Side Dishes Under 75 Calories

Updated October 28, 2009
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Stylist: Cindy Barr

Fill up on low-calorie vegetable and fruit sides and leave your weight control worries behind during the holidays.

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Green Beans and Potatoes in Chunky Tomato Sauce

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

Green Beans and Potatoes in Chunky Tomato Sauce Recipe

You get two sides in one with the fresh green beans and chunks of potato. Chopped plum tomato, celery and cilantro add to both the color and flavor of this tasty vegetable dish.

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Broccoli and Carrots with Toasted Almonds

Credit: Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Broccoli and Carrots with Toasted Almonds Recipe

This colorful and easy broccoli dish makes a good partner to roasted turkey or ham and is a great recipe for your holiday menu because it makes 12 servings.

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Steamed Carrots with Garlic-Ginger Butter

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Steamed Carrots with Garlic-Ginger Butter Recipe

Baby carrots are a beautiful addition to any menu, and these are especially good because they're flavored with ginger, lime juice, and cilantro.

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Ham and Garlic

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Ham and Garlic Recipe

Roasting is the best way to bring out some mellow sweetness in Brussels sprouts, and the addition of country ham nicely balances that subtle sweet flavor.

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Honey-Glazed Carrots

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Honey-Glazed Carrots Recipe

Sweet carrot slices topped with parsley and grated orange rind pair nicely with either a beef or pork entrée and are likely to be enjoyed by both the kids and the grown-ups at the table.

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Wilted Cabbage with Toasted Cumin

Credit: Photography: Karry Hosford

Wilted Cabbage with Toasted Cumin Recipe

Keep cabbage tender and just slightly crisp by cooking it briefly in a skillet, then perk up the flavor by adding toasted cumin seeds and sherry vinegar.

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Glazed Julienne Carrots

Credit: HOWARD L. PUCKETT

Glazed Julienne Carrots Recipe

Keep things simple for your big meal with this easy, 4-ingredient side dish of brown sugar-glazed carrot sticks topped with parsley.

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Asian Caramelized Pineapple

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

Asian Caramelized Pineapple Recipe

For a different side dish to serve with pork, cook chunks of sweet pineapple in a skillet until lightly browned, and then toss with a mixture of soy sauce, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, ginger and cilantro.

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Spicy-Sweet Turnips

Credit: Photography: Becky-Stayner: Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Spicy-Sweet Turnips Recipe

Don't discard the turnips when you cook the greens. Roast them in a mixture of butter, brown sugar, ginger and allspice to tame their peppery flavor and concentrate their natural sugars.

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Green Beans with Bacon-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Credit: HOWARD L. PUCKETT

Green Beans with Bacon-Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

Almost everything is better with a little bit of bacon, and fresh green beans are no exception. The brown sugar and balsamic vinegar contribute a tangy sweetness and chopped almonds give a little crunch.

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Mardi Gras Slaw

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Stylist: Cindy Barr

Mardi Gras Slaw Recipe

The traditional colors of Fat Tuesday celebrations are purple, green, and yellow, and this vibrant slaw mimics that combo. Use a mandoline or very sharp knife to cut the cabbage, and you'll avoid the rather strong smell that often comes when you shred it.

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Marinated English Cucumber and Onions

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Stylist: Cindy Barr

Marinated English Cucumber and Onions Recipe

If marinating overnight, slice the cucumber a bit thicker so it retains some crunch.

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