Are you fed up with serving the same old vegetable side dishes that seem to fade into the background at dinnertime? If so, the good news is that you can shake things up and add some excitement to your main meals!
It might surprise you to learn that it’s possible to turn some old favorites and classics into culinary masterpieces that may even outshine your main courses.
The following are five examples of veggie side dishes that work well with almost any main. Moreover, they’re suitable for vegetarians, and you can easily adapt them to suit other specific dietary requirements. Check out these top five ideas for inspiration:
1. Garlic Cheese Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts aren’t the most interesting of vegetables to eat, but now’s your chance to get creative and turn them into an exciting side dish! All you need to do is trim and halve the Brussels sprouts, then mix them in a bowl with olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper.
Next, put them on a baking tray and into your oven preheated to 425°F (220°C) for around 20 minutes until they’re golden brown and crispy. Afterward, remove them and sprinkle some grated cheese on top while the sprouts are still hot.
2. Roasted Baby Carrots
Did you know that the following super-easy oven roasted baby carrot recipe can perfectly accompany virtually any main meal? You only need a few basic ingredients to make your side dish masterpiece!
To make that dream come true, rinse and dry some peeled baby carrots, then coat them in salt, ground black pepper, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Next, put them on a baking tray and into your oven preheated to 425°F (220°C). 20 minutes later, or when they become brown and tender, you can take them out and serve them.
3. Baked Zucchini Fries
If you’d rather not serve French fries as an accompaniment to a main meal, how about baked zucchini fries instead?
Firstly, cut the zucchini into thin strips. Next, mix some breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a container. Dunk the zucchini strips in a bowl of beaten eggs and then coat them in the breadcrumb mix.
As with the previous recipes, bake them for 20 minutes until golden and crispy in an oven preheated to 425°F (220°C).
4. Grilled Asparagus With Lemon Zest
Asparagus seldom gets used as a side dish, but it’s a versatile accompaniment to virtually any main meal. Here’s how to make grilled asparagus with lemon zest:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat;
- Trim the ends of the asparagus spears, and then toss them in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper;
- Grill the asparagus, turning occasionally for around five minutes until they’re tender;
- Once grilled, remove the asparagus and place it onto a serving platter, then sprinkle some lemon zest over them while they’re still hot.
5. Sautéed Green Beans With Almonds
Last but not least, how about some sautéed green beans with almonds? Starting with a skillet on medium heat, add a little olive oil and some trimmed green beans.
Cook them for five minutes or until they’re bright green and only just tender. Next, add some sliced almonds and continue cooking until the almonds appear toasted. Put the ingredients on a plate or serving platter and sprinkle salt and pepper.
