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Celebrating the holidays has never been easier or more delicious, thanks to these healthy side dishes. These recipes keep carbohydrates in check, and they’re lower in saturated fat and sodium, so they fit intoa diabetes-friendly eating pattern. From Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows to Balsamic Oven-Roasted Carrots, these flavorful side dishes will be the star of your dinner plate.
01of 23Charred Green Beans with Mustard Vinaigrette & HazelnutsView RecipeOur go-to trick for this crunchy, mustardy vegan side dish: Use a grill basket—it lets you cook all the things that would ordinarily fall through the grill grates, no skewering required. Pick one up from the hardware store or order one online for less than $15.
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Charred Green Beans with Mustard Vinaigrette & Hazelnuts
View Recipe
Our go-to trick for this crunchy, mustardy vegan side dish: Use a grill basket—it lets you cook all the things that would ordinarily fall through the grill grates, no skewering required. Pick one up from the hardware store or order one online for less than $15.
02of 23Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with MarshmallowsView RecipeThe genius hack in this recipe: topping sweet potatoes with marshmallows while they’re still piping hot from the slow cooker yields a baked marshmallow topping that’s typical with baked sweet potato casseroles.
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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
The genius hack in this recipe: topping sweet potatoes with marshmallows while they’re still piping hot from the slow cooker yields a baked marshmallow topping that’s typical with baked sweet potato casseroles.
03of 23Balsamic Oven-Roasted CarrotsView RecipeRoasting carrots brings out their sweetness, which is enhanced further with a tangy balsamic and maple glaze. Serve them straight-up for an easy weeknight side dish or garnish with chopped hazelnuts for holiday meals and dinner parties.
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Balsamic Oven-Roasted Carrots
Roasting carrots brings out their sweetness, which is enhanced further with a tangy balsamic and maple glaze. Serve them straight-up for an easy weeknight side dish or garnish with chopped hazelnuts for holiday meals and dinner parties.
04of 23Roasted Honeynut SquashView RecipeHoneynut squash looks just like mini butternut squash, but on the inside you’ll find an even sweeter, deeper orange flesh. This winter squash has only been available at farmers' markets and in select grocery stores for a few years. If you see it, grab a few to try! This simple roasting method enhances the natural flavor of the squash with butter and spices.
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Roasted Honeynut Squash
Honeynut squash looks just like mini butternut squash, but on the inside you’ll find an even sweeter, deeper orange flesh. This winter squash has only been available at farmers' markets and in select grocery stores for a few years. If you see it, grab a few to try! This simple roasting method enhances the natural flavor of the squash with butter and spices.
05of 23Roasted Eggplant with LemonView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Margaret Monroe DickeyThis simple recipe for roasted eggplant with lemon is both tangy and savory and is a delicious side dish to pair with chicken or salmon. In addition to lemon, we season the eggplant with salt, pepper and the herbal, nutty flavor of za’atar. Za’atar is a seasoning blend that typically contains oregano and thyme (or similar herbs); sumac, which has a pleasant citrus flavor; and toasted sesame seeds. Chili powder, coriander and cumin may also be included in some za’atar blends.
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Roasted Eggplant with Lemon
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Margaret Monroe Dickey
This simple recipe for roasted eggplant with lemon is both tangy and savory and is a delicious side dish to pair with chicken or salmon. In addition to lemon, we season the eggplant with salt, pepper and the herbal, nutty flavor of za’atar. Za’atar is a seasoning blend that typically contains oregano and thyme (or similar herbs); sumac, which has a pleasant citrus flavor; and toasted sesame seeds. Chili powder, coriander and cumin may also be included in some za’atar blends.
06of 23Green Beans with Creamy Mushroom SauceView RecipeA much healthier take on the old-fashioned green bean casserole, this version thankfully skips the canned soup and fried onions! Fresh green beans are cooked until crisp-tender and topped with a garlicky-thyme mushroom sauce, shallots and crumbled chèvre.
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Green Beans with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
A much healthier take on the old-fashioned green bean casserole, this version thankfully skips the canned soup and fried onions! Fresh green beans are cooked until crisp-tender and topped with a garlicky-thyme mushroom sauce, shallots and crumbled chèvre.
