Reviewed by Dietitian Madeline Peck, RDN, CDN
Serve up any one of these delicious dishes alongside your favorite main for a flavorful weight loss-friendly meal. Each of these dishes is high in fiber and/or protein and low in calories to help you feel full and satisfied while aligning with your nutrition goals. Whether you need a crisp salad to pair with your panini or a batch of Brussels sprouts to serve up with steak, there is a side dish on this list for every occasion. Recipes like our Crunchy Cucumber, Radish & Snap Pea Chopped Salad and Salt & Vinegar Melting Potatoes are tasty ways to eat well.
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Crunchy Cucumber, Radish & Snap Pea Chopped Salad
This chopped salad combines crisp cucumber, sweet snap peas and peppery radishes with a bright lemon-shallot dressing. Letting the shallot stand briefly in the lemon juice softens its bite while building flavor in the dressing.
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These Melting Potatoes Taste Like Salt & Vinegar Chips
These tender-on-the-inside potatoes get their bold flavor from a classic salt-and-vinegar pairing. Roasting at a high temperature creates deeply golden edges, while a final splash of vinegar and broth infuses the potatoes with tangy brightness as they finish cooking.
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03 of 17
Smashed Green Beans with Parmesan & Balsamic
These Smashed Green Beans with Parmesan & Balsamic take a flavorful twist on a classic roasted side. Smashing the beans creates extra surface area that catches a coating of Parmesan and garlic, adding a savory crunch. A drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze ties it all together with a sweet-savory finish. If you follow a vegetarian diet, look for Parmesan made without animal rennet.
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Simple Fruit Salad
A quick lemon-honey dressing ties this adaptable fruit salad together, making it easy to create different variations with one simple base. You can also swap in seasonal fruit or use up what you have on hand, making this a go-to formula for the perfect fruit salad no matter what.
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05 of 17
Roasted Vegetable & Bean Pasta Salad
This easy pasta salad is a crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion. Roasted vegetables and white beans add plant-based fiber and protein, while a quick herb vinaigrette ties everything together. If you want to make it more filling, grilled chicken would be an excellent addition.
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Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad
This vibrant cucumber, tomato and avocado salad is perfect for BBQs and backyard parties. The dressing is whisked together right in the salad bowl before you add the vegetables, so it’s also incredibly easy to make. Choose a fairly firm avocado so it holds its shape in the salad.
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07 of 17
Melting Broccoli with Lemon & Feta
This melting broccoli roasts until tender and deeply caramelized, then finishes with a splash of broth for extra softness. Bright lemon and briny feta add contrast, making this simple side both comforting and vibrant.
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08 of 17
Melting Carrots with Lemon & Dill
Inspired by the technique behind melting potatoes, these melting carrots with lemon and dill turn buttery-soft on the inside while developing golden, caramelized edges. A drizzle of lemony broth and a pat of butter form a glossy glaze, finished with fresh dill for brightness.
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Quinoa with Peas & Lemon
Green peas add a pop of color to this bright whole-grain side dish. Plus, choosing frozen saves you time—no shelling required! Want to save even more time? Use a pouch of precooked quinoa.
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Ginger-&-Miso-Glazed Broccoli
A touch of maple or honey balances the flavor of umami-laden miso while thickening the sauce to coat this stir-fried broccoli.
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Crispy Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Parm
Nutmeg, thyme and garlic give tender sweet potatoes a warm, savory backbone, while Parmesan creates a golden crust that crisps beautifully in the oven. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fresh thyme at the end adds just the right finishing touch. Whether served at a festive gathering or alongside a cozy weeknight roast, these potatoes are sure to steal the spotlight.
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Rainbow Beet Salad
This rainbow beet salad is stunning on the table and nourishing on the plate. Roasted multicolored beets get tossed in a lemon-ginger vinaigrette that brightens every bite. The result is a salad that’s vibrant in both color and flavor, making it equally at home on the holiday table, as a potluck showpiece or as a special weeknight side.
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Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts
These super-crispy and browned air-fryer Brussels sprouts with sweet onions and salty bacon–all amped up with bright lemon juice–are sure to be a hit, whether you serve them for a weeknight side dish or as part of your holiday spread for Thanksgiving. This recipe makes enough to serve eight but is easily halved, though once you taste it you may well want a double serving. And if you prefer a vegetarian side, simply omit the bacon.
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Spice-Crusted Roasted Potatoes
Inspired by Lebanese batata harra, these potatoes are coated in lots of spices before they’re roasted.
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Balsamic Broccoli & Cauliflower
Reaching for a frozen broccoli & cauliflower blend to make this flavor-packed side dish helps save time on chopping, plus the frozen veggies cook quicker than fresh!
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Crispy Smashed Beets with Goat Cheese
Cooked beets are lightly pressed and pan-fried for a charred, crispy outer crust–similar to that of smashed potatoes. The herbed goat cheese dip makes this healthy appetizer or easy side dish even more delicious.
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Grilled Broccoli with Smoky Yogurt Sauce
Blanching broccoli florets before charring ensures the broccoli’s tender all the way through, helping it crisp up quickly in a very hot pan. Firing up the grill? Cook the blanched broccoli in a grill basket over medium-high heat instead.
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