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Home » Recipes

Vegan Side Dish Recipes

A selection of vegan side dish recipes that are healthy, budget-friendly, and easy to make. Using pantry-friendly, plant-based ingredients. Includes vegan protein sides, dips, 'grain' recipes, side salads, and veggie sides.

This Easy Oyster Mushroom recipe and this blood-glucose-blunting Mushroom Kale Veggie Starter are two of my favorites.

Blood Sugar Blunting Veggie Starters

  • Cabbage stir-fry on a white plate.
    Easy Asian Cabbage Stir Fry (15 Minutes, Better Than Takeout)
  • Perfectly cooked kale leaves in a white bowl with a diabetic-friendly dressing.
    How to Cook Kale for Maximum Nutrients (Low-Glycemic Dressing)
  • Cucumber Seaweed Salad: Peeled cucumber slices with soaked wakame seaweed and dressing in a glass jar with chopsticks.
    Healthy Cucumber Seaweed Salad: Easy, Refreshing & Nutritious
  • Roasted cabbage steak with green miso dressing on a white plate.
    Roasted Cabbage Steaks (Air Fryer or Oven)
  • Cabbage carrot salad with miso dressing in a bowl topped with pistachios, green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro.
    Carrot Cabbage Salad
  • Veggie starter recipe with mushrooms, kale, Calabrian chili peppers, garlic, and seasoning.
    Kale Mushroom Veggie Starter Recipe
  • Cruciferous veggie starter recipe with steamed broccoli and cauliflower in a bowl with vinegar dressing in a bowl.
    Cruciferous Veggie Starter Recipe
  • Raw carrot salad in a white bowl with roasted pepitas, and chopped herbs.
    Best Raw Carrot Salad (5-Minutes)

Vegan Protein Sides

  • Crispy Lebanese arayes stuffed with lentil meat and drizzled with ypgurt sauce.
    Arayes Recipe (Lebanese Lentil-Stuffed Crispy Pita)
  • Pan-fried tofu crumbles in a bowl and sprinkled on a cabbage stir fry.
    Quick One-Pan Crispy Tofu Crumbles (7 Ingredients)
  • Simple crispy tempeh in a bowl.
    Simple Crispy Tempeh (Air-Fryer or Oven)
  • Vegetarian Lentil Shepherd's Pie on a plate with a fork.
    Healthy Lentil Shepherd's Pie (High-Protein, Vegan)
  • Tofu feta in brine.
    Oil-Free Tofu Feta in Brine (High-Protein)
  • Baked falafel with mung beans on a white plate.
    Baked Falafel Recipe with Mung Beans (High-Protein)
  • Vegan crustless quiche in two white casserole dishes.
    Crustless Vegan Quiche Recipe (High-Protein, Low-Carb)
  • Baked tempeh crumbles on a white plate.
    Tasty Baked Tempeh (4 Ingredients + The Best Cooking Tricks)
  • Seitan chicken pieces on a white plate with yogurt sauce and fresh herbs.
    How to Make Seitan (Two Ways)
  • Tofu vegan kebabs on hummus on a white plate.
    Easy Vegan Kebabs (High-Protein)
  • Roasted edamame with green miso sauce on parchment paper.
    Roasted Edamame
  • Crispy panko tofu squares on a white plate with a brown sauce and gold spoon.
    Panko Tofu Recipe (Baked)
  • Crispy roasted chickpeas on a white baking nonstick sheet.
    Best Crispy Roasted Chickpeas Recipe
  • Golden brown crispy tempeh in marinade with noodles and sesame seeds and green onion in a white bowl.
    How to Cook Tempeh
  • Marinated tofu salad with cubed baked tofu, chopped red onion, parsley, and celery in a white bowl on a gray backdrop.
    Easy Marinated Tofu Salad
  • Silken tofu in sesame soy dressing with toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
    Sesame Soy Silken Tofu (Soft Tofu)
  • Vegan beef with broccoli and noodles on a white plate.
    Best Vegan Beef
  • Three mini vegan meatloaf on a white plate with fresh thyme leaves.
    Best Vegan Meatloaf
  • Tofu taco meat on tacos with vegan feta and chopped fresh herbs.
    Tofu Taco Meat
  • Cubed yellow chickpea tofu on a white marble board.
    Chickpea Tofu (Burmese Tofu)
  • Three reusable sandwich size Ziploc bags with marinated tempeh crumbles.
    Easy Tempeh Marinade Recipes
  • Easy tofu ground beef in a speckled grey skillet with a grey spatula.
    Tofu Meat (Ground Beef)
  • Crispy tofu cubes garnished with sesame seeds, white rice, shelled edamame, broccoli florets, and shishito peppers in a white bowl with bamboo chopsticks.
    Crispy Tofu Recipe
  • Six pieces of crispy tofu with sesame seeds on a white plate next to a brown agrodolce sauce.
    Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked)
  • Chickpea Basil Patties with a hint of fresh lemon, served with Aioli.
    Lemon Basil Chickpea Patties
  • Golden brown vegan air fryer falafel in a white dish next to a cucumber tomato salad and white sauce.
    Vegan Air Fryer Falafel

