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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Lazy Vegetable Sides You’ll Want to Try Right Now

    Published: Jul 30, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Easy vegetable sides can make meal prep a breeze, especially when you want something that doesn't require you to spend too much time in the kitchen. These 22 simple recipes are perfect for adding variety to your meals without the fuss. From roasted veggies to quick salads, these sides are sure to please everyone at the table.

    Sweet and Tangy Marinated Cucumbers

    Sweet and Tangy Marinated Cucumbers
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This fresh summer side is both tart and sweet, and it can be prepared in advance without any cooking. It pairs well with heavier main dishes, rice, and grilled proteins, making it a great addition to any summer meal. Enjoy it as a simple and refreshing side that complements a variety of flavors.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Bell Peppers

    Air fryer bell peppers.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Bell Peppers are a quick and tasty side dish that you can whip up in under 10 minutes. Seasoned with garlic and thyme, they bring a wonderful flavor that everyone will enjoy. This dish is perfect for any night of the week and is sure to become a go-to favorite in your home.

    Get the recipe

    Brussels Sprouts with Honey Balsamic

    Brussel sprouts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Frozen brussels sprouts can be transformed into a delicious side dish with very little effort and just 16 minutes in the air fryer. Toss them in a honey balsamic vinaigrette for a touch of sweetness, and add a hint of cayenne pepper for some heat. The result is perfectly roasted sprouts with a nice caramelized finish.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Carrots Vichy

    Air fryer baby carrots.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    The air fryer version of this French classic is quick and simple to prepare. It offers a convenient way to enjoy a delicious side dish without spending too much time in the kitchen. Perfect for busy nights, this method allows you to whip up a tasty vegetable side with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Lemon Tahini Cauliflower

    Photo credit: Katie Trant.

    This dish is a go-to for me, and I find myself making it almost every week. It's simple to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a great addition to any meal. Perfect for busy nights, these vegetable sides are easy to whip up without much effort. You'll enjoy how they complement your main dishes while adding a healthy touch.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Cucumber Salad

    A serving of Greek cucumber salad.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Greek cucumber salad is quick and easy to prepare, taking just about 15 minutes with fewer than 10 ingredients. It features fresh, crunchy cucumbers tossed in a tasty red wine vinaigrette. This salad is a great choice for a light summer lunch or as a refreshing side dish packed with veggies.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi, Blueberry & Spinach Salad

    Blueberry halloumi salad.
    Photo Credit: Divalicious Recipes.

    This salad features halloumi, blueberries, and spinach, creating a mix of textures and flavors. The bright colors and rich tastes come together for a satisfying dish. It's a great option for a quick and healthy side.

    Get the recipe

    Potato Cauliflower Bake

    Potato Cauliflower Bake
    Photo credit: Lavender and Macarons.

    This Potato And Cauliflower Gratin is a delicious casserole dish that's perfect for any meal. With its creamy white sauce and cheesy topping, it's sure to be a hit every time you make it.

    Get the recipe

    Avocado Mango Salad

    Avocado mango salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is perfect for salmon tacos and pairs well with just about any protein, especially grilled options. It's a simple and tasty side that adds a nice touch to your meal. Whether you're having a casual dinner or a barbecue, this vegetable side is a great choice.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Zucchini

    Air fryer zucchini on a plate.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Air fryer zucchini is a quick and easy side dish that you'll love. It's tender and roasted to perfection, making it a great addition to any meal. This method is simple and saves time, so you can enjoy a tasty vegetable without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Zucchini Casserole

    Zucchini casserole.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    This Zucchini Casserole is a simple way to enjoy fresh vegetables as the season kicks off. Packed with garden-fresh zucchini, it's a great side dish that doesn't require much effort. Perfect for those busy nights when you want something tasty and healthy on the table.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    Gnocchi is a delicious option that's easy to prepare. Roasting it in the oven after tossing it in olive oil gives it a lovely crust while keeping the inside soft and tender. This dish is perfect for adding a tasty side to your meal.

    Get the recipe

    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This ranch coleslaw comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for your next barbecue. Using store-bought mayonnaise and ranch dressing, it's super easy to whip up and packed with flavor. It's a great side dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Shopska Salad

    Shopska salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a delicious and cheesy salad. The Shopska salad is packed with vibrant vegetables, tossed in a light vinaigrette, and finished off with crumbled Feta cheese. It's perfect as an appetizer, a side dish, or even as a light meal alongside some bread.

    Get the recipe

    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad combines sweet, salty, and tangy flavors, making it a great side dish for any meal. It goes well with proteins like salmon or steak, adding a refreshing touch to your plate. It's simple to prepare and complements a variety of main dishes.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Green Beans

    Green beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These green beans are super easy to make in your air fryer, taking just a few minutes to cook. With very little prep work, you can have a tasty side dish ready in no time. They pair well with any dinner and are sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue cheese coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw is a quick and easy side that you can whip up in under 15 minutes. It pairs perfectly with steak, barbecue, or any buffalo-flavored meal. With its rich blue cheese flavor and balanced seasoning, this coleslaw is sure to become a go-to favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Delicata Squash

    Delicata squash on a bed of mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Roasted delicata squash is a quick and easy side dish that you can whip up in about 30 minutes. With just a few basic ingredients you probably already have at home, this dish is both simple and delicious. It's a great way to add some flavor to your meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Creamed Corn

    Creamed corn.
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    In just three minutes, you can have a delicious vegetable side ready to enjoy. This quick dish is sure to become a favorite at the dinner table. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Carrots

    A bowl of air fryer carrots.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    These air-fried carrots are easy to make and come out perfectly roasted. They fit well with Whole30, paleo, and vegan diets, making them a versatile side dish. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a healthy and delicious addition to your meal.

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Brussels Sprouts

    Brussels sprouts with bacon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Hot air cooking is a great way to prepare Brussels sprouts, ensuring they cook quickly and evenly while getting a nice crisp on the outside. Adding bacon takes them to another level, making them even more delicious. This side dish is perfect for any meal and is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Caulislaw combines cauliflower, carrots, and red onions in a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It's a great side dish for barbecues and can even be used as a topping for burgers. This dish is quick to prepare, healthy, and low in carbs, making it a side you'll want to keep coming back to.

    Get the recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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