when these are on your plate.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Tortillas with Garlic and Oregano

Cabbage Fritters

Three cabbage fritters stacked on a plate with a dollop of sour cream on the right and a sprig of parsley on the left.
Cabbage Fritters. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

These cabbage fritters are crispy, savory, and loaded with curry-inspired flavor. Topped with a dollop of garam masala yogurt sauce, they’re a low-carb side that’s both bold and delicious. Forget the mashed potatoes this unique side dish is guaranteed to steal the show.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Fritters

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

A plate with breaded chicken cutlet, roasted green beans with seasoning, and lemon wedges.
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Parmesan roasted green beans are proof that low-carb sides can be just as delicious as the classics. Tossed with garlic and roasted until crispy, these green beans are finished with a cheesy Parmesan sprinkle for the ultimate flavor boost. They’re the perfect alternative to mashed potatoes when you want something light but delicious.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Braised Cabbage

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

Braised cabbage is the low-carb comfort food you didn’t know you needed. Cooked until tender and infused with rich, savory flavors, it’s a great side dish that’s anything but boring. Once you try this, mashed potatoes won’t even cross your mind.
Get the Recipe: Braised Cabbage

Chicken Miso Soup

Chicken Miso Soup with seaweed and green onion garnish in a white soup bowl.
Chicken Miso Soup. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Warm, flavorful, and packed with protein, this chicken miso soup is a side dish with a low-carb twist. The savory broth, tender chicken, and seaweed create a light yet delightful option that’s way more exciting than mashed potatoes. Serve it with your favorite main dish for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Miso Soup

Cheddar Cheese Broccoli Fritters

A close-up of a hand holding a partially eaten broccoli fritter over a round plate.
Cheddar Cheese Broccoli Fritters. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

These cheddar cheese broccoli fritters are crispy on the outside and filled with cheesy goodness on the inside. They’re a fun, low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes that’s easy to make and even easier to love. Serve them up with your favorite protein for a side that feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Broccoli Fritters

Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs

Meatballs with cheese on a plate.
Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Mozzarella-stuffed meatballs double as a low-carb main or side dish that will make you forget all about mashed potatoes. With gooey cheese at the center of every bite, they’re rich, flavorful, and so satisfying. Pair them with a fresh salad or low-carb pasta for a meal that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs

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