All-Time Best Vegetable Side Dishes

Posted: November 5, 2022 8:53 am

Veggies have had a bad rap for years, haven’t they? We’re not quite sure where the sad reputation developed for beautiful produce like tomatoes, asparagus, and broccoli, but many of us now turn our noses up at the thought of hearing mom say, “Eat your veggies!”

Not to worry—vegetable side dishes have changed significantly over the years. Innovative cooking methods and truly unique flavor combinations now turn boring and bland into delicious and grand. With holiday celebrations around the corner, you’re likely to need some vegetable side dishes to put on the table as you party with family and friends.

Sneak a few of these onto the table, and you’ll fool even the most discriminating palette as you turn your veggie-resistant crowd into kids and adults alike that are screaming for more. Try these all=time best vegetable side dishes for your next casual dinner or family gathering.

Green Bean Casserole
What would a celebratory meal be without a traditional Green Bean Casserole? Easy to prep and make beforehand, you can pop it in the oven with a garnish of French Fried onions and cheese for a decadent take on a basic vegetable.

This hot dish has adorned holiday tables for decades. While various versions of the dish exist, the beauty of this versatile dish is that you can spruce it up with the addition of your favorite spices, mix-ins, and garnishes.

Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Salad
Many of us are enjoying our garden bounty right now with fresh veggies that we grew with love and care. Tomatoes, onions, zucchini, and a host of other garden favorites found their way into the kitchen to create this light and flavorful masterpiece.

Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini salad combines sweet and juicy with herbed and crispy for a one-of-a-kind flavor combination. The addition of rich, flavorful herbs and a light vinaigrette top it off for a fresh, light salad that guests will clamor for.

Zucchini Panzanella Salad
Day-old bread and a killer homemade vinaigrette are the backbone of this unique and flavorful zucchini dish. Perfect for a casual dinner or a more formal crowd, it is the perfect combination of hearty and light.

Zucchini Panzanella salad is a symbiotic symphony of flavors and textures. Day-old bread and a variety of veggies are tossed in a bright, cheery vinaigrette that can be paired perfectly with any main dish menu item for a memorable meal.

Sweet Potato Wedges
Perfect for a snack or an accompaniment to the main course, this substantial and sweet veggie accompaniment is not a chore to eat in any way. Perfect pairings of spice and high-quality olive oil form a truly beautiful crust on an already perfect root vegetable.

Sweet Potato Wedges are tossed with olive oil, garlic, and oregano, then left to caramelize and roast to perfection while you compose your dipping sauces. Whether you choose a spiced aioli or a kicked-up honey mustard, the real star of this dish is the beautiful, flavorful crust just begging to be torn into on each wedge.

Perfect Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower has taken center stage in recent years, with many turning to its versatile nature for keto options showing up in pasta, pizza crust, and even sushi. Its mild flavor and multi-faceted personality allow for several different preparation methods that work well for all types of dishes.

Perfect Roasted Cauliflower showcases the beauty of this vegetable in its purest form. Flavored lightly with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper, its buttery nature shines through after some warm hugs from your oven. You’ll wonder whether to snack on it or put it on the table for your meal alongside the main course.

Kickin Collard Greens
Southern kitchen witches, unite! You can have those greens and display them proudly at your dinner table. Steamed, sauteed, and boiled, these flavorful additions to your meal are equal parts beautiful and delicious, especially when adorned with a few key garnishes.

Kickin Collard Greens uses the power of sauteed bacon and onions to flavor the greens and add some personality to the nutritious, leafy greens. For an extra dose of adventure, try some red cayenne pepper among the layers to kick up the heat and make your tastebuds sing with delight.

Best Ever Sauteed Mushrooms
Mushrooms can stand alone as a veggie dish, particularly if they are prepared and seasoned the right way. Tender and meaty, these substantial fungi will surprise even the pickiest eater with their bright and bold flavor.

These Best Ever Sauteed Mushrooms combine the distinctive flavors of thyme and oregano, sauteed to perfection in a combination of onion, oil, and butter. A splash of lemon juice at the very end of prep time reveals a bright bite that is both surprising and delightful.

