Join us for an adventure in flavor!

    The 40 BEST Vegetarian Side Dishes

    If you’re looking to add some variety to your collection of meatless sides, we’re here to help!

    This collection of easy Vegetarian Side Dishes are super satisfying and packed with flavor.

    You’ll find a variety of veggies, pastas, salads, potato dishes, rice, grains and more on this Vegetarian side dish ideas… With flavors from around the world, there’s something here for any palate.

    Cook your way through all of these vegetarian sides, you’re sure to find some new favorites!

    The BEST vegetarian side dishes.

    The Best Vegetarian Side Dishes:

    1. Green Beans Almondine

    Starting of this list of vegetarian sides… Grean Beans Almondine!! Doesn’t it sound fancy?

    Vibrant French style green beans tossed with brown butter, toasty almonds (that’s where almondine comes from), shallots, garlic and a squeeze of lemon to brighten it in the end.

    Get the Recipe


    2. Saffron Rice

    Elevate your basic side dish with this simple and easy Saffron Rice recipe. You’ll be amazed how much flavor your humble grain can have.

    This beautiful and fragrant rice is a showstopper side dish that will make any meal more special. It’s perfect for company meals and special occasions.

    Get the Recipe


    3. Balela Salad

    Balela Salad is a Middle Eastern style chickpea salad. This hearty refreshing salad is bursting with zesty flavor.

    So easy, delicious, nutrient dense and satisfying! It’s perfect for any party or busy weeknight meal.

    Get the Recipe


    4. Cherry Tomato Gratin

    This Cherry Tomato gratin is the newest star on your party spread. It’s the perfect combination of easy, tasty and pretty.

    You’ll want to gobble it up before the guests arrive!

    Get the Recipe


    5. Creamed Corn

    After you try this easy Creamed Corn recipe, you will never, ever go back to canned. Made with fresh corn (though you can use frozen), it’s so creamy and full of flavor.

    This side dish is addictively good. It will make a great addition to your Thanksgiving and Christmas spreads, but is a must in summer when that sweet corn is in season…

    Get the Recipe


    6. Corn Casserole

    This easy 5 ingredient Corn Casserole is a great southern style side dish, and takes next to no effort. Seriously, just mix up the ingredients, then stick it in the oven.

    It’s a versatile dish that would go great on a holiday spread. But it’s so good, you just might want to eat it all year long!

    Get the Recipe


    7. Moroccan Couscous

    Give regular couscous a colorful makeover by adding a bunch of veggies and earthy Moroccan spices. Brimming with flavors and textures, you will absolutely love this couscous, which can be made in under 20 minutes.

    Get the Recipe


    8. Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice

    Take your rice to a whole new level with this Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice. Once you try this Cilantro Lime Rice, you’ll never go back to plain old white. Just a simple addition of a few ingredients, and a few extra moments of effort are all it takes to transform your rice.

    Get the Recipe


    9. Pipirrana (Spanish Summer Salad)

    Here to celebrate tomato season this summer is a tribute to all those luscious summer tomatoes, ripening on the vines in warm sunshine.

    Mixed with just a few more cool crunchies, and you have yet another colorful popular traditional dish, pipirrana, all the way from the south of Spain.

    Get the Recipe


    10. Refried Beans

    Take your Mexican night up a notch with this easy Refried Beans recipe! They are sooo much better than the canned stuff.

    With just a few simple ingredients, and minimal effort, you can have restaurant quality refried beans to serve alongside your tacos, or any of your favorite Mexican dishes.

    Get the Recipe


    11. Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto

    Spring and summer demand colorful, light, refreshing salads. So here it is our Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad, but with major flavor bender… delicious basil pesto dressing.

    This one is there for you to brighten up any meal of the day. Dig into it with your scrambled eggs and toast first thing in the morning, or along with your favorite sandwich for lunch, or use it as a topping for your taco night.

    Get the Recipe


    12. Rainbow Pasta Salad

    We’re starting this pasta salad list with something which is basic, simple, easy, quick and yet so satisfying and delicious.

    Make this colorful pasta for your everyday easy lunches, as a side to some Italian meal or a quick fix for all the potluck parties or get togethers.

    Get the Recipe


    13. Mango Salsa

    When Mangoes are in season and plentiful at the market, it’s hard to resist making Mango Salsa. It’s so easy!

    This is a great side for your Mexican dishes, and is great for dipping tortilla chips.

