99 Healthy Side Dish Recipes

We present delicious and healthy side dishes for lunch and dinner, from low-calorie mashed potatoes to hearty grains like quinoa.

Fill your plate

When it comes to dinner, a side dish is a crucial part of your meal, especially if you're following a healthy diet. As much as we love simple steamed vegetables or a quick salad, both can become boring if you eat them day after day. A healthy dinner can (and should!) be much more interesting. With the right recipes, you can alternate between whole grain products, potato, cruciferous (cauliflower, broccoli) and, of course, a host of other delicious vegetables. Not sure where to start? We recommend trying Ina Garten's green beans, dressed with homemade gremolata with lemon zest, grated Parmesan, garlic, and parsley, plus toasted pine nuts for crunch.

Green beans with gremolata

Ina heats blanched green beans in olive oil and then adds her homemade gremolata mixture to the pan. She uses traditional ingredients for gremolata—lemon zest, grated Parmesan, chopped garlic and parsley, and crispy toasted pine nuts.

Recipe: Green beans with gremolata

Baked Sweet Potato Hasselbeck

Sweet potatoes are beautifully sliced into accordion shapes, seasoned with a mixture of butter, vegetable oil, thyme, and garlic, and then baked. Serve with a Greek yogurt topping.

Recipe: Baked Sweet Potato Hasselbeck

Low-Carb Cauliflower Fake Rice

Cauliflower is delicious in many forms. This recipe shows how easy it is to turn it into a healthy low-carb side dish—this version has only about 1/4 the carbs of rice.

Recipe: Low-Carb Cauliflower Fake Rice

Baked carrots

Baked carrots are a great side dish to replace potatoes. They'll be healthier and lower in calories, making them especially welcome on a holiday table already overflowing with delicious treats. Cut the carrots into large, equal pieces, drizzle with olive oil, and roast in the oven. Before serving, toss with fresh dill and parsley. This side dish is not only delicious but also beautiful. Its vibrant orange-green colors with a luscious sheen will look stunning on the table.

Recipe: Baked carrots

Mediterranean Spelt Salad

Farro, an Italian whole grain similar in texture to pearl barley and whole wheat, adds heartiness to Giada's cold, pasta-like Mediterranean salad.

Recipe: Mediterranean Spelt Salad

Moroccan couscous

Ina Garten's Moroccan-inspired couscous, flavored with pine nuts and raisins, is one recipe you'll definitely want to memorize.

Recipe: Moroccan couscous

Super-healthy spinach salad with walnuts in a pomegranate glaze

This salad is incredibly flavorful and packed with nutrients thanks to superfoods like spinach, walnuts, pomegranate, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

Recipe: Super-healthy spinach salad with walnuts in a pomegranate glaze

Quinoa for dinner in lettuce leaves

This quinoa dish is enriched with tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and a simple lemon dressing. Serve the salad on endive leaves and top with diced avocado.

Recipe: Quinoa for dinner in lettuce leaves

Roasted Beets and Warm Fennel Dressing

This ruby-red side dish doesn't just add a decorative touch. It's rich in betalains, red and yellow pigments that act as antioxidants, stabilizing free radicals in the body (which can cause cellular damage).

Recipe: Roasted Beets and Warm Fennel Dressing

Salad with pear and fennel

Soft pears and crisp fennel make for a refreshing seasonal salad. A simple vinaigrette balances the sweet flavor.

Recipe: Salad with pear and fennel

Fried okra with tomatoes

Okra is popular in Southern cuisine and is known as a low-calorie, high-fiber vegetable. This healthy side dish is quick to prepare: simmer okra with tomatoes and spices.

Recipe: Fried okra with tomatoes

Crispy green beans in the oven

Craving french fries? Try Trisha's recipe: crispy baked "fries" made with fresh green beans.

Recipe: Crispy green beans in the oven

Baked Cauliflower Steaks with Raisin Relish

For a hearty and nutritious side dish, cut a head of cauliflower into 2.5 cm thick "steaks" and sear them in a skillet. Serve with a sweet and savory relish of roasted peppers and raisins.

Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Steaks with Raisin Relish

Green beans with mushrooms and shallots

Stir-fry fresh green beans with your favorite mushrooms (or any combination) for a simple side dish that pairs well with chicken, fish, and beef.

Recipe: Green beans with mushrooms and shallots

Early greens salad with oranges

Pair slightly bitter spring greens like arugula and watercress with sweet orange juice, toasted walnuts and fennel.

Recipe: Early greens salad with oranges

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Boiled beets with yogurt dressing with mint

Use a time-saving trick: in this recipe, the beets are "roasted" in the microwave. Do the same with the garlic to soften its bitter flavor. Top the dish with a creamy Greek yogurt dressing—this side dish is both filling and healthy.

Recipe: Boiled beets with yogurt dressing with mint

Edamame soybeans in pods with roasted garlic

Protein-rich edamame beans get their vibrant flavor from garlic, chili flakes, and lime juice.

Recipe: Edamame soybeans in pods with roasted garlic

Braised Kale with Butternut Squash

The secret ingredient in this side dish is ginger, which adds warmth and depth of flavor to the vegetables. Butter is added at the very end: a great way to enhance the flavor without making the dish greasy.

Recipe: Braised Kale with Butternut Squash

Low-fat potato casserole

Ellie uses Gruyère cheese for her potato casserole. It has a rich, nutty flavor, so a small amount is enough.

Recipe: Low-fat potato casserole

Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Dip

Enjoy a favorite party appetizer in a new form. Buffalo-spiced cauliflower served with a creamy blue cheese sauce is a delicious vegetable alternative to traditional chicken wings.

Recipe: Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Dip

Spinach and Green Apple Salad

Toasted walnuts and julienned Granny Smith apples provide a crisp texture that contrasts with the tender spinach leaves. Balance the salad with a simple Dijon mustard dressing.

Recipe: Spinach and Green Apple Salad

Glazed Carrots with Mint Gremolata

Gremolata is a mixture of chopped greens and citrus, usually lemon juice and zest. Here, it's added to carrots that are "roasted" on the stovetop instead of in the oven.

Recipe: Glazed Carrots with Mint Gremolata

Escarole salad with fried bacon, caramelized onions and blue cheese dressing

The flavors of bacon and blue cheese are quite pronounced, so these ingredients can be used in small quantities in a green salad.

Recipe: Escarole salad with fried bacon, caramelized onions and blue cheese dressing

Leeks in a delicate sauce

In this side dish, leeks are not just a side dish, but the main ingredient. Dijon mustard gives the chicken broth-based sauce a creamy texture without the added cream.

Recipe: Leeks in a delicate sauce

Baked sweet potato with caramel crust

A little oil and maple syrup are all you need to coat the sweet potato slices. Bake the vegetables at a high temperature to crisp them up and intensify the flavor.

Recipe: Baked sweet potato with caramel crust

Mashed potatoes with skins

Rachel adds buttermilk and chopped turkey bacon to the puree. "If you're eating healthy, you can eat more!" she says.

Recipe: Mashed potatoes with skins

Boston Salad Greens with Lemon Olive Dressing

Toss fresh bib lettuce with a light vinaigrette and your favorite herbs. This recipe uses basil, dill, parsley, and mint, but feel free to experiment with different combinations to suit your tastes.

Recipe: Boston Salad Greens with Lemon Olive Dressing

Orange-Glazed Carrots

Orange juice and dill are the secret ingredients in this simple, vitamin-rich carrot side dish.

Recipe: Orange-Glazed Carrots

Quinoa with greens

Rich in protein and with a nutty flavor, quinoa doesn't require many additions. A simple dressing and chopped herbs are enough to transform quinoa into a hearty side dish for fish, meat, or chicken.

Recipe: Quinoa with greens

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasting Brussels sprouts intensifies their nutty flavor. Ina's recipe results in crispy outside and soft inside.

Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Potatoes with fennel

Fennel seeds fried in butter, lemon juice and parsley give boiled new potatoes an unusually pleasant taste.

Recipe: Potatoes with fennel

Salad with apples and ham

This crisp salad is perfect for those times when you crave something sweet and savory. And the homemade shallot dressing will impress your guests.

Recipe: Salad with apples and ham

Wheat porridge with walnuts and dried cherries

Ellie's wheat salad has a vibrant flavor and appearance and makes a great side dish for grilled meat and fish. Pack any leftovers in your lunchbox for the next day.

Recipe: Wheat porridge with walnuts and dried cherries

Rice with edamame beans and shiitake mushrooms

With just three ingredients and minimal effort, you can enjoy a simple Asian-inspired side dish.

Recipe: Rice with edamame beans and shiitake mushrooms

Spiced Roasted Chickpeas and Spinach

Chickpeas baked with paprika and chipotle powder are the perfect protein complement to spinach leaves.

Recipe: Spiced Roasted Chickpeas and Spinach

Baked turnips with mushrooms

When roasted, turnips and onions become sweeter, and mushrooms acquire a rich, meaty flavor.

Recipe: Baked turnips with mushrooms

Baked Vegetables "Gems"

No more messing around with multiple pots: just place all your vegetables in one container and simply roast them with some garlic.

Recipe: Baked Vegetables "Gems"

Baked potatoes stuffed with garlic-onion puree

These potatoes have a rich, creamy flavor without the added fat. The recipe uses a little butter and low-fat cream cheese.

Recipe: Baked potatoes stuffed with garlic-onion puree

Snow pea salad with caper dressing

Alex makes a fresh, green, and truly spring-like salad of three types of peas (shelled green peas, plus snap peas and sugar snap peas) topped with tender pea shoots. Toss the ingredients with a light tarragon and sherry vinegar dressing.

Recipe: Snow pea salad with caper dressing

Microwave Spiced Spaghetti Squash

The secret to this quick dish is cooking it in the microwave; the spaghetti squash only needs to be microwaved for less than 20 minutes. For an easy side dish, toss the spaghetti-like strands with an Indian-style sauce.

Recipe: Microwave Spiced Spaghetti Squash

Roasted rabe with coconut and peanuts

This spicy rapini dish requires just a few ingredients and takes just 10 minutes to prepare.

Recipe: Roasted rabe with coconut and peanuts

Grilled avocado with tahini sauce

Avocado lovers will love this quick side dish, which is ready in just 10 minutes.

Recipe: Grilled avocado with tahini sauce

Potato, Zucchini, and Yellow Squash Gratin

Gratin doesn't have to be heavy on cheese and butter; this healthier version uses a little Manchego cheese for its bold flavor.

Recipe: Potato, Zucchini, and Yellow Squash Gratin

Boston Salad with Fermented Milk Dressing

Large leaves of lettuce are coated in a rich yogurt-buttermilk dressing.

Recipe: Boston Salad with Fermented Milk Dressing

Spicy Green Beans with Parmesan and Kale

Flavorful cremini mushrooms are paired with crisp green beans and kale in a simple side dish. Red pepper flakes add an extra kick.

Recipe: Spicy Green Beans with Parmesan and Kale

Baked Beans with Chicken and Swiss Chard

Green chard adds beautiful color to this vibrant version of baked beans.

Recipe: Baked Beans with Chicken and Swiss Chard

Corn and pumpkin pudding

This delicious side dish gets a boost of flavor from the pumpkin. It not only adds vitamins and vibrant color, but also adds a delicate texture that pairs beautifully with the crunchy corn kernels.

Recipe: Corn and pumpkin pudding

Wholegrain spelt porridge with small pasta

Make a whole-grain dish—a salad made with dense, nutty farro. It's available in bulk at grocery stores and health food stores, as well as in packaged whole grains.

Recipe: Wholegrain spelt porridge with small pasta

Quinoa with shiitake mushrooms and baby peas

Toss quinoa with shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, soy sauce, and sesame oil for an Asian-inspired side dish reminiscent of fried rice.

