25 Vegan & Vegetarian Side Dishes

Here are 25 of our most popular Vegan & Vegetarian Side dishes to help incorporate more vegetables into our diet.  Whether you are wholefoods, plant-based or simply wanting to try new or different veggies, you’ll find a delicious selection of healthy vegetable side dishes to nourish body and soul. 

If you’ve been here a while, you’ll know we cook a lot of veggies in this house! To me, there is something really comforting about a big bowl of whipped sweet potatoes simply topped with sauteed veggies or a piece of salmon.

Most of these plant-based vegetable sides are lean and healthy, vegan-adaptable, and full of healing nutrients our bodies crave -perfect for everyday meals and meal-prepping. And some are a little more decadent, intended for special occasions, or “once a year” dinners. 🙂

Pick a couple of new vegetable side dishes each week to pair with what you are already making. Mix it up! It is really good for our bodies (our microbiome) to have a variety of different kinds of produce. This helps keep our bodies healthy and adaptable.

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1.) Simple Sautéed Greens with garlic, shallots and lemon – probably the most used recipe in our household- this healthy vegetable side dish is vegan, low carb and packed full of healthy nutrients! Delicious flavor and can be made in 20 minutes! Make this with kale, chard or other hearty greens and goes alongside everything!!!

2.) Everyday Quinoa with Lemon, Shallot and Herbs – a delicious, healthy whole grain side dish that is perfect for dinner, or  Sunday meal prep. Vegan, gluten-free and full of flavor! Whole grains provide slow-metabolizing carbs- the kind that is good for us!

 3.Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Ginger – a cozy vegan side dish that can be made in under 30 minutes- perfect for weeknights, Sunday Supper or holidays.  Sweet potatoes are full of so many nutrients! One of my favorite recipe because it goes so well with so many things! Serve it under a piece of salmon or sauteed veggies!

4.) Forbidden Black Rice  (3 ways!!! Stovetop, Instant Pot & Pilaf! ) Another healthy vegan gluten-free side dish full of powerful health benefits. The most nutritious rice you can find, this whole grain is considered a superfood!

 5.) Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Gremolata –a flavorful, zesty vegan side dish that is easy to make and full of healthy nutrients.

6.) Easy Crunchy Asian Slaw- a simple vegan slaw with the BEST SLAW DRESSING EVER that can be made ahead! Serve this healthy side, alongside fish, tofu, or chicken or stuffed into tacos, topped onto burgers, or added to buddha bowls. A great way to add more veggies into your everyday meals. ( Or try this MEXICAN SLAW!) 

Simple Cauliflower Rice – healthy, low-carb alternative to rice, that is easy to make and tastes amazing!

Rustic Zucchini Tian with Middle Eastern Spices served over rice for a simple vegetarian meal, or as a delicious side dish. Healthy and Vegan!

 Simple Roasted Veggies – a  basic, easy vegan side dish that comes out perfect every time. Use any veggies you like! Easy, healthy, delicious! Vegan and Gluten-free.

Flavorful healthy vegan Mexican Pinto Beans on the stovetop (or in Instant Pot). A simple easy plant-based side dish that can be meal prepped for the workweek or served at your next Mexican Feast! 

 Simple Roasted Asparagus baked in the oven with lemon, garlic and olive oil. Can be made in 20 minutes! An easy vegan side dish, perfect for spring. Pair this with salmon, chicken or tofu!

Mexican Cilantro Lime Rice, made on the stovetop in under 30 minutes!  Make this with brown or white basmati rice (or jasmine rice) a delicious side to your Mexican feast!  Vegan and tasty!

 Kyoto-Style, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Miso, Ginger and Scallions – a delicious vegan side that is easy to make and full of amazing flavor! One of my personal favorites!

Hazelnut Green beans with lemon zest and truffle oil – a simple tasty vegan side dish full of beautiful flavor!

Melting Slow Braised Cabbage – slow cooked in the oven until meltingly tender, topped with Gremolata. Vegan and Gluten-free.

 

Fluffy, Indian-style  BASMATI RICE  (with a Middle Eastern version too)! Flavorful, light and fluffy!

This Creamy Vegan Broccoli Salad is so good, you won’t even realize it is vegan! Tossed in a creamy Hemp Dressing– it is easy, healthy and full of flavor! Vegan and Keto, this highly nutritious salad can be made ahead and keeps in the fridge for days- the perfect vegetable side dish to what you are already cooking! Seriously addicting.

Grilled Garlic Scapes, Shishitos and Asparagus! with a sesame marinade – a vegan, gluten-free adaptable side dish, perfect for summer! Feel free to use all garlic scapes or all shishitos!

Grilled Zucchini with Zaatar and optional yogurt or Labneh! One of the my favorite zucchini recipes on the planet!

 Simple Cauliflower Rice!  A healthy, low-carb alternative to rice that is easy to make and tastes amazing! This version is seasoned with garlic, lemon zest and parsley and can be roasted in the oven. A healthy side dish that pairs well with almost anything!

 Roasted Moroccan Carrots with Citrus a tasty, flavorful vegetable side dish that pairs with so many things.

 

Roasted fingerling Potatoes with Romesco Sauce and topped with toasted hazelnuts – made with simple pantry ingredients you probably already have on hand! A simple vegan side dish perfect for weeknight dinners or the holiday table!

 

 Roasted Cauliflower with coriander, garlic, lemon zest and parsley  – an easy vegan and gluten-free side dish that is full of amazing flavor! Vegan and gluten-free!

 Parsnip Gratin with Gruyère and Thyme-  a rich and decadent vegetarian side dish featuring sweet and earthy parsnips. A “once a year” kind of side-dish, delicious and luxurious, perfect for special occasions.

 

 Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes a flavorful and lightened-up version of mashed potatoes that is vegan adaptable- with an optional horseradish kick!

 

Maple Roasted Yams with Pecans – an easy vegan side dish that is simple to make, and full of delicious flavor!

 Cauliflower Gratin with Garlic and Sage a cozy, rich comforting side dish featuring our favorite fall veggie- cauliflower! Keep it vegetarian!

 

  Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic- a keto version of mashed potatoes! This can also be made vegan!

 

 Moroccan Roasted Beets with Pomegranate Seeds – a tasty vegan side dish that is gluten-free!

 

 Rosemary Garlic Hasselback Potatoes-A vegan side dish that is full of flavor- total comfort food, perfect for a special dinner or holiday feast!

 Miso Roasted Butternut Squash- a savory vegan side dish full of umami flavor!

Simple Steamed Broccoli with Lemon Zest and Truffle Oil– fast, vegan and delicious!  An oldie on the blog- but a fast and easy “go-to” recipe in our household. 🙂

Hope you enjoy these vegetable-based, vegetarian and vegan side dishes! Let me know your favorites in the comments below.

xoxo

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