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We’re always looking for new vegetable sides for family meals. Of course, what’s appealing to one child might not be for others. I have two kids: One loves spicy foods and puts hot sauce and kimchi on everything. The other is always asking if ketchup can count as his vegetable. We try to meet somewhere in the middle and keep offering new foods and flavors because you never know what they will try and love. These kid-friendly vegetable recipes are healthy and easy—perfect for weeknight dinners!
01of 25Maple Roasted CarrotsView RecipeRoasting brings out the inherent sweetness in carrots—but add a little maple syrup and butter, and you have a caramelized vegetable your kids (and you!) will actually want to eat seconds of.
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Maple Roasted Carrots
View Recipe
Roasting brings out the inherent sweetness in carrots—but add a little maple syrup and butter, and you have a caramelized vegetable your kids (and you!) will actually want to eat seconds of.
02of 25Kid-Friendly SaladView RecipeMake salad something your kids will actually want to eat with this kid-friendly crudités plate. Put it out before dinner and watch them eat all their veggies without a fuss!
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Kid-Friendly Salad
Make salad something your kids will actually want to eat with this kid-friendly crudités plate. Put it out before dinner and watch them eat all their veggies without a fuss!
03of 25Broccoli CasseroleView RecipeThis lightened-up broccoli casserole is sure to be a hit. Learn how to make this classic side dish healthier.
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Broccoli Casserole
This lightened-up broccoli casserole is sure to be a hit. Learn how to make this classic side dish healthier.
04of 25Maple-Roasted Sweet PotatoesView RecipeIn this healthy side dish recipe, sweet potatoes are tossed with maple syrup, butter and lemon juice and roasted until tender and golden brown. The delicious glaze that forms on these maple-roasted sweet potatoes transforms this ultra-simple dish into something sublime.
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Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
In this healthy side dish recipe, sweet potatoes are tossed with maple syrup, butter and lemon juice and roasted until tender and golden brown. The delicious glaze that forms on these maple-roasted sweet potatoes transforms this ultra-simple dish into something sublime.
05of 25Parmesan Broccoli BitesView RecipeAlmond flour (aka almond meal) makes the coating on these broccoli fries extra-crunchy and flavorful. Find it in the gluten-free section of large supermarkets and natural foods stores.
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Parmesan Broccoli Bites
Almond flour (aka almond meal) makes the coating on these broccoli fries extra-crunchy and flavorful. Find it in the gluten-free section of large supermarkets and natural foods stores.
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Mashed Butternut Squash
07of 25Quick Cucumber KimchiView RecipeThis cucumber kimchi recipe gets its flavor from garlic, fish sauce and a hint of Korean chile powder. Make this side dish ahead of time to let the flavors absorb into the cucumbers.
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Quick Cucumber Kimchi
This cucumber kimchi recipe gets its flavor from garlic, fish sauce and a hint of Korean chile powder. Make this side dish ahead of time to let the flavors absorb into the cucumbers.
08of 25Oven Sweet Potato FriesView RecipeBaking sweet potato fries in the oven brings out their inherent sweetness.
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Oven Sweet Potato Fries
Baking sweet potato fries in the oven brings out their inherent sweetness.
09of 25Cheesy Zucchini TotsView RecipeCasey BarberNot one, not two, but three kinds of cheese combine to make these low-carb cheesy zucchini tots live up to their name. Bake them in the oven or fry them in your air fryer for a crisp exterior and a gooey, melted center. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese here; shred it fresh for the best and creamiest results. Serve with ketchup, marinara, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
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Cheesy Zucchini Tots
Casey Barber
Not one, not two, but three kinds of cheese combine to make these low-carb cheesy zucchini tots live up to their name. Bake them in the oven or fry them in your air fryer for a crisp exterior and a gooey, melted center. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese here; shred it fresh for the best and creamiest results. Serve with ketchup, marinara, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
10of 25Mary’s Zucchini with ParmesanView RecipeSimple and delicious, in this recipe the almost caramelized zucchini are topped with a Parmesan crust. Serve the zucchini like a wedge of pizza, straight from the pan, with the cheese side up. We named this recipe Mary’s Zucchini after the mom of one of our former Test Kitchen managers. It’s perfect for just-picked zucchini.
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Mary’s Zucchini with Parmesan
Simple and delicious, in this recipe the almost caramelized zucchini are topped with a Parmesan crust. Serve the zucchini like a wedge of pizza, straight from the pan, with the cheese side up. We named this recipe Mary’s Zucchini after the mom of one of our former Test Kitchen managers. It’s perfect for just-picked zucchini.
11of 25Ginger-&-Miso-Glazed BroccoliView RecipeJacob FoxA 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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Ginger-&-Miso-Glazed Broccoli
Jacob Fox
A touch of maple or honey balances the flavor of umami-laden miso while thickening the sauce to coat this stir-fried broccoli.
12of 25Parmesan Roasted Corn on the CobView RecipeSavory Parmesan cheese and sweet corn team up in this easy corn on the cob recipe that’s good for every season. Wrapping the corn in foil keeps in the flavors of smoked paprika, garlic powder and thyme. Pair with roast chicken, steak or pork, or serve as part of a vegetarian meal.