    Get the Recipe


    14. Green Rice Casserole

    Green rice casserole is a great addition to your holiday spread. Creamy, cheesy goodness with spinach and peppers.

    This vintage casserole is also super versatile.

    Get the Recipe


    15. Pico de Gallo

    This Quick and Easy Pico de Gallo recipe is the most fresh, healthy and delicious salsa recipe. It’s loaded with fresh ripe tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro and lime juice.

    It is perfect for serving with chips, on a salad, tacos or with any of your favorite Mexican dishes. It only takes just a few minutes from start to finish.

    Get the Recipe


    16. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

    This Mediterranean quinoa salad is exactly what it sounds like, a quinoa salad made Mediterranean-style.

    It uses quinoa, roasted cherry tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, feta cheese, kalamata olives, toasted pine nuts, and more.

    Get the Recipe


    17. Tomato Cucumber Raita

    This traditional Indian dip will cool your palette when you are eating spicy mains like curries.

    Then again, you just might like it so much that you make it your go-to summer cool-down dish.

    Get the Recipe


    18. Israeli Couscous Salad 

    Vibrant, bright and light fresh flavors! A melody of textures! Do you sometimes crave for some good starchy carbs in your salad? Something that feels like a hearty fulfilling meal any time of the day, and yet something that you don’t mind going back for a few times a day? This Israeli Couscous Salad has it all!

    Colorful veggies and Levantine flavors like Kalamata olives, feta, and pine nuts along with nutty chewy pearled couscous and tossed with a fresh lemon Dijon vinaigrette. It’s a salad chameleon at its best!! 

    Get the Recipe


    19. Lazy Sweet Potato Mash

    This recipe is so easy to make, we call it lazy. Sometimes, it’s okay to be lazy, and if you need all the time you can get, then this one’s for you.

    The sweet potato is simply cooked in the microwave and mashed up, to make a dish that’s easy and delicious.

    Get the Recipe


    20. Cherry Tomato Confit

    Bunches of cherry tomatoes, heavy glugs of olive oil, a handful of garlic cloves, a few herbs… That’s all you need for this beauty coming out of your oven… Cherry Tomato Confit!!

    Luxuriously soft, melt-in-your mouth, juicy and bright flavor bombs. Welcome this summer delight into your life and it will add savory sweet deliciousness to any dish.

    Get the Recipe


    21. Southern Squash Casserole

    This classic yellow Squash Casserole is a great every day side dish for your favorite Southern fare. Easy and delicious, this will be especially popular on your holiday spreads.

    Get the Recipe


    22. No Knead Bread

    No Knead Bread!! This artisan quality bread can happen very fast and is super duper simple. You end up with a thick crispy crust and a chewy center with big fat holes like sourdough!

    It’s very forgiving and only takes 3 minutes of active effort. Now that sounds unbelievable, right? Not so. Try it yourself today.

    Get the Recipe


    23. Batata Harra

    Add an exotic twist to your everyday potatoes with this Lebanese delight. It’s packed full of flavors.

    If you love fresh herbs, this batata harra is a must try side dish.

    Get the Recipe


    24. Chakalaka (South African Vegetable Dish)

    Chakalaka! This is one of the most popular side dishes in South Africa.

    A quick and simple preparation of veggies, beans, aromatics and spices, this versatile dish is one of our favorite vegetarian side dishes.

    Get the Recipe


    25. Creole Coleslaw

    This creamy Creole Coleslaw is a great variation on that classic potluck side dish. Your traditional slaw gets a zippy upgrade.

    Bring this to your next get together and guests will be asking for the secret to your slaw!

    Get the Recipe


    26. Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions

    This is a simple, super easy, speedy side dish… A classic from your grandma’s generation.

    Sweet peas slathered in creamy white sauce, sprinkled with pearl onions. This is a great vegetarian side dish.

    Get the Recipe


    27. Mediterranean Pasta

    This Mediterranean Pasta is your new weeknight best friend. It’s super quick, like 20 minutes quick, and has great flavors the whole family will love.

    We love it as a side dish, but make a big batch for lunch leftovers!

    Get the Recipe


    28. Easy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

    These easy baked sweet potato fries are a great way to bring the joy that comes with sweet potato fries to your own home.

    If you need a finger-food side, definitely give these fries a try!

    Get the Recipe


    29. Mexican Street Corn Salad

    This Mexican street corn salad is a great way to get the classic flavors of elote served salad-style.