07of 23Roasted Beet SaladView RecipeWalnuts, red onion and dill make this roasted beet salad recipe a fantastic accompaniment to chicken or topping for hummus. If you can’t find beets with greens attached, use 1 pound of beets and 8 ounces of chard leaves.
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Roasted Beet Salad
Walnuts, red onion and dill make this roasted beet salad recipe a fantastic accompaniment to chicken or topping for hummus. If you can’t find beets with greens attached, use 1 pound of beets and 8 ounces of chard leaves.
08of 23Buttermilk Mashed PotatoesView RecipeGarlic cloves, cooked along with the potatoes, give this puree extra body and lots of flavor.
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Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Garlic cloves, cooked along with the potatoes, give this puree extra body and lots of flavor.
09of 23Spiralized Onions with Crispy Parmesan BreadcrumbsView RecipeYou may not have considered onions as candidates for the spiralizer, but you should. They create beautiful ribbons that make this recipe reminiscent of fried shoestring onions. And because this onion ring-inspired recipe is baked rather than fried, they’re really easy to make. Serve them as a side with burgers or as a crunchy healthy snack for game night.
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Spiralized Onions with Crispy Parmesan Breadcrumbs
You may not have considered onions as candidates for the spiralizer, but you should. They create beautiful ribbons that make this recipe reminiscent of fried shoestring onions. And because this onion ring-inspired recipe is baked rather than fried, they’re really easy to make. Serve them as a side with burgers or as a crunchy healthy snack for game night.
10of 23Hasselback Cheesy Garlic BreadView RecipePotatoes were first to benefit from the Hasselback techinique—making thin slices crosswise toward the bottom of the vegetable, but not all the way through, so the potato becomes fanned, seasoned and baked until crisp. Here we’ve adapted the concept to garlic bread and updated it with cheese for an easy and completely mouthwatering cheesy bread side dish.
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Hasselback Cheesy Garlic Bread
Potatoes were first to benefit from the Hasselback techinique—making thin slices crosswise toward the bottom of the vegetable, but not all the way through, so the potato becomes fanned, seasoned and baked until crisp. Here we’ve adapted the concept to garlic bread and updated it with cheese for an easy and completely mouthwatering cheesy bread side dish.
11of 23Kale Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed DressingView RecipeThe lightly sweet, creamy homemade poppy seed dressing takes this crunchy salad to the next level for a mouthwatering vegetable side dish or light lunch. Top with cooked chicken for a heartier meal.
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Kale Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
The lightly sweet, creamy homemade poppy seed dressing takes this crunchy salad to the next level for a mouthwatering vegetable side dish or light lunch. Top with cooked chicken for a heartier meal.
12of 23Cauliflower Rice PilafView RecipeYou’ll slash 131 calories and 19 grams carbohydrate when you trade in your brown rice for finely chopped cauliflower in this healthy cauliflower rice recipe. For an even faster rice pilaf, use 4 cups of purchased cauliflower rice instead of making your own. Look for it near other fresh or frozen prepared vegetables.
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Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
You’ll slash 131 calories and 19 grams carbohydrate when you trade in your brown rice for finely chopped cauliflower in this healthy cauliflower rice recipe. For an even faster rice pilaf, use 4 cups of purchased cauliflower rice instead of making your own. Look for it near other fresh or frozen prepared vegetables.
13of 23Honey-Glazed Roasted Delicata SquashView RecipeTangy cider vinegar, sweet honey, crunchy pine nuts and fresh mint come together to make an amazing glaze in this healthy roasted winter squash recipe. If you use delicata, the whole squash–including the gorgeous skin–is edible.
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Honey-Glazed Roasted Delicata Squash
Tangy cider vinegar, sweet honey, crunchy pine nuts and fresh mint come together to make an amazing glaze in this healthy roasted winter squash recipe. If you use delicata, the whole squash–including the gorgeous skin–is edible.
14of 23Roasted Purple Carrots with Black Sesame DukkahView RecipeWe love how the Egyptian nut, seed and spice blend dukkah adds aroma, flavor and texture to this otherwise simple purple carrot recipe.
