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  6. 22 Anti-Inflammatory Side Dishes You'll Want to Make This Spring

22 Anti-Inflammatory Side Dishes You'll Want to Make This Spring

Leah Goggins headshot
Leah Goggins Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD March 09, 2022
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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Quinoa with Peas & Lemon
Credit: Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh

Chronic inflammation might be the sneaky cause of some undesirable symptoms like fatigue, migraines and even constipation. The good news is that what you eat can help you keep inflammation and its side effects to a minimum. These healthy dishes include anti-inflammatory ingredients like citrus, garlic, nuts and whole grains, plus spring produce like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach for a fresh and flavorful twist. Recipes like our Turmeric-Roasted Cauliflower and Quinoa with Peas & Lemon are delicious ways to add a healthy side to your next dinner spread.

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Turmeric-Roasted Cauliflower

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Roasting cauliflower transforms it into a crispy, tender vegetable. A sponge for other flavors, cauliflower can absorb any spice mix or marinade you add, like this warm and toasty combination of turmeric, cumin and garlic. Serve as a simple side dish, or stir it into salads or grain bowls to add more plant power.

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Spanakopita Loaded Potatoes

Spanakopita Loaded Potatoes
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In this healthy take on twice-baked potatoes, spinach, feta, garlic and oregano are stuffed into the potato shells along with the mashed potatoes. Serve with steak or chicken sprinkled with oregano or marjoram.

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Honey-Chipotle Roasted Broccoli

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Honey and chipotle peppers coat roasted broccoli in this sweet and smoky side dish. Serve alongside grilled pork, roasted chicken or with any main dish that could use some kick.

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Catalan Spinach Sauté

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In this quick and easy sautéed spinach recipe, a handful of standard pantry items transform frozen spinach into a satisfying side dish or omelet filling.

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Steamed Artichokes with Lemon-Basil Aioli

Steamed Artichokes with Lemon-Basil Aioli
Credit: Eva Kolenko
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The simplest way to make artichokes: cook them whole and eat your way to the tender heart leaf-by-leaf. And they cook up in less than 10 minutes in the microwave!

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Quinoa with Peas & Lemon

Quinoa with Peas & Lemon
Credit: Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
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Green peas add a pop of color to this bright whole-grain side dish. Plus, choosing frozen saves you time—no shelling required! Want to save even more time? Use a pouch of precooked quinoa.

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Parmesan Broccoli Bites

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Almond flour (aka almond meal) makes the coating on these broccoli fries extra-crunchy and flavorful. Find it in the gluten-free section of large supermarkets and natural-foods stores.

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Cumin-Roasted Carrots with Dill Yogurt

Cumin Roasted Carrots with Dill Yogurt
Credit: Victor Protasio
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The caramelized sweetness of the roasted carrots plays well with the herbed yogurt sauce and spiced pepitas. Look for carrots that are around the same size so they cook evenly.

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Vegan Creamed Spinach

Vegan Creamed Spinach
Credit: Will Dickey
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This vegan creamed spinach is as good as the real thing. It's creamy and flavorful with rich umami from the mushroom powder and nutritional yeast.

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Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan

Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic and Parmesan
Credit: Brie Passano
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Flattening broccoli florets increases their surface area, which means more space to absorb the flavors of Parmesan cheese and a sweet balsamic vinegar drizzle. Pair this quick side dish with roasted chicken or pork.

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Crispy Smashed Mushrooms with Gremolata

Crispy Smashed Mushrooms with Gremolata
Credit: Photography / Dera Burreson, Styling / Lauren McAnelly / Holly Rabikis
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Mushrooms get tender in the oven before they're smashed and broiled, creating crispy edges. An herbaceous, bright gremolata completes these tasty mushrooms.

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Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Za'atar

Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Za'atar
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Za'atar spice coats broccoli florets that crisp up under the broiler. A dollop of yogurt adds a creamy finish. Serve as an easy side paired with grilled kebabs or as a light appetizer.

