Side Dish Recipes

Smashed spiced sweet potatoes are oven-roasted whole, then smashed rustic-chunky with butter, maple syrup, chili powder, cumin, and ginger. A warm-spiced holiday side that beats marshmallow casseroles.

Texas caviar made from dried black beans slow-simmered with a smoky ham hock, then tossed with sauteed peppers, onions, and fresh tomatoes. A Lone Star classic side dish.

Twice-baked stuffed potato loaded with cottage cheese, cheddar, sunflower seeds, green pepper, carrots, and scallions. A lean, vegetable-packed baked potato made in the microwave.

Five-green salad with iceberg, Boston lettuce, romaine, chicory, and spinach, each dressed separately in Italian dressing and arranged in strips with Parmesan.

Cheesy crusted spiced acorn squash roasts wedges of sweet squash under a crunchy Parmesan, sage, garlic, lemon-zest breadcrumb crust with a pinch of cayenne. A fast vegetarian side for weeknight dinners.

German potato salad with crispy bacon, tangy vinegar dressing, and a flour-thickened sauce served warm. A diabetic-friendly version using sugar substitute.

Green bean almond rice with brown rice cooked in beef broth, toasted slivered almonds, red bell pepper, and tarragon. A savory side dish ready in 30 minutes.

Acorn squash stuffed with brown rice cooked in chicken broth, unsweetened applesauce, toasted pecans, celery, and ground ginger. A hearty fall side dish or light main.

Hot curried broccoli slaw stir-fried with orange juice, maple syrup, and toasted curry powder. A tangy, sweet, tender-crisp side dish served over rice in just 30 minutes.

Stir-fried vegetables with napa cabbage, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, and spinach in soy sauce. A crunchy, vegan wok-tossed side dish ready in 30 minutes.

Pasta salad with roasted red peppers, fresh basil, and mozzarella in a white balsamic and grainy mustard dressing. A bright Italian-leaning pasta salad that travels well to picnics and potlucks.

Garlicky grilled portobello mushrooms basted with melted butter, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. A meaty, smoky vegetarian side dish cooked on a covered grill in 16 minutes.

Kohlrabi slaw with apple, grapes, currants, cabbage, and a simple apple cider dressing. A mayo-free, fruit-studded coleslaw alternative with mild crunch and natural sweetness.

Stir-fried asparagus with shiitake mushrooms, garlic, and oyster sauce in a light bouillon-cornstarch glaze. A quick Thai-inspired vegetable side dish ready in minutes.

Oven Barbecued Eggplant salts the slices and rests for 30 minutes before baking with BBQ sauce brushed on both sides until tender but not mushy. A 3-ingredient vegan side dish ready in an hour.

Three bean salad with pinto beans, chickpeas, and steamed green beans in a rice vinegar and lemon dressing with pimentos. Diabetic-friendly, vegan, and served chilled on lettuce.