25 Sautéed Vegetables for Quick and Tasty Sides

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By Marcy Hoover

Sautéed vegetables are a versatile and delicious addition to any meal. This collection of recipes will guide you through creating quick and flavorful vegetable sides that pair perfectly with any main dish.

1. Garlic Butter Green Beans

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound green beans (trimmed)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add green beans and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
  • Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes).
  • Season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Blanch the green beans in boiling water for 2 minutes before sautéing. This ensures they stay crisp-tender and vibrant green.

2. Lemon Zest Asparagus

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add asparagus and sauté for 5 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with lemon zest and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end for an extra burst of citrus flavor that complements the zest.

3. Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts (halved)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add Brussels sprouts and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and honey, then season with salt and pepper.

Tip: For a deeper flavor, roast the Brussels sprouts in the oven for 10 minutes before sautéing them in the skillet.

4. Spicy Sautéed Zucchini

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium zucchinis (sliced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add zucchini slices and cook for 5-6 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and season with salt.

Tip: Pat the zucchini slices dry with a paper towel before cooking to prevent excess moisture and ensure a nice sear.

5. Honey Garlic Carrots

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound carrots (peeled and sliced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add carrots and sauté for 8-10 minutes.
  • Stir in honey and garlic, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.

Tip: Use rainbow carrots for a colorful presentation and a slightly sweeter flavor profile.

6. Creamy Spinach and Mushrooms

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
  • Pour in heavy cream, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 2 minutes.

Tip: Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine after cooking the mushrooms for added depth of flavor.

7. Herb-Infused Sautéed Potatoes

Ingredients:

  • 4 medium potatoes (diced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add diced potatoes and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Sprinkle with rosemary and thyme, and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Parboil the diced potatoes for 5 minutes before sautéing to speed up cooking and achieve a crispy exterior.

8. Sautéed Bell Peppers and Onions

Ingredients:

  • 3 bell peppers (sliced)
  • 1 large onion (sliced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add bell peppers and onions and sauté for 6-8 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with smoked paprika, and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Add a pinch of sugar to enhance the natural sweetness of the peppers and onions.

9. Ginger Soy Bok Choy

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound baby bok choy (halved)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil

Directions:

  • Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add bok choy and sauté for 4-5 minutes.
  • Stir in soy sauce and grated ginger, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.

Tip: Toast the sesame seeds lightly before adding them to the dish for a nuttier flavor.

10. Sautéed Kale with Garlic

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups kale (chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  • Add kale and cook until wilted (about 5 minutes).
  • Season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Massage the kale leaves with a little olive oil before cooking to soften their texture and reduce bitterness.

11. Sautéed Corn with Butter and Herbs

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh corn kernels
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add corn and cook for 5-6 minutes.
  • Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Use fresh corn kernels cut straight from the cob for the best sweetness and texture.

12. Sautéed Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add broccoli and sauté for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
  • Drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick that pairs well with the lemon.

13. Sautéed Cabbage with Caraway Seeds

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups cabbage (shredded)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp caraway seeds
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add cabbage and sauté for 6-8 minutes until tender.
  • Stir in caraway seeds and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Cook the cabbage on medium-low heat for a longer time to caramelize it slightly and enhance its natural sweetness.

14. Garlic Lemon Swiss Chard

Ingredients:

  • 2 bunches Swiss chard (stems removed, leaves chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  • Add Swiss chard and cook until wilted (about 5 minutes).
  • Drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt.

Tip: Save the Swiss chard stems, chop them finely, and sauté them first for added texture and flavor.

15. Sautéed Eggplant with Tomatoes

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium eggplant (diced)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add eggplant and sauté for 6-8 minutes until tender.
  • Add cherry tomatoes and oregano, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Salt the eggplant slices and let them sit for 15 minutes before cooking to draw out excess moisture and prevent sogginess.

16. Sautéed Leeks with Thyme

Ingredients:

  • 3 leeks (trimmed, halved, and sliced)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add leeks and cook for 8-10 minutes until soft.
  • Sprinkle with thyme and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Use the white and light green parts of the leeks for the best flavor and texture.

17. Sautéed Okra with Tomatoes

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups okra (sliced)
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add okra and sauté for 6-7 minutes.