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Balsamic Broccoli & Cauliflower

Balsamic Broccoli & Cauliflower
Credit: Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
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Reaching for a frozen broccoli & cauliflower blend to make this flavor-packed side dish helps save time on chopping, plus the frozen veggies cook quicker than fresh!

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Cauliflower "Potato" Salad

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This cauliflower "potato" salad recipe has all the flavor of your traditional potato salad--without the potato. We slashed carbs from this classic salad by using cauliflower instead, but kept all the familiar flavors the same.

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Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower

a sheet pan with cauliflower and a wooden spatula
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You'll be craving your vegetables with this easy and oh-so-delicious recipe. Cauliflower gets sweet and tender as it caramelizes from the high heat of roasting. A sprinkling of Cheddar and herbs and a squeeze of lemon on top make it crave-worthy.

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Balsamic-Parmesan Sautéed Spinach

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Tender spinach with a hint of garlic, Parmesan cheese and sweet balsamic vinegar makes a quick and flavorful side dish. The sturdy leaves of mature spinach hold up best during cooking.

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Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

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This healthy side dish recipe couldn't be simpler--or more delicious. Broccoli is roasted until brown and crispy, then topped with Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar for a savory and sweet flavor combination that can't be beaten. Try this quick vegetable dish along with chicken, fish or really any main course. It's also great in salads or warm grain bowls. Tip: Preheating the pan helps the broccoli to brown and develop nutty flavors.

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Sautéed Broccoli with Peanut Sauce

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Peanut butter, balanced with a little soy sauce and vinegar, makes a delicious and kid-friendly sauce for broccoli and other vegetables. Giving the broccoli a head start by steaming it before sautéing it with the other vegetables ensures that all the vegetables are nicely cooked at the same time.

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Broccoli, Chickpea & Pomegranate Salad

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Simple steps give this broccoli salad recipe a more nuanced flavor: soaking the onion tempers its bite and toasting the cumin enhances its aroma. Serve alongside grilled chicken, pork or fish.

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Cauliflower Risotto

Cauliflower Risotto
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Cauliflower rice stands in for arborio in this recipe that's not only lower in carbs than traditional risotto, but also way faster and easier to make! In just 20 minutes you'll have a flavorful and healthy vegetable side to go with dinner.

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Roasted Savoy Cabbage with Orange Vinaigrette

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Easy Savoy cabbage recipes can be far and few between, especially ones that are as delicious as this whole roasted cabbage. The outer cabbage leaves blacken during the long cooking time, but when removed they reveal a meltingly tender center. Orange blossom water adds delicate aroma to the vinaigrette that's drizzled on top. Serve alongside roast beef or pork, or over mashed potatoes as a main course.

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Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower

Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower
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Roasted broccoli and cauliflower are perfectly cooked with just the right amount of seasonings and char from the oven. Enjoy this simple recipe for any meal or occasion.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 22 Turmeric-Roasted Cauliflower
    2 of 22 Spanakopita Loaded Potatoes
    3 of 22 Honey-Chipotle Roasted Broccoli
    4 of 22 Catalan Spinach Sauté
    5 of 22 Steamed Artichokes with Lemon-Basil Aioli
    6 of 22 Quinoa with Peas & Lemon
    7 of 22 Parmesan Broccoli Bites
    8 of 22 Cumin-Roasted Carrots with Dill Yogurt
    9 of 22 Vegan Creamed Spinach
    10 of 22 Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan
    11 of 22 Crispy Smashed Mushrooms with Gremolata
    12 of 22 Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Za'atar
    13 of 22 Balsamic Broccoli & Cauliflower
    14 of 22 Cauliflower "Potato" Salad
    15 of 22 Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower
    16 of 22 Balsamic-Parmesan Sautéed Spinach
    17 of 22 Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
    18 of 22 Sautéed Broccoli with Peanut Sauce
    19 of 22 Broccoli, Chickpea & Pomegranate Salad
    20 of 22 Cauliflower Risotto
    21 of 22 Roasted Savoy Cabbage with Orange Vinaigrette
    22 of 22 Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower

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    22 Anti-Inflammatory Side Dishes You'll Want to Make This Spring
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