What to Serve With Roasted Vegetables – 5 Healthy Side Dishes

Roasted vegetables are loaded with health benefits and add more color to different menus. However, they aren’t enough for everyone as a lone dish as some people don’t find veggies filling. The trick is to serve them alongside something ‘heavier’ to satisfy everyone’s hunger. Here I share some simple yet great ideas on what to serve with roasted vegetables to turn them into appealing and tasty dishes!

Why Serve Roast Vegetables?

Cooking vegetables may sometimes destroy their nutritional value, but that is not the case with roasting. Oven roasted vegetables maintain their crisp textures and nutritional content. A roasted veggie is loaded with nutrients and minerals, making it a healthy addition to a meal.

Roasting vegetables retains potent phytochemicals and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and fight off diseases. This meal prep method also conserves the fiber and vitamin content of the vegetables.

However, as is with most cooking methods, roasting can still alter its components. Overheating breaks down the nutritional benefits of the veggies, so it is best to roast them below the oil’s smoking point or the temperature that the oil starts to burn.

For example, extra virgin olive oil’s smoke point is between 350 to 410⁰F. So, when using extra virgin olive oil, you should not roast veggies at higher temperatures.

5 Healthy Side Dishes for Roasted Vegetables

Serving roasted vegetables can be tricky if you do not know the best complimentary dishes that go along with them. Picky eaters may not like various vegetables, and children may even hate anything with veggies. But, adding roasted veg to the right dishes will make them more appealing to taste.

1. Fried Rice

Steamed rice is a staple in Asian countries and is the best match for roasted vegetables. Its blandness compliments the flavor of vegetables to make them stand out. If you want to add a bit of taste to rice, fried rice will make roasted vegetables taste more complete.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2/3 cup carrots
• ½ cup frozen peas
• 3 cups leftover white rice
• 2 large eggs, scrambled and cut into strips
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Steps

1. Heat oil in a wok or non-stick pan and add the garlic.
2. Sautee the carrots for 1 minute.
3. Add the peas and rice and stir thoroughly for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Add the scrambled eggs and add the seasoning to the desired taste.

2. Roast Chicken Breast

Roasted chicken is warm and homely, but it can be tedious to prepare. Here is an easy recipe that also goes best with roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast, skinless and boneless
• 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest from 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper

Steps

1. Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken breast into a half-inch thickness
2. Mix all the ingredients and add the chicken to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Grill the chicken on high with the cover for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Maple Glazed Salmon

When it comes to flavor, salmon is a dish that gives a delectable seafood treat. You can turn it salty and sour, smokey and creamy, or sweet and fancy with a maple syrup glaze.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 ½ lbs salmon filet
• 3 tbsp maple syrup

Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and apply the cooking spray.
2. Mix the seasonings well and sprinkle over the filet.
3. Place the salmon on the baking sheet and broil for 6 to 9 minutes.
4. Remove the salmon from the oven and brush with maple syrup until coated.
5. Broil for 2 more minutes until a crispy crust forms.

4. Beef Steak Strips with Roasted Veggies

Beef and veggies are a premium fusion of irresistible bold and subtle flavors. And there is no need to go through a lengthy meal prep if you can get them done in one pan.

Ingredients

Vegetables:

• Zucchini, sliced
• Yellow squash, sliced
• Small cherry tomatoes
• Red onion, sliced into strips
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp oregano powder
• Salt
• Pepper

For the steak:

• 1 lbs thinly sliced beef sirloin
• 2 tbsp coconut amino
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Steps

1. Mix all the ingredients for the steak and marinate the sirloin into it.
2. Preheat the oven to 425⁰F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Spread the vegetables in a single layer on the baking sheet and season well. Bake for 20 minutes until soft.
4. Spread the marinated sirloin into the baking sheet along with the veggies. Bake until the desired doneness of the steak is achieved.

5. Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

An air fryer is a handy tool for cooking without dousing the food with too much fat. This air fryer pork tenderloin is a simple recipe you can make in a few minutes if you want a delicious but fuss-free meal, and it goes great with roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 lbs pork tenderloin
• ½ cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Pepper

Steps

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and marinate the pork tenderloin for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the air-fryer to 400⁰F and cook pork for about 25 minutes, flipping it halfway through.
3. Let it rest in the fryer for 5 more minutes before serving it with roasted veggies.

All of our recipes are easy to make and handy on days you don’t have much time for cooking. Stop worrying about what to serve with roasted vegetables.

These foods pair well with all kinds of dishes without overpowering them. Roast veggies are versatile and complement all recipes nicely. You just need to be more creative about the available ingredients in your kitchen.

How to Roast Vegetables

Roasting is the slow process of cooking vegetables in dry heat. But sometimes, it is used synonymously with grilling, which involves an open fire and quick cooking. Either way, the methods bring about a distinct caramelization that gives vegetables their flavor.

If you are feeling lazy but still crave something healthy, a roasted vegetable is an easy fix. All you need is a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Cut your preferred vegetables, toss them in olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper. You may add fresh herbs, garlic powder, or other seasonings that you desire. Line everything in the sheet, slip it into the oven, and wait until the veggies are done.

The baking time for vegetables varies, so it would be best to roast vegetables that have the same cooking time together. Root vegetables, for example, stay longer in the oven than cruciferous vegetables.

When roasting, the best vegetables for the recipes are the firmer types. Think about roasted root vegetables, butternut squash, brussels sprouts, roasted broccoli, or roasted cauliflower. Roasted asparagus or roasted eggplant is also great and ideal as a garnish for meat dishes.

Takeaway

Every meal prep requires careful planning to ensure that you are feeding yourself and your family a hearty meal while ensuring its health benefits. Vegetables are healthy, especially if eaten raw to preserve their nutritional content. However, picky eaters and children may prefer something other than eating raw veggies.

To make things more appealing and delicious to the palate, roasted vegetables are one way to cook vegetables while maintaining their health benefits. Pairing it with a perfect dish further boosts its appeal and may encourage even the picky ones to give it a try.

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