A list of the BEST Healthy Side Dishes! From vegetables to potatoes, dinner sides, lunch sides, you’ll find healthy sides for every meal!
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While most people think of the main dish when it comes to a meal, the sides should never be overlooked!
They have so much potential to add extra flavor and nutrients to your overall meal!
Whether you are cooking for a crowd or just a simple weeknight meal, there is something for everyone in this round up of recipes.
These are the BEST Healthy Side Dishes!
- Easy to make – Most of these sides are super easy to make and most have basic ingredients that you may already have on hand!
- Versatile – While we’ve broken these into categories, most of these side dishes can be served with any main dish and you could even eat some as your main meal!
- Absolutely delicious! – No reason to eat boring, bland food when you are trying to make a healthier eating decision. These recipes are full of flavor!
Healthy Sides for chicken recipes
We love cooking with chicken and for some of our favorites chicken recipes, check out these 45+ Crockpot Chicken Recipes and 50+ Healthy Chicken Breast Recipes.
Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe is easy to make and delicious! A low calorie mac and cheese that is creamy, baked and yummy!
Baked French Fries Recipe is so easy to make! Learn how to make homemade fries that are oven baked, healthy, crispy and delicious.
Healthy Broccoli Salad Recipe – Made with no mayo, this easy side dish is super healthy and quick to make. Perfect for a picnic!
Baked Sweet Potato Fries! This recipe for Crispy Sweet Potato Fries is easy to make in the oven – healthy and delicious!
Easy Farro Salad is the perfect vegetarian side dish. Made with wholesome ingredients, vegetables + a delicious basil vinaigrette. It’s quick & tasty!
Healthy Lemon Basil Risotto is the perfect lighter, gluten free side dish. The combination of lemon zest and fresh basil gives it a rich, delicious flavor!
Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe that is healthy and low carb. Learn how to make cauliflower fried rice for a quick side dish or meal!
Sweet Potato and Rice Warm Salad is a great side option! It’s topped with roasted sweet potatoes, cranberries, and pecans, this salad is sure to be a hit!
Roasted Parsnip Fries are seasoned lightly with garlic, salt, and pepper, then baked in the oven and roasted to crispy perfection!
Greek Fries with Tzatziki will be your favorite side dish to date! Thick cut potato wedges are roasted to a perfect golden brown and finished with crumbles of tangy feta cheese, a lemon vinaigrette and creamy tzatziki sauce to dip into!
Cauliflower Tabbouleh is loaded with fresh veggies and dressed with olive oil and lemon for a simple, healthy side dish. It’s also great for your weekly meal prep, because it keeps well for a few days in the fridge.
Pesto Rice makes a flavorful side dish to pair with your favorite protein! It’s easy to turn rice into a crave-worthy dish.
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice features rice with an extra fluffy texture and bold, bright flavor.
Healthy side salads
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe is delicious and quick to make! Complete with goat cheese, the best dressing and fresh strawberries.
Avocado Ranch Salad is better than any salad kit! Toss together this delicious salad in under 5 minutes for a healthy lunch or side dish!
Blueberry Salad is a delicious summer salad. A Healthy Blueberry Spinach Salad made with feta, blueberries and homemade dressing.
Harvest Quinoa and Brown Rice Salad is a simple, delicious side dish. Packed with butternut squash, cranberries & brussels sprouts – it’s perfect for the holidays or a healthy fall meal!
Italian Salad recipe is easy to make and delicious! An Italian Chopped Salad that’s filled with all your favorite antipasto items!
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad comes together in less than 20 minutes for an easy, delicious side dish!
Apple Walnut Salad is delicious and easy to make. A salad with apples and walnuts that is healthy, fresh and great for meal prep!
Greek Salad Recipe is super easy to make and healthy! Learn how to make the best greek salad with only a few ingredients!
Kale Salad Recipe is loaded with cranberries, avocado, apples and more – this kale apple salad is delicious and easy to make!
A Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe that can be served warm or cold! Healthy, delicious, easy, greek quinoa salad that’s great as a side!
Healthy Kale Salad takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and is full of healthy ingredients!
Grated Carrot and Apple Salad with Walnuts. Authentic German recipe that is packed with nutrients and great as a refreshing side dish.
