Recipes and Cooking Healthy Recipes 11 Healthy Green Veggie Side Dish Recipes By Karla Walsh Updated on August 26, 2022 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she's an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Dera Burreson, Ryan Krull If you thought vegetables were boring, our best green side dish recipes will convince you otherwise. Add nutritional punch to any entrée with one of these easy green side dish ideas featuring Brussels sprouts, green beans, celery, kale, collards, and more. Each of these healthy green vegetable side dish recipes is flavorful and proves that even the most nutritious foods can taste indulgent. 01 of 11 Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts View Recipe Dera Burreson, Ryan Krull An air fryer is the secret to one of the best green side dishes we've ever developed in our Test Kitchen. The appliance's concentrated, circulating heat crisps up Brussels sprouts beautifully without tons of fat; just two tablespoons are all you need for a full pound of veggies. Soy, mango nectar, brown sugar, Asian chili sauce, and fish sauce give these crunchy, faux-fried veggies major flavor. 02 of 11 Broccolini with Peas and Seared Lemons View Recipe Blaine Moats This ultra-healthy and easy green side dish rings in at just 48 calories per serving. (Yes, really!) Nutrient-rich veggies including Broccolini, Swiss chard, and peas make this dish supremely springy. Crank up the seasonal flavors even more with a kick of citrusy tang from seared lemon slices. 03 of 11 Asparagus Salad with Marinated Peas and Little Gem Lettuce View Recipe Carson Downing When you're struggling to decide between a leafy salad or another heartier green vegetable side dish recipe, might we suggest combining both into one satisfying package? This spring salad is built on a bed of tender Little Gem lettuce leaves and features chilled and refreshing citrus-infused peas and asparagus along with a luxurious runny-yolked poached egg. 04 of 11 Soy- and Chile-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Shiitake Mushrooms View Recipe Karla Conrad Making the perfect Brussels sprouts recipe is easy. The secret lies in the sauce. For this green vegetable side dish, simple ingredients—including soy sauce, chili pepper, and honey—are combined and cooked down. We happen to think the resulting intensely flavored glaze is good enough to eat by the spoonful, but it tastes even better coating the sautéed sprouts. 05 of 11 Grilled Asparagus in Dill Butter View Recipe Andy Lyons Quick, flavorful, and with little extra fat required to prep, grilled veggies are a staple item on many healthy diet plan menus. An indoor grill pan works great for this green vegetable side dish recipe if it's not quite cookout weather. For this 17-minute side, homemade dill butter and a sprinkling of finely shredded parmesan cheese amplify the flavors of the simple grilled asparagus spears. 06 of 11 Two-Tone Green Bean Salad with Hazelnuts and Parmesan View Recipe Andy Lyons As much as we look forward to traditional fried onion-topped green bean casserole on holidays, we prefer something a little fresher most nights. Spice up your usual green beans recipe with a fresh lemon-based dressing and fun toppers, including hazelnuts and parmesan. By using the homemade dressing instead of a bottled version, you'll cut loads of calories and sodium from this nutritious, easy green side dish. 07 of 11 Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Green Onion Vinaigrette View Recipe Jason Donnelly Mix delicate shaved Brussels sprouts with juicy oranges and the fresh tang of coriander for this distinctive salad. Out of oranges? Substitute with the citrus you have on hand to add a pop of freshness to the green vegetable side dish recipe. Top with a handful of salty, buttery-textured cashews to finish the nutritious no-cook recipe. 08 of 11 Broiled Bok Choy with Miso Sauce View Recipe Jason Donnelly New to cooking with this versatile, vitamin-rich Chinese cabbage? We'll walk you through how easy it is to cook bok choy with loads of flavor. The ginger, honey, and orange found in this green vegetable side dish recipe perfectly complement the slightly sweet, mild flavor of the bok choy. Add a little red miso paste for a hint of salty-savory goodness that makes this nearly irresistible. 09 of 11 Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apple and Pancetta View Recipe Jason Donnelly Come fall, this is one of the best green side dishes to accompany roasted pork tenderloin or chicken. Balsamic vinegar, honey, and mustard dress things up in a tasty mix of sweet and savory. Seasonal sweet-tart apples and salty-savory pancetta add so much flavor, it's tough to believe each serving has just 141 calories. 10 of 11 Spinach Salad with Indian Spiced Garbanzos, Apricots, and Onions View Recipe Jason Donnelly Take a break from croutons. Crispy flatbread lends a satisfying crunch factor to this Indian-inspired spinach salad. Toss sweet dried apricots and warmly spiced garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) in with the spinach to create a vitamin-rich, easy green side dish that covers several food groups. 11 of 11 Brussels Sprouts and Noodle Stir-Fry with Cilantro and Almonds View Recipe Jason Donnelly Craving carbs, but not the energy crash that comes after a big serving of pad Thai or another type of noodle-rich Asian takeout? Turn to this easy green side dish that stretches three ounces of whole wheat pasta into eight(!) servings with a pile of shredded sprouts in the mix. Red onion and fresh cilantro add bright color, while soy sauce and fresh ginger give the veggie side big flavor. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit