Add a burst of flavor to your meals with these effortless veggie sides that can be made in three steps or less. From crispy roasted veggies to vibrant salads, these delicious sides complement any main course. Recipes like our Creamy Carrot Salad and our Melting Onions are a nutritious, tasty side on any table.

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Creamy Carrot Salad

Bright, crunchy and creamy, this salad delivers a delicious balance of sweet, tangy and warm flavors. A golden turmeric-yogurt dressing adds color and anti-inflammatory benefits, while honey and plump golden raisins offer natural sweetness.

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Chopped Beet Salad

This vibrant chopped salad delivers a refreshing balance of earthy, tangy and citrusy flavors in every bite. Sweet, tender precooked beets are tossed in a bright orange–champagne vinaigrette, then topped with creamy feta and crunchy pistachios. A hint of honey smooths out the acidity, while the option of fresh mint adds a cool, aromatic finish. It’s a simple side that pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled fish or holiday mains, and it looks as stunning as it tastes.

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Melting Onions

Sweet caramelized onions become the centerpiece of this side dish that’s inspired by “melting” potatoes, but with a fun, loaded baked-potato twist. Serve these tender onions alongside grilled steak or roasted chicken or make them the star of the plate with a crusty loaf of bread to catch every last drip.

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15-Minute Broccoli Salad with Feta

Bright, crunchy and ready in just 15 minutes, this broccoli salad brings big flavor with minimal effort. A fresh lemony dressing lightly coats crisp broccoli, sweet bell pepper and cooling cucumbers. A sprinkle of feta adds creamy contrast and ties everything together.

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Cabbage Salad with Bacon

This warm Cabbage Salad with Bacon turns simple ingredients into something delicious. Crisp, smoky bacon adds richness, while its rendered drippings are whisked into an apple-cider vinaigrette for a tangy, savory-sweet dressing that coats the cabbage perfectly. A touch of Dijon and honey makes each bite bright and satisfying.

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Maple-Mustard Green Beans with Crispy Shallots

Tangy and crisp-tender, these maple-mustard green beans offer a fresh twist on a classic side dish. The beans are tossed in a glossy dressing of maple syrup, Dijon and vinegar for a perfect balance of sweetness and zing. Crispy shallots add crunch, making the dish feel special enough for entertaining, yet it’s simple enough for a weeknight. The flavors work perfectly with roasted meats or holiday mains.

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French Onion Mashed Potatoes

These French Onion Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate holiday upgrade to classic mashed potatoes. Creamy Yukon Golds get a boost from caramelized onions, cooked low and slow until jammy and sweet. The result is a side dish that’s perfect for pairing with roasts, poultry or festive vegetarian mains.

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Garlic-Parmesan Melting Sweet Potatoes

These garlic-Parmesan sweet potatoes melt in your mouth, just as the name implies! After browning in a hot oven, thick slices of sweet potato simmer in a garlic-infused broth, soaking up savory flavor. A finishing sprinkle of cheese adds a golden, crisp edge. This easy dish pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or pork and makes a wonderful holiday side.

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Maple-Mustard Roasted Vegetables

These maple-Dijon roasted vegetables combine sweet, tangy and savory flavors in one easy sheet-pan side dish. A mix of veggies are tossed in a maple syrup and Dijon mustard glaze before roasting. The high heat caramelizes the edges, bringing out natural sweetness, while the mustard adds a zesty punch. It’s a versatile side that works well with everything from roasted chicken to grain bowls.

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Cheesy Sautéed Cabbage

This cheesy cabbage is a comforting side dish that turns shredded green cabbage into something special. Creamy havarti cheese melts onto the warm cabbage, creating a rich, velvety texture. A layer of crispy panko breadcrumbs adds just the right amount of crunch. This easy dish pairs well with roasted meats or fish.

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Balsamic-Rosemary Melting Beets

These Balsamic-Rosemary Melting Beets are an elegant way to showcase the delicious flavor of roasted beets. Roasting brings out their earthy depth, while a mixture of broth, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard and honey adds brightness and complexity. Fresh rosemary infuses the dish with aromatic warmth, and a final swirl of cold butter creates a silky finish.

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Cheesy Baked Tomatoes

Baked tomatoes with cheese are a simple side dish that highlights the natural sweetness of summer-ripe tomatoes. We top halved tomatoes with a layer of melted mozzarella and tangy feta cheese, creating a deliciously gooey, golden crust. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a fresh note, but any fresh herb will pair perfectly with these warm juicy tomatoes.

