Side Dish Recipes

Quick stir-fried snow peas and water chestnuts in walnut and sesame oil. A crisp, diabetic-friendly vegetable side dish that's on the table in minutes.

A light, brothy borscht of cabbage and beets simmered with carrot, celery, and tomato juice into a ruby-red, sweet-and-sour soup. Vegan, low in calories, and even better the next day.

Zucchini and tomatoes simmered with garlic, basil and a savory onion soup mix into a quick stovetop side. A vegan way to use up summer squash, ready in about 30 minutes and microwaveable too.

Baked plantain loaf from Ivory Coast made with mashed ripe plantains, rice flour, chilli sambal, and turmeric. A gluten-free West African side dish served with salted peanuts.

Deep-fried cucumber slices double-coated in cracker crumbs and egg for a crispy, golden side dish. An unexpected way to cook cucumbers that's ready in 20 minutes.

A hearty vegetarian barley stew simmered in sweet carrot juice with shiitake mushrooms, kale, and a hit of ginger. Toasted barley cooks risotto-style into a cozy, warming, fiber-rich bowl.

Broccoli with lemon sauce using just three ingredients and no added fat. A simple, diabetic-friendly side dish ready in 20 minutes with bright citrus flavor.

Red cabbage with diced apples is a diabetic-friendly German-style braised side with green apple, lemon juice, allspice, and a hint of sweetener. Low-calorie, ready in 40 minutes.

Moroccan-style sliced tomato and onion salad with olive oil, garlic, parsley, sweet paprika, and cumin. A simple no-cook side that captures North African market flavors.

Diabetic-friendly sesame chicken stir fry with broccoli in an orange juice glaze. Fresh ginger, toasted sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lemon keep it bright and satisfying.

Strawberry, melon, and avocado salad fans avocado and cantaloupe over baby spinach, tops with berries, and drizzles with honey-sherry-mint dressing. A stunning brunch salad.

Slow cooker ham and bean soup with diced ham, a leftover ham bone, dried beans, and chopped vegetables seasoned with onion soup mix and Italian herbs. Set it and forget it for 7 hours.

Avocado chef salad piled with red leaf lettuce, watercress, mushrooms, hard-boiled eggs, Swiss cheese, julienned ham or turkey, cubed avocado, and a tangy vinaigrette. A protein-packed lunch in five minutes.

Italian market pasta salad tosses bow-tie pasta with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, tangy gorgonzola and toasted pine nuts in a balsamic dressing. A light, no-mayo summer salad.

Rutabaga puree with sweet potato, a pinch of cayenne, and nutmeg. A creamy, low-fat side dish that rivals mashed potatoes without the guilt.

Japanese noodle soup with shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, red pepper, and rice noodles in a hot sesame broth, finished with ginger, brown rice vinegar, and roasted cashews. A vegetarian, low-fat Asian soup ready in 45 minutes.