Are your meals lacking something you can’t put your finger on? You may need a delicious side dish to round out your meal and enhance the flavors of your main dish. Eating vegan doesn’t mean giving up the different sides when cooking a meal.
These easy vegan side dish recipes are not only delicious, but many of them allow you to incorporate more veggies into your diet.
1. Vegan Mashed Potatoes by The Simple Veganista
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that many people grew up with. But how do you create delicious, creamy mashed potatoes without dairy? The Simple Veganista uses non-dairy milk and dairy-free butter for these perfectly fluffy potatoes.
The best part about this mashed potato recipe is how you can customize it to your taste. Prefer chunky mashed potatoes? Don’t mash them as much. Want them as smooth as can be? Use a potato ricer. Top them with butter, herbs, or gravy for the vegan side dish of your dreams.
2. Vegan Cauliflower Gratin By Vegan Richa
Tired of potatoes or want something a bit lighter than the starchy tuber? Cauliflower is your friend. This recipe from Vegan Richa takes all of our favorite things about potato gratin but makes it lighter and brighter and doesn’t even require baking!
The addition of breadcrumbs helps keep that crunchy top we’re used to with potato gratin.
3. Gluten-Free Plant-Based Kale Mac & “Cheese” by Simply Gluten Free
Many people see mac and cheese as a main dish, but this veggie-infused version works perfectly as a side for a filling but healthy meal. The use of plant-based queso keeps the creamy quality of classic mac and cheese in this dish.
This side dish is as easy as mixing the ingredients together and popping it in the oven, giving you ample time to work on your main dish without any fuss.
4. “Cheesy” Vegan Roasted Cauliflower by The Roasted Root
If you haven’t heard of the magic of nutritional yeast as a vegan, this should be the recipe that introduces you. Whether you’re making a nacho cheese sauce or these cheesy roasted cauliflower bites, the secret to making convincing vegan cheese is nutritional yeast.
5. Vegan Potato Cakes by Little Sunny Kitchen
These vegan potato cakes take the tastiness of a hashbrown and pair it with the elevated air of a potato latke to create an amazing side dish. These potato cakes are especially great if you’re cooking for little ones, as the addition of carrots helps you sneak in some veggies.
6. Lemon Garlic Grilled Zucchini by Dashing Dish
Grilled zucchini? Excellent. Grilled zucchini with a lemon garlic sauce? Out of this world. With a cook time of just 10 minutes, this side dish combines flavor and ease all in one. The addition of minced garlic and garlic powder really brings out the flavor of the zucchini, while the lemon brightens the whole dish up.
7. Baked Sweet Potato Fries by Love and Lemons
You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love French fries, especially in the United States, where it’s one of the most beloved side dishes.
This recipe from Love and Lemons takes our favorite side and makes it a bit healthier (by baking instead of frying) but still keeps things simple (with a short ingredient list).
8. Tomato Cucumber Salad by Tastes Better From Scratch
There’s nothing like a fresh side salad, though there are no leaves in this recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch.
This is the perfect side dish to pair with a meal to help keep things light. Worried about your bowl of pasta not being healthy? Toss some of this tomato cucumber salad on the side.
9. Easy Roasted Mexican Corn on the Cob by Easy Peasy Foodie
Corn on the cob is one of those classic American cookout dishes, but this roasted Mexican corn on the cob makes the classic even better.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend the time firing up a grill for this dish, as tossing it in the oven will work just as well. The combo of spices and lime juice makes for a mouth-watering side dish.
10. Vegan Lemon Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes by Crazy Vegan Kitchen
Oven roasted potatoes are a side dish legend, though this recipe from Crazy Vegan Kitchen manages to put a twist on the old classic. The tiny red potatoes are thinly sliced without breaking the bottom, so the herb mixture can sink into the potato’s cracks, maximizing flavor and crispiness.
The writer also suggests using an air fryer for the ultimate crispy flavor, though an oven will do just fine as well.
11. Rosemary Garlic Hasselback Potatoes by Feasting at Home
This recipe for rosemary garlic Hasselback potatoes takes a classic potato side dish and makes it visually stunning and incredibly tasty. You’ll be sure to class up the next potluck or cookout you bring this side dish to.
The potatoes are very thinly sliced and stuffed with slivers of garlic for a flavor explosion.
12. Vegan Stuffing by Kat Boytsova From Delish
Who said stuffing is only for Thanksgiving? Many vegans miss out on the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes like mac and cheese, dinner rolls, or stuffing—but no more!