Roasted Acorn Squash Salad is a must for Thanksgiving or even as a side for a fall dinner, especially drizzled with creamy maple dressing!
Healthy vegetable side dishes
Healthy Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus recipe is a quick, easy side dish. Crisp asparagus is tossed with lemon zest, parmesan cheese + olive oil to make the most delicious, low carb and gluten free side dish.
Green Beans Almondine are an easy, delicious side dish made with garlic that go with any meal! Gluten free, keto and whole30 friendly.
Buffalo Brussels Sprouts can be made in the oven or the air fryer! Healthy, crispy and spicy, these are the best roasted brussels sprouts. Paleo, low carb and whole30 friendly.
Corn Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe that is done in under 10 minutes. Gluten Free, vegan, healthy and delicious! The perfect side dish.
Crockpot Artichokes Recipe is an easy way to make yummy artichokes! Only a few hours in the slow cooker + a few ingredients to make them! Don’t be intimidated – this recipe is easy and delicious!
Honey Thyme Garlic Carrots are a simple, yummy way to cook carrots! Paleo, gluten free and full of flavor, this is a healthy side dish everyone will love!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrot recipe is a staple. This side dish is super versatile as you can serve it alongside a variety of main courses and it only requires a handful of ingredients.
Healthy Creamed Spinach, laced with onion and garlic, is one of the yummiest comfort side dishes ever. Keep it light or make it rich. It’s up to you.
Oven Roasted Vegetables has plenty of choices to satisfy everyone at the table. So nutritious and simple to make, but bursting with flavor!
Brussels Sprouts and Carrots are perfectly roasted with a sweet and tangy balsamic and maple glaze. This is an easy side dish that you can make in only about 35 minutes!
Sauteed Zucchini and Tomatoes is done in 15 minutes and full of flavor. It’s an easy vegetarian side dish to serve along with dinner!
Easy Healthy Side Dishes for steak and beef
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe is perfect as a side dish! This cold mozzarella pasta salad with tomatoes and basil is so delicious!
Parmesan Brussel Sprouts are the ultimate side dish! These Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Parmesan are so easy to make!
Garlic Parmesan Corn is the best way to cook corn on the cob! Grilled or roasted to perfection, this is the perfect easy side dish!
Balsamic Mushrooms are the perfect easy side dish. Marinated mushrooms get grilled or roasted in the oven for a flavor filled, healthy vegetable side dish!
Crispy Dijon Roasted Potatoes are an easy side dish that pair with any meal! Made with 6 ingredients & done in under an hour, they’re simple and delicious!
Healthy Pumpkin Mushroom Risotto is a delicious, gluten free side dish that feels decadent but is actually good for you! Rich & creamy while being low fat, this healthy risotto recipe is delicious year round!
Best Roasted Asparagus! Great beginner oven baked asparagus recipe with additional ideas and variations.
Oven Roasted Garlic Green Beans are a super simple and healthy side dish that I can never stop eating! Only five ingredients in this side dish that pairs well with just about anything.
Oven Baked Carrot Fries are a delicious and healthy alternative to potato fries. Perfectly seasoned and ready in under 30 minutes, these fries are sure to be a hit at barbecues or as an after school snack.
Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli are the perfect side dish for any meal. Made on a sheet pan for easy clean up, this recipe is so simple to make and naturally gluten-free!
Best Healthy Side Dishes for pork recipes
Healthy Pasta Salad recipe that is easy to make! This cold pasta salad with salami is quick to make and delicious. The perfect side dish!
Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts are the perfect easy side dish! This paleo, Whole30, gluten free & vegan veggie recipe is easy to make & loaded with flavor!
Kale Quinoa Salad is the perfect healthy side dish. Made with simple ingredients this quinoa and kale salad is delicious and easy to make!
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad Recipe is a delicious healthy side dish. Vegan, keto, paleo, and Whole30, it goes great with any meal!
Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe is vegetarian, healthy and delicious!
Roasted Garlic Cauliflower that’s quick and simple to prepare. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free and makes the perfect side dish.
Garlic Bok Choy is guaranteed to be your new favorite side dish. Ready in just 10 minutes, enjoy this easy vegetarian side dish with chicken, beef, or fish.
