What Are Some Easy Healhty Sides to Make
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35+ Healthy Sides Dishes That Go With Any and Every Protein
Bye sad frozen peas, hello dressed zoodle salads and gourmet grains!
Mike Garten
On a hectic weeknight, it can be easy for even the most experienced home cook to think of vegetables last — an afterthought to a roasted chicken or pan-fried salmon. But whether you're spending extra time mastering an entrée or simply zapping leftovers in the microwave (pizza included!), a fresh side dish can transform a quick dinner into something seriously memorable. And not all healthy sides need to stop at roasted vegetables. There are plenty of grains that can make a better-for-you bowl feel so much more special, legumes and beans that can make dinner taste quite hearty, and elevated salad ideas that make greens seem like a revelation.
The best side dishes that are satisfying and healthy lean heavily on nutritional powerhouses that are full of fiber, helping you to feel even more satisfied, all while keeping you running until your next meal (or away from a dreaded midnight snack urge). Versatile staples like broccoli and zucchini are perfect options to soak in plenty of pan drippings and sauces, marrying the flavors of your plate du jour while packing in a punch of fiber. And delicate staples, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, transform a bowl of greens into a culinary work of art that comes together in just a few minutes (perfectly dressed, of course).
If you're looking to make a bowl of rice or pasta that you can feel good about, try focusing in on some of the grains featured in these recipes. You'll want to double down on quinoa, bulgur, or farro; even whole wheat pasta and gluten-free noodles can be smart options. These hearty bases can also play host to a myriad of vegetables that we simply can't get enough of. Follow along as we share our absolute favorite healthy side dishes that'll soon become your new weeknight hero.
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White Bean and Broccolini Salad
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Watermelon Salad With Feta
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Mashed Parsnips
Parsnips are a great source of fiber plus several vitamins and minerals, so adding them to your mash provides flavor and a hefty nutrient boost!
Get the recipe for Mashed Parsnips »
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Heirloom Tomato Salad
If you're lucky enough to be dining al fresco, a simple tomato salad can go a long way — and honey, oil, and vinegar is the 3-minute dressing of your dreams. Try alternating between cherry tomatoes and the tomato du jour if you're outside of the summer surplus season.
Get the recipe for Heirloom Tomato Salad »
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Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad
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Grilled Veggies with Honey-Thyme Vinaigrette
A step up from sheet pan roasted veggies, grilling your farmer market's haul adds a new flavor that you can't capture indoors. Plus, these smoky flavors are brought to new heights with a tangy sweet vinaigrette (just an extra 20 calories or so!) that's textured with shallots.
Get the recipe for Grilled Veggies with Honey-Thyme Vinaigrette »
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Nutty Green Beans and Asparagus with Bacon
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Rainbow Veggie Kabobs
Grilled vegetables taste unapologetically more flavorful than their steamed counterparts. String squash, mushrooms, tomatoes, and broccoli onto a skewer before tossing on the grill (pan!) for easier, even cooking.
Get the recipe for Rainbow Veggie Kabobs »
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Spicy Acorn Squash with Feta
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Wild Mushroom Risotto
Risotto is super luxe and feels like a treat, but our lighter take on this woody side dish ditches cream for low-sodium chicken broth. Alongside wine and fresh grated parm, these meaty mushrooms shine — and for vegetarians, could be a meal all on its own.
Get the recipe for Wild Mushroom Risotto »
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Charred Snap Peas with Creamy Tarragon Dressing
Get rid of that lingering bag of frozen peas by dressing it up with whole snap peas and sprigs of tarragon. The earthy undertones of each veg pairs nicely with a dressing made with a dash of mayonnaise, dijon mustard, lemon juice, a dollop of crème fraîche, which makes everything just a touch more exciting.
Get the recipe for Charred Snap Peas with Creamy Tarragon Dressing »
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Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salad with Savory Quinoa Granola
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Pesto Zucchini Orzo
Marinating summer squash is a great way to create a super savory bite that blends well into a bed of grains. Pasta salad lovers will appreciate that this side dish only contains less than 450 calories per serving but touts 14g of protein and 4g of fiber.
Get the recipe for Pesto Zucchini Orzo »
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Grilled Green Beans, Fennel, and Farro
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Grilled Ratatouille Linguine
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Orange-Dijon Roasted Acorn Squash
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Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad
Replace pasta noodles AND flimsy salad with graceful, delicate ribbons of carrots and radishes. They take on the best elements of the vinaigrette that you'll whip together with fresh lemon and tart honey.
Get the recipe for Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad »
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Tahini-Lemon Quinoa with Asparagus Ribbons
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Grilled Carrots
Charring carrots on a grill can half the time you need to get them perfectly tender (about 10 minutes flat!). You'll spend the rest of your prep time creating a beautifully flavorful honey-based yogurt sauce that makes this humble root veg taste amazingly different.
Get the recipe for Grilled Carrots »
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Greek Salad
We call it a "salad" but this medley of veggies is more like a party in a bowl; alongside items like roast chicken, the ultra satisfying blend of peppery cheese in this salad really shines. Our version reads more rustic for prep ease and can serve 4 easily.
Get the recipe for Greek Salad »
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Tomato, Peach, and Basil Salad
Even if you're feeling lazy (hey, we've been there!), this super simple salad comes together in literally 5 minutes with some quick knife work. Olive oil and red wine vinegar do the heavy lifting for you.
Get the recipe for Tomato, Peach, and Basil Salad »
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Garlicky Kale & Pea Sauté
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Corn Wheels with Hot Honey Butter
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Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Lemon
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Crispy Beet and Mozzarella Salad
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Crispy Roasted Potatoes With Caper Vinaigrette
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Chickpea Pasta Salad in a Jar
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Zee Krstic Health Editor Zee Krstic is the health editor for GoodHousekeeping.com, where he covers health and nutrition news, decodes diet and fitness trends, and reviews the best products in the wellness aisle.
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Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/healthy/g721/healthy-side-dishes/
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