Vegetables are the unsung heroes of the dining table. These 55 vegetable side dishes should be given a starring role at your holiday table or any night of the week.
Incorporating more vegetables into your diet isn't just about ticking nutritional boxes. It's about opening up a world of flavors, textures, and aromas.
Vegetables offer a symphony of taste sensations. From the sweetness of roasted carrots to the earthy depth of roasted beets, the tangy zip of lemon-herb asparagus to the smoky char of grilled eggplant.
And let's not forget the visual appeal of vegetables. A plate brimming with vibrant green beans, ruby-red tomatoes, and golden corn is a feast for the eyes before it even reaches the mouth.
Vegetable side dishes are more than just an accompaniment to the main cours. They can elevate the entire dining experience, adding layers of flavor, texture, and visual appeal.
They can also be the centerpiece of a meal, showcasing the versatility and deliciousness of vegetables in their own right.
So, find out more about veggie sides, from Green Beans Almondine and Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts, to Maple Glazed Carrots and Parmesan Parsnips.
Making Vegetables More Appealing
If you're one of those who find vegetables a bit, well, bland, don't despair. There are countless ways to make vegetables more appealing to your palate.
Experiment with different cooking methods. Roasting brings out sweetness, while sautéing adds a touch of smokiness. Grilling imparts a chargrilled flavor, and steaming preserves the delicate texture and nutrients. You can even quick pickle veggies like in this Pickled Red Cabbage.
Don't be afraid to add bold flavors to your vegetables. A drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese can elevate the simplest of vegetables.
Herbs and spices are your friends. Garlic, rosemary, thyme, and paprika are just a few examples of seasonings that can transform vegetables.
Vegetable Side Dishes for the Holidays
Vegetable side dishes are not just for weeknight meals; they can elevate your holiday feasts as well.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are prime opportunities to showcase the versatility and deliciousness of vegetables with a range of veggie sides.
For Thanksgiving, consider a classic green bean casserole, creamy mashed sweet potatoes, or a hearty stuffing made with a medley of vegetables.
For Christmas, try roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar, a colorful side salad, or a gratin of cauliflower or potatoes.
Be sure to also check out Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes, Vegan Christmas Main Dishes and Vegetarian Christmas Recipes.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Vegetables, the unsung heroes of the dining table, often get overshadowed by main dishes, but these colorful, nutrient-packed plants deserve a starring role.
Parmesan Parsnips are roasted with rosemary and parmesan cheese for a flavorful vegetable side that pairs well with any main course.
Whip up an easy cheese sauce, then serve over boiled or steamed broccoli for a tasty side dish that the whole family will love.
Jazz up your roasted Brussels sprouts with goat cheese, dried cranberries, walnuts and a honey balsamic dressing.
These creamy miso mushrooms are easy to make, and pack in a big Japanese flavor.
These tender roasted carrots are baked with maple syrup, brown sugar and butter, plus a subtle kick from cayenne!
Liven up your Brussels Sprouts with a simple honey sriracha dressing.
This creamy Turnip Casserole is easy to make and full of flavor, and texture from the breadcrumb topping.
This easy, tender grilled butternut squash is dressed with a brown sugar chili and lime dressing.
In this tasty side dish, cauliflower is baked under a blanket of creamy cheese sauce.
This creamy, dreamy parsnip puree is an elegant and sophistocated vegetable side dish that's super simple to make.
Braised red cabbage is a tasty Christmas side dish with tender red cabbage slowly cooked with wintery warming spices.
These easy roasted radishes, with herbs, garlic and onion seasonings, are full of flavor, but lose their pepperiness.
This simple French tomato salad has a bright vibrant flavor from the ripe tomatoes, sharp red onion, fragrant basil and vinegar dressing.
Tender, seasoned grilled zucchini is topped with salty fresh parmesan cheese.
This traditional Irish side dish is made with mashed potato, butter and tender kale (or cabbage).
Save room in your oven this holiday season and make air fryer parsnips in no time and with minimal oil.
Miso adds a big, bold flavor to this easy roasted cauliflower side dish.
Turn peas into something special with this Copcyat Nando's Macho Peas recipe - seasoned with chili and mint.
These simple honey roasted parsnips are a classic side dish that are sweet, tender and beautifully caramelised.
Turn leeks into a special vegetable side dish in these tasty casserole of Cheesy Leeks. The leeks are cooked in a creamy cheese sauce, and topped with herb and parmesan breadcrumbs.
Roast turnips to turn them into a tasty vegetable side dish in no time!
Buttered sauteed leeks are a quick, easy and tasty veggie side dish that works with many main courses.
This candied sweet potato casserole is easy and full of sweet flavors, plus crunchy pecans.
These green beans are perfect for the holidays with dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans.
Roasting zucchini takes it to the next level. This recipe is topped with parmesan for extra flavor.
This easy smoky Grilled Eggplant recipe turns a simple eggplant into a smoky grilled vegetable that’s hearty and satisfying.
This minted pea puree is a super quick and tasty side dish.
Mashed celeriac (also known as celery root) is a creamy and tasty side dish.
Roast your beets in the air fryer! This vibrant side dish is full of flavor.
Make use of your air fryer to roast up asparagus in no time!
Add herbs and roast up cubes of celeriac (celery root) for an easy vegetable side dish.
Vichy-style is a French cooking technique where vegetables are cooked with water, sugar, and butter to help make an irresistible glaze that’s both sweet and savory.
Combine swede (rutabaga) and carrots in this super simple vegetable mash.
In this traditional Northern Irish dish, mashed potatoes are combined with butter and scallions (spring onions) for lots of rich flavor.
Serve up swede (rutabaga) cooked and then mashed into a tender puree.
Add plenty of flavor to your parsnips in this easy roasted curried parsnips recipe.
Elevate your leeks with this recipe! They're sliced, grilled and dressed in lemon juice and parmesan cheese.
Cube up your rutabaga (swede) and roast it in the oven until beautifully tender.
No fresh sprouts? Use frozen! This recipe tells you how to roast frozen brussels sprouts.
Rosolli, a traditional Finnish vegetable salad, is a Christmas delicacy. The dish features a medley of ingredients, including beetroot, potatoes, carrots, apple, onion, and pickles.
Roast up your butternut squash with red onions and maple syrup until tender and beautifully caramelised.
Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar turn sprouts from blah to amazing!
Serve up these tasty and cute baby hasselback potatoes in a rich homemade tomato sauce.
Green beans almondine is a classic Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish, with green beans cooked in a buttery almond sauce.
Parmentier Potatoes are a tasty French side dish with little cubes of spuds roasted with rosemary and garlic.
Stuff mushrooms with a tasty herb and garlic filling and then bake until tender, for a tasty vegetable side dish.
Roast up radishes and asparagus together for a delicious spring side dish.
Turmeric makes cauliflower bright yellow in this tasty roasted vegetable side dish.
Enjoy Brussels sprouts raw in this shaved sprout salad full of dried cranberries, sliced apples and a tasty toasted pumpkin seed dressing.
Serve up broccoli, potatoes and beans in a herb dressing for a tasty cold vegetable side dish.
Thinly slice part way through potatoes and then roast them for these tasty Hasselback potatoes with a chili and lime butter.
Sautee beans until they 'pop', along with plenty of fresh herbs for a delicious side dish.
Double veggies in this dish of cauliflower in a butternut squash sauce.
Add red cabbage, beans, parmesan and Brussels sprouts to puff pastry in this pretty side dish.
Ali
What a great collection of vegetable side dishes - I needed some ideas for a family potluck and there are lots of great options here to try!
Beth
I absolutely adore this list of dishes! You really took vegetables to another level with all of these. The parmesan parsnips sound fantastic.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
My husband is not a massive veg fan but he really loved the miso mushrooms and the sprouts with goat cheese. Great selection of recipes.
Suja md
So many great vegetable side dish recipes here. Pinning and bookmarking for the future!
Ieva
You have just got me sorted for the next 5 years of festive side dishes! Thanks 🙂 But I have to try Brussels sprouts with goats cheese first! It sounds like my kind of dish!