Healthy Side Dishes: Tempting Recipes to Try
Looking for a healthy way to change up your dinner routine? Stop the same old side dishes from making an appearance on your plate and make way for nutrition-packed, delicious recipes instead! The array of tasty healthy side dishes available will pleasantly surprise you, and you’ll be wanting to try every single one. Read on to discover how to make exciting side dishes that will liven up your meals.
1. Delightful Dishes to Round Out Your Mealtime
Forget about the same old boring meals you have been serving your family—it’s time to prepare some new, delicious dishes to get everyone talking. Try out these savory, delightful dishes to introduce some flair to your mealtime:
- Mushroom Risotto—savory, creamy grains of Arborio rice, infused with earthy mushrooms, butter, Parmesan, shallots, and white wine
- Braised Pork Belly—slow-roasted pork belly cubes flavored with a chile and herb rub, topped off with a zesty citrus glaze
- Garlic Prawn Spaghetti—tender prawns sautéed with garlic, chilli, tomato, lemon, and white wine, served over al dente spaghetti
These tasty dishes can be served alongside some of your family’s favorites, such as mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, steamed vegetables, and roasted garlic bread. That way, you get the best of both worlds: classic flavors along with delightful dishes that will be the star of the meal. Enjoy!
2. Mouth-Watering Ideas to Spice Up Your Plate
It’s time to change up your dinners! For those who eat boring meals and want to give them a spin, here are some mouth-watering ideas to spruce up your plate.
1. Quick & Easy Sauces: Spice up plain dishes like rice, potatoes and pasta with delicious sauces. Whip up a creamy pesto, a tangy tomato sauce, or mix and match a few sauces for a unique combination.
2. Exotic Spices & Herbs: Give dishes a pop of flavor with a dash of herbs and spices like garlic, cayenne pepper, basil and oregano. Introduce some exotic flavors to your plate with cardamom, star anise and za’atar.
- Create a quick salsa by chopping fresh tomatoes, avocados, jalapenos, red onions and cilantro.
- Blend a flavorful dipping sauce with tahini, garlic and lemon juice.
- Add depth of flavor to a soup by mixing in a pinch of smoked paprika and cumin.
- Mix up a marinade with olive oil, garlic, oregano, paprika and mustard.
3. Yummy Recipes to Incorporate Into Your Weekly Menu
Want to spice up your dinners? Try out these unique recipes for fun and nutritious meals.
- Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp: For a zesty dinner, look no further than grilled shrimp. This recipe combines chili and lime, making for a perfect blend of flavorful heat.
- Quinoa & Parsley Salad: Looking for a light dinner? This quinoa and parsley salad is a worry-free, vegan option your family will love.
- Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry: A classic, beef and broccoli is both delicious and healthy. This dinner is easy to make and sure to be a hit with the whole family.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can always switch out of the ordinary ingredients and experiment with different flavors and spices. No matter what you choose, these recipes will look and taste great so give them a try.
4. Hearty Yet Healthy Sides, Ready in Minutes
Whipping up a hearty yet healthy side dish for dinner doesn’t have to be a laborious task – all you need are a few fresh, wholesome ingredients and a few minutes in the kitchen. Below is a compilation of some of our favorite quick and easy sides that are sure to satisfy without sabotaging any hard-earned dietary successes.
Roasted Veggies: Roasting fresh vegetables not only brings out their vivid color and delicious flavor, but it also adds a wonderful char that is hard to resist. Take cubed squash, sweet potato, eggplant and carrots, mix them in a bowl with olive oil, garlic, paprika, and a pinch of salt, and you have a tasty side dish ready in 30 minutes or less.
Cauliflower Rice: Swap out starchy white rice for a lighter and lower-carb version by breaking down a cauliflower head into small, grain-like pieces and sautéing with garlic, onion, and parsley until lightly browned. This simple side goes great with lean proteins and can be ready in minutes.
- Bring out the vivid color and flavor of veggies by roasting
- Swap white rice for a lighter and lower carb cauliflower rice
5. Discover a World of Flavorful Side Options
allowing your taste buds to take you on a journey to faraway lands. Side dishes can bring a new level of flavor to a meal.
- Salads: From classic green salads to colorful Mediterranean Bean Salads and chopped Kale salads, the possibilities are endless.
- Vegetables: Roasted Brussels sprouts, creamy mashed cauliflower, garlicky green beans and glazed carrots are all mouthwatering options.
When you really want to wow your dinner companions, check out some unique sides. Try sizzling poblano peppers with cheese, Vietnamese coleslaw with pickled carrots, or a mess of crispy roasted asparagus with a little Parmesan and lemon. Each of these delicious dishes is sure to bring all the flavor and get your taste buds dancing. And the best part? Most of these recipes don’t take too long to whip up, so you can enjoy these delicious healthy side dishes whenever the craving strikes. Bon appetit!