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 sides 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 healthy side dish recipes are quick and easy, 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 – perfect for Thanksgiving side dishes. 🙂

Pick a couple of quick sides 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 wide variety of different kinds of vegetables, which all help to support and bolster healthy gut bacteria.  This helps keep our bodies healthy, adaptable and boosts immunity.

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Simple Sautéed Greens with garlic, shallots and lemon – probably the most used recipe in our household– this healthy side dish recipe is quick and easy, 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!!!

 

This Roasted Delicata Squash with shallots and hazelnuts is a lovely fall side dish, elegant enough for Thanksgiving dinner yet casual enough for a weeknight dinner.

 

Lemony Corona Beans- giant buttery white beans seasoned with olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs and lemon zest. Serve as a vegan main or side dish or add to salads and Buddha Bowls. 

 

Roasted Parsnips with Romesco Sauce, a flavorful vegan side dish that is perfect for Sunday suppers or the holiday table!

This recipe for Simple Braised French Lentils is nourishing and comforting and a delicious healthy side dish that pairs well with so many things! Leftovers can be frozen, or turned into a salad!

 

Winter Happiness Salad! This Kale & Quinoa Salad with Apples, Chickpeas and Currants is perfect for fall- hearty vegan side or salad that can be made ahead- perfect for potlucks, gatherings or midweek lunches!

The easiest recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – creamy fluffy and light, these can be made in just 20 minutes! Vegan adaptable!

 

This delicious Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Kale, Apples and Wild Rice is topped with Maple-glazed Pecans, dried cranberries, and a scrumptious, healthy, Allspice Vinaigrette. A tasty vegan side, perfect for the Thanksgiving 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! I love this recipe.

 

 Everyday Quinoa with Lemon, Shallot and Herbs – a delicious, healthy and quick and easy 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!

Meltingly Tender Eggplant- slow-baked Moroccan Eggplant with Ras el Hanout, caramelized garlic, shallots and tomatoes. A rustic vegan side dish that can be turned into a hearty vegetarian main.

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!

A simple French Potato Salad with fresh herbs – tarragon, parsley and chives, with a flavorful Dijon Vinaigrette. Healthy, vegan and light with no mayo, this quick and easy side dish goes with pretty much everything.

 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!

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

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 healthy side dish. Healthy and Vegan! Add tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are nice!

 Simple Roasted Veggies – a  healthy side dish that comes out perfect every time. Use any veggies you like!  Add sweet onions or red onions and a splash of balsamic vinegar if 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! A quick and easy 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!

 

We never get enough of quick sides around here and this one is no exception! Hazelnut Green beans with lemon zest and truffle oil – a simple tasty vegan side dish full of beautiful flavor!

Melting Slow Braised Cabbage – cooked low and slow in the oven until meltingly tender, then topped with Gremolata. This vegan side dish is totally delectable, almost hearty enough to serve as a main over creamy polenta or mashed potatoes. A beautiful vegan side dish, deserving of your Thanksgiving dinner.

 

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

 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!

 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 as a Thanksgiving Side dish!

 

 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! Perfect for the Thanksgiving table.

 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!

Wild Mushroom Stuffing with fennel and leeks –  a tasty vegetarian Side Dish that is full of depth and flavor flavors, perfect as a Thanksgiving side dish.  Vegan adaptable! 

Simple Steamed Broccoli with Lemon Zest and Truffle Oil. Often we need quick sides for weeknight meals. Here’s a quick side dish that is also vegan and totally delicious!  An oldie on the blog- but a fast and easy “go-to” recipe in our household. 🙂

 

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

xoxo

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