Winter Side Dish Ideas

Looking for some flavorful side dishes to spice up your winter meals? Here are some quick and easy winter dishes that have plenty of incredible flavors! They are perfect for a cold winter night in but they are also sure to please any crowd.

Roasted Honeynut Squash

Honeynut Squash has a sweet taste and a bright orange color! This is the perfect way to add some fun to any winter meal!

Ingredients:

• 2 medium honeynut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
• 4 teaspoons ghee
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons pure maple syrup (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Arrange squash halves cut-side up on a baking sheet
• Place 1 teaspoon butter in each cavity
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper and cinnamon
• Roast until tender, 25 to 30 minutes
• Drizzle with maple syrup, if desired
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Green Goddess Cauliflower Rice

This delicious recipe will have you craving your vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups cups cauliflower rice (285 grams)
• 2 tablespoons packed parsley, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons packed dill, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon packed chives, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon packed basil, roughly chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon ​avocado oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add oil and let it get hot, about 30 seconds. Add cauliflower rice and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender. Turn off heat and let cool for a minute or two. Stir in lemon juice, parsley, dill, chives, basil, and salt and pepper.

Grilled Brussel Sprouts

This recipe is simple and packed with flavor. You can serve this up as a side dish and it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser!

Ingredients:

• 16 fresh Brussels sprouts (about 1-1/2-inch diameter), trimmed
• 1 medium sweet red pepper
• 1 medium onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a large saucepan, place a steamer basket over 1 in. of water. Bring water to a boil. Place Brussels sprouts in a basket. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer; steam, covered, until crisp-tender, 4-6 minutes. Cool slightly; cut each sprout in half. Cut red pepper and onion into 1-1/2-in. pieces. On 4 metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread Brussels sprouts, red pepper and onion. Mix salt, garlic powder and pepper. Brush vegetables with oil; sprinkle with salt mixture. Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until vegetables are tender, 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally.

Maple Roasted Carrots

These carrots are a sweet twist on a classic vegetable. This recipe will have you and your kids wanting more!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds carrots, sliced 1/4 inch thick on the diagonal
• 2 tablespoons melted ghee
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons snipped fresh chives (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Stir carrots, butter, maple syrup, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Spread evenly on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast, stirring once, until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with chives, if desired.

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

This dish is the perfect healthy substitute for mashed potatoes. Get your vegetables in with this creamy low-carb recipe- perfect for a cold, snowy winter night!

Ingredients:

• 8 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 large head)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage

Directions:

Bring 1 to 2 inches of water to a boil in a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket. Add cauliflower; cover and cook until very tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and add garlic. Cook, stirring, until the garlic starts to brown around the edges, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer to a food processor along with the steamed cauliflower, add salt and pepper. Process until very smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in sage. Drizzle with oil if desired!