Salads & Sides
Sides make the meal, and the following recipes range from light to bold-flavored and filling. Many are hearty and nutritious enough to qualify as stand-alone meals.
This is a really delicious and easy foundational recipe. The method is adaptable to a wide range of root veggies—whatever you have on hand—and the simple, flavorful mustard glaze adds a zing to wintry weeknights.
Winter produce shines in this simple, beautiful salad. The juicy oranges are the highlight of the dish, but all the ingredients are pulling their weight! The red mizuna provides a savory base, the fried chickpeas add crunch, and the honey vinaigrette balances the sweet and tart elements of the dish perfectly.
Now here’s a salad for the fall! Dazzled with jewel-toned beets, deep crimson-colored pomegranate arils and vibrant carrots, this salad is as flavorful and nutritious as its bold colors would suggest. The light and refreshing lemon ginger vinaigrette brings it all together.
For a fresh burst of flavor try this lemony green goddess grain bowl packed with asparagus, white beans, and more.
Celebrate Autumn with a hearty roasted vegetable salad bowl made from fresh, vibrant, seasonal produce. This dish is as nourishing as it is beautiful!
This sweet-and-savory recipe is big on flavor and light on dishes. On-hand ingredients make the prep easy and highlight the real star of the experience: crunchy and fresh asparagus. Asparagus is in season through early July, but these snappy flavors can be used to bring even winter produce back to life with the memory of sunny springs. If asparagus isn’t for you, these flavors also work excellently with green beans or baked tofu! For an entree pairing, try our Garlic Tomato Tart or Hearty Whole Grain and Lentil Veggie Burgers.
This Mediterranean-inspired orzo salad offers a refreshing take on pasta salad perfect. The tender orzo comes together with briny, crunchy, and juicy vegetables to create layers of texture and flavor. A simple dressing of lemon and olive oil finishes this simply delicious pasta salad with a smooth, citrusy taste
Coleslaw spiked with crunchy licorice-flavored fennel is a playful way to update a classic. Tossed in a mayonnaise-free dressing with plenty of zing, this coleslaw makes for a bright and refreshing side dish.
Tender baby kale, crisp red apples, sharp radishes, and nutty toasted pecans come together in a sweet-savory maple vinaigrette to create this simple, colorful salad. Loaded with layers of contrasting flavors and textures, this salad is just hearty enough to be satisfying, yet just light enough not to spoil the rest of the meal.
Crisp, tart green apples and sweet, crunchy shaved fennel come together in a tangy cider vinaigrette to create this light and refreshing salad. A simple, quick, and easy side that will bring bright, fresh flavors and textures to any meal
Who loves Vietnamese Spring rolls but not all the work that goes into actually making them? Well, say hello to this beautiful Vietnamese Spring Roll Noodle Salad!
This healthy, satisfying Mediterranean black lentil salad delivers nutrition with flair and flavor.
These braised Brussels sprouts are a true flavor bomb. The perfect side for a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner!
Paired with a thick, soy protein rich ssamjang, the roasted kohlrabi and sweet potatoes stand in well for beef in this nutritious plant-based version of the Korean classic.
Panzanella is an Italian style of salad that uses stale bread. This summery bean version is protein-packed and full of seasonal produce. The bright green dressing gets its color from seasonal garlic scapes and fresh parsley. Serve as a side or as a main dish over greens or grains.
One of my go-to salads features butter lettuce, shaved fennel, roasted sweet potatoes, and crispy chickpeas. Top it off with the spiced green goddess dressing and you have yourself a summer-worthy dinner.
Not a salad for the faint of heart, this one is for my kindred eaters who love the punchy flavors of garlic, onion, vinegar, and citrus. The creamy avocado and savory tempeh tie it all together. Best of all, you can make the rice and tempeh ahead of time, leaving you prepped and ready to go when it’s salad time.
Elevate your standard potato salad with this flavorful version. Tangy mustard and lemon meet the earthy, spicy curry powder to send your taste buds singing. Not only that — its packed with protein-rich lentils and plenty of veggies. What you get is a perfect picnic side that can easily be a main dish in a pinch.
This zesty pasta salad will come in handy for summertime barbecues, picnics, potlucks, or simply lunch for the week. There are endless possibilities for additions or substitutions. You might try adding a bit of parmesan or mozzarella cheese, roasted red peppers, or marinated artichoke hearts. For a lighter version, you can substitute use leafy greens of your choice in place of the pasta. (Photo source: Lauren Skillen)
These tart and tangy roasted vegetables start in your oven and end on a Greek island. They’re an effortless plant-based side dish, perfect for any meal and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. The lemon juice and olive oil are fruity and light, while the black pepper and fresh dill round out the flavor palate with full earth tones.