12+ Healthy Side Dishes for Dinner (Vegan and Non-vegan Options)

These 12+ easy, healthy side dishes recipes are perfect for any meal! They use simple ingredients that pack in tons of flavor and nutrition benefits.

Everything is vegetarian + gluten-free with many vegan options to choose from too so you can enjoy them at your next dinner party or just as a nutritious addition to family dinners.

Quinoa Stuffed Delicata Squash Recipe

The delicata squash is a delicious vegetarian side dish. Topped with goat cheese, pomegranate and wine vinegar dressing this recipe has an incredible flavor that will fill your house with joy!

Ingredients

All you need to make this stuffed delicata squash recipe are 12 simple ingredients:

• 2 medium delicata squash
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt + pepper
• 2/3 cup quinoa, dry
• 1 + 1/3 cup water (to cook quinoa)
• 4 large kale leaves, torn into small pieces
• 1/4 cup goat cheese
• 1/4 cup pomegranate arils

Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2.5 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp oregano, dried
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt + pepper, to taste

Get the recipe here.

Carrot Parsnip & Potato Mash Recipe

Get ready for a side that’s full of flavor and spice. This carrot, parsnip & potato Mash recipe is not only healthy but also vegan! It’ll be the perfect alternative to classic mashed potatoes with its creamy texture made from fiber-rich white russet potatoes.

Ingredients

All you need to make this recipe are 11 simple ingredients:

• carrots
• parsnips
• potatoes
• garlic
• butter (regular or vegan)
• almond milk, unsweetened (or other milk/milk alternative)
• nutmeg
• cinnamon
• thyme
• salt
• pepper

Get the recipe here.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe

The best way to enjoy the season’s fresh produce? Roasted spring vegetables! These easy sheet pan sides are packed with all our favorite veggies and they’re so simple, that you’ll want them for dinner every night.

Ingredients

To make easy Crispy Smashed Potatoes, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):

• 20 baby potatoes (about 2 pounds)
• 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Get the recipe here.

Honey Roasted Carrots Recipe

Honey roasted carrots are the perfect side dish to complement your next dinner party. The sweet and salty flavors will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Ingredients

To make easy honey-roasted carrots, you will a large half-sheet baking pan and a few simple ingredients:

• 1 lb. baby carrots (approximately 2 bunches), rinsed, peeled, and tops trimmed to 1-inch
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Get the recipe here.

Crispy Rosemary Potatoes Recipe

Roasted potatoes are a must for dinner. You can’t beat the ease of cooking them up in just one step, and they’re so good without any added ingredients!

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs red potatoes, cut into 3⁄4″ chunks
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Get the recipe here.

Roasted Asparagus With Pecan Parm Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy way to make asparagus that is both healthy and delicious, this 6-ingredient recipe is perfect. The seasoned stems are topped with a cheesy vegan pecan parmesan made from nutritional yeast!

Ingredients

• 1 bunch asparagus
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt (a couple of shakes of the salt shaker)

Pecan “Parmesan” (adapted from Oh She Glows)

• 1 cup raw pecan halves
• 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 pinches salt

Get the recipe here.

Balsamic Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese & Walnuts Recipe

This simple, healthy salad is lightly tossed in a homemade balsamic dressing and topped off with some crunchy walnuts. The perfect side dish for any meal or occasion!

Ingredients

• 6 medium-large beets (2 bunches)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt
• 1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup raw walnut halves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, like parsley, dill, or chives

Balsamic Dressing:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1.5 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp honey
• Salt + pepper, to taste

Get the recipe here.

Grilled Mexican-style Corn Recipe

Inspired by the flavors of Mexico, this recipe is a twist on traditional corn. The mayo-coated cob tastes great paired with chili powder and cheese for an elevated side dish for any outdoor picnic!

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn, husked
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1⁄2 Tbsp chili powder
• Finely grated Parmesan

Get the recipe here.

Balsamic Roasted Broccoli Recipe

The basil and homemade balsamic reduction give this side dish a rich flavor that will make you forget all about any other boring sides out there. Plus, it only takes 5 ingredients to prepare!

Ingredients

• 2 heads of broccoli, chopped into florets
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt to taste

Get the recipe here.

Maple-Roasted Carrots With Harissa Yogurt Recipe

Maple-Roasted Carrots are the perfect side dish for any occasion! These Maple roasted carrots tossed in pure maple syrup and paired with a spicy harissa yogurt sauce, chopped pistachios lemon zest parsley will make your taste buds happy.

Ingredients

• Approx. 21 small-medium carrots
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
• Salt, to taste
• 1/8 cup raw pistachios, chopped
• 1/8 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1.5 tsp lemon zest

Harissa Yogurt:

• 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
• 1 Tbsp harissa paste
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Salt, to taste

Get the recipe here.

Garlic Sautéed Green Beans With Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe

The best and quick 30-minute side dish is garlic sautéed green beans. They’re tossed in a homemade dijon vinaigrette, and finished with toasted almonds & fresh herbs for an incredible flavor that you can enjoy every day!

Ingredients

• 1-1.5 lbs green beans
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
• Salt + pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon wedges, to serve if desired

Dijon Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
• 3 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• Salt + pepper, to taste

Get the recipe here.

Grilled Kale Salad With Avocado, Lemon & Parm Recipe

This is one of the best ways to eat kale! It’s healthy, grilled, and paired with avocado. The lemon really flavors up this otherwise boring green dish.”

Ingredients

• 2 large bunches kale
• 1 avocado
• 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup olive oil (+ more for tossing kale)
• 1/2 cup pecans, raw
• 1/2 cup parmesan, freshly grated
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt + pepper, to taste

Get the recipe here.

Crispy Roasted Potatoes With Chili & Paprika Recipe

These crispy oven-roasted potatoes are such an easy, healthy, and delicious side dish! They’re vegan with gluten-free too – making them perfect for any meatless Monday or weekend dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs mini potatoes
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt + pepper, to taste

Get the recipe here.