Lose Weight with These Delicious Low-Calorie Sides

Dieting doesn’t have to mean plain chicken paired with steamed broccoli. Check out these Cooking Light Diet side dishes that are all super quick, low in calories, but full of flavor. Pair with entrees to round out meals and stay within your calorie goal.

2 (12-ounce) packages broccoli florets + 2 tablespoons olive oil + 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar + ½ teaspoon each salt & pepper

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add broccoli; cook 8 minutes or until lightly browned, turning occasionally. Stir in vinegar, salt, and pepper. Makes 4 servings.

115 Calories 

1½ pounds small red potatoes + 1½ tablespoons olive oil + 2 tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary + ½ teaspoon each salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 425°. Cut potatoes into wedges; toss with olive oil, rosemary, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 25 minutes or until tender, stirring once. Makes 4 servings.

175 Calories 

12 ounces trimmed haricot verts (thin green beans) + 1 tablespoon olive oil + 2 cups halved grape tomatoes + ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper + ¼ teaspoon kosher salt + ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; add oil to pan. Add haricot verts; sauté 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add tomatoes, pepper, and salt; cook 1 minute or until tomatoes begin to soften. Top with cheese. Makes 4 servings (serving size: 1 cup haricot verts and 1 tablespoon cheese).

95 Calories

2 cups unsalted canned black beans + 1 cup minced onion + 1 tablespoon canola oil + 2 tablespoons lime juice + 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and garlic powder + 4 teaspoons chopped cilantro

Rinse and drain beans. Sauté onion in oil over medium heat; add black beans, lime juice, salt, and garlic powder. Top with cilantro.

149 Calories

1 bag frozen sweet potato fries (such as Alexia Sweet Potato Fries with Sea Salt)

Bake according to package directions. Makes up to 6 servings (serving size: 3 ounces or 12 pieces)

140 Calories

1 pound stemmed, chopped lacinato kale + 2 thinly sliced shallots + 1 tablespoon olive oil + ¼ teaspoon each kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots; sauté 2 minutes or until golden brown. Add kale; cook 3 minutes or until wilted. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

93 Calories

2 cups cooked shelled edamame + 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds + 2 tablespoons grated lime rind + 3/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Combine sesame seeds, rind, and kosher salt on a cutting board; rock knife over mixture to crush some of the sesame seeds. Toss with edamame. Makes 4 servings (serving size: ½ cup).

127 Calories 

1 pound trimmed asparagus + 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill + 2 tablespoons olive oil + 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar + 1 minced shallot + ¼ teaspoon each salt & pepper

Steam asparagus 2 to 3 minutes. Combine dill, olive oil, vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper; toss with cooked asparagus. Makes 4 servings.

87 Calories

1½ pounds Yukon gold potatoes + ½ cup plain 2% Greek yogurt + 1 tablespoon butter + 3 tablespoons minced fresh chives + ¼ cup fat-free milk + ½ teaspoon salt

Cut potatoes into 3/4-inch pieces; steam 15 minutes or until tender. Combine potatoes, yogurt, butter, chives, milk, and salt. Mash to desired consistency.

173 Calories 

5 ounces dry white or red wine

120 calories

2 tablespoons orange juice + 2 tablespoons olive oil + 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper + 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce + ½ cup thinly sliced radishes + 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves + 1 sliced peeled avocado

Combine juice, olive oil, and red pepper. Toss with lettuce, radishes, 2 tablespoons cilantro, and avocado. Makes 4 servings.

154 Calories

4 cups spinach-arugula salad mix + 1 sliced apple + 2 tablespoons roasted pumpkinseeds + 2 tablespoons olive oil + 2 teaspoons cider vinegar + 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard + 1/2 teaspoon honey

Combine olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and 1 honey in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add salad mix, apple, and pumpkinseeds; toss.

94 Calories

6 cups cauliflower florets + 2 tablespoons olive oil + ¼ teaspoon salt + ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Toss cauliflower with olive oil; sprinkle evenly with salt and garlic powder. Bake at 475 degrees for 14 minutes.

130 Calories 

2 cups cooked, drained rice noodles + 2 teaspoons minced garlic + 1 tablespoon sesame oil + 1½ tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce + 1 teaspoon chopped green onions + 1 teaspoon chopped peanuts

Sauté garlic in sesame oil; add rice noodles. Stir in soy sauce and sprinkle with green onions and peanuts.

159 Calories

¾ cup uncooked jasmine rice + ¾ cup light coconut milk + ½ cup water + ¼ teaspoon salt + 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Combine jasmine rice, coconut milk, water, and salt in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer; cook 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat; fluff rice with a fork. Stir in cilantro. Makes 4 servings.

167 Calories