This recipe for vegan stuffing takes all of the best parts of stuffing (also called dressing) and leaves out the unnecessary bits.
13. Easy Vegan Dinner Rolls by Loving It Vegan
Bread can be a weird middle-ground for many vegans as the use of dairy products can rule out a lot of grocery-store premade bread. You can still enjoy delicious buttery bread as a vegan, though!
Don’t be fooled by the prep time on this recipe, as the majority of the time spent on these dinner rolls will be completely hands-off. Just watch your favorite show as you wait for the dough to rise.
14. Sheet Pan Oven Roasted Vegetables by Vegan in the Freezer
Sheet pan vegetables are one of the easiest and best weeknight side dishes. This recipe from Vegan in the Freezer is as easy as chopping up your favorite vegetables, tossing them with oil and spices, and popping them in the oven. Eating healthy has never been so simple.
15. Olive Tapenade Stuffed Dates With Pine Nuts by Yup, It’s Vegan!
These stuffed dates are perfect for hosting, or any night you want to feel a bit fancy. Something about elevated finger foods like the olive tapenade stuffed dates just screams elegance and class.
In addition, these sophisticated bites are so quick and easy that you might be unable to stop making them.
16. Easy Vegan Scalloped Potatoes by Minimalist Baker
These vegan scalloped potatoes are a far more straightforward version of potatoes au gratin. No need to line up your thinly sliced potatoes here perfectly; everything’s going in a pot.
The cheese sauce uses nutritional yeast and sauteed garlic to get that believable, creamy cheese taste.
17. Sesame Garlic Green Beans by Eat the Gains
One of the best things about serving green beans as a side is there’s no dicing or julienne-ing needed for them. You can simply trim the ends, cover them in sauce, and roast them.
These particular green beans use an Asian cuisine-inspired sauce, which makes them the perfect addition to any Asian main dish.
18. Tahini Dill Carrot Noodles by Little Bits of Real Food
The crunchiness of the carrot noodles pairs perfectly with the brightness provided by the tahini dill sauce in this recipe from Little Bits of Real Food. This side dish is perfect for when you want to bring in a vegetable component without losing flavor.
19. Garlicky Mashed Cauliflower by Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish, but sometimes they can feel a bit heavy, and they aren’t exactly a healthy meal addition. Bring in the garlicky mashed cauliflower from Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen.
Garlic is the primary ingredient here, as the combo of garlic and cauliflower makes for convincing and creamy mashed cauliflower that can rival any mashed potatoes.
20. Easy Roasted Asparagus With Lemon Tahini by Clean Plate Mama
Sometimes, you need a light, bright, refreshing side dish to help complement your main dish. This roasted asparagus recipe will do just that, especially with the addition of a creamy, tangy lemon tahini sauce.
21. Edamame Sesame Quinoa Salad by Veggie Chick
This Asian-inspired quinoa salad takes the healthy quinoa base and levels it up with the crispy, crunchiness of edamame, carrots, and green onions. This is one of those side dishes that may easily become a main dish because it tastes so good.
22. Raw Vegan Noodles Salad by The Stingy Vegan
For many vegans, it can be difficult to keep veggies interesting. But this recipe from The Stingy Vegan is the perfect side dish to keep your veggie intake up without getting bored.
Making the salad is incredibly easy, as each vegetable you choose is either fed through a spiralizer or thinly chopped with no other preparation.
23. Cauliflower Rice by Happy Kitchen
Cauliflower is one of those vegetables that seems like it can do anything. This recipe for cauliflower rice proves it, as the rice itself is not only delicious but can be used to create so many other dishes!
Some of the recommended dishes for this recipe are risotto, stir-fry, and even sushi.
24. Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad by Occasionally Eggs
This warm salad recipe from Occasionally Eggs blends Moroccan flavors with solid, filling veggies like butternut squash. The result is a delicious veggie-quinoa side dish that will delight anyone.
This side dish pairs perfectly with other fall favorites, like roasted portobello mushrooms.
25. Vegan Roasted Sweet Potato Salad With Cashew Dressing by The Modern Proper
Salads can be so dull sometimes, especially for vegans who are going through a ton of plant-based recipes that often resemble basic salads. This roasted sweet potato salad spices things up, literally, as the combo of jalapeno, garlic, lime, and cilantro do a dance on your tastebuds.