Recipe: Quinoa with shiitake mushrooms and baby peas

Waxy Potatoes Baked with Lemon

The potatoes are baked with the lemon peel, giving the side dish a rich lemon flavor.

Recipe: Waxy Potatoes Baked with Lemon

Red Cabbage and Brussels Sprouts Salad

This salad comes together quickly, but allowing the cabbage to soak up the delicate dressing will leave the vegetables bursting with rich flavor.

Recipe: Red Cabbage and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Zucchini and Tomato Casserole

First, brown the zucchini under the top heat: this will ensure it cooks evenly with the tomato sauce.

Recipe: Zucchini and Tomato Casserole

Quinoa pilaf with cremini mushrooms

Quinoa is technically a seed, but it's considered a whole grain. It has a nutty flavor and makes a great rice substitute, especially when cooked with mushrooms for pilaf.

Recipe: Quinoa pilaf with cremini mushrooms

Caesar Salad with Kale

A popular salad gets a new twist: kale replaces romaine lettuce. Roast this hearty, antioxidant-rich kale in the oven for a deliciously crisp texture.

Recipe: Caesar Salad with Kale

Zucchini fried with hot pepper and herbs

Sliced jalapeño and plenty of spices infuse the zucchini with a zesty flavor without adding calories.

Recipe: Zucchini fried with hot pepper and herbs

Purple jacket potatoes with rosemary oil and olives

Purple potatoes are boiled, preserving their color and texture. They are then drizzled with aromatic and healthy olive oil and tossed with zesty olives.

Recipe: Purple jacket potatoes with rosemary oil and olives

Fried asparagus with olives

Garlic and olives, full of vibrant flavor, along with fragrant basil, enliven crisp asparagus. Cut the asparagus into small pieces to speed up cooking.

Recipe: Fried asparagus with olives

Couscous with rainbow peppers

This couscous, made with whole grains and vegetables, can be served hot or cold.

Recipe: Couscous with rainbow peppers

Fried mushrooms with lemon pepper

Save time and buy fresh sliced mushrooms instead of packaged ones. This quick dish is low in calories and packed with flavor. Serve the mushrooms on their own as a side dish, or with chicken, pork, or fish.

Recipe: Fried mushrooms with lemon pepper

Tuscan Roasted White Beans

For an easy weeknight dinner side dish, top canned white beans with tomatoes, rosemary, and Parmesan.

Recipe: Tuscan Roasted White Beans

Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad

Melissa prepares this salad in the traditional Mediterranean style—with fresh parsley, cilantro, and mint—but uses Israeli couscous instead of bulgur.

Recipe: Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad

Spicy salad with green tomatoes and avocado

Celebrate green tomato season with a corn salad, avocado, and a sweet-and-spicy jalapeño dressing.

Recipe: Spicy salad with green tomatoes and avocado

Sweet Potatoes in Horseradish Butter

The combination of maple syrup, horseradish, and butter with the savory, slightly sweet sweet potato is just right. This dish is perfect for a holiday dinner.

Recipe: Sweet Potatoes in Horseradish Butter

Braised spinach in butter with bacon

Yes, bacon and butter can be used in healthy recipes too! A small amount of both is enough for a side dish with a Spanish flair. The butter is added at the very end for a more vibrant flavor.

Recipe: Braised spinach in butter with bacon

Creamed Corn with Chili and Lime

This healthy whole-grain side dish is inspired by the Mexican dish elote—corn on the cob, typically baked and topped with butter, mayonnaise, and cheese. This recipe retains the traditional flavors, and by using frozen corn, it's perfect for year-round use.

Recipe: Creamed Corn with Chili and Lime

Baked broccoli with asiago cheese

This fiber-rich dish uses a clever trick for roasting broccoli: preheat the baking sheet before adding the vegetables, ensuring crispy, golden-brown edges.