Side Salads

  • Smoky lemon herb bean salad in a bowl.
    Lentil & Garbanzo Bean Salad (30 Grams Protein)
  • Vegan feta, spring greens mix, sliced apple, cranberry balsamic dressing, and chopped pecans.
    Festive Green Salad with Apple and Pomegranate
  • Thanksgiving salad with creamy tahini dressing in a white bowl.
    Thanksgiving Salad (Make-Ahead Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing)
  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts & Celery Anti-Cancer Salad in a white bowl.
    Shaved Brussels Sprouts & Celery Salad
  • Creamy vegan cucumber salad in a white bowl with red onion and dill. Dairy-free.
    Creamy Cucumber Salad (Dairy-Free, High-Protein)
  • Beetroot salad with yogurt, red onion, chickpeas, and fresh dill on a white plate and a black fork.
    Beetroot Salad with Yogurt (High-Protein)
  • Raw beet salad with chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, and fresh dill.
    Raw Beet Salad Recipe
  • High-protein edamame cucumber salad in a white bowl with a spoon.
    Healthy Edamame Cucumber Salad (High-Protein)
  • Mung bean salad on white plate with a fork.
    Sprouts Salad Recipe (High-Protein, Healthy)
  • Kale salad with tahini dressing, sunflower seeds, shallots, and cranberries on a white plate with a silver fork.
    Best-Tasting Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
  • Vegan mayo-free macaroni salad with green peas in a white bowl with a silver fork.
    Macaroni Salad No Mayo
  • Salsa with mango, strawberries, avocado, edamame, red onion, basil, cilantro, and lime dressing in a white bowl with a side of tortilla chips.
    Avocado Mango Salad
  • Black beans, quartered grape tomatoes, chopped cilantro, corn kernels, and chopped red onion in a white bowl on a white marble board.
    Cowboy Salad Recipe
  • Vegan German Potato Salad with dill, parsley, red onion, Dijon, olive oil, red baby potatoes, and green beans.
    German Potato Salad Recipe (Vegan)
  • Best kale and crispy chickpea salad with easy lemon vinaigrette in a white bowl topped with croutons.
    Kale Chickpea Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
  • Chopped tomato cucumber salad with fresh herbs and olives in a gray bowl with a black spoon.
    Tomato & Cucumber Salad (Oil-Free Option)
  • Cabbage salad topped with crispy chickpeas, parsley, and vegan Caesar dressing in a white bowl.
    Best Cabbage Salad
  • Cooked tricolor quinoa with roasted sweet potato cubes, chopped pecans, and fresh thyme leaves in a white bowl with a fork.
    Warm Quinoa Salad
  • Roasted red cabbage, chickpeas, pecans, pepitas, and dried cranberries in creamy dressing in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon.
    Harvest Bowl
  • Gluten-free quinoa tabbouleh salad with grape tomatoes, chopped parsley, mint, and green onion, olives, and roasted chickpeas in a white bowl.
    Tabbouleh Salad with Quinoa Recipe (Gluten-Free)
  • Mini cucumbers cut into accordions in a glass dish tossed with red Korean Gochugaru dressing.
    Korean Cucumber Salad
  • Sliced red cabbage, kale, and shredded carrots, tossed in oil dressing, in a large wooden bowl with wooden and white salad servers. Plus, a served portion in a white bowl.
    Red Cabbage Salad
  • Curried Couscous in a white bowl with cashews, carrots, bell pepper, chickpeas, red onion, cilantro, and parsley.
    Curried Couscous Recipe

