9 Five-Ingredient Mediterranean Diet Side Dishes

Quinoa with Peas & Lemon

This vibrant side dish combines green peas and quinoa, offering a pop of color and plenty of nutrients. Using frozen peas saves time, and opting for precooked quinoa makes preparation even faster.

Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini

With its long thin stems and small florets, broccolini is a delightful cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. Sautéed with lemon, garlic, and a hint of crushed red pepper, this crisp-tender vegetable pairs

Turmeric-Roasted Cauliflower

Roasting cauliflower transforms it into a crispy, tender delight that absorbs flavors beautifully. This recipe uses a warm and toasty mix of turmeric, cumin, and garlic, making it a versatile side dish.

Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & Cumin

Salting the cucumbers for just 10 minutes before serving pulls out excess moisture, concentrating their flavor and preventing a watered-down salad.

Balsamic-Parmesan Sautéed Spinach

Tender spinach gets a flavor boost from garlic, Parmesan cheese, and sweet balsamic vinegar in this quick and tasty side dish. The sturdy leaves of mature spinach hold up best during cooking

Roasted Kalettes

A cross between kale and Brussels sprouts, kalettes cook quickly in a hot oven, making for an easy and nutritious vegetable side dish. Roasting enhances their natural flavors, offering a delicious and healthy option for any meal.

Cauliflower Rice

Pulsing cauliflower in a food processor transforms it into a rice-like vegetable. In this recipe, cauliflower rice is made into an herbed pilaf, providing a low-carb and nutritious alternative to traditional rice.

Balsamic-Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan

Roasting green beans with balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese creates a sweet, caramelized flavor while retaining some bite. This easy and healthy side dish is perfect with chicken

Air-Fryer Butternut Squash

Cooking butternut squash in the air fryer results in tender pieces with slightly crispy edges. Simple seasonings complement the subtle sweetness of the squash, making this quick and easy side dish versatile

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