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Sour Cream & Onion Melting Potatoes

This simple potato side dish uses onion powder, dried and fresh chives and garlic to re-create the classic flavor of sour cream and onion chips. Each potato is tender, with a creamy texture on the inside that truly melts in your mouth. You can substitute red bliss potatoes if you have them on hand.

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High-Protein Creamy Cucumber Salad

This high-protein cucumber salad features cottage cheese as its creamy base, replacing the traditional mayonnaise or sour cream. Crisp cucumber slices are folded into the mix for a light yet satisfying texture packed with protein. This salad makes a perfect cooling side dish for summer meals.

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Ranch-Roasted Cabbage Wedges

These ranch-roasted cabbage wedges give a savory twist to cabbage, bringing bold ranch flavor to every bite. Brushed with olive oil and a sprinkle of ranch seasoning straight from the packet, they roast until perfectly caramelized. A drizzle of creamy ranch dressing completes this ranch-lovers’ dream. These wedges make the perfect sidekick to grilled chicken or burgers.

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Broccoli Crunch Salad

From the crunchy nuts and Parmesan crisps to the chewiness of sun-dried tomatoes, this broccoli salad has a satisfying medley of textures. The red-wine vinaigrette brings a briny flavor that is balanced by the nuttiness of the cheese. Serve this salad as a side or turn it into a meal-prep-friendly lunch—just leave the Parmesan crisps out until serving so they don’t get soggy. Look for Parmesan crisps in the dressing aisle near croutons.

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Carrot-Cucumber Salad

Carrot salads are refreshing, and this one—with cucumber, red onion and a zesty cilantro-chile vinaigrette—is sure to become a new favorite. It’s excellent served with grilled fish.

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Arugula, Beet & Feta Salad

Peppery arugula and tender, sweet beets are balanced by a simple vinaigrette and briny bits of feta cheese in this salad. Using cooked, peeled beets helps make prep a breeze.

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Spiced Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These roasted sweet potatoes are pleasantly spiced with a subtle kick of heat from Aleppo pepper and smoked paprika. Roasting the potatoes on two baking sheets ensures they have enough room to get crispy. Serve these spiced potatoes as a side dish for roasted chicken or use them in a breakfast hash.

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No-Cook Chickpea, Beet & Quinoa Salad

This easy no-cook chickpea salad comes together in minutes. Look for precooked beets in the produce section of the grocery store. Leftover quinoa is great in this salad, but you could also use microwaveable quinoa to save on time. With a bright lemony-garlic dressing, this salad is the perfect side to accompany grilled chicken or roasted salmon.

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Marry Me Broccoli

We know you’ll fall for this skillet Marry Me Broccoli after the first bite. This creamy broccoli dish takes after the popular Marry Me Chicken and features broccoli coated in a velvety, sun-dried tomato–infused sauce with a hint of garlic and Parmesan. Perfect as a side dish or a vegetarian main, this recipe is made with simple ingredients. Whether you serve it with crusty bread or over whole grains, it’s sure to win your heart!

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Melting Carrots with Maple Butter

This recipe is a side dish that combines the natural sweetness of roasted carrots with the rich flavors of maple syrup. To bring on the flavor, carrots are roasted with a combination of melted butter and oil before a sweet and savory broth is added for the carrots to absorb, giving them their signature “melting” texture. The final touch is a sprinkle of fresh dill, or give them your own twist with your favorite chopped fresh herb.

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Garlic-Parmesan Green Beans

These garlic-Parmesan green beans are a quick and easy side dish made in just one skillet. They pair beautifully with anything from roasted chicken to grilled steak, baked salmon or stuffed portobello mushrooms. They’re quick enough for weeknight dinners yet impressive enough to serve at a gathering.

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Roasted Carrot Salad

Sweet roasted carrots are the star of this salad, with some reserved for blending into a creamy, vibrant dressing. The carrot-based dressing—brightened with orange juice, whole-grain mustard and rice vinegar—adds a cohesive flavor to the salad. This roasted carrot salad works wonderfully as a side dish or as a main dish served with roasted chicken, salmon or tofu.

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Roasted Lemon-Feta Broccoli

This lemon-roasted broccoli side dish is the perfect weeknight side. It’s quick and packed with vibrant flavors that complement any meal. We love to garnish this dish with fresh mint and oregano, but if you want to skip the fresh herbs, an extra pinch of dried herbs sprinkled over the top will work well too.

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Cacio e Pepe Winter Squash

This cacio e pepe winter squash recipe is the ultimate cool-weather side dish. This twist on the classic Roman pasta brings the cheesy and peppery flavors of Cacio e Pepe to sweet acorn squash, making it a cozy, flavorful addition to any fall or winter meal. For a simple variation, give this easy recipe a try with another winter squash like delicata or butternut.

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