15 Vegetable Side Dishes That’ll Make You Forget About Meat

Finding satisfying side dishes that don’t rely on meat can be a challenge, but these 15 vegetable-focused recipes prove it’s possible. Packed with flavor and texture, these dishes will make vegetables the star of your meal. Whether you’re looking for something savory, sweet, or crunchy, there’s a side here for everyone. These veggie dishes are so good, you won’t even miss the meat.

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes in a white ramekin topped with sour cream and green onions. — Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky green beans with fried onions are a flavorful side dish with tender green beans and a savory garlic flavor, topped with crispy fried onions. The garlic adds a bold taste, while the onions give a crunchy contrast. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare and cook. The combination of textures and flavors makes it a perfect vegetable side dish.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming skillet green beans are a quick and tasty side dish. They have a slight smoky flavor from being sautéed in a hot skillet. The beans remain tender and juicy while soaking up the seasoning. They take about 15 minutes to cook. The fast cooking time and deep flavor make them a great addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brown sugar baked sweet potato slices are a sweet, caramelized side dish with tender, roasted slices of sweet potato. The brown sugar adds a rich sweetness, while the potatoes provide a soft, creamy texture. It takes about 45 minutes to bake. The natural sweetness of the potatoes pairs well with the caramelized coating.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire green beans are a savory, tangy side dish with a bold flavor from Worcestershire sauce. They are cooked to perfection, absorbing the rich seasoning. They take about 20 minutes to cook. The balance of tangy and savory flavors makes this dish a great complement to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Variety of colorful carrots arranged on a dark slate plate, garnished with sprigs of fresh thyme. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted honey glazed carrots are a sweet and savory side dish with tender, caramelized carrots. The honey glaze enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots while roasting them to a golden finish. It takes about 30 minutes to bake. The result is a simple, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts are a tangy, slightly sweet side dish with a rich balsamic vinegar glaze. The sprouts are roasted until crispy and caramelized, giving them a deep, savory flavor. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and roast. The balance of vinegar and roasted vegetables makes it a satisfying dish.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown butter garlic mashed potatoes are a rich, creamy dish with a deep, nutty flavor from the brown butter. The garlic adds a savory kick that complements the creamy mashed potatoes. It takes about 40 minutes to make. The smooth texture and bold flavor make it a comforting and flavorful side.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Loaded cauliflower mash is a low-carb, creamy alternative to mashed potatoes with cauliflower blended into a smooth, savory side dish. The mashed cauliflower is enhanced with cheese, bacon, and green onions for extra flavor. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and cook. The rich texture and flavor make it a satisfying choice for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A bowl of roasted brussels sprouts. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Brussels sprouts with almonds and feta offer a savory, slightly tangy side dish with a crispy texture from the roasting. The feta adds creaminess, while the almonds provide a crunchy contrast. It takes about 30 minutes to bake. The combination of flavors makes this a perfect vegetable side dish.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey garlic carrots are a sweet and savory side dish with tender carrots coated in a honey and garlic glaze. The honey adds a touch of sweetness, while the garlic brings a savory depth to the dish. It takes about 25 minutes to prepare and cook. The blend of honey and garlic makes the carrots irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic, comforting side dish with smooth, buttery potatoes. The texture is soft and creamy, making them the perfect addition to any meal. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and mash the potatoes. The rich, buttery flavor and smooth texture make these potatoes a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Garam masala Brussels sprouts are a flavorful, spiced side dish with roasted Brussels sprouts and a blend of warm Indian spices. The garam masala gives the sprouts a unique, savory flavor. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and roast. The mix of spices and roasted vegetables makes it a satisfying side.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven roasted root vegetables are a hearty, flavorful side dish with a mix of root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. The vegetables are roasted until golden and tender, with a perfect balance of savory and sweet. It takes about 45 minutes to bake. The natural sweetness and roasted flavors make them a great addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Easy Oven Asparagus

Roasted asparagus on a white bowl — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy oven asparagus is a simple, healthy side dish. It’s roasted until tender and lightly caramelized, with a drizzle of olive oil and seasoning bringing out the natural flavor of the asparagus. It takes about 20 minutes to roast. The clean, fresh flavor of asparagus makes it a great vegetable side dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes

Cheesy fiesta potatoes are a creamy, cheesy side dish with seasoned potatoes topped with melted cheese. The potatoes are baked to golden perfection, creating a rich, flavorful dish. They take about 30 minutes to prepare and bake. The combination of cheese and seasoned potatoes makes them a satisfying side for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes