17 Veggie Side Dishes That’ll Win Over Even the Meat-Lovers

These 17 veggie side dishes are the kind of recipes that even meat-lovers won’t pass up. They’re full of flavor, easy to make, and satisfying enough to hold their own. Each one brings something different to the table without trying too hard. If you need a reliable side, these will do the job.

Buttery whole roasted cauliflower on a baking sheet. — Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

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 soft on the inside with caramelized edges. They’re ready in 45 minutes and made with sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and cinnamon. The taste is sweet, slightly earthy, and warm. They’re great for balancing out heavier dishes and still hold their own.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Easy Oven Asparagus

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

Easy Oven Asparagus comes out crisp-tender with just the right amount of char. It’s ready in about 20 minutes using fresh asparagus, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The flavor is clean with a slightly nutty edge. It’s simple, fast, and pairs well with any main.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts with caramelized edges in a serving dish. — Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts mix crispy edges with smoky bacon in every bite. They take about 40 minutes and include Brussels sprouts, bacon, and olive oil. The flavor is savory and just salty enough to keep everyone going back for seconds. Even meat-lovers won’t miss the main dish with this on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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 smooth, buttery, and easy to pile high. They take about 30 minutes to make with Yukon gold potatoes, butter, milk, and salt. The flavor is rich and mellow with no frills. They’re the kind of side that works with everything and wins everyone over.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts are pan-roasted and tossed in a tangy-sweet glaze. Ready in about 35 minutes, they use Brussels sprouts, balsamic vinegar, and honey. The flavor is sharp, slightly sweet, and savory all at once. Even people who usually skip Brussels sprouts ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

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 come out tender with golden edges and a sticky coating. They take about 30 minutes and are made with carrots, honey, olive oil, and seasoning. The flavor is naturally sweet with a little caramelized depth. They’re an easy win on any dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts bring a warm, spiced flavor that’s different from the usual roast. They’re done in about 35 minutes and made with Brussels sprouts, garam masala, and olive oil. The flavor is earthy, savory, and a little bold. It’s a twist that gets attention even from meat-first eaters.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes have a deep, nutty flavor with a hit of garlic in every bite. They take about 40 minutes to make using potatoes, browned butter, garlic, and cream. The texture is smooth and thick without being heavy. It’s a crowd-pleaser that feels like more than just a side.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions mix tender-crisp beans with crispy onion topping and a garlic base. They’re ready in 25 minutes with green beans, garlic, and store-bought or homemade onions. The flavor is sharp, savory, and just a little crunchy. It’s simple enough to serve anytime but still gets attention.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Loaded Cauliflower Mash swaps potatoes for cauliflower but keeps all the flavor with cheese, sour cream, and green onions. It’s ready in 30 minutes and uses cauliflower, butter, and toppings like cheddar and bacon bits. The taste is rich, creamy, and surprisingly filling. Meat-lovers won’t miss a thing when this is on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming Skillet Green Beans are sautéed until blistered with garlic and seasoning for extra bite. They’re ready in 20 minutes using green beans, olive oil, and spices. The flavor is smoky, sharp, and bold without being overpowering. It’s a fast side with real presence on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

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 combine crispy sprouts with nutty crunch and creamy cheese. They take about 35 minutes and include Brussels sprouts, sliced almonds, and crumbled feta. The taste is savory with tang and texture in every bite. It’s a combo that feels hearty without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans are sautéed with a savory glaze that adds umami and richness. They’re ready in 20 minutes and use green beans, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. The flavor is deep and bold with just enough zing. It’s a quick side that doesn’t need meat to feel complete.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

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 mix carrots, parsnips, and potatoes for a soft-inside, crisp-outside texture. They take about 45 minutes and use olive oil, salt, pepper, and seasonal roots. The flavor is earthy, balanced, and naturally sweet. They fill the plate and hold their own next to anything.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots are cooked until tender and tossed in a glossy, flavorful glaze. They’re done in 25 minutes using carrots, garlic, honey, and soy sauce. The flavor is sweet, savory, and just garlicky enough. They go fast at the table and leave no leftovers behind.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Air Fryer Broccoli

Broccoli florets with seasoning in an air fryer basket, some lemon slices and a striped cloth nearby. — Air Fryer Broccoli. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Air Fryer Broccoli comes out crisp around the edges and soft in the middle with barely any oil. It’s ready in 15 minutes using broccoli, olive oil spray, and salt. The taste is clean, slightly roasted, and full of texture. It’s a fast way to get even picky eaters on board.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Broccoli

Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower is baked until golden and tender all the way through. It takes about 1 hour and uses cauliflower, butter, garlic, and seasoning. The flavor is rich and savory with crispy edges and a soft center. It’s a centerpiece-worthy veggie dish that gets noticed.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower