If you've recently switched to the paleo diet, you may be wondering what kind of side dishes you can enjoy. The paleo diet focuses heavily on meats, fish, eggs, seeds, fruits, nuts, and veggies, and incorporates healthy fats and oils. Generally speaking, foods that should be avoided are processed foods, grains, and sugar. Using whole, pure foods to make delicious side dishes is an excellent way to explore the many flavors and textures you can create while following a paleo diet.
Why Side Dishes Matter on the Paleo Diet
Though the main course may be the star of the night, that doesn't necessarily mean that it will be incredibly filling. The trick to creating the perfect paleo meal is to ensure that everything in the meal works together. If you're planning out a light main course for dinner, then a light side dish might not do the trick of filling guests' stomachs. To ensure that everyone stays happy and satiated, choose a side dish that will complement your chosen course and provide the extra calories needed to satisfy guests.
Embracing Vegetables: The Cornerstone of Paleo Side Dishes
I think my favorite part of all of my meals is the sides. I mean who can live without their salads, fruits, and veggies? I sure can't! Fruits & vegetables are LOADED with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants which can protect against things like cancer and heart disease! We should also try to get a variety of color and kinds of veggies. Spinach has a handful of vitamins and minerals and also contains phytochemicals that can boost your immune system. You always hear “eat your greens” but do not discount your oranges! It also has a cancer-fighting compound called sulforaphane. They are ideal for weight management as they are so low in calories and fat. An increase of one serving per day of green leafy veggies was associated with a 9 percent lower risk of diabetes. All of these veggies have BENEFITS to your health!
So the challenge is to PLAN your MENU for the week and add veggies to every meal. Or if you like protein shakes, add some leafy fresh spinach to your shake and you won’t even notice the taste! Make everything into a salad or wrap! Sandwiches don't well for Paleo anyway, so replace your "bread" with lettuce and wrap it! Add shredded carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers. If you are eating chicken for dinner, make it into a salad! I used to just eat salad on the side, but I soon realized my salad tasted better if I mixed it into my chicken or whatever it was I was eating. Anything can be made into a salad and it can taste good! Don't think of it as a salad if you don't like salad! If you are gonna munch, munch on veggies! Munch on carrots, broccoli, sliced cucumbers or peppers. At first, you might not like it, but then soon you really start to crave those delicious and crispy vegetables… Nothing will make you want to eat them more than KNOWING THEIR BENEFITS! If you have high blood cholesterol or bowel and colon problems, research what veggies and foods can help you. Keep veggies cut up and ready to eat in your fridge at all times. Keep a bag of pre-made salad all of the time. Make eating veggies fun for not only you but for your kids and family. Let your kids choose the colors! Let them shop produce with you and learn to pick them! They will learn to love their veggies by example!
Roasted Vegetable Delights
I also love roasted crookneck squash, green beans, broccoli, and asparagus roasted. Roasted Veggies - Carrots, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Beets…any combo. Toss in avocado oil, salt, and pepper then put in a shallow roasting pan at 375 for about 45 minutes. About every 15 minutes retoss. Roasted butternut squash, try delicata squash, it is delicious and you can eat the peel. Roasted turnips are amazing. I boil them a bit and finish cooking in ghee.
Read also: Paleo Granola Recipes
Balsamic Mushrooms
Balsamic Mushrooms are the perfect easy side dish.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels Sprouts are the perfect easy side dish!
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Squash with Almond Butter Balsamic
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Squash with Almond Butter Balsamic is the perfect, healthy side dish for your next holiday gathering that will not disappoint! Serve it at your next Thanksgiving dinner for all to enjoy.
Honey Roasted Carrots
Honey Roasted Carrots are the easiest side dish.
Sautéed Vegetable Sensations
Sautéed diced mushrooms with diced spinach in olive oil, sprinkled sesame seeds to be mixed in ~ This cooks quickly even on low heat, and veggies can be washed and placed in a ziplock bag for easy dicing.
Read also: Paleo Diet Delivered: What You Need to Know
Sautéed Squash and Apples with Bacon
Sauteed squash and apples, and bacon
Pan-Fried Zucchini and Garlic
Pan fry fresh zucchini and garlic in a tablespoon of bacon grease
Potatoes: A Paleo-Friendly Starch (with a Twist)
It’s not really a meal without potatoes in our house. Some people say that white potatoes aren’t paleo, but sweet potatoes are. I roast my potatoes into fries. It's the only way I like fries now. Sweet potato fries! I do olive oil with paprika, salt, and garlic powder.
