30 Veggie Side Dishes Your Kids Might Actually Touch

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Getting kids to eat vegetables can feel like an uphill battle, but simple, approachable recipes help bridge that gap. Veggie side dishes don’t have to be a source of stress or rejection at the dinner table. When the options are easy and familiar, kids are more likely to give them a chance. This collection focuses on straightforward ideas that fit into busy family routines without extra fuss. Bringing vegetables to the table can be less about convincing and more about practical choices everyone can live with.

Cheesy Potato Puff Recipe from Leftover Mashed Potatoes

A blue plate with five breaded, round chicken nuggets and a fork. Eggs, napkin, and two small bowls of sauces are nearby.
Cheesy Potato Puff Recipe from Leftover Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Turn sad leftovers into cheesy, golden puffs that don’t taste like yesterday. These sneak into the veggie side dishes category and nobody complains.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potato Puff Recipe from Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey Garlic

Two baked sweet potato halves topped with crumbled cheese, chopped walnuts, and parsley in a glass dish.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey Garlic. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

These caramelized sweet potatoes come out sticky, crisp, and just the right amount of bold. They earn a spot on your veggie side dishes list because they go with everything from grilled meats to lazy Thursday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey Garlic

Air Fryer Asparagus

Asparagus spears arranged in an air fryer basket, lightly seasoned, with a sliced lemon, salt, and pepper shakers nearby.
Air Fryer Asparagus. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This asparagus gets the air fryer treatment, so it’s done fast and still has bite. It works well for veggie side dishes when you don’t feel like turning on the oven.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus

Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe

A wooden spoon with cooked, sliced okra on a white plate.
Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This roasted okra nails that crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture without the slime. It’s a no-fuss addition for veggie side dishes, especially when you want something quick but not boring.
Get the Recipe: Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic Vinegar

A bowl of roasted Brussels sprouts topped with pomegranate seeds, crumbled cheese, and chopped nuts, with a serving spoon on the side.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic Vinegar. Photo credit: At The Immigrant’s Table.

These Brussels sprouts show off with crunch, tang, and a hit of sweetness. If you’re hunting for veggie side dishes that actually get compliments, this one delivers.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic Vinegar

Delicious Yu Choy Recipe

Steamed green leafy vegetables topped with a savory garlic and chili sauce, garnished with chopped red chilies and sesame seeds on a patterned plate.
Delicious Yu Choy Recipe. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Yu choy doesn’t get enough credit, but this recipe might fix that. It’s quick, garlicky, and brings serious flavor to your line-up of veggie side dishes.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Yu Choy Recipe

Barbequed Green Beans with Ham

Two white dishes on a wooden table, each containing cooked green beans and orange carrot cubes. Two silver forks rest beside the dishes.
Barbequed Green Beans with Ham. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Smoky green beans with bits of ham? Yes, please. They steal the spotlight on the veggie side dishes table without even trying.
Get the Recipe: Barbequed Green Beans with Ham

Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

A rectangular white platter with creamed spinach on a white wooden surface.
Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This creamed spinach isn’t shy—it’s rich, smooth, and way too easy to keep eating. It’s one of those veggie side dishes that feels like more effort than it is.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts

A white bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts, with a fork resting on the side.
Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Start with a bag of frozen sprouts and end up with something you’d actually serve to guests. It’s a handy backup for veggie side dishes when the fridge is running low.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts

Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Parsnips

Slices of roasted parsnips with herbs on a round white plate.
Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Parsnips. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Parsnips fly under the radar, but this recipe gives them the attention they deserve. You’ll want to keep it on hand for when veggie side dishes need a shake-up.
Get the Recipe: Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Parsnips

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

A plate of cooked green beans garnished with pine nuts, chopped herbs, and sautéed onions.
Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Green beans get a glow-up with butter and garlic and don’t take all day to make. They’re a simple win for veggie side dishes that don’t try too hard.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Ninja Woodfire Grilled Vegetables

A plate of grilled vegetables including eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions, with cherry tomatoes and garlic nearby.
Ninja Woodfire Grilled Vegetables. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

These grilled veggies get smoky and charred just right without babysitting a grill. Toss this into your veggie side dishes rotation when you’re after bold flavor without drama.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled Vegetables

Curry Cabbage Fritters

A vegetable patty made with chopped greens and melted cheese on a plate, next to a small bowl of white dipping sauce.
Curry Cabbage Fritters. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Shredded cabbage, warm spices, and a crisp exterior? Yes, that’s a fritter worth remembering. It brings a fresh angle to veggie side dishes and works as a snack, too.
Get the Recipe: Curry Cabbage Fritters

Cauliflower Risotto With Mushrooms

A pan of creamy mushroom risotto with herbs, stirred by a wooden spoon.
Cauliflower Risotto With Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cauliflower keeps things light, while mushrooms handle the flavor business. It easily holds its own in the veggie side dishes lineup without hogging the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto With Mushrooms