26. Garlicky Balsamic Maple Marinated Tempeh by Nora Cooks
Have you ever heard of tempeh? This food is often compared to tofu, though the two are quite different. Tempeh is firm and has a subtle nutty flavor, which is why this garlicky balsamic maple marinade works so well.
27. Vegan Yorkshire Pudding by Vegan Food and Living
Bring this European classic to your table! Yorkshire pudding is a type of savory pudding typically served alongside hearty dishes. This version skips the eggs and the dairy while maintaining a light, crispy texture.
No matter what main dish you choose, make sure to pour some vegan gravy over these British classics.
28. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower by The Big Man’s World
If you have not buffalo cauliflower at this point, this is your sign to do it now. Most recipes for buffalo cauliflower wings use a double batter and are cooked in the oven. However, this recipe utilizes an air fryer to get those crispy, tasty cauliflower bites, making it faster and easier.
29. Cherry Tomato Vegan Focaccia Bread by Vibrant Plate
This cherry tomato focaccia bread recipe is the perfect side dish for warm soups or hearty salads. The recipe from Vibrant Plate takes classic Italian flavors, like cherry tomatoes, oregano, and olive, and wraps them up in a fluffy dough.
This bread would go very well with a tomato soup or pasta dish.
30. Miso Glazed Roasted Root Vegetables by Okonomi Kitchen
Many vegan veggie dishes focus on summer’s fresh, light flavors, but the warm, earthy flavors of fall vegetables are often overlooked. This recipe for miso glazed roasted root vegetables from Okonomi Kitchen proves fall flavors are just as important for vegans to appreciate.
31. Simple Sauteed Mushrooms by Eating by Elaine
This sauteed mushroom recipe from Eating by Elaine is as easy as chopping some mushrooms and putting them in a pan. For those nights where you need a little something extra but don’t want to use much time or effort, these sauteed mushrooms are the perfect solution.
32. Cucumber Vegan Pasta Salad by Food With Feeling
Pasta salad is one of the best potlucks or hosting side dishes to have on hand. This recipe from Food With Feeling focuses on the fresh flavors of cucumber and dill to make the perfect cold pasta salad dish.
33. Air Fryer Carrots (3 Ways) by Crumb Top Baking
The recipe from Crumb Top Baking gives you not just one but three fantastic carrot side dish recipes. The three flavor options here are savory (using garlic powder, oregano, and parsley), sweet (coconut sugar, maple syrup, red pepper flakes), and spicy (cumin, cayenne, and paprika). The three options mean you’ll have delicious, crispy carrots to suit any meal.
34. Spicy Cucumber Salad by The Almond Eater
Cucumbers are frankly underrated as a vegetable. These crisp, refreshing vegetables are often thrown into salads or veggie dishes as a last-second addition. But this spicy cucumber salad recipe from The Almond Eater makes cucumbers the star of the show.
The cool crunch of the cucumber matches perfectly with the spice from the chili oil and chili flakes.
35. Gluten-Free Baked Green Pea Fritters by Wallflower Kitchen
Don’t you love when a recipe requires no substitutes or twists to achieve a traditionally non-vegan flavor? This baked green pea fritter from Wallflower Kitchen is not only naturally vegan but also naturally gluten-free.
If you’re a fan of falafels, these green pea fritters will change your world.
36. Signature Vegan Ceaser Salad With Tofu Bacon by Radiant Rachels
This vegan Ceaser salad recipe takes the best parts of the traditional salad and improves on each aspect. The base of romaine and kale helps make things crunchier, and the tofu bacon bits bring a smoky flavor you’re sure to love. The dressing is perfectly creamy while keeping things light and refreshing.
37. Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup by Delicious Everyday
Soups are one of those things we vegans covet, as the creamy, thick soups are often filled with dairy products. But covet no more by using this vegan broccoli cheddar soup recipe from Delicious Everyday.
Whether you are a cooking novice or a pro, you’ll be surprised at just how easy this broccoli cheddar soup recipe is!
38. Vegan Broccoli Salad by HUMMUSAPIEN
When you hear broccoli salad, do you imagine a salad that contains broccoli? Well, the broccoli salad here is actually a close cousin of macaroni or pasta salad.
This recipe from HUMMUSAPIEN uses cashews, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar to achieve a delicious, creamy vegan broccoli salad.
39. Oven Baked Okra by Cooking LSL
Okra is a classic Southern side dish, typically breaded and fried. This recipe from Cooking LSL takes the delicious parts of okra but helps make a healthier and lighter side dish. The okra is baked rather than fried and coated in spices, lending extra flavor to the crispy, crunchy okra pods.
40. Mexican Corn Salsa by Vanilla and Bean
Mexican corn salsa is the perfect side dish for any Mexican or Mexican-inspired main dish. This corn salsa is the ideal addition whether you’re cooking up some vegan enchiladas or a healthy burrito bowl.
Even better, you can use this salsa as a filling or topping for burritos, tacos, or any of your other favorite Mexican dishes!
41. Vegan Eggplant Teriyaki by Chef JA Cooks
Teriyaki isn’t exclusive to chicken, and the texture of this eggplant teriyaki may surprise you. Because the eggplant chunks are coated in potato starch and pan-fried, the outside gets a bit crispy, while the inside stays smooth like classic cooked eggplant.
This dish is perfectly paired with rice and a main veggie dish.
42. Colorful Beet Salad With Carrot, Quinoa, and Spinach by Cookie and Kate
People often say we eat with our eyes as much as our mouth; in this case, it’s a real feast. The bright colors from the beets, spinach, and carrots make this a beautiful side dish that will surely please anyone.
The herbal dressing on this salad ties all the flavors together in an earthy, bright dish.
43. Barbecue Spiced Crispy Brussels Sprouts by Athletic Avocado
Brussels sprouts have somehow become the bane of childhood food preferences, but even a picky eater may be won over by these spicy and crispy brussels sprouts.
44. Potato Onion Donuts by The Korean Vegan
Tired of eating the same old side dishes over and over? These potato onion donuts from The Korean Vegan are the thing for you. By combining the classic flavors of potatoes and onions, this recipe uses vegan cheese and a quick deep-fry for the donuts. Enjoy these donuts alongside your favorite sandwich!
45. Vegan Stuffed Cabbage Rolls by World of Vegan
Stuffed cabbage rolls are classic Jewish comfort food, and with a slight twist, World of Vegan has reworked the traditional recipe to make it vegan. Once you get a rhythm going, you’ll roll these delicious bites like a pro. These stuffed cabbage rolls are perfect for pairing with salads or soups.
46. Baked Vegan Tofu Tikka by Cook Veggielicious
One of the best things about tofu is that it’s basically a blank slate for flavor. Tofu will absorb any flavors you want to introduce to a meal and act as a nutrient-dense side. The tofu in this dish is marinated in a tikka sauce, then baked to perfection.
47. Chanterelle Mushrooms With Potatoes by Your Guardian Chef
Unlike the popular white mushrooms or baby Bellas, chanterelle mushrooms are one of the less-common edible mushrooms. Once you taste these, though, you may need to start forking over the money to have them all the time.
Chanterelle mushrooms are a thicker, spicier variety that is perfectly matched with some chopped potatoes in this recipe.
48. Vegan Cornbread by Shenarri Freeman From the Food Network
This cornbread recipe comes straight from the executive chef at Cadence, a New York vegan soul food restaurant. Cornbread is a staple of Southern comfort food, but there’s no reason for vegans to miss out! Serve it up with some vegan butter and jam for a restaurant-worthy side.
49. Vegan Baked Beans by Vegan Huggs
Beans are sometimes the underdog or overlooked dish for sides, but they are an excellent side to complete a big meal or to bring to a barbecue. No mushy cans here, as these fresh baked beans are as easy to make as they are tasty.
50. Easy Vegan Macaroni Salad by It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
Pasta or macaroni salads are one of those side dish staples, something you always find at cookouts or family dinners. The use of vegan mayonnaise in this dish not only makes a classic dairy-full side dairy-free but also helps the macaroni salad feel a bit lighter and fresher.
51. Vegan Garlic Butter Mushrooms by Holy Cow Vegan
This side dish is one of the simplest on the list, with only four ingredients and a super-quick cook time. These vegan garlic butter mushrooms are a holy grail dish, as they go well with practically any meal.
Even better, this side dish can easily become a topping or filling for a larger meal, as the chef behind Holy Cow Vegan recommends using these mushrooms on a burger.
Easy Vegan Side Dish Recipes, Final Thoughts
Eating vegan doesn’t mean giving up filling, healthy meals. These easy vegan side dish recipes allow you to complement your main dish and help incorporate additional flavors, which helps keep your meals interesting!
As vegans, we know we should incorporate veggies more into our diets, but sometimes it can be difficult to find a place for them. Side dishes are perfect for getting your daily veggies in without sacrificing flavor.