Healthy Side Dish ideas: healthy potato side dishes
If you love potatoes, check out these 45+ Healthy Potato Recipes!
Crispy Roasted Potatoes are an easy, delicious side dish! Learn how to make perfectly cooked roasted potatoes in oven. No more wondering how long to roast potatoes in oven – we’ve got you covered!
Crispy Garlic Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes are an easy, yummy side dish! Perfectly roasted potatoes that are paleo, Whole30 friendly & go with everything!
Healthy Mashed Potatoes Recipe! These low calorie mashed potatoes are delicious, filling and the perfect healthy holiday side dish!
Easy Spiralized Potatoes are a crispy, delicious side dish that go with any meal! Easy to make and so yummy – the best recipe!
Healthy Mexican Potatoes are the perfect side dish! Roasted to crispy perfection, paleo, whole30 and absolutely delicious – they go with everything!
Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe – an easy side dish to any meal. Paleo, vegan, Whole30 friendly- these smashed potatoes are delicious. Crispy on the outside + soft on the inside, everyone at your table will love these!
Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe everyone will love! Learn how to make sweet potato gnocchi with only a few ingredients!
Paleo Sweet Potatoes are great for serving on holidays, as a simple side dish, or meal prepping! Healthy, gluten free and dairy free – a delicious sweet potato recipe!
Crispy Lemon Roasted Potatoes are perfectly seasoned and makes a standout side dish that pairs well with any entree.
Dutch Oven Potatoes is a must-have for cooler weather. Adorable baby potatoes are given a seasonal treatment of garlic and rosemary for the easiest, tastiest carb-y side you can imagine!
Sweet Potato Rice is quick and easy to make! This healthy and delicious side dish is great for any main meal.
Potato Salad is delightfully light and pairs well with most foods. Soft potato tossed through fresh and dried herbs in a lemon and olive oil dressing.
Healthy Side Dish Recipes: healthy summer side dishes
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect summer side dish or dinner. A Mediterranean pasta salad with chicken that is healthy and delicious!
Vegetable Kebabs are the best way to cook your veggies! Paleo/Whole30, easy to make + delicious – get ready to fire up your grill!
Zucchini Tomato Bake recipe is an easy way to use up all your summer vegetables. Fresh, healthy and full of flavor- it’s the perfect side dish!
Grilled Vegetables in Foil are healthy, easy and simple to make! A delicious vegetable medley on the grill is the perfect side dish to any meal.
Easy Corn Salsa Recipe that anyone can make! This Fresh Corn Salsa is so delicious and quick to make!
Strawberry Avocado Goat Cheese Salad is the perfect Summer salad! Packed with fruit, cheese and veggies – it’s delicious and easy to put together!
Bistro Salad Recipe with bitter greens, crispy prosciutto, and pistachios, dressed with a creamy vinaigrette, is refreshing, tasty, and packed with prebiotic fiber, polyphenols, and healthy fats. It works as an appetizer, side salad, or even a full meal.
Chopped Veggie Salad recipe is the perfect summer side dish! It features a combination of fresh summer vegetables and feta cheese tossed in a simple tangy vinaigrette to bring it all together.
FAQs for these Healthy Side Dishes
All of these dishes are nutrient dense, however, simple veggies or roasted vegetables would probably be the most healthy.
For most weeknight/family dinners, you will want 1-2 sides. However, for a larger group, you may want 3-5 sides.
Crispy Potatoes, Broccoli Salad, and Vegetable Kebabs are our favorite sides for BBQ!
We love to pair our burgers with Baked French Fries, but also love this Strawberry Salad!
Dinner recipes you’ll love
Looking for other easy meals? Check out these 40+ Healthy Dinner Recipes. Click here to grab our free healthy 30 minute dinners cookbook.
Shelley says
I usually love side dishes even more than the main dish – and WOW there are so many great ideas here! I love that you took the time to sort through and choose recipes that really are healthy, which saves time since I know I’m already starting from great options!
Kate says
All of these sides look so good, and it is super helpful you listed them by which main course they would go well with 🙂
Anna L Hood says
The Cauliflower Potato Salad is to die for! Everyone enjoyed it immensely!! ☺️
Anna L Hood says
Oops! Wrong recipe 😂 I made the stuffed bell pepper soup and my husband and I enjoyed very much! 😁