40 Healthy Side Dishes to Complete Your Dinner
Fresh, flavorful ideas with lots of colorful veggies!
Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
When planning a healthy dinner for your family, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you'll need a main course that's filling and satisfying (healthy chicken recipes and healthy ground beef recipes come to mind), then it's all about the healthy sides! You'll want something that's full of nutrition, yet anything but boring. Luckily, these healthy side dishes are just what you need.
From colorful vegetable side dishes to creative new salad recipes, this list has tons of healthy ideas to liven up your family meals. Of course, there's nothing wrong with a simple platter of steamed vegetables, but if you want to try something new tonight, why not opt for grilling your vegetables instead? Ahead, you'll find ideas for grilled eggplant, asparagus, and more that can be made inside on the stove or out on the patio. Or, you could roast your veggies with hearty recipes like cauliflower steaks.
Looking for something a little quicker to prepare? Try the couscous salad, the broccoli slaw, or the garlic green beans that are ready in just 15 minutes! We've also included plenty of healthy air fryer recipes, like air fryer sweet potato fries and onion rings that are perfect for serving alongside your favorite turkey burger recipe. You may get rid of the oil, but you save all the flavor! No matter which you choose, be sure to treat yourself and finish the meal with a healthy dessert.
Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash
Salads don't have to be boring! There's so much goodness that goes into this one, including creamy goat cheese, cranberries, and pepitas!
Get Ree's Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash recipe.
Green Beans Almondine
This tasty side dish can be made entirely on the stovetop—in just 30 minutes! The classic green beans get extra flavor when tossed with butter, lemon, shallots, garlic, and crunchy toasted almonds.
Get the Green Beans Almondine recipe.
Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter
Pretty much everything tastes better when coated in homemade honey herb butter, and that includes carrots! A dash of vinegar and plenty of fresh herbs balance out the flavor for a savory-sweet taste.
Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates
These aren't just any ol' green beans—they're tangy and sweet and savory and crunchy all at the same time! Mixed in with the pomegranate seeds, you'll also find shallots, ginger, and pistachios.
Get Ree's Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates recipe.
Ultimate Winter Salad
Gussy up those greens with apples, pecans, goat cheese, butternut squash, and pomegranate seeds. It's a colorful salad that's a feast for your eyes and your stomach!
Get the Ultimate Winter Salad recipe.
Cabbage Salad
You can make this salad ahead of time and it will stay fresh and crunchy for days! Along with cabbage, you'll add toasted pecans, tart green apples, and peppery arugula, then toss it all in a tangy vinaigrette.
Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.
Air Fryer Snap Peas
Add some crispy texture to your veggies while maintaining their nutritional value when you pull out the air fryer. Sweet snap peas are a great example! And don't forget a sprinkle of parmesan.
Get Ree's Air Fryer Snap Peas recipe.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
Roasted until crisp and golden before basted with a sweet-tart balsamic glaze, these sprouts will make a scrumptious addition to many of your healthy meals.
Get the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Roasted Delicata Squash
Subtly sweet delicata is as fun to eat as it is to look at, with its delicate, scalloped shape. With a nice, crispy coating of parmesan, it will surely become a family favorite.
Get the Roasted Delicata Squash recipe.
Slow Cooker Green Beans
Green beans can sometimes be a little boring. But if you cook them low and slow with tomatoes and bacon, they become way more flavorful. Bonus: they can be made two days in advance!
Get the Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe.
Collard Greens
Want a tangy, brothy, and meaty twist on plain ol' veggies? Try traditional Southern-style collard greens and never think leafy greens are boring ever again.
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
Air Fryer Parmesan Steak Fries
If you're looking for something that tastes decadent but cuts down on the oil and fat, air fry your fries! A sprinkle of parmesan will make them feel like extra special.
Get Ree's Air Fryer Parmesan Steak Fries recipe.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Brighten up your day (and your salad) with fresh fruit! Orange segments and sliced strawberries add a fresh twist that will keep your tastebuds tingling. Make some grilled chicken or shrimp as the main dish, and you'll have a flavorful meal in minutes.
Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.
Lemon Roasted Asparagus
Lemon adds a bright bite to this easy-as-can-be dish. It works well even when asparagus isn't quite in season, because it helps bring out the flavors. Add a sprinkle of parsley and watch the whole plate disappear.
Get Ree's Lemon Roasted Asparagus recipe.
Maple-Glazed Carrots
Adding a drizzle of maple syrup helps bring out the natural sweetness in carrots, while the herbs help complement their earthiness. Best of all, you can find carrots any time of year!
Get Ree's Maple-Glazed Carrots recipe.
Collard Green Salad
If you love the idea of a flavorful collard greens dish but don't feel like waiting for them to braise, you can absolutely eat them raw in a salad. That's right! This whole dish takes a fraction of the time to prep and is every bit as tasty.
Get the Collard Green Salad recipe.
Vegetable Soup
Chockful of pretty much every veggie you can think of, this soup is a perfect side to any main protein you might want to serve, from grilled steak to roast chicken. Have the leftovers for lunch the next day!
Get the Vegetable Soup recipe.
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Want to treat yourself without the guilt? Air fry some onion rings and serve them along side your favorite turkey burger. It saves a lot of fat and calories, but you don't sacrifice flavor.
Get Ree's Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe.
Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction and Walnuts
Add a tangy and nutty twist to roasted sprouts for an easy, yet impressive side dish. They feel extra special with those few simple touches! Serve with any roasted or grilled meat main course.
Get Ree's Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction and Walnuts recipe.
Watercress Salad With Pistachios
Thinly sliced radishes and fennel give a flavorful crunch to this unique twist on a classic green salad. It's also sprinkled with pistachios for an added salty bite.
Try Pumpkin in Savory Recipes This Season
Fall Vegetable Dishes to Celebrate Harvest Season
These No-Cook Tailgate Recipes Are Total MVPs
Make Air Fryer Cauliflower in 30 Minutes