Recipe: Baked broccoli with asiago cheese

Grilled stuffed mushroom caps

Mushrooms with cheese make a great complement to grilled chicken or pork loin. The dish can be quickly prepared and browned in the oven over high heat in just a few minutes.

Recipe: Grilled stuffed mushroom caps

Kale in butter with a citrusy twist

This side dish offers the perfect combination of citrus and tangy flavor. We recommend using young cabbage: it cooks faster and contains just as much vitamin K and C, as well as lutein (good for vision).

Recipe: Kale in butter with a citrusy twist

Black beans fried with chili pepper

This recipe offers a quick way to serve black beans, which are rich in fiber and protein. Try using pinto beans, too.

Recipe: Black beans fried with chili pepper

Moroccan Baked Sweet Potatoes

This fiber-rich side dish is colorful and warming. The sweetness of the dried apricots and sweet potatoes, and the tartness of the lemon juice, are nicely balanced by the spices.

Recipe: Moroccan Baked Sweet Potatoes

Open pie with vegetable carpaccio

This classic vegetable tart is made especially beautiful with a colorful topping of fresh radishes and cucumbers.

Recipe: Open pie with vegetable carpaccio

Whole grain buns

These warm scones call for whole grain flour instead of traditional refined flour, which gives them a hearty, filling flavor.

Recipe: Whole grain buns

Baked sweet potatoes in La Buat spices

Ina uses sweet potatoes and a fragrant spice blend for a healthier version of French fries. Instead of deep-frying, the dish is baked in the oven.

Recipe: Baked sweet potatoes in La Buat spices

Oatmeal with corn

Oatmeal doesn't have to be sweet; it works well in savory dishes. Risotto, an Italian dish typically made with Arborio rice, can also be made with steel-cut oats—a healthy and comforting version. Serve it for dinner with grilled shrimp or catfish.

Recipe: Oatmeal with corn

Brown rice with mushrooms and kimchi

Did you know that kimchi, a pickled Korean dish, is a probiotic, just like yogurt? Add it to your healthy food arsenal. A little kimchi will add a vibrant flavor to this low-calorie side dish.

Recipe: Brown rice with mushrooms and kimchi

Baked Beetroot Salad

Capers and pickles add the perfect salty note to complement the sweet flavor of the roasted beets.

Recipe: Baked Beetroot Salad

Roasted carrots and shallots with olives and almonds

Large Cerignola olives and Marcona almonds add a salty flavor and crunch to this Spanish-style roasted carrot dish. Pairs well with fish, turkey, and lamb, and pairs well with Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Cabernet wines—it can be served as an appetizer or side dish in any season.

Recipe: Roasted carrots and shallots with olives and almonds

Wheat grains with rice and curry

Whole wheat is one of the densest grains. To soften it, soak it in water overnight. It pairs well with fluffy basmati rice in this Indian-inspired side dish.

Recipe: Wheat grains with rice and curry

Cajun Spelled

Spelt is a type of wheat that can be substituted for wheat grains in recipes, but has a milder flavor. Its tender, large grains pair well with Cajun spices.

Recipe: Cajun Spelled

Creamed spinach stewed with shallots

Ellie uses skim milk and chicken broth to add flavor and a creamy texture to the classic spinach dish without adding extra fat and calories.

Recipe: Creamed spinach stewed with shallots

Buckwheat porridge with carrots, hazelnuts and feta

The salad is made with toasted buckwheat. Unlike wheat, buckwheat is gluten-free, and rhubarb, a related crop, is very rich in vitamins and minerals.

Recipe: Buckwheat porridge with carrots, hazelnuts and feta

Braised Salad Mustard with Kale

Smoked paprika in this simple and healthy side dish adds a distinct peppery flavor to the sautéed kale and mustard greens. Add a splash of hot sauce for added heat, if desired.

Recipe: Braised Salad Mustard with Kale

Barley porridge with small pasta

Barley is sold in two forms: whole grain and hulled. During hulling, about a third of the grain is removed, which allows the grain to cook faster but loses some of its nutrients. Whole grain barley takes longer to cook, but it's healthier and has a pleasantly chewy texture. This pilaf is a simple recipe using whole grain barley.

