18 Balsamic Veggie Side Dishes in Three Steps or Less

Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic & Parmesan
Photo: Photography / Brie Passano, Styling / Sammy Mila / Holly Raibikis

These delicious veggie side dishes have a few things in common. They all embrace the tangy and sweet flavor of balsamic vinegar—and they're also all easy to make. With only three steps or less, these sides can be whipped up and served with no hassle. Recipes like our Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic & Parmesan and Balsamic Roasted Cabbage are unforgettable additions to your dinner plate.

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Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic & Parmesan

Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic & Parmesan
Photography / Brie Passano, Styling / Sammy Mila / Holly Raibikis

Topped with Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar, these flavorful Brussels sprouts will be the star on any table. Smashing the sprouts creates a wide surface area that gets mouthwateringly crispy in the oven.

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Caramelized Balsamic Onions

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As these onion halves cook, the balsamic mixture becomes syrupy and caramelizes the onions, giving them a bronzed caramel color and a luscious, rich flavor.

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Balsamic Roasted Cabbage

Balsamic Roasted Cabbage

These roasted cabbage wedges with honey and balsamic vinegar make an attractive and healthy side dish that's also very easy to prepare. You can use red or green cabbage--or make a double batch with one of each for a pretty presentation.

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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 Oven-Roasted Carrots

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Roasting carrots in the oven brings out their sweetness, which is enhanced further with a tangy balsamic and maple glaze. Serve them straight-up for an easy weeknight side dish or garnish with chopped hazelnuts for holiday meals and dinner parties.

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Balsamic Broccoli & Cauliflower

Balsamic Broccoli & Cauliflower
Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh

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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Crispy Smashed Balsamic-Parmesan Mushrooms

Crispy Smashed Balsamic Parmesan Mushrooms
Rachel Marek

These crispy smashed mushrooms take up the flavors of sweet and tangy balsamic vinegar and savory Parmesan cheese. Making an X in each cap helps them smash evenly.

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Balsamic Roasted Zucchini with Feta

overhead shot of balsamic roasted zucchini on a sheet pan

We've got a great way to use up your garden zucchini! Zucchini softens while roasting and soaks up the flavor of balsamic vinegar. The sweet flavors are complemented by salty feta cheese sprinkled on just before serving. It's an easy summer side you'll come back to again and again.

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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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Parmesan-Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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These roasted Brussels sprouts are about to be your new favorite side dish. In addition to getting brown and crispy in the oven, they're topped with Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar for a hit of salty, savory flavor. This makes a great vegetable side to serve with roasted meats.

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Balsamic-Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan

Balsamic-Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan

Sweet balsamic vinegar and nutty Parmesan cheese complement roasted green beans and shallots in this easy and healthy side dish. Roasting the green beans gives them a sweet, caramelized flavor while they still retain some bite. Serve with chicken, fish, pork--you name it. These green beans are also a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving meal.

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Balsamic-Roasted Mushrooms with Parmesan

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These super-flavorful mushrooms get a hint of sweetness thanks to a splash of balsamic vinegar. Parmesan cheese added at the end lends a savory note. Enjoy them as an accompaniment to steak or on their own as a side dish.

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Balsamic & Parmesan Broccoli

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Cooking this quick broccoli side dish recipe in a wok gives you a larger surface area, so you get lots of nice crispy bits. Serve with oven-roasted herb chicken or fish, or as a tasty topping to your grain bowl.

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Honey-Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Honey-Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic vinegar and honey combine to give a sweet-tart coating to these roasted Brussels sprouts. These honey-balsamic Brussels sprouts are quick enough for a weeknight meal, but they are special enough to make a no-fuss side dish for Thanksgiving or any other holiday meal.

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Broccoli with Balsamic Mushrooms

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Just a touch of butter adds silkiness to the balsamic sauce that coats broccoli and meaty mushrooms in this easy broccoli side dish recipe.

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Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Balsamic Drizzle

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A delicious tangy-sweet balsamic-and-honey reduction looks dramatic over roasted sweet potato wedges.

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Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan

Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic and Parmesan
Brie Passano

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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Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

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Roasting isn't usually the first cooking method you think of for cauliflower but the results are quite delicious. The florets are cut into thick slices and tossed with extra-virgin olive oil and herbs. Wherever the flat surfaces come into contact with the hot roasting pan, a deep browning occurs that results in a sweet, nutty flavor.

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