42 Low Carb Vegetable Side Dishes (15 g or less!)
Whoever said veggies were boring hasn't made these veggie-packed low-carb side dishes! This list is packed with delicious vegetables cooked with various spices and flavors to take them from bland to downright addicting!
Table of Contents
Let’s face it—side dishes often don’t get the love they deserve, especially when it comes to vegetables. But who says veggies have to be boring? With these 25 Low Carb Vegetable Side Dish Recipes, you’ll discover just how flavorful and exciting they can be! Whether you’re into crispy roasted Brussels sprouts, garlicky spaghetti squash, or the best smoky grilled asparagus, these dishes are here to level up your dinner routine—and they all come in at 15 grams of carbs or less!
The other thing we love about these side dishes is that they are quick, easy, and perfect for those crazy busy weeknights. They’re versatile enough to pair with any main course, but honestly, they’re so good they might just steal the spotlight. Think sesame-glazed broccoli, creamy spinach artichoke dip, or coconut cauliflower rice that’s anything but basic.
So, get ready to make veggies the best part of your plate. Whether you’re looking for something fresh and light or rich and comforting, this list has you covered.
Trust me—once you try these, you’ll never call veggies boring again!
Roasted Vegetables
Roasting vegetables may just be my favorite way to create a delicious low carb side! Roasting the veggies creates those delicious caramelized, crispy edges and all you need is oil and spices to create something really delicious.
Sesame Broccoli
Roasted Balsamic Green Beans and Mushrooms
Garlic Spaghetti Squash
Crispy Roasted Cabbage
The most amazing crispy roasted cabbage that's ready in less than 20 minutes. You will never want to eat cabbage any other way after trying this!
Roasted Bok Choy
This roasted bok choy is the perfect Asian side dish with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of heat. Ready in just 10 minutes, it's a dish you will make again and again.
Roasted Green Beans
Roasted green beans transform a standard green bean into something amazingly delicious. They get brown and crispy. No more boring canned or steamed green beans here.
Simple Roasted Asparagus
These oven roasted asparagus are a healthy side dish and one of the best ways to cook asparagus. They come out crisp, slightly browned, and full of flavor. Add any spices you like.
Roasted Eggplant
Roasted garlic eggplant comes out caramelized and delicious. It just might be the most delicious way to cook eggplant. Enjoy this versatile vegetable as a side dish with your favorite proteins and grains.
Low Carb Veggie Dips
When we think about side dishes, we often overlook dips, but they can serve as the perfect side dish with proteins, bowls, lettuce wraps, and more. Here are some of our favorite low carb dips that are also packed with veggies.
Baba Ganoush (Eggplant Dip)
Smoky and delicious Baba Ganoush is an easy homemade eggplant dip that is packed with Middle Eastern flavor. It's made with tender eggplant, lemon, garlic, and tahini for the most delicious dip and spread.
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip with Kale
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip with Kale is the ultimate party appetizer. It’s creamy, decadent, and loaded with more veggies than anyone will ever realize. Serve it as a drool-worthy chip dip or smear it onto your favorite sandwiches and wraps!
Easy Roasted Red Pepper Dip
The delicious Roasted Red Pepper Dip made with white beans, garlic, lemon, and Italian seasoning is a delicious alternative to classic hummus and is packed with flavor. Great for a healthy snack or appetizer.
Cauliflower Hummus
Cauliflower Hummus is a delicious low-carb and keto friendly twist on a classic dish. It’s made with roasted cauliflower, creamy tahini, tangy lemon juice, and roasted garlic for a tasty veggie-packed dip the whole family is bound to fall in love with.
Edamame Hummus
This easy Edamame Hummus is made with shelled edamame, avocado, and cilantro for a creamy, bean-free edamame that is healthy, lower carb, and so delicious.
Healthy Queso Dip
This healthy queso dip tastes amazing with chips or smothered on your favorite burrito. It has all the flavor and none of the guilt! Make this dip with sharp cheddar and jalapenos, you won't regret it.
Grilled Vegetables
When the weather warms up there is nothing better than throwing veggies on the grill and making your main dish and side all outside! Try these delicious and super easy grilled veggies for the perfect summer side dish.
Marinated Grilled Vegetables
Make the most delicious marinated grilled vegetables using this secret trick! Adding the marinade after grilling the vegetables allows them to soak up all that delicious flavor.
Grilled Radishes
Garlic butter grilled radishes are crisp yet tender with an amazing smoky flavor from the grill. An easy 15-minute recipe perfect for barbecues, cookouts, and everyday meals!
Grilled Cauliflower
This Grilled Cauliflower is a tossed with olive oil, garlic, and herbs and then cooked until slightly charred on the grill for the most delicious summer side dish and a whole new way to enjoy cauliflower.
Grilled Lemon Asparagus with Feta
Grilled lemon asparagus with feta is fresh, tangy, and incredibly flavorful. This Mediterranean-inspired side dish is perfect for the summertime, so pair it with your favorite grilled meat like chicken or salmon and enjoy!
Grilled Artichokes
Make restaurant quality Grilled Artichokes at home! Don't be intimidated to cook artichokes at home, use this recipe to learn how to grill artichokes that come out tender and delicious every time.
Grilled Shishito Peppers
These Grilled Shishito Peppers are the ultimate summer side dish, appetizer, and more! Ready in less than 15 minutes, they are full of flavor and versatile, plus you might get a surprise spicy pepper here and there.
Balsamic Grilled Mushrooms (How to Grill Mushrooms)
These balsamic grilled mushrooms come out perfectly caramelized on the outside and tender on the inside. They are a quick and easy side dish for practically any meal, especially one of the grill!
Grilled Cabbage
Grilled Cabbage is deliciously sweet and smoky with just a few simple ingredients. Ready in just 10 minutes, this is some of the best cabbage you'll ever eat.
Never Boring Salads
Push aside the boring greens and iceberg lettuce for these delicious salads that make the perfect side dish. Packed with veggies and tons of flavor, these tasty salads make an amazing low carb side.
Israeli Chopped Salad
This Israeli Chopped Salad is packed with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs, and a delicious lemon dressing for a healthy, refreshing side dish.
Grilled Vegetable Salad
This Grilled Vegetable Salad with zucchini, asparagus, red onion, bell peppers. and mushrooms in a homemade balsamic dressing with feta cheese and arugula is the ultimate grilling side dish.
Easy Cucumber Salad
This easy Cucumber Salad with tomatoes, avocado, red onions, and dill all tossed in a simple vinaigrette is the perfect refreshing side dish.
Greek Salad
This authentic Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, green pepper, feta cheese, kalamata olives, and simple oregano vinaigrette is easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Edamame Salad
This Edamame Salad is fresh, nutritious, and bursting with flavor. It's made with a blend of crunchy vegetables (that stand up to summer heat!), creamy peanut butter dressing, and lots of fresh herbs. Serve this versatile salad as a side dish, a light lunch, or a full meal with your favorite protein on top.
Celery Salad
In the world of salads, Celery Salad often flies under the radar, but we're here to change that! Crisp chunks of celery are tossed with fresh herbs and homemade vinaigrette, resulting in a light, zesty, and refreshing dish.
When you need something super quick, these easy sauteed vegetable recipes are a great side dish option. Most are ready in less than 10 minutes with minimal prep time.
Fajita Veggies
These fajita veggies are quick, easy to make, and bursting with flavor. This healthy combination of fresh bell peppers, sweet onion, and the perfect amount of spice makes a great accompaniment for fajitas, burritos, rice bowls, salads, and more!
Pan Fried Broccoli
Make this delicious Pan Fried Broccoli in just 10 minutes for a tasty and healthy side dish. It's crispy, perfectly cooked, and easy enough to serve with any main dish.
Sauteed Cauliflower
Sauteed Cauliflower with garlic, lemon, parsley, and Parmesan cheese is ready in less than 15 minutes for a star side dish that tastes amazing.
Sauteed Snow Peas
Sauteed snow peas with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame seeds are a quick and easy Asian side dish that is full of flavor.
Garlic Sautéed Spinach
The best garlic sauteed spinach with crispy garlic, fresh lemon juice, and some seriously delicious spinach. This side dish is easy and packed with flavor.
10 Minute Cabbage Stir Fry
This quick and easy Cabbage Stir Fry flavored with sesame, soy sauce, ginger, and a touch of Sriracha works great for any Asian meal and is ready in less than 10 minutes.
Rice and Noodle Replacements
Craving pasta or rice? Find all of our favorite low carb rice and pasta replacements! I promise you won't miss the real thing.