    It’s creamy, cheesy, and filled with corn, red onions, cilantro, mayonnaise and many more..

    Get the Recipe


    30. Caponata – Sicilian Eggplant Relish

    You will love the combination of savory, sweet and sour flavors in this creamy eggplant Caponata with onions, tomatoes, olives and raisins!

    It’s a perfect make ahead dish, as it store beautifully in the fridge for a few days.

    Get the Recipe


    31. Creamed Spinach

    This Creamed Spinach is going to be the new star of your side dish spread. It’s creamy, cheesy, and oh so comforting.

    Get the Recipe


    32.Jamaican Rice and Peas

    Give your rice a Caribbean makeover with this amazing Jamaican Rice and Peas recipe. It’s a flavor bomb, loaded with a mixture of exotic and tropical tastes.

    This easy rice dish is a perfect side for a variety of grilled meats and seafoods, and is an absolute must alongside a spicy batch of Jerk Chicken.

    Get the Recipe


    33. Macaroni Salad

    Macaroni Salad is another one of the staple sides for fried fish.

    This version is extra creamy and extra tangy. Make a big batch, and enjoy the leftovers for days!

    Get the Recipe


    34. Cuban Style Black Beans

    Turning your simple black beans into a delicious quick Cuban Style Black Beans is super easy. Black beans are a staple in Cuban cuisine.

    This recipe is healthy, high on fiber and an inexpensive tasty dish which can make a great addition to any meal!

    Get the Recipe @ skinnytaste


    35. Pineapple Casserole

    If you’re looking for a simple, quick prep side dish that will knock the socks off your guest, then this golden Pineapple Casserole recipe is just the ticket.

    It’s sweet, salty, buttery, cheesy and oh so decadent! Best of all, it pairs nicely with almost any entrée.

    Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo


    36. Roasted Brown Butter Honey Garlic Carrots

    These roasted brown butter honey garlic carrots feature and amazing depth of flavor. Just a little extra effort takes your humble carrots to a new level.

    They might become your new favorite side dish!

    Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic


    37. Creamy Mushroom Risotto

    This creamy Mushroom Risotto is a simple and easy to make Italian dish.

    Short grain rice is cooked on the stovetop with broth and flavored with mushrooms and parmesan cheese for an irresistible creamy dish. YUM!

    Get the Recipe @ acouplecooks


    38. Lemon Pesto Penne

    This lemon pesto penne recipe is super quick, like 20 minutes quick, has plenty of fresh veggies, and great flavors from the combination of pesto sauce and lemon juice.

    It’s a light and refreshing dish, perfect for summer.

    Get the Recipe @ pinchofyum


    39. Zucchini Fritters

    Zucchini fritters are a wonderful way to make zucchini while still mixing things up!

    They’re crispy patties that are filled with shredded squash, garlic, and fresh herbs. It takes only minutes to put together, and it makes a great side dish.

    Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo


    40. Greek Green Beans (Fasolakia)

    Greek green beans, properly known as fasolakia, make a tasty dish out of fresh green beans braised in extra virgin olive oil, tomatoes, and herbs.

    It works great as a side dish to accompany starchy mains.

    Get the Recipe @ eatingeuropean


    We hope you enjoy these delicious Vegetarian Side Dishes as much as we do. There’s such a big variety, which will you cook first?

    Save or pin this collection of great recipes so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new easy recipes for you!

    Featured image for vegetarian side dishes post.

    The 40 BEST Vegetarian Sides

    This list of healthy and easy Vegetarian Side Dishes includes veggies, grains, pastas and more. We love this super easy sweet potato mash:

    Ingredients

    • 6 medium sweet potatoes
    • 1 cup milk
    • 2 Tbsp butter
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

      1. Pierce sweet potato skins with a fork numerous times.
      2. Microwave sweet potatoes on high 2 minutes. Rotate. Repeat until sweet potatoes are soft, about 10 minutes total.
      3. Scoop insides on sweet potatoes into large saucepan. Add milk and butter. Mash until smooth.
      4. Add salt to taste.

      Did you make this recipe?

      Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

      Never miss a recipe!

      Join the GypsyPlate mailing list and get easy dinner recipes right in your mailbox. From homestyle comfort food to exotic dishes from around the world.



        Leave a Reply

        Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

        This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

        Search by Cuisine

        Travel a word of flavors with GypsyPlate. Sort our recpes by regions:

        GypsyPlate logo.
        Skip to Recipe