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    Home » Collections

    30 Vegan Side Dishes

    Published: Jun 12, 2023 · by Nico Pallotta

    Jump to Recipe

    Get new recipe inspiration with our 30 easy vegan side dishes that will please everyone at your table, whether omnivores, vegetarians, or vegans.

    We understand the importance of catering to the different preferences of friends and family.

    So we've assembled a diverse list of vegan sides from all over the world; Italian, Asian, Middle-Eastern, and American-inspired, to name a few.

    Vegan side dishes with summer and winter ideas

    These vegan and wholesome side dishes are bursting with flavor and texture that will satisfy your taste buds and impress your guests.

    From bruschetta, garlic roasted eggplant, and potato salad to hummus and air fryer Brussels sprouts.

    So, let's dive into this list of tasty vegan side dishes from all over the world.

    Mediterranean vegan sides

    1. Italian side salad

    We start this list with an easy 10-minute side salad that will fit almost any meal.

    Tomato, celery, carrot, lettuce, and lemon vinaigrette, this house salad is a crispy side dish with simple ingredients.

    simple side salad

    2. Tomato salad

    This juicy tomato basil salad is a summer-friendly vegan side dish winner.

    Serve it at barbecues, putlocks, cookouts, or summer parties. It's easy to prepare in 15 minutes.

    mixed tomato salad recipe

    3. Easy tomato bruschetta

    The combination of tomato, basil, and crunchy bread is a match made in heaven.

    Bruschetta is a quick and easy plant-based side dish that will please kids and grown-ups alike.

    Bruschetta on a white platter

    4. Panzanella salad

    Here is a naturally vegan, zero-waste recipe and an excellent way to use stale bread.

    Serve Italian Panzanella salad as a healthy side dish or base salad as a meal with your choice of protein on top.

    panzanella salad with lettuce

    5. Roasted eggplant with chimichurri

    Tender roasted eggplant with garlic-infused chimichurri sauce is a favorite vegetable side dish.

    Roasted eggplant can be prepared as slices, cubes, boats, and discs, making a versatile vegan side.

    roasted eggplant with garlic seasoning

    6. Baked zucchini with breadcrumbs

    Roasted zucchini is a beautiful side dish and appetizer that is always welcomed by adults and kids alike.

    Zucchinis are delicious when roasted in the oven and topped with breadcrumbs and fresh herbs.

    roasted zucchini with breadcrumbs topping

    7. Eggplant pizza

    Make a light and fresh eggplant side dish with a topping of diced cherry tomatoes marinated in olive oil, basil, and garlic.

    This version resembles a tomato bruschetta with eggplant slices instead of bread.

    eggplant pizza with fresh tomatoes

    8. Sautèed mushrooms

    A great vegan side dish for autumn and winter!

    Sauteed mushrooms are an easy and tasty 15-minute side dish and a topping idea for pasta, soups, salads, and bruschetta.

    mushroom crostini

    9. Marinated bell pepper

    Roasted peppers are simple, easy to make, and taste delicious.

    You can serve them as a side dish or use them in other recipes, such as pasta and sauces.

    roasted bell peppers ready to serve

    10. Crostini with vegan pesto

    Crostini are small slices of crunchy toasted bread you can eat as a side dish, appetizer, or with soups and stews.

    Serve them with veggies or a vegan basil pesto for an inviting and fun snack.

    pesto crostini

    11. Pita bread

    Fresh homemade pita is a tasty bread side dish.

    You can use them for dipping in hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki sauce, or avocado spread, or toast the leftovers to make a crunchy fattoush or fatteh.

    Pita bread with hand and red nails

    12. Sautèed eggplant

    This Italian-inspired recipe is ready in 20 minutes!

    You can eat it as a side dish, appetizer, or mixed with pasta for a healthy and delicious meal.

    Sautèed eggplant in a bowl

    Asian vegan side dishes

    13. Asian cucumber salad

    Here's a healthy, light lunch or a flavorful side dish complementing your favorite main course.

    This easy Asian cucumber salad recipe with quick pickled red onions is sure to please.

    Asian cucumber salad with pickled red onion

    14. Sautèed green beans

    You can make these garlic sautèed beans in 15 minutes with four ingredients.

    It's a quick vegan side dish that pairs well with noodles, stir-fries, and curries.

    Sauteed green beans and red pepper

    15. Sweet and sour eggplant

    Serve this sweet and sour side dish or on top of toasted bread or boiled rice.

    The eggplant is tender, juicy, and delicious, with a mildly sweet and tangy flavor.

    sweet and sour eggplant on a serving plate

    16. Mango salad

    This bright and healthy mango salad is an excellent way to enjoy this delicious tropical fruit as part of your meal.

    Serve this vegan side next to Asian mains, BBQs, putlocks, and picnics for a crowd-pleasing dish.

    Mango salad on a white platter

    17. Aloo gobi

    Here is a tasty Indian curry with potatoes (aloo), cauliflower (gobhi), and a mix of Indian spices such as turmeric and cumin.

    Serve it as a starter, plant-based side dish, or healthy main with naan bread or rice.

    aloo gobi in a bowl with yogurt

    Middle-Eastern vegan sides

    18. Hummus

    This creamy-dreamy hummus is easy to make, wholesome, nutritious, and delicious.

    You can serve it as a dip with pita bread spread it in sandwiches, and more.

    hummus with olives

    19. Shirazi salad

    Salad-e Shirazi is an easy Iranian recipe with simple ingredients and a uniquely minty flavor. 

    You can serve it as a tasty appetizer or vegan side dish with any meal.

    Shirazi salad with bread

    20. Tabbouleh

    Serve this parsley-packed tabouli as a starter on a platter with other Middle Eastern foods as a side dish.

    Or make it ahead and bring it to picnics and potlucks.

    tabbouleh salad on a platter

    21. Fattoush salad

    Fattoush salad is a great way to enjoy the flavors of those wonderful eastern Mediterranean countries. 

    With crispy pita and fresh vegetables, this is a light lunch or a side dish for any meal.

    Fattoush with fried pita

    22. Eggplant dip

    This eggplant dip has a creamy-dreamy texture with a silky mouth feel that is impossible to resist.

    Serve it with falafel, muhammara, grilled eggplant, and bread for an inviting mezze platter.

    baba ganoush topped with fresh parsley, mint, and olive oil

    23. Zaalouk

    Another unique eggplant side dish with tomatoes, garlic, cumin, and olive oil.

    You can enjoy this Moroccan zaalouk as a dip with warm crusty bread, but it's also delicious on rice as a main dish.

    zaalouk with crusty bread

    American vegan side dishes

    24. Vegan potato salad

    This creamy vegan potato salad is easy for a quick lunch with your favorite plant-based protein.

    It is a make-ahead recipe for barbecues, putlocks, and summer cookouts.

    Vegan potato salad with pickled cucumber

    25. Creamy pasta salad

    This creamy pasta salad with vegan mayonnaise is the best for potlucks, barbeques, summer cookouts, and parties.

    It's versatile, and you can serve it as a starter, side dish, or light and refreshing main.

    Creamy pasta salad with mayonnaise

    26. Roasted sweet potato

    Sweet potato chunks seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika are tender and delicious side.

    They are ready in about 30 minutes and are among the most flavorful roasted veggies ever.

    roasted sweet potatoes on a serving platter

    27. Mushroom gravy

    Mushroom gravy is so easy! Try it on our mashed potatoes or as a sauce for a beautiful holiday meal with friends and family.

    It tastes so good you won't believe there's no meat in it.

    Mushroom gravy and spoon

    28. Avocado salad

    The best thing about avocado salad is that it is creamy, summer-friendly, nutritious, and fulfilling.

    It's a great side dish for barbecues, cookouts, and summer parties.

    Avocado salad with chickpeas and olives

    29. Red cabbage slaw

    With or without vegan mayonnaise, this colorful and healthy cabbage slaw is an autumn and winter side dish favorite.

    serve the cabbage slaw on a platter

    30. Air fryer Brussels Sprouts

    We end this list with a crisp, glossy, and slightly charred air fryer Brussels sprouts are perfect as a quick side dish.

    You can make it in 15 minutes and drizzle it with our mustard dressing for a beautiful serving of greens.

    brussels sprouts in air fryer with honey mustard dressing

    What to serve with vegan side dishes

    If you love green, tasty, and healthy meals, take inspiration from these vegan dinner ideas:

    • 40 Vegan pasta recipes (pasta salads, spaghetti ideas, bowtie pasta, linguine, etc.)
    • 30 Tofu recipes (fried, braised, grilled, stir-fried, baked, etc.)
    • 35 plant-based chickpea recipes (salads, mains, dips, pasta, soups, etc.)
    • 20 easy soups (creamy soups, chunky vegetable soups, soups with pasta, etc.)
    • Easy vegan pasta dishes that pleases omnivores
      40 Vegan Pasta Recipes
    • Vegan Chickpea Recipe ideas
      35 Vegan Chickpea Recipes
    • Grain bowl recipes with ancient grains and pseudo grains
      25 Easy Grain Bowl Recipes
    • Vegan Italian recipes such as ricotta and focaccia
      65 Vegan Italian Recipes

    For many more side dish ideas, check out our sides category page.

    Recipe

    Easy vegan side dishes

    30 Vegan Side Dishes

    Author: Nico Pallotta
    Our side salad is a simple recipe you can serve with most main meals. It's easy, crunchy, fresh, and colorful and goes well with anything.
    Toss it with extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, and a pinch of salt, or dress it with our delicious homemade Italian dressing.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course salad
    Cuisine American Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 99 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 large head romaine lettuce chopped
    • 3 cups radicchio chopped
    • 2 cups arugula
    • 1 large carrot grated
    • 1 stalk celery chopped
    • 1 small red onion sliced finely
    • 12 cherry tomatoes halved
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or more to taste
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or other vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt or more to taste
    Keep screen on

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse and pat dry the veggies. Then, to a large mixing bowl, add chopped romaine lettuce, radicchio, arugula, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped celery, grated carrot, and thinly sliced red onion.
      mixed veggies in a bowl
    • Add extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Toss the salad well before serving it as a side dish to most mains.
      simple side salad in a bowl

    Video Recipe

    Easy Creamy Avocado Salad

    Notes

    Nutrition information is for 1 portion of side salad out of 4.
    Here's our homemade Italian dressing recipe if you prefer to use that as a dressing.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    30 Vegan Side Dishes
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    99
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    4
    g
    6
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Potassium
     
    754
    mg
    22
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    14
    g
    5
    %
    Dietary Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    6
    g
    7
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    17178
    IU
    344
    %
    Vitamin B6
     
    0.2
    mg
    10
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    25
    mg
    30
    %
    Vitamin E
     
    2
    mg
    13
    %
    Vitamin K
     
    257
    µg
    245
    %
    Calcium
     
    96
    mg
    10
    %
    Folate
     
    259
    µg
    65
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    Manganese
     
    0.4
    mg
    20
    %
    Magnesium
     
    42
    mg
    11
    %
    Zinc
     
    1
    mg
    7
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?Leave us a comment below or find us on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    If you liked these vegan side dishes, you might also enjoy:

    • Meatless meals for easy dinners
      40 Easy Meatless Meals
    • Vegetarian lunches
      35 Best Vegetarian Lunch Ideas
    • Canned corn recipes with salads and hot meals
      30 Canned Corn Recipes
    • Cherry tomato recipes
      30 Cherry Tomato Recipes

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico Pallotta and Louise Vestergaard, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

    Here we share veggie-packed recipes for the whole family.

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico Pallotta and Louise Vestergaard, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

    Here we share veggie-packed recipes for the whole family.

    Omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans, you are ALL WELCOME!

    More about us →

    Trending

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    • Black bean salad with lime and avocado
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    Seasonal

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