Coconut Cauliflower Rice
This creamy coconut cauliflower rice is the ultimate healthy side dish. Made simply with cauliflower, coconut milk, garlic, and ginger, this flavorful dish is easy to make and beyond delicious.
Parmesan Zucchini Noodles
These Parmesan Zucchini Noodles are the perfect low-carb side dish. Ready in just 15 minutes, these garlicky and cheesy noodles are a great keto alternative to pasta.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
This low carb Mexican Cauliflower Rice is the perfect 15 minute light and healthy side dish! It's full of flavor and pairs great with tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, and more.
Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin
This Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin packed with a combination of Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses with garlic, onion, and fresh herbs is absolutely delicious and surprisingly healthy,
Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Rice
Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Rice is flavorful, easy to make, and ready in under 20 minutes. Pair this low-carb side dish with your favorite lean protein and veggies for a delicious healthy meal that guarantees to please.
Asian Zucchini Noodles
Asian Zucchini Noodles are a Whole30 and Paleo friendly way to enjoy your favorite Asian noodles without the guilt. Made with ginger, garlic, coconut aminos, and sesame seeds this noodles couldn't be more delicious.
Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles
Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles make the perfect low carb side dish with fresh zucchini noodles, creamy ricotta, garlic, and lemon.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice that tastes just as good as your favorite restaurant dish but is low carb, keto, and packed with veggies.
Tips For Making Tasty Low Carb Side Dishes
Make your life easier with these simple tips for making these sides:
- Chop: Chop up your veggies beforehand and store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days before making the dish. This will help you save time and cut down on mealtime stress!
- Get creative: These dishes are super versatile, so play around with different veggies, herbs, spices, and flavors to get your desired result.
- Textures: Adding shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped bacon, or nuts is a great way to balance the texture of the softened veggies with a slight crunch!
- Cooking method: If you don't have a grill, you can make these veggie side dishes in a skillet or in the oven.
How to Add More Flavor to Veggies
If your veggies are too bland, here are some easy ways to ramp up the flavor:
- Roast: High heat caramelizes natural sugars, creating deep, sweet, and nutty flavors.
- Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil, or parsley instantly boost aroma and taste.
- Spices: A dash of paprika, cumin, curry powder, or chili flakes transforms vegetables with minimal effort.
- Citrus: Lemon or lime juice adds a bright, zesty finish that complements most vegetables.
- Sauces: Toss with balsamic glaze, soy sauce, tahini, or a garlic-infused oil for extra depth.
- Cheese: A sprinkle of Parmesan, feta, or goat cheese amps up flavor and creaminess.
- Marinades: Let veggies soak in olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and seasoning after cooking.
- Nuts or seeds: Almonds, pine nuts, or sesame seeds bring crunch and a hint of nuttiness.
- Bacon: Add some chopped bacon to veggies for extra smoky flavor.
- Butter: Toss hot veggies with melted butter or ghee for a rich, indulgent flavor.
- Oils: Use oils infused with garlic, chili, or herbs to instantly enhance the taste.
Veggies with the Lowest Carb Counts
Check out the following list for veggies with carbs under 15 grams!
- Spinach: ~1 g per 1 cup raw.
- Zucchini: ~3 g per 1 cup sliced.
- Cauliflower: ~3 g per 1 cup raw.
- Broccoli: ~4 g per 1 cup chopped.
- Asparagus: ~4 g per 1 cup cooked.
- Mushrooms: ~2 g per 1 cup raw.
- Cucumber: ~2 g per 1 cup sliced.
- Lettuce (Romaine or Iceberg): ~1-2 g per 1 cup chopped.
- Celery: ~1 g per 1 medium stalk.
- Radishes: ~2 g per 1 cup sliced.
- Green Beans: ~6 g per 1 cup cooked.
- Brussels Sprouts: ~8 g per 1 cup cooked.
- Bell Peppers (Green): ~4 g per 1 cup chopped.
- Cabbage: ~5 g per 1 cup cooked.
- Kale: ~6 g per 1 cup chopped.
These low-carb main dish categories pair perfectly with these mouthwatering veggie-packed sides:
- Chicken: Easy Greek Chicken, Chicken Fajitas, Blackened Chicken
- Pork: Grilled Pork Chops, Sweet and Spicy Pork
- Beef: Sesame Beef, Beef Stir Fry, Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Roast
- Seafood: Garlic Grilled Shrimp, Blackened Salmon
- Tofu: Grilled Tofu, Basil Tofu with Green Beans