20+ Easy Vegan Side Dishes

Updated June 25, 2020

Vegan sides don't have to be boring. Whether you're looking for a dairy- and meat-free alternative to classic potluck recipes (Charred Okra-Potato Salad, we're looking at you), a vegan version of traditional holiday fare (everyone—and we mean everyone—will love this Gluten-Free, Vegan, Keto Green Bean Casserole), or a new favorite (this colorful Ombré Citrus Salad is seriously gorgeous), you're going to want to save this collection of vegan side dishes. 

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Instant Pot Vegan Mushroom Risotto

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

Instant Pot Vegan Mushroom Risotto Recipe

Looking for a vegan dish that doesn’t taste like it’s missing anything? We’ve got it right here. This Instant Pot vegan risotto is creamy and perfectly cooked with a slight “bite” to it.

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Vegan Miso Soup

Credit: PHOTO BY KELSEY HANSEN

Vegan Miso Soup Recipe

If you live in the United States, you’re probably used to slurping miso soup at lunch or dinner, but this brothy soup is actually killer in the morning. Though miso soup is traditionally made with dashi, a salty broth of dried kelp and bonito flakes, this recipe is totally vegan.

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Roasted Spring Vegetables with Mustard-Sherry Vinaigrette

Credit: Victor Protasio

Roasted Spring Vegetables with Mustard-Sherry Vinaigrette Recipe

Vinaigrette is not just for salads! For a fresh pop of flavor, we drizzle roasted spring vegetables with one of our go-to vinaigrettes: sherry vinegar whisked with olive oil and grainy mustard. Roasting the vegetables in a hot oven for about 20 minutes is just the right amount of time to bring out their natural sugars without making them too soft.

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Roasted Root Vegetables

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Roasted Root Vegetables Recipe

Maple syrup is the perfect addition to slightly bitter turnips, carrots, and beets, which become sweet and tender when roasted. The earthy sweetness helps char the outside, and results in a delicious (and fast!) weeknight side. Choose Grade B (or dark) maple syrup for richer flavor.

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Orange-Tarragon Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Orange-Tarragon Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

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Quick Pickled Slaw

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Quick Pickled Slaw Recipe

This light, healthy slaw recipe is mildly acidic and full of flavor. The veggies will soften slightly but retain their crunch that will add texture to any meal. This bright slaw is the ideal summer side to pair with kebabs, pulled pork, fried catfish, or any classic warm-weather main dishes.

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Sautéed Broccoli Rabe

Credit: Jason Wallis; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Sautéed Broccoli Rabe Recipe

This high flavor side dish of Sautéed Broccoli Rabe is packed with potassium, iron, and calcium, fiber as well as vitamins A, C, and K. Broccoli rabe is one of the most nutritious leafy greens to add to your diet.

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Charred Orange-Chile Broccoli

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Charred Orange-Chile Broccoli Recipe

Roasting brings out the sweet flavor of broccoli while adding a pleasant bitter note. The mildly spicy soy-orange sauce brings it all into balance. Taking the extra step to remove the woody outer layer from the broccoli stems makes the entire floret tender. Look for Asian chile-garlic sauce with other Asian flavorings and condiments.

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Three-Bean Pasta Salad

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Three-Bean Pasta Salad Recipe

We combined two potluck classics—pasta salad and three-bean salad—to make one tasty new side dish. Blanched celery is the unexpected star in this side dish; it has a tender-crisp texture and bright green color. Swap out the canned beans for your favorite cooked field peas.

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Rosy Beet-and-Quinoa Salad

Rosy Beet-and-Quinoa Salad Recipe

This earthy whole-grain salad holds up well, so it's a good make-ahead option; just bring it to room temperature before serving for the best flavor. Omit goat cheese for a vegan option.

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Cauliflower Rice

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

Cauliflower Rice Recipe

There’s no need to buy the bagged stuff: If you’ve got five minutes, a food processor, and a head of cauliflower, you can make your own cauliflower rice. In addition to being a healthy rice substitute, making your own cauliflower rice is extremely easy.

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Simple Rice And Beans

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

Simple Rice And Beans Recipe

This 6-ingredient red beans and rice couldn't be easier. Whether you serve it as a main or as a side dish, you'll love this easy recipe.

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Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

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Green Cauliflower Rice

Credit: Victor Protasio

Green Cauliflower Rice Recipe

If you can’t find premade fresh cauliflower crumbles or riced cauliflower near other fresh prepared vegetables at your market, look for frozen. Or, you can easily make your own.

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Parslied Brown Rice Pilaf

Credit: Greg DuPree

Parslied Brown Rice Pilaf Recipe

This simple side plays up the brightness of fresh parsley. This unassuming herb is pleasantly verdant and pairs wonderfully with zippy lemon zest and nutty brown rice. Compared with unenriched white rice, brown rice is higher in fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.

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Kimchi Fried Rice

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe

This simple side plays up the brightness of fresh parsley. This unassuming herb is pleasantly verdant and pairs wonderfully with zippy lemon zest and nutty brown rice. Compared with unenriched white rice, brown rice is higher in fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.

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Guacamole Salad

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Guacamole Salad Recipe

Our Guacamole Salad is a bright, crunchy, and vegetal take on everyone’s favorite avocado-based dip. The fresh vegetables provide crunch that contrasts the creamy avocado, while the coriander vinaigrette is subtly acidic and doesn’t overshadow the rest of the ingredients.

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Bok Choy Salad

Bok Choy Salad Recipe

Add bite to a simple salad by crumbling uncooked ramen noodles over bok choy, a Chinese white cabbage. A cider vinegar and soy sauce drizzle make the salad a unique and flavorful alternative to the traditional starter salad.

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Ombré Citrus Salad

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Ombré Citrus Salad Recipe

If you’ve been invited to a potluck and feel fresh out of recipe ideas, this is the dish for you. This stunning citrus salad will fit right in at nearly any occasion—holiday brunch, wedding or baby shower, breakfast with friends, office luncheon, church social.

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Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette Recipe

This Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad is colorful, seasonal and has a beautiful presentation. Not only does it look pretty, this dish tastes light and fresh. The beetsand citrus elements also offer different textures for a more interesting experience than your everyday green salad.

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Easy Smoky Black Beans

Credit: Victor Protasio

Easy Smoky Black Beans Recipe

Since everything else in this menu requires a bit more of your attention, it's good to have one dish that's simple to prepare. These gussied-up canned beans get a savory flavor boost from garlic, smoked paprika, and cumin, then a finishing touch of lime juice and cilantro adds freshness.

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Charred Okra-Potato Salad

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Charred Okra-Potato Salad Recipe

We updated a cookout classic—potato salad—with crisp, smoky grilled okra. The salad is tossed in a lemon vinaigrette with scallions and a hint of fresh thyme to let the vegetables’ natural flavors shine. This dish is best served immediately so that the okra retains some crispness.

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Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad

Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad Recipe

Hold the mayo. Replace the usual creamy potato salad dressing with this lively lemon-dill vinaigrette. Easy to make and easy to transport, you will love this fresh take on the picnic staple. If you are taking this to a party, chill the cooked potatoes in the dressing for 30 minutes, and then assemble the salad on a platter just before serving.

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Smoked Potato Salad

Smoked Potato Salad Recipe

This is the recipe you need for those potluck gatherings where you really want to impress but then find you’re supposed to bring … potato salad. This version will wow, from its beautiful indigo color to its rich, smoky flavor. A nice hit of cumin and chipotle chile powder amplifies the smokiness and makes for a deeply savory salad.

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