Roasted Butternut Squash
Whether mom prepared it with brown sugar and maple syrup or butter, salt and pepper, you’re likely to remember butternut squash as a vegetable from your childhood that was almost palatable.

Your adult tastebuds will appreciate the nostalgic feel and taste of Roasted Butternut Squash, complete with your choice of garnishes. Pop it in the oven to caramelize and soften, and you have the makings of a mild, delicious, and filling side to your amazing main course.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Ahhh….just like Grandma used to make for Sunday dinner. First originating in 18th century England, the mild potato gets a facelift when combined with mild, comforting ingredients like milk, butter, and cheese.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes gives the illusion of hours of prep with a fraction of the hassle. Layered with sliced onion, butter, cream, and creamy cheese, you’ll find yourself hard-pressed to pack up leftovers when the company’s gone. There won’t be any left!

Classic Roasted Veggies
Let inspiration take you to flavor heights unknown with this customizable roasted cornucopia of delicious flavors. Whether you choose root vegetables or bright flavors like pepper and tomato, the end result is delicious.

Classic Roasted Veggies is more of a guideline for a classic roasted vegetable plate. When flavors like squash, onion and sweet potato are sweetly nestled between sprigs of rosemary and thyme, the combination is magically transformed. Serve with any main dish that adorns your table.

Perfect Sauteed Cabbage
Cabbage has been used to fortify and add to meals since the dark ages. Known for its distinctive flavor and texture, it may have gotten a bad rap in recent years for its re-emergence as a keto supplement for ramen and other pasta dishes.

With the right combination of spices and a little softening, you have the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Perfect Sauteed Cabbage brings out both sweet and savory flavors of this unique vegetable, courtesy of a unique blend of spices and some time in the pan. Delicious!

Potato Pancakes
Eastern European countries enjoyed their potatoes in transient form. Veggie patties took shape as common folk took them out into the fields with them nestled in their pockets for a quick and hearty meal.

Today we elevate the lowly Potato Pancake into something truly special. Topped with flavorful sour cream and applesauce or served with roasted chicken, you’ll find yourself wanting to sneak a few off the table for a midnight snack later.

Creamed Spinach
Nothing says love like a good bowl of creamy spinach. Creamed anything is delicious, but the addition of nutritious and mild spinach elevates this green to new heights.

Creamed Spinach is the perfect accompaniment to both hearty steaks and light, crispy fish. When combined with rich cream, a variety of cheeses, and the perfect blend of garlic and spices, the end result is taste bud heaven.

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts have a distinctive flavor all their own that some say is a required taste. What many do not know is that roasting them brings out a more mild, nutty flavor that is perfectly accompanied by balsamic vinegar.

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts are expertly roasted cruciferous wonders; the sweet, nutty flavor is enhanced as you roast with garlic and a buttery mixture of salt and pepper. The addition of balsamic vinegar as a garnish heightens the taste of each sprout, leaving you with a lasting impression and a hunger for more.

Honey Roasted Carrots
Sweet, simple, and satisfying in any form, the carrot is a humble vegetable that doesn’t get too much attention by itself. Even as a standalone dish, this flavorful take on carrots is as impressive as some of our more intricate veggie dishes.

Honey Roasted Carrots are amazingly tender and sweet. Roasted with olive oil and garnished with a sweet, spicy honey glaze, they have the potential to overshadow the main course with their simple yet delicious flavors.

Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese
Mild meets pungent for a unique match made in heaven. Many people shy away from the dark, rich beet, not realizing that its distinctive flavor pairs well with other equally distinctive flavors for a delicious side dish.

Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese are simply delightful. Earthy meets creamy as the flavors of a sweet beat with tangy, savory goat cheese are expertly paired with chive and butter for a decadent and delectable dish that is truly memorable.

Get Excited For Veggies!
Eating better is easy….with the right combination of ingredients and some loving preparation. Vegetable side dishes that feature distinctive and delicious flavors will make even the most apprehensive diner excited about trying new flavors and textures. Try one, try them all, but be ready for a veggie renaissance in your house with the inclusion of these dishes on your table.

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