Sheet Pan Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Sheet Pan Crispy Roasted Potatoes are an easy, delicious side dish!
Crispy Rosemary Smashed Potatoes
Crispy Rosemary Smashed Potatoes are paleo, vegan + Whole30 friendly - these easy smashed potatoes are simply delicious.
Read also: Paleo Mayonnaise Recipe
Spiralized Rosemary Potatoes
Spiralized Rosemary Potatoes are an easy, healthy side dish that go with any meal!
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes
Soups: Warm and Comforting Paleo Sides
We love to have soups and a sweeter side dish on our holiday table like applesauce or cinnamon apples.
Sweet Potato Soup
Sweet Potato Soup can be made in your instant pot, crock pot or on the stove.
Healthy Potato Soup
Healthy Potato Soup is total comfort food!
Healthy Butternut Squash Soup
Healthy Butternut Squash Soup is paleo, Whole30, vegan, and naturally gluten/dairy free.
Other Creative Paleo Side Dishes
Aubergine/Eggplant and Zucchini
Aubergine/eggplantZucchini or yellow squash slow-cooked in butter, sprinkled with tarragon.
Cauliflower Rice
Put cauliflower in a food processor and pulse till it's small pieces. slowly cook in a little bit of oil, salt & pepper till soft
Roasted Roma Tomatoes with Zucchini
Roasted Roma tomatoes mixed with spiralized zucchini: heat the tomatoes first, turn off heat and add zucchini, let sit for 5-10 minutes then eat
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Brussels sprouts with bacon
Oven-Roasted Butternut Squash with Garlic
Oven-roasted butternut squash with garlic and favorite spices
Coleslaw
Coleslaw - 2 cups is about 6-7 grams of carbs.
Prosciutto Wrapped Radicchio with Balsamic Fig Reduction
Prosciutto Wrapped Radicchio with Balsamic Fig Reduction is a perfect side dish for your holiday dinner table!
Crockpot Artichokes
Crockpot Artichokes Recipe is an easy way to make yummy artichokes! Only a few hours in the slow cooker + a few ingredients to make them!
Instant Pot Applesauce
Instant Pot Applesauce is the best way to make homemade applesauce!
Healthy Baked Apples with Cinnamon
Healthy Baked Apples with Cinnamon are a quick and easy side the whole family will love.
Flatbread
Healthy, wholesome side dishes like flatbreads work to create satisfying and filling meals when paired with a dish that compliments their natural flavors. Flatbread is an excellent holiday side dish if you're hoping to add a bit more to your meal! Because flatbreads are entirely customizable, they can be created according to your and your guest's taste preferences. With the right ingredients, flatbreads can be turned into a mouthwatering dish that's entirely paleo. In this delicious Flatbread, gluten free cassava flour is used to keep it as wholesome as possible.
Paleo Squash Galette
Rich, savory and absolutely delicious this seasonal Paleo Squash Galette is an excellent accompaniment to any meal. Made with healthy, paleo-friendly ingredients, it's a side dish that will add heartiness to your meal without overloading it with calories and fats.
Coconut Hazelnut Shrimp Grilled Peach Salsa
In this Coconut Hazelnut Shrimp Grilled Peach Salsa recipe, coconut bread crumbs are used to create a delicate crust coconut and, when mixed with nuts, will boost the flavor even more.
Baked Keto Coconut Shrimp
For a shrimp dish that's a little more basic, try out this Baked Keto Coconut Shrimp recipe. Paleo and gluten free this recipe bakes up in no time and can be served as a light side to a delicious paleo dinner.
Coconut Quinoa Bowls with Roasted Broccoli and Miso Sauce
For a flavorful side dish that can easily be loaded with greens, make this Coconut Quinoa Bowls with Roasted Broccoli and Miso Sauce recipe.
Gluten Free Cassava Flour Gravy
Simple to make, this Gluten Free Cassava Flour Gravy features cassava flour and your choice broth.
Sweet and Spicy Salmon Rub
To make this Sweet and Spicy Salmon Rub paleo, we've combined coconut sugar with fragrant spices to create the perfect salmon seasoning.