Creating a menu for a weeknight dinner or a celebratory meal? Let us take some of the planning off your plate with 15 easy Mediterranean side dishes!
Side dishes are a delicious and strategic way to stick to your goals. A carefully chosen side can help fill your plate with vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats. In this roundup, we’ll cover what exactly makes a side dish “qualify” for the Mediterranean diet and then share 15 of our top picks.
What Makes a Side Dish Mediterranean?
Americans usually think of proteins as the star of the show, but the Mediterranean diet flips that idea upside down! Filling your plate with side dishes that feature a few of the key Mediterranean ingredients to complement your entree means that you’re staying on track with your goals. As a bonus, these ingredients may ensure that you meet your needs for important vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Top Ingredients in Mediterranean Side Dishes
- Fruits: Common in side dishes like salads and as garnishes, fruits offer a pop of sweetness, acidity, and color.
- Vegetables: One of the most common ingredients in side dishes, vegetables offer plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Along with the health benefits, vegetables offer an array of flavors, textures, and colors to complement any entree.
- Lean Protein: Protein isn’t usually the central element of a side dish, but don’t count it out yet! Whether it’s from beans, lentils, or feta cheese, protein can add hearty flavor to your dish.
- Healthy Fats: Olive oil is the most common healthy fat in the Mediterranean diet, but nuts and seeds are a great source of healthy fat as well.
- Herbs and Spices: Basil, oregano, thyme, and mint are common Mediterranean herbs that can add freshness and flavor to your side dish. Herbs can take your dishes to the next level, whether as a garnish or cooked into the dish!
15 Mediterranean Side Dishes
Luckily, each of our 15 Mediterranean side dishes offers a new and tasty way to eat these foundational foods!
1. Kale and Lentil Salad with Beets and Feta
This seasonal salad is sure to please at your next dinner or gathering! The hearty flavors of beets, carrots, and lentils make this a perfect complement to other fall and winter dishes.
2. Crispy Green Bean Fries
Consider making these fabulous green bean fries to add exciting texture and flavor to your next meal! These crispy fries can be made in the air fryer, making this a quick and easy side dish.
3. Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice
If you’re looking for a way to include more vegetables in your weekly menu, consider adding this tasty cauliflower rice. If your meal already features plenty of whole grains, swapping one out for cauliflower can boost the overall nutrient content of your meal.
Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice
4. Roasted Mediterranean Potatoes with Lemon and Oregano
This is one of the most popular recipes on our site! Potatoes are a popular staple, so having a strong go-to Mediterranean side dish recipe is a must! We recommend this delicious recipe because it’s filled with herbs, spices, and healthy fats.
Roasted Mediterranean Potatoes with Lemon and Oregano
5. Fall Kale & Apple Harvest Salad
This recipe showcases kale, brussels sprouts, and cabbage, so it’s a crunchy complement to any dish. These cruciferous vegetables have cancer-fighting properties, making this dish a nutritional powerhouse. Honeycrisp apples and toasted pecans add a lot of flavor and fiber!
6. Roasted Sweet Potato Salsa
Add a warming, zesty twist to your meals with our delicious sweet potato salsa! Shake up your table with this fun recipe. Try pairing this exciting salsa with chicken or with quinoa and beans for a complete source of vegetarian protein!
7. Warm Fall Lentil Salad With Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese
On top of being warm and hearty, this easy recipe is packed with fiber and plant-based protein from the lentils. Spices and goat cheese add flavor and complement the sweet butternut squash perfectly!
8. Greek Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta
Whole wheat orzo is a tasty way to include a serving of whole grains in your meal. Orzo is a shortcut pasta that is typically overlooked. However, this grain pairs well with vegetables, beans, and cheeses like other pastas! This salad can be prepared ahead and served cold, making it a great make-ahead option!
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta
9. Warm Brussels Sprout and Pear Salad
This crispy and tangy salad is a beautiful fiber-filled side dish that is perfect for any dinner or gathering! All of the cooking is done in one skillet, making it a quick and easy addition to your meal.
Warm Brussel Sprout and Pear Salad
10. Fattoush Salad
If you’re looking for a twist on a more traditional salad, this could be the one for you! Use whole-wheat pita bread instead of croutons, and pack this fresh salad with vegetables and herbs to make a perfect refreshing side.
Fattoush Salad
11. Air Fryer Artichoke Heart Salad
Warm, crispy artichokes pair perfectly with the crunch of green leafy vegetables in this recipe. White beans add some satisfying plant-based protein to perfectly round this recipe out! This light version of the viral TikTok sensation is sure to bring zest to your table!
Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts Salad with White Beans & Parmesan
12. Peach Tomato Caprese
Fruits make a rare side-dish appearance in this stunning summer salad! Follow your heart and serve up some “summer in a bowl” when peaches are in season. The sweetness of the peach pairs beautifully with the more traditionally savory ingredients, while balsamic vinegar and basil tie everything together.
13. Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives
When the right vegetables are in season, there’s nothing better than produce fresh from your garden or local farmer’s market! This quick and easy salad uses fresh ingredients and is the perfect addition to any menu.
Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives
14. Mediterranean Fruit Salad with Mint
Mint enhances the flavor of the fruits in this salad and brings out the sweetness in the honey-lime dressing. Pair this salad with foods from any meal to add fresh flavors to your meal!
Mediterranean Fruit Salad with Mint
15. Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables with Feta and Basil
Whether you’re a veggie lover or a veggie skeptic, try this simple roasted veggie recipe! The fresh herbs, salty feta, and lightly crispy texture of the veggies make this side dish a real treat and offer valuable nutrients like fiber and antioxidants.
Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables with Feta and Basil
Mediterranean Vegetable Side Dishes
Vegetables are a traditional side-dish ingredient, but they’re not always given the chance to shine. Try swapping out one traditional side or casserole with one of our tasty updated versions! For example, the crispy green bean fries could be a fun swap for green bean casserole. Heavy pasta salads could be swapped for our light and refreshing Greek Orzo pasta salad.
Whether you’re adding a side dish or swapping out a traditional favorite, Mediterranean vegetable side dishes are sure to be nutritious and flavorful additions to your meal!
Mediterranean Side Dishes for Chicken
Roast chicken or turkey is are common centerpiece for a dinner or special meal. Poultry is a very versatile entree and is an excellent base for lots of flavors!
If you want a light summer meal, grilled chicken would be a great addition to Fattoush Salad. For a heartier meal, try pairing poultry with a recipe like our Sweet Potato Salsa or Kale and Lentil Salad with Beets and Feta.
Mediterranean Side Dishes for Fish
If you’re looking for a side dish for fish, we’ve got you covered. Fish tends to pair well with lighter and brighter flavors that won’t overpower the delicate seafood. Choosing dishes like salads or vegetables that feature herbs and dressings featured in your fish recipe is a safe bet to ensure your flavors mesh. We recommend dishes like Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad, Peach Tomato Caprese, or the Air Fryer Artichoke Heart Salad to elevate the flavors of your fish dish!
Looking for more Mediterranean Diet Recipes?
Make plans for a complete meal with our tasty recipe roundups! Find ideas for every part of your meal with our articles below.
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