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As a vegan, I’m always searching for tasty and healthy plant-based sides. With a bit of creativity and the right ingredients, making flavorful vegetable dishes is easy. These dishes please both vegans and non-vegans. Here, I’ve gathered 30 easy vegan side dishes for any event, from weeknight dinners to big gatherings.
These recipes cover a wide range of cuisines, like Italian, Asian, Middle-Eastern, and American. You’ll find vibrant salads, roasted veggies, and tasty dips ready in 10 to 30 minutes. Many dishes need only a few ingredients, with some needing just four to make a delicious, healthy vegan side.
The Creamy Avocado Salad is one of my top picks. It serves four and is full of nutrients. Each serving has 99 calories, 14g of carbs, 4g of protein, and 5g of fiber. It’s also rich in potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. This salad shows how plant-based sides can be both tasty and healthy.
Looking for a quick side dish or something to impress at your next event? This collection of vegan recipes has you covered. Get ready to explore a world of flavors and find new favorite vegetable dishes that you’ll love.
Colorful and Nutritious Salads
Make your meals brighter with vibrant side salads. They’re full of fresh ingredients and taste amazing. You can try tomato basil, Italian Panzanella, or mango salad, and more.
The Salad-e Shirazi from Iran is a hit with its minty taste. The fattoush salad is also loved, with its crispy pita and colorful veggies. These salads are great as starters or with plant-based proteins for a full meal.
These salads use protein from tofu, chickpeas, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and grains like quinoa. For example, the chickpea quinoa salad is gluten-free and ready in 25 minutes. It’s perfect for vegan lunchboxes.
The kale salad is full of vitamins and great for holidays. The creamy vegan cauliflower salad brings Mediterranean flavors. The mashed chickpea salad tastes like tuna and is ready in 10 minutes, no cooking needed.
Vegan salads are a great way to eat more plants. With 25 easy recipes, you’ll always have a healthy side salad ready. They add flavor and nutrition to any meal or event.
Flavorful Roasted Vegetables
Elevate your vegan meals with delightfully flavorful roasted vegetable sides. Oven-baked vegetable dishes add vibrant colors and essential nutrients. With just a few minutes of prep, you can make a mouthwatering medley of tender veggies.
To make the perfect vegan roasted veggies, mix your favorite vegetables like potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and carrots. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with herbs and spices, then roast at 400°F (205°C) for 40-60 minutes. For quicker results, asparagus and green beans roast in 20 minutes.
Roasted vegetable sides are delicious and healthy. They’re high in fiber and nutrients, leaving you feeling full and energized. For smaller batches, an air fryer gives crispy results fast.
For the best results, cut veggies evenly and avoid overcrowding the pan. Preheat the pan for extra crispiness. Add minced garlic towards the end to prevent burning. Customize with herbs, nuts, and more for extra flavor.
Leftover roasted vegetables keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for 2-3 months. Reheat them for a tasty addition to many dishes. Roasted vegetable sides are a must-have in every vegan kitchen.
Quick and Easy Vegan Side Dishes
Creating tasty vegan side dishes doesn’t have to take a lot of time. These simple recipes are fast and nutritious. Garlic sautéed beans are a great choice. They’re full of flavor and protein, perfect with noodles, stir-fries, and curries.
Crostini are another quick option. They’re small slices of toasted bread topped with veggies or pesto. These are great for parties or as a quick snack. You can also whip up a 10-minute house salad or a 20-minute Italian side dish in no time.
These quick vegan sides add variety and nutrition to your meals. Plant-based cooking is easy and can be very tasty. So, when you’re short on time, remember that delicious vegan sides are just minutes away!
Tasty Dips and Spreads
Take your vegan side dishes to the next level with creamy and tasty dips and spreads. Enjoy classics like hummus and baba ganoush, or try new ones like avocado spinach artichoke dip and vegan jalapeño popper dip. These healthy appetizers are great with veggies, pita bread, or on a mezze platter.
Discover vegan dips like easy Tuscan white bean dip, vibrant beet hummus, and miso sweet potato dip. These spreads are easy to make and offer a range of flavors. They use ingredients like oats, nutritional yeast, and roasted red peppers, showing off vegan cooking’s creativity.
Looking for healthier options? Try recipes like brilliant beet black bean dip and lemony white bean dip. They use chickpeas, lentils, and veggies, making them nutritious and delicious. These dips are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a party or just want a tasty snack.
Crowd-Pleasing Vegan Side Dishes for Gatherings
When planning vegan potluck ideas, I focus on impressing both vegans and non-vegans. A creamy vegan potato salad is a favorite of mine. It’s easy to make ahead and always a hit. Another favorite is a vegan macaroni salad, made with plant-based mayonnaise and colorful veggies like cherry tomatoes and carrots.
For a fresh and crunchy option, try a vibrant cabbage slaw or an avocado salad. These dishes are not only tasty but also full of nutrients. They’re great for satisfying all guests. Savory dips like a creamy onion and thyme spread made with tofu are also popular. They’re perfect with crudités or crackers.
I often take classic recipes and make them vegan. For example, a cornbread stuffing with mushrooms, apples, and celery is a crowd-pleaser. Another favorite is a vegan sweet potato pie with a homemade crust, lime zest, and blueberry compote. It’s a delightful mix of flavors.
Creating vegan side dishes is all about variety and flavor. Try quinoa salads with zucchini and chickpeas or roasted beet and kale medleys with balsamic vinegar and herbs. With a bit of creativity, you’ll be the star of any gathering!
