{"id":489662,"date":"2026-02-21T09:48:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T09:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/489662\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T09:48:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T09:48:08","slug":"15-mediterranean-diet-side-dish-recipes-in-three-steps-or-less","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/489662\/","title":{"rendered":"15+ Mediterranean Diet Side Dish Recipes in Three Steps or Less"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following a diet doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be restrictive. With eating patterns like the Mediterranean diet, the focus is on what nourishing foods we can add to our plates<\/a> to keep us feeling satisfied and nourished. That\u2019s why this collection of side dish recipes includes a variety of vegetables alongside ingredients like olive oil, beans and whole grains<\/a>. With delicious, three-step recipes like our Brussels Sprouts, Kale & Pear Salad and Cheesy Baked Tomatoes, you\u2019ll understand why the Mediterranean diet has been ranked one of the healthiest eating patterns around.\n<\/p>\n

Brussels Sprouts, Kale & Pear Salad <\/p>\n

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower<\/p>\n

Fiber-packed kale and Brussels sprouts are tenderized in a tangy apple-cider vinaigrette, which softens their edges and infuses them with flavor. Pear slices add a juicy counterpoint, while crunchy pomegranate arils offer bursts of tartness in every forkful.\n<\/p>\n

Maple-Mustard Roasted Vegetables <\/p>\n

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser<\/p>\n

These maple-Dijon roasted vegetables combine sweet, tangy and savory flavors in one easy sheet-pan side dish. A mix of veggies are tossed in a maple syrup and Dijon mustard glaze before roasting. The high heat caramelizes the edges, bringing out natural sweetness, while the mustard adds a zesty punch.\n<\/p>\n

Cheesy Baked Tomatoes <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.<\/p>\n

Baked tomatoes with cheese are a simple side dish that highlights the natural sweetness of tomatoes. We top halved tomatoes with a layer of melted mozzarella and tangy feta cheese, creating a deliciously gooey, golden crust. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a fresh note.\n<\/p>\n

Arugula, Beet & Feta Salad <\/p>\n

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling<\/p>\n

Peppery arugula and tender, sweet beets are balanced by a simple vinaigrette and briny bits of feta cheese in this arugula, beet and feta salad. Using cooked, peeled beets helps make prep a breeze.\n<\/p>\n

Broccoli\u2011Apple Crunch Salad <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.<\/p>\n

Broccoli florets get tossed in a tangy apple-cider vinaigrette, brightened with Dijon and honey. Just before serving, thin slices of Honeycrisp apple, shredded sharp Cheddar and crunchy sunflower seeds join the mix for a sweet-salty-crunchy finish.\n<\/p>\n

Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad with Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette <\/p>\n

Ali Redmond<\/p>\n

Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado create a delicious contrast in this easy salad. Tossed with a zesty lemon-shallot vinaigrette, this salad is bright, tangy and perfectly balanced.\n<\/p>\n

Anti-Inflammatory Strawberry & Kale Salad with Burrata <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell<\/p>\n

This salad has a base of tender lacinato kale, which is rich in antioxidants. Sweet, juicy strawberries provide a healthy amount of vitamin C and anthocyanins, known for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Creamy burrata balances the earthy greens perfectly.\n<\/p>\n

Broccoli Crunch Salad <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle<\/p>\n

From the crunchy nuts and Parmesan crisps to the chewiness of sun-dried tomatoes, this broccoli salad has a satisfying medley of textures. The red-wine vinaigrette brings a briny flavor that is balanced by the nuttiness of the cheese.\n<\/p>\n

Roasted Beets with Mustard Vinaigrette <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Clarie Spollen<\/p>\n

Packed with flavor, this is a delicious side dish that brings out the natural sweetness of beets with a tangy, zesty kick. For a more substantial meal, add grilled or roasted chicken, or turn it into a vibrant salad and serve it over a bed of peppery arugula.\n<\/p>\n

Raspberry-Spinach Salad with Avocado & Walnuts <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle<\/p>\n

This salad includes juicy raspberries, creamy avocado and crunchy walnuts, which create a delightful mix of colors and flavor. The bright, citrusy dressing sets this salad apart and complements the richness of the avocado and the walnuts.\n<\/p>\n

No-Cook Chickpea, Beet & Quinoa Salad <\/p>\n

Ali Redmond<\/p>\n

This easy, no-cook chickpea salad comes together in minutes. Look for precooked beets in the produce section of the grocery store. With a bright lemony-garlic dressing, this salad is the perfect side to accompany grilled chicken or roasted salmon.\n<\/p>\n

Watermelon, Feta & Cucumber Chopped Salad <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.<\/p>\n

This watermelon, feta and cucumber chopped salad is a light and refreshing dish that balances sweet and salty flavors. The combination of juicy watermelon, cool cucumber and tangy feta makes it especially appealing on warm days. Fresh basil adds a fragrant, herbal note, but try mint if you want a cooler flavor. This salad pairs well with grilled meats, or serve it alongside hummus, pita or falafel for a bright, summery meal.\n<\/p>\n

Roasted Carrot Salad <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop stylist: Josh Hoggle<\/p>\n

Sweet roasted carrots are the star of this salad, with some reserved for blending into a creamy, vibrant dressing. The carrot-based dressing\u2014brightened with orange juice, whole-grain mustard and rice vinegar\u2014adds a cohesive flavor to the salad. This roasted carrot salad works wonderfully as a side dish or as a main dish served with roasted chicken, salmon or tofu.\n<\/p>\n

Strawberry Caprese Salad <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle<\/p>\n

This strawberry caprese salad is a fruity twist on the classic Italian dish, with juicy, ripe strawberries standing in for tomatoes. The sweet-tart flavor of strawberries goes beautifully with fresh mozzarella, basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. This colorful salad is perfect as an appetizer, side dish or light lunch. To make it a main dish, top it with roasted chicken or add white beans.\n<\/p>\n

Crunchy Chopped Salad <\/p>\n

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman<\/p>\n

This chickpea-cabbage salad features carrots and cucumbers, giving it a quartet of ingredients that all begin with the letter \u201cC\u201d! This chopped salad is loaded with fiber and prebiotic chickpeas, promoting a healthy gut. Green cabbage keeps the color vibrant and fresh, though red cabbage works just as well.\n<\/p>\n

Three Bean Salad <\/p>\n

Photographer: Brie Goldman,\u00a0Food Stylist: Annie Probst,\u00a0Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek<\/p>\n

This three-bean salad is a wonderful addition to any meal. Rich in fiber, folate, iron and potassium, beans complement a heart-healthy diet and are also a great source of plant-based protein and iron for anyone following a vegetarian diet. Bring this colorful, healthy dish to a barbecue, serve it as an appetizer salad or side dish, and even pack it for lunch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Following a diet doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be restrictive. With eating patterns like the Mediterranean diet, the focus…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":313619,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[49,48,84,395],"class_list":["post-489662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nutrition","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-health","tag-nutrition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/489662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=489662"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/489662\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/313619"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=489662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=489662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=489662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}