Quick Cabbage Apple Slaw

A bowl of slaw with purple cabbage and green apple strips, mixed with a sprinkle of black pepper and crushed nuts, and wooden spoons on the sides.
Quick Cabbage Apple Slaw. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This slaw throws together crunchy cabbage and crisp apples in under 10 minutes. It’s your backup plan when veggie side dishes need something with snap and tang.
Get the Recipe: Quick Cabbage Apple Slaw

The Best Crispy Roasted Parmesan Carrots Recipe

A plate of baked carrots and rice with crispy edges.
The Best Crispy Roasted Parmesan Carrots Recipe. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Carrots don’t always get the spotlight, but this parmesan-crusted version might change that. You’ll want to serve it with everything, so veggie side dishes won’t feel like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: The Best Crispy Roasted Parmesan Carrots Recipe

Paleo Roasted Root Vegetables

Roasted vegetables, including carrots, Brussels sprouts, and beets, seasoned and served on foil with sesame seeds.
Paleo Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

These root veggies roast up hearty and colorful, no dressing up required. They’re a solid option for veggie side dishes that don’t skimp on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Paleo Roasted Root Vegetables

Aloo Gobi Masala

A pan of curry featuring diced potatoes, cauliflower, and tomatoes garnished with cilantro with a piece of flatbread on the side. Plates and a small bowl are in the background.
Aloo Gobi Masala. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Cauliflower and potatoes join forces with bold spices in this classic combo. It checks all the boxes for veggie side dishes that bring more than just filler.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Baked Sliced Zucchini

A white plate with baked zucchini slices coated in melted cheese and herbs, arranged in a pile on a light surface.
Baked Sliced Zucchini. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Zucchini slices crisp up in the oven and don’t need much else to be good. Keep this one around for easy veggie side dishes that don’t ask much but still deliver.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini

Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes

A loaded baked potato topped with melted cheese, green onions, and crispy fried onions, placed on a wooden surface with a bowl of fried onions nearby.
Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These baked potatoes come loaded with caramelized onions and melted cheese. While not your everyday pick, they still count among veggie side dishes worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes

Blackstone Broccoli

A white bowl filled with roasted broccoli florets, lightly charred, placed on a white surface with a white cloth beside it.
Blackstone Broccoli. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

This broccoli hits the flattop and comes off with a deep char and bold bite. It’s one of those veggie side dishes that wakes up the plate without stealing the whole show.
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Broccoli

Honey-Glazed Carrots Recipe

Close-up of a white bowl filled with roasted carrot pieces garnished with chopped parsley.
Honey-Glazed Carrots Recipe. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Sweet and sticky with just a touch of bite, these carrots don’t go unnoticed. They’re an easy win when veggie side dishes need a little charm.
Get the Recipe: Honey-Glazed Carrots Recipe

Delicious Roasted Cabbage Steaks

A roasted cabbage slice garnished with herbs on a white plate, accompanied by a fork.
Delicious Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Thick cabbage slices roast into crispy-edged, golden bites that feel surprisingly satisfying. Toss these in your veggie side dishes pile when you’re tired of boring sides.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Grilled corn on the cob topped with cheese, herbs, and spices, served on a black platter with lime wedges.
Grilled Elote Corn Ribs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

These corn “ribs” are smoky, messy, and more fun than they should be. Throw them on the table and your veggie side dishes just got a little less predictable.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Blistered Tomatoes

A spoon among roasted cherry tomatoes with basil leaves and olive oil on a plate.
Blistered Tomatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Quick, juicy, and just blistered enough to look fancy, these tomatoes add flair without effort. They fill the gap when veggie side dishes need something fast and colorful.
Get the Recipe: Blistered Tomatoes

Crisp Pickled Watermelon Rind Recipe

A bowl of mixed salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley is placed on a patterned plate. A fork and knife lie beside it on a white table.
Crisp Pickled Watermelon Rind Recipe. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Don’t toss those rinds—pickle them instead for a crunchy, tangy snack. They sneak into the veggie side dishes category and honestly deserve the space.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Pickled Watermelon Rind Recipe

10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe

A plate of cooked baby bok choy topped with chopped garlic and sauce, with a fork placed on the edge of the white dish.
10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This bok choy comes together faster than your oven preheats and still packs a punch. It’s great when veggie side dishes need to be both quick and worth eating.
Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe

Copycat Popeye’s Coleslaw Recipe

A glass bowl of coleslaw with shredded cabbage and carrots, mixed with a creamy dressing, and metal tongs resting inside.
Copycat Popeye’s Coleslaw Recipe. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Creamy, crunchy, and weirdly spot-on, this slaw channels the drive-thru favorite. Keep it in your veggie side dishes list for potlucks or lazy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Popeye’s Coleslaw Recipe

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

A plate of roasted butternut squash cubes seasoned with spices, drizzled with honey from above. A small bowl of honey is in the background.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These squash cubes go from bland to golden and crisp with just a little help from the air fryer. They’re a solid backup when veggie side dishes feel too beige.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry

A close-up of a dish featuring sautéed broccoli and sliced mushrooms topped with sesame seeds, served in a white bowl with metal chopsticks.
Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Broccoli and mushrooms team up in this pan-fried favorite that doesn’t take much time. Use it when you want veggie side dishes that come together in one pan and don’t taste like leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry

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