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Parmesan Roasted Corn on the Cob
Savory Parmesan cheese and sweet corn team up in this easy corn on the cob recipe that’s good for every season. Wrapping the corn in foil keeps in the flavors of smoked paprika, garlic powder and thyme. Pair with roast chicken, steak or pork, or serve as part of a vegetarian meal.
13of 25Brown Butter & Sage Acorn SquashView RecipeGreg DuPreeWe like acorn squash because its skin is tender enough to eat (which saves you the hassle of peeling), but any winter squash will work for this nutty, maple-drizzled side.
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Brown Butter & Sage Acorn Squash
Greg DuPree
We like acorn squash because its skin is tender enough to eat (which saves you the hassle of peeling), but any winter squash will work for this nutty, maple-drizzled side.
14of 25Kale ChipsView RecipeNot a fan of kale? These crispy baked kale chips will convert you! For the best result, don’t overcrowd the pans.
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Kale Chips
Not a fan of kale? These crispy baked kale chips will convert you! For the best result, don’t overcrowd the pans.
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Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
16of 25Skillet Cauliflower GratinView RecipeNonfat milk and a bit of sharp Cheddar combine to make a rich sauce without all the butter usually found in gratins.
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Skillet Cauliflower Gratin
Nonfat milk and a bit of sharp Cheddar combine to make a rich sauce without all the butter usually found in gratins.
17of 25Avocado Fries with Sriracha AioliView RecipeCreamy avocados are a delicious foil to crunchy breading in this healthy oven-fried avocado fries recipe. Dip into spicy Sriracha dipping sauce for a flavor explosion. Save your ripe avocados for guacamole or toast—only firm ones will do when making these fries.
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Avocado Fries with Sriracha Aioli
Creamy avocados are a delicious foil to crunchy breading in this healthy oven-fried avocado fries recipe. Dip into spicy Sriracha dipping sauce for a flavor explosion. Save your ripe avocados for guacamole or toast—only firm ones will do when making these fries.
18of 25Edamame with Ginger SaltView RecipeJerrelle GuyAdd zing to convenient frozen edamame with easy homemade seasoning. You’ll have leftover ginger salt—try a sprinkle on steamed or roasted veggies.
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Edamame with Ginger Salt
Jerrelle Guy
Add zing to convenient frozen edamame with easy homemade seasoning. You’ll have leftover ginger salt—try a sprinkle on steamed or roasted veggies.
19of 25Brown Sugar-Glazed BeetsView RecipeTry a sweet glaze on beets or other root vegetables to help balance their earthy flavor. This easy recipe will work with steamed carrots, turnips or rutabaga too.
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Brown Sugar-Glazed Beets
Try a sweet glaze on beets or other root vegetables to help balance their earthy flavor. This easy recipe will work with steamed carrots, turnips or rutabaga too.
20of 25Honey-Mustard Smashed CarrotsView RecipeRachel MarekSmashing carrots increases their surface area, allowing them to crisp up beautifully under the broiler with a sweet mustardy glaze. Choose carrots that are on the thicker side for the best results.
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Honey-Mustard Smashed Carrots
Rachel Marek
Smashing carrots increases their surface area, allowing them to crisp up beautifully under the broiler with a sweet mustardy glaze. Choose carrots that are on the thicker side for the best results.
21of 25Cheesy Pull-Apart Cauliflower with PestoView RecipeBrie PassanoA combination of pesto and mozzarella cheese is tucked into a whole head of cauliflower. The florets “pull away” revealing the ooey-gooey cheese beneath for a fun and festive appetizer or side dish.
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Cheesy Pull-Apart Cauliflower with Pesto
Brie Passano
A combination of pesto and mozzarella cheese is tucked into a whole head of cauliflower. The florets “pull away” revealing the ooey-gooey cheese beneath for a fun and festive appetizer or side dish.
22of 25Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan VegetablesView RecipeGive your plate a pop of color with these healthy sheet-pan veggies.
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Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan Vegetables
Give your plate a pop of color with these healthy sheet-pan veggies.
23of 25Garlic-Rosemary Smashed PotatoesView RecipeA combination of baked, mashed and roasted, these crusty, garlicky smashed potatoes are a healthy and creative alternative. Serve alongside a seared steak or roasted pork tenderloin and green beans.
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Garlic-Rosemary Smashed Potatoes
A combination of baked, mashed and roasted, these crusty, garlicky smashed potatoes are a healthy and creative alternative. Serve alongside a seared steak or roasted pork tenderloin and green beans.
24of 25Air-Fryer Onion RingsView RecipeJacob FoxThese air-fryer onion rings are a great alternative to traditional deep-fried onion rings. The homemade dipping sauce adds to the savory flavor and adds a creamy note to counter the crispy coating.
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Air-Fryer Onion Rings
These air-fryer onion rings are a great alternative to traditional deep-fried onion rings. The homemade dipping sauce adds to the savory flavor and adds a creamy note to counter the crispy coating.
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Garlic-Butter Cauliflower Bites
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
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