Recipe: Barley porridge with small pasta

Barley porridge with green peas and bacon

This fiber-rich side dish makes a filling and beautiful addition to any meal. It's best made with whole-grain (unhulled) barley: it's less processed, has a chewier texture, and takes longer to cook than regular pearl barley. However, either type will work for this recipe (though pearl barley, while healthy, isn't considered a whole grain). Brown rice, spelt, or other whole grains can also be used.

Recipe: Barley porridge with green peas and bacon

Cajun Potato Chips

For crispy Creole-style potatoes, swap out the mayo for Greek yogurt for a creamier, healthier dip.

Recipe: Cajun Potato Chips

Khorasan wheat in marinara sauce

Khorasan wheat grains are long, dense, and golden; they are larger than other wheat varieties. Its dense texture and rich flavor make it filling. It's also rich in protein, vitamin E, and fiber (10 grams per serving!). This wheat pairs wonderfully with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese.

Recipe: Khorasan wheat in marinara sauce

Green beans in soy sauce glaze

Soy sauce and garlic add character to Guy Fieri's vegetable side dish.

Recipe: Green beans in soy sauce glaze

Whole grain quinoa with spicy green pasta

Quinoa, native to Peru, was called the "golden grain" by the ancient Incas. It belongs to the same family as spinach, is rich in protein, and has large, nutritious seeds. These seeds are coated with saponins, which have a bitter, soapy flavor, so be sure to rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking. Serve this simple and delicious dish with grilled chicken or enchiladas.

Recipe: Whole grain quinoa with spicy green pasta

Rice salad with cucumbers and mango

The flavors and textures of mango, cucumber, rice, peanuts, and cilantro combine so well, you'll wonder why you've never cooked rice this way before.

Recipe: Rice salad with cucumbers and mango

Cipollini onions braised in red wine

Sunny browns cipollini onions before immersing them in wine and balsamic vinegar. As the liquid evaporates, it becomes a rich, dark glaze.

Recipe: Cipollini onions braised in red wine

Quinoa with garlic, pine nuts and raisins

Quinoa is a high-fiber grain that pairs beautifully with the classic combination of garlic, pine nuts, and raisins.

Recipe: Quinoa with garlic, pine nuts and raisins

Whole Grain Wheat Freekeh with Three Herbs

Freekeh is cracked, toasted wheat similar to bulgur. It has a slightly smoky, nutty flavor and a pleasant, dense texture, and is a good source of fiber and protein. If you can't find freekeh, cooked brown rice can be used as a substitute.

Recipe: Whole Grain Wheat Freekeh with Three Herbs

Stewed green beans with tomatoes

A pinch of cinnamon adds deep flavor to this healthy, colorful dish.

Recipe: Stewed green beans with tomatoes

Whole wheat corn muffin (cornbread)

Honey adds a sweet flavor to this low-calorie cornbread. The perfect complement to hearty stews!

Recipe: Whole wheat corn muffin (cornbread)

Oven-baked French fries

Eating healthy doesn't mean giving up French fries. Ellie offers a simple recipe for crispy fries that are baked in the oven instead of deep-fried.

Recipe: Oven-baked French fries

Mediterranean style bulgur

Dried apricots are rich in fiber and add a subtle sweetness to the bulgur that contrasts with the salty flavor of the olives.

Recipe: Mediterranean style bulgur

Roasted Garlic and Herb Spread Sandwich

Fill garlic bread with chopped herbs and you'll eliminate the need for a thick layer of cheese.

Recipe: Roasted Garlic and Herb Spread Sandwich

Grilled polenta

Parmesan cheese adds a salty flavor to polenta slices, and when grilled, they infuse with a smoky aroma. It's a great garnish for soups or salads.

Recipe: Grilled polenta

Rutabaga puree

Rutabaga remains an underrated vegetable, but with this 4-ingredient mashed potato alternative, you might just love it too.

Recipe: Rutabaga puree