25 Fun And Easy Veggie Sides Your Family Will Ask For

Vegetables do not have to be boring or just an afterthought on your plate. When cooked the right way, they bring color, crunch, and bold flavor to any meal. These side dishes cover everything from smoky grilled onions and cheesy casseroles to bright salads and roasted squash. They come together fast on busy nights but also hold their own at weekend gatherings. No matter what you are serving as the main course, these vegetable sides will steal the show.

Roasted Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts Without Balsamic Vinegar

A sticky glaze made with soy sauce, honey, and chili coats these Roasted Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts. They come out of the oven crispy on the outside and tender inside with a perfect sweet-heat balance.
Get the recipe: Roasted Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts Without Balsamic Vinegar

Ejotes a la Mexicana (Mexican Green Beans)

Tomatoes, onions, and spicy jalapeños give these Ejotes a la Mexicana a bold, tangy kick. The green beans stay slightly firm and soak up all that Mexican-style seasoning in every single bite.
Get the recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

Champiñones a la Mexicana (Mexican Mushrooms)

Warm spices and garlic give these Champiñones a la Mexicana a deep, savory flavor that works great with tacos. The mushrooms soak up all that seasoning and turn into a side dish that is hard to stop eating.
Get the recipe: Champiñones a la Mexicana

Broccoli Casserole

Warm, cheesy sauce and buttery crackers on top make this Broccoli Casserole pure comfort food. It is the kind of side dish that even picky eaters go back for, and it bakes up bubbly and golden every time.
Get the recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Calabacitas a la Mexicana (Mexican-Style Squash)

Zucchini and corn cook down with tomatoes until everything is tender and flavorful in this Calabacitas a la Mexicana. It works as a side dish or even a filling for tacos when you want something light.
Get the Recipe: Calabacitas a la Mexicana

Sweet Chilli & Maple Roasted Butternut

Butternut squash gets roasted with a spicy-sweet glaze in this Sweet Chilli & Maple Roasted Butternut, often finished with bright pomegranate seeds. It looks fancy on the plate but comes together with almost no effort at all.
Get the recipe: Sweet Chilli & Maple Roasted Butternut}

Ensalada de Nopales (Cactus Salad)

Fresh cactus paddles are tossed with tomatoes, onions, and a tangy lime dressing in this Ensalada de Nopales. It is bright, refreshing, and brings a real Mexican taste to the table without needing any cooking at all.
Get the recipe: Ensalada de Nopales

Cebollitas Asadas (Grilled Onions)

These Cebollitas Asadas hit the grill until they are soft, smoky, and sweet with those classic char marks all over. They are the perfect side for taco night or anytime you have carne asada cooking.
Get the recipe: Cebollitas Asadas

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Crunchy broccoli and cauliflower are tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing for this Broccoli Cauliflower Salad. It stays crisp even after sitting out, which makes it a solid choice for potlucks and big gatherings.
Get the recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Green Beans with Bacon

Smoky bacon and tender green beans are a classic combo, and these Green Beans with Bacon prove why it never gets old. The bacon drippings coat every bean and add so much savory flavor with very little work.
Get the recipe: Green Beans with Bacon

Spicy Pineapple Cucumber Salad

Sweet pineapple chunks and cool cucumber slices get tossed with chili and lime in this Spicy Pineapple Cucumber Salad. It is bright, juicy, and cuts through heavier mains like grilled meats or rich tacos.
Get the recipe: Spicy Pineapple Cucumber Salad

Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash

This Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash picks up smoky char marks and stays tender in the middle. It is one of those sides that goes with almost anything and takes maybe ten minutes to throw together.
Get the recipe: Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Dates

Crispy bacon and sweet, sticky dates balance out the earthy Brussels sprouts in this Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Dates. It hits that salty-sweet spot that makes vegetables feel way more like a treat.
Get the recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Dates

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

These Garlic Parmesan Green Beans stay crisp-tender and get coated in buttery garlic and salty cheese. They cook up fast in one pan and pair well with chicken, steak, or just about anything else you are making for dinner.
Get the recipe: Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

Kung Pao Brussel Sprouts

Roasted until crispy and tossed in a sticky sweet-spicy sauce, these Kung Pao Brussel Sprouts come with crunchy peanuts on top. They take a basic vegetable and turn it into something totally addictive and full of flavor.
Get the recipe: Kung Pao Brussel Sprouts

Sautéed Silverbeet with Peas

Tender greens and sweet peas come together in a creamy, cheesy sauce for this Sautéed Silverbeet with Peas. It comes together in minutes and makes getting your greens in feel like a treat instead of a chore.
Get the recipe: Sautéed Silverbeet with Peas

Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Sweet honey caramelizes around the edges of these Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips as they turn golden in the oven. The natural sugars in the vegetables come out and create a side that is both simple and impressive.
Get the recipe: Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Gluten Free Hash Browns

Shredded sweet potatoes get crispy and golden brown in the pan for these easy Gluten Free Hash Browns. They work for breakfast alongside eggs or as a savory side for burgers and sandwiches later in the day.
Get the recipe: Gluten Free Hash Browns

Instant Pot Broccoli

Bright green broccoli gets cooked fast and finished with a buttery lemon sauce in this Instant Pot Broccoli. It is a quick, no-fuss way to get a healthy vegetable on the table with hardly any cleanup.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli

Air Fryer Baked Potato

The skin turns perfectly crispy and the inside stays light and fluffy in this Air Fryer Baked Potato. No need to heat up the whole oven just for one potato, and it is ready in a fraction of the usual time.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Baked Potato

Cabbage Carrot Apple Slaw (Red Cabbage Salad Recipe)

Shredded cabbage, carrots, and crisp apple come together in this Cabbage Carrot Apple Slaw that is crunchy and slightly sweet. It works on BBQ sandwiches, next to tacos, or just as a fresh side salad.
Get the recipe: Cabbage Carrot Apple Slaw (Red Cabbage Salad Recipe)

Asian Cucumber & Peanut Salad

Cool cucumber slices get tossed with crunchy peanuts and a tangy dressing in this Asian Cucumber & Peanut Salad. It is light, refreshing, and pairs perfectly with stir-fry or any kind of grilled Asian-style meat.
Get the recipe: Asian Cucumber & Peanut Salad

Pa Muchim | Korean Green Onion Salad

This Pa Muchim is a Korean green onion salad with a bold, spicy-sweet kick that wakes up your whole plate. It is great spooned over rice or served next to grilled beef and pork for extra flavor.
Get the recipe: Pa Muchim | Korean Green Onion Salad

Easy Canned Green Bean Recipe

Butter, garlic, and simple seasonings turn canned green beans into something worth eating in this Easy Canned Green Bean Recipe. It is perfect for nights when the fridge is empty but you still need a vegetable on the table.
Get the recipe: Easy Canned Green Bean Recipe

Roasted Greek Cauliflower Salad

Tender roasted cauliflower gets mixed with salty feta, briny olives, and a bright lemon dressing in this Roasted Greek Cauliflower Salad. It brings all those Mediterranean flavors together in one colorful bowl.
Get the recipe: Roasted Greek Cauliflower Salad