Veggie Sides

  • Stuffed diabetic sweet potatoes in a white bowl with avocado.
    Diabetic Sweet Potatoes
  • Perfectly cooked kale leaves in a white bowl with a diabetic-friendly dressing.
    How to Cook Kale for Maximum Nutrients (Low-Glycemic Dressing)
  • Healthy savory mashed sweet potatoes on a white plate with a spoon.
    Healthy Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Roast potatoes, carrots, grape tomatoes, garlic, and white beans tossed with olive oil and fresh herbs.
    Garlic Roasted Vegetables & White Beans
  • One whole head roasted cauliflower on a white plate topped with a green sauce, chopped pistachios, hemp seeds, and parsley.
    Vegan Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
  • 2-ingredient plantain fritters in a white bowl.
    Easy Plantain Fritters Recipe
  • Three roasted cauliflower steaks on a white plate with a drizzle of green dressing and lemon wedges.
    Easy Cauliflower Steaks Recipe
  • Sliced orange sweet potato stuffed with roasted chickpeas, red cabbage, dried cranberries, pecans, pepitas, and creamy dressing on a plate with two more air fryer sweet potatoes.
    Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
  • Roasted kabocha squash halves, stuffed with tofu taco meat and rice, and topped with a drizzle of tahini and chopped parsley.
    Roasted Kabocha Squash Recipe
  • Golden brown crispy potato wedges with chopped cilantro garnish.
    Crispy Roasted Potato Bites
  • Homemade crispy baked potato chips with Maldon salt.
    Homemade Baked Potato Chips
  • Crispy bang bang cauliflower with sesame seeds in a white bowl.
    Best Bang Bang Cauliflower
  • Oyster mushroom skewers on a flatbread with hummus, chili oil, grape tomatoes, and chopped parsley on a white speckled plate.
    Easy Oyster Mushroom Recipe (4-Ingredients)

Vegan Dips

  • Creamy vegan spinach and artichoke dip in a round baking dish.
    Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Dip (Nut-Free, High-Protein)
  • High-protein vegan cream cheese on a bagel.
    High-Protein Vegan Cream Cheese (Nut-Free)
  • High-protein raita in white bowl with a gold spoon.
    High-Protein Raita
  • Greek Green Goddess Dip on a white platter with crudités.
    Greek Green Goddess Dip (High-Protein)
  • Green white bean lentil dip in a white bowl topped with Calabrian chili peppers.
    30-Gram Protein Creamy Bean Lentil Dip
  • Green pea hummus in a white bowl.
    Green Pea Hummus
  • Dairy free cream cheese with artichokes in a white bowl.
    High-Protein Vegan Artichoke Dip
  • Artichoke hummus with Calabrian chili peppers in a white bowl.
    5-Minute Artichoke Hummus Recipe
  • Creamy high-protein edamame guacamole in a ceramic bowl.
    Edamame Guacamole: Protein-Rich Vegan Snack
  • Four colorful antioxidant-rich vegan dips in white bowls.
    Simple Recipes for Antioxidant-Rich Meals (15 Minutes or Less)
  • Homemade gluten-free crackers and sweet potato hummus with roasted lentils.
    Healthy Sweet Potato Hummus Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free)
  • Easy golden hummus recipe with turmeric, and topped with roasted chickpeas.
    The Easiest And Healthiest Golden Hummus Recipe
  • Chickpea mash in a glass bowl with whole grain crackers.
    Chickpea Mash
  • Creamy white bean hummus topped with chili crisp and served with crispy toasts.
    Creamy White Bean Hummus (7 Ingredients)
  • Vegan tuna in a speckled grey bowl with an ice cream scoop. Plus, one sliced lemon on the right.
    Vegan Tuna
  • Green avocado spread smeared on a large white speckled plate, topped with Everything Bagel Seasoning next to lemon, garlic, and a bunch of parsley.
    5-Minute Avocado Spread Recipe
  • Pink beetroot hummus in a white bowl with one toasted pita wedge.
    Best Beetroot Hummus
  • Glass jar with chipotle black bean dip and pico de gallo with yellow hexagon crackers.
    Chipotle Black Bean Dip Recipe
  • High-Protein Red Lentil Dip & Spread in a white bowl with chopped parsley.
    High-Protein Red Lentil Dip & Spread
  • Nut-Free Paprika Dip in a bowl.
    Paprika Dip

Bean Sides

  • Creamy white beans (high-protein) in a white bowl.
    Creamy White Beans Recipe (High-Protein)
  • Mixed bean salad on a white plate and serving platter with cabbage and red bell peppers, edamame, black beans, white beans, and pinto beans.
    Mixed Bean Salad (Quick, High-Protein, Perfect for Any Occasion)
  • Creamy miso beans and cabbage in a white bowl with a silver spoon.
    Easy Creamy Miso Beans with Cabbage
  • Creamy white beans skillet meal on two pieces of toast on a white plate.
    Creamy White Bean Skillet Meal (20 Minutes)
  • Creamy butter beans with grape tomatoes, spinach, and toasts in a white bowl.
    Creamy Butter Beans
  • Marinated red kidney beans salad in a white bowl with a gold spoon.
    Kidney Bean Salad: A Gluten-Free And Vegan Recipe