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Roasted Purple Carrots with Black Sesame Dukkah
We love how the Egyptian nut, seed and spice blend dukkah adds aroma, flavor and texture to this otherwise simple purple carrot recipe.
15of 23Wilted Kale with Warm Shallot DressingView RecipeVinegar is the key to making this sautéed kale recipe special. Look for vinegar that’s cloudy–it likely still has some of the mother in the bottle and will give you a sweet acidity rather than a harsh bite. Organic apple cider vinegar is usually your best bet. For the most eye-catching version of this side, use different colored varieties of kale.
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Wilted Kale with Warm Shallot Dressing
Vinegar is the key to making this sautéed kale recipe special. Look for vinegar that’s cloudy–it likely still has some of the mother in the bottle and will give you a sweet acidity rather than a harsh bite. Organic apple cider vinegar is usually your best bet. For the most eye-catching version of this side, use different colored varieties of kale.
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Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions
17of 23Balsamic-Roasted Mushrooms with ParmesanView RecipeThese super-flavorful mushrooms get a hint of sweetness thanks to a splash of balsamic vinegar. Parmesan cheese added at the end lends a savory note. Enjoy them as an accompaniment to steak or on their own as a side dish.
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Balsamic-Roasted Mushrooms with Parmesan
These super-flavorful mushrooms get a hint of sweetness thanks to a splash of balsamic vinegar. Parmesan cheese added at the end lends a savory note. Enjoy them as an accompaniment to steak or on their own as a side dish.
18of 23Basic Green Salad with VinaigretteView RecipeMake a larger batch of this basic vinaigrette to have on hand for salads throughout the week.
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Basic Green Salad with Vinaigrette
Make a larger batch of this basic vinaigrette to have on hand for salads throughout the week.
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Slow-Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
20of 23Roasted Butternut Squash & Root VegetablesView RecipeThis easy roasted butternut squash and root vegetables recipe is incredibly versatile. Pile the squash and veggies onto grain bowls, add to sandwiches, toss in soup, serve as a side dish–you name it. Roasting vegetables in the oven gives you 20 minutes of hands-off cooking time to assemble the rest of your meal.
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Roasted Butternut Squash & Root Vegetables
This easy roasted butternut squash and root vegetables recipe is incredibly versatile. Pile the squash and veggies onto grain bowls, add to sandwiches, toss in soup, serve as a side dish–you name it. Roasting vegetables in the oven gives you 20 minutes of hands-off cooking time to assemble the rest of your meal.
21of 23Air-Fryer CarrotsView RecipeJacob FoxAir-fryer carrots are an easy side dish that pairs with just about everything. Here the carrots are tossed with a touch of brown sugar and spices, with Parmesan cheese adding a savory note. Go even cheesier with a sprinkle of crumbled goat cheese for garnish, if you like.
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Air-Fryer Carrots
Jacob Fox
Air-fryer carrots are an easy side dish that pairs with just about everything. Here the carrots are tossed with a touch of brown sugar and spices, with Parmesan cheese adding a savory note. Go even cheesier with a sprinkle of crumbled goat cheese for garnish, if you like.
22of 23Garlic-Parmesan AsparagusView RecipeIn this garlic-Parmesan-crusted asparagus recipe, we combine Parmesan cheese, whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs and walnuts for a crispy topping that’s baked over asparagus. Roasting the asparagus spears in a hot oven keeps them tender-crisp in this quick side dish!
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Garlic-Parmesan Asparagus
In this garlic-Parmesan-crusted asparagus recipe, we combine Parmesan cheese, whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs and walnuts for a crispy topping that’s baked over asparagus. Roasting the asparagus spears in a hot oven keeps them tender-crisp in this quick side dish!
23of 23Spinach Salad with Warm Maple DressingView RecipePure maple syrup adds body and rich flavor to the dressing, providing a perfect counterpoint to the smoked cheese.
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Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dressing
Pure maple syrup adds body and rich flavor to the dressing, providing a perfect counterpoint to the smoked cheese.
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