Try these flavorful side dishes for dinner tonight. These recipes contain at least 7 grams of protein per serving from foods like beans, vegetables, and whole grains that help keep you fuller longer, regulate digestion, and support bone health. Plus, these dishes feature gut-healthy prebiotic-rich ingredients like garlic, barley, and potatoes, and contain at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. Not only does fiber promote a healthy gut flora, it can also support heart health and lower the risk of certain diseases. You’ll love recipes like Grilled Broccoli with Smoky Yogurt Sauce, and our spicy chickpea confit pairs well with meat, fish, and plant-based main dishes.
Grilled Broccoli with Smoky Yogurt Sauce
Blanching the broccoli florets before browning them helps soften the whole broccoli and crisps up quickly in a very hot skillet. Cooking on the grill? Instead, place the blanched broccoli in a grill basket and cook over medium-high heat.
Spiced chickpea confit
Ali Redmond
This infinitely versatile side dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats or fish and also makes a great plant-based main dish. Serve over rice or pasta for balance, or pair with whole grains or whole wheat pasta for a nutty flavor. It also makes a great salad, served with baby spinach, escarole and arugula. Any leftovers can be blended into a chunky dip that goes well with pita bread or crostini. Or reheat with equal parts vegetable or chicken broth for a soup.
Crispy cabbage slices sprinkled with Parmesan and gremolata
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Tender, crisp, cheesy cabbage slices will have everyone hooked on this veggie. Arranging the cabbage around the perimeter of the baking sheet is key to ensuring the most even browning and crispiest Parmesan crust. Lemony gremolata adds just a touch of freshness and brightness to balance the salty cheese.
Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Avocado Caesar Dressing
This salad combines the flavors of a Caesar salad with the tender greens of kale and the crunch of raw, thinly sliced Brussels sprouts. Browned breadcrumbs add extra crunch and a nutty, toasty flavor. Pair it with grilled chicken for an extra protein boost.
Caramelized Broccolini and White Beans
Broccolini is smoky browned in a cast iron skillet and then combined with white beans and herbs for a flavorful side dish. A bright parsley and hazelnut sauce gives this dish a bright, nutty flavor.
Four-bean salad with herb tahini dressing
This vibrant twist on a classic salad features fresh kidney beans, nutty, earthy tahini, and plenty of herbs to choose from (we love the combination of parsley, tarragon, and dill; tahini can be bitter, but a little honey balances it out).
Cheese spinach and mushroom casserole
This homemade, healthy, cheesy casserole is packed with nutrition from the spinach and delicious with the flavor of sautéed mushrooms. You can use any mushrooms you like.
Creamy Corn Soup with Jalapeno and Cotija
This creamy corn soup has an earthy base from hominy and a spicy kick from jalapeño. Fresh corn adds sweetness and pairs well with salty cotija cheese and other fresh, tangy garnishes.
Black Bean, Corn and Avocado Pasta Salad
Serve this colorful, veggie-packed pasta salad at your next outdoor get-together. From creamy avocado to crunchy bell peppers, this pasta salad is packed with texture and flavor, and a homemade herb-lime vinaigrette brings it all together.
Pinto beans made in the Instant Pot
These easy to make pinto beans in your Instant Pot are flavored with scallions and garlic and have a slight heat from dried chilies, and can be enjoyed as is or as a topping for tacos or nachos.
Mashed Potato and Root Casserole
Rutabaga or celery will give this casserole a more delicate flavor, but you could also use turnips or kohlrabi, or just make it with potatoes instead.
Barley porridge cooked overnight in a slow cooker
Barley has more fiber than many other whole grains, with 6 grams of fiber per cup. It’s also rich in prebiotic fiber, which is great for promoting healthy gut bacteria. Like oats, barley contains beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that has been shown to improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Baked potato latkes
Making this the perfect Hanukkah dish starts with choosing the right ingredients, like potatoes (potatoes are great because they’re high in starch and low in moisture). I also found that using a little baking powder made the result lighter and fluffier than just eggs. Finishing off the latkes in the oven leaves them hot and crispy.
Broccoli Casserole
This light broccoli casserole is sure to be a hit, so learn how to make this classic side dish even healthier.
Grilled Asparagus Parmesan
In this easy grilled side dish, grilled asparagus is lightly tossed with finely grated Parmesan and a dash of lemon for a flavorful finish.
Creamy Broccoli and Mushroom Casserole
This creamy broccoli and mushroom casserole is the ultimate heartwarming dish. Tender, crisp broccoli is tossed in a mushroom-rich cheese sauce and topped with breadcrumbs for a crunchy texture. This crowd-pleasing side dish is perfect served with roast chicken, pork or steak.
Lima bean stew
This lima bean recipe was created by South Carolina cook and activist Mable Clark. The side dish is featured at the monthly fish fry Clark started to save Soapstone Baptist Church. This recipe doesn’t call for a ham hock; onion-packed roast turkey broth gives these rustic beans a rich, flavorful taste, but store-bought broth will do the trick. A long, slow simmer brings out the creaminess of the lima beans.
Slow Cooker Dal Makhani
Using a slow cooker for this dal curry recipe is great. The lentils are cooked until completely tender. For the creamiest results, use whole urad dal (not broken), available online or in Indian markets. This bean crumbles easily and gives the dish a rich, creamy texture. See below for a stovetop variation. Serve over rice with Indian green chutney and plain yogurt.
Parmesan White Beans
Keeping a mirepoix blend (basic ingredients of chopped carrots, celery, and onion) in the freezer can save you a lot of time in preparing this simple bean side dish.
Fresh Southern Succotash with Bacon
This Southern Succotash is packed with flavorful, fresh ingredients, including okra, tomatoes, corn, and bacon, so it’s a lot of goodness in every bite. If you can’t get fresh okra, you can use thawed frozen okra. Read the story behind the recipe, “Nothing Says Summer Like Mom’s Southern Succotash.”
Gruyere Potato Casserole
In this easy Gruyere Potato Casserole, the potatoes are perfectly tender, the cheese browns and crisps on the top and sides, and the herbs add a lovely accent to this flavorful dish.
Broccoli and cheese rice made in a slow cooker
This dish is a kid-friendly favorite that adults will love, too. Broccoli and cheese are a classic combo for a reason, but when served with rice and umami-packed mushrooms, it’s even more comforting. Garnish with grated Parmesan and kosher salt and black pepper, if desired.