Breads, Wraps & Crackers

  • Quinoa spinach wraps on a white plate.
    Quinoa Spinach Wraps (Tortillas)
  • Red lentil flax seed wraps on a white plate next to a jar of flax seeds and a jar of red lentils.
    Easy Gluten-Free Red Lentil Wraps
  • Five red lentil gluten-free rolls with black and white sesame seeds on top on a round wooden cutting board next to a sliced roll topped with hummus and kimchi and a serrated knife.
    Lentil Bread (Vegan)
  • Gluten-free wraps with mung beans and chickpeas on a white plate.
    Mung Bean Wraps (High-Protein)
  • Gluten-free quinoa bread with pumpkin seeds sliced on a wooden cutting board.
    Quinoa Bread Recipe (Gluten-Free, Easy)
  • Protein biscuits (vegan and low-carb) on a white plate.
    Quick Protein Biscuits Recipe (20 Minutes, Vegan)
  • Protein cake pieces in brown parchment paper.
    Protein Cake
  • Lentil and quinoa flatbread on a white plate.
    Easy Quinoa Flatbread Recipe (High-Protein)
  • Homemade gluten-free crackers on a white baking sheet.
    2-Ingredient Homemade Crackers (Vegan And Gluten-Free)
  • Homemade flaxseed crackers in a white bowl next to a bowl of hummus.
    Best Flaxseed Crackers Recipe

'Grain' Recipes

  • Homemade gnocchi in a fine mesh sieve.
    Red Lentil Homemade Gnocchi (High-Protein, Gluten-Free)
  • Cooked one-pot rice, lentils, kale, quinoa, and a bay leaf in a stainless steel saucepan.
    Lentil Quinoa Rice with Kale (Stovetop or Rice Cooker)
  • Golden brown gluten-free chickpea breadcrumbs in a bowl with a spoon.
    Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free)
  • Baked crispy quinoa on a white rimmed nonstick baking sheet.
    How to Make Crispy Quinoa Recipe
  • Lemon quinoa topped with fresh herbs and made with tricolor quinoa.
    Lemon Quinoa
  • Cooked fluffy quinoa in a white bowl with a spoon and napkin.
    How to Cook Quinoa (Stove, Rice Cooker, Instant Pot, Microwave)
  • A small white bowl of orzo rice with a black serving spoon inside.
    Orzo Rice
  • Cooked fluffy quinoa rice in a small white bowl.
    Quinoa Rice Recipe

Holiday Side Dishes

  • Cooked tricolor quinoa with roasted sweet potato cubes, chopped pecans, and fresh thyme leaves in a white bowl with a fork.
    Warm Quinoa Salad
  • Cranberry sauce in a bowl with a sprinkle of lemon zest.
    Healthy Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce with Orange, Dates, and Chia
  • Vegan gluten-free gravy being poured onto mashed potatoes.
    Easy 6-Ingredient Vegan Gravy (Rich, Silky & Gluten-Free)
Nisha Melvani in a red sweater sitting with hands crossed over.

Hey! I'm Nisha.

A registered dietitian and Natural Gourmet Institute culinary school graduate. As a nutritionist and mom of three teens, I design my recipes to be pantry-friendly, healthful, and enjoyable for the whole family.

About me

High-Protein Breakfasts

  • Baked red lentil protein pancakes with toppings in four meal prep glass containers.
    Sheet Pan Red Lentil Protein Pancakes
  • Strawberry chia pudding in a glass jar with a wooden spoon.
    Strawberry Chia Pudding (High-Protein)
  • High-Protein Chocolate Chia Pudding in a glass bowl with a spoon.
    High-Protein Chocolate Chia Pudding with Yogurt
  • High-protein apple cinnamon chia seed oatmeal in a bowl with a spoon and sliced apples on top with a drizzle of date syrup.
    Protein Chia Seed Oatmeal (Apple-Cinnamon)
  • Savory protein porridge with oats and red lentils in a white bowl on a wooden board.
    Savory Protein Porridge
  • Breakfast Lentils Vegan Porridge in a meal prep container with a spoon.
    Breakfast Lentils Vegan Porridge (High-Protein)

Longevity Soups & Stews

  • Miso soup with noodles, mushrooms, tofu, nori seaweed, and green onion.
    Best Miso Noodle Soup
  • Vegan red bean and rice in a white bowl with chopped cilantro.
    Vegan Red Beans and Rice Recipe
  • Tempeh, lentils, potatoes, and carrots in a tomato broth stew served with brown rice.
    'Tempeh That Tastes Good' Vegan Protein Stew Recipe
  • Vegan tofu chili in a white bowl.
    Tofu Chili (High-Protein)
  • Cooked quinoa with lentils, corn, diced tomatoes, celery, red onions, and carrots in a white bowl. Topped with vegan sour cream, avocado, and chopped cilantro.
    High-Protein Quinoa & Lentils Without Oil
  • Orange colored vegetable soup with white beans, quinoa, celery, carrots, zucchini, kale, and diced tomatoes in a white bowl.
    White Bean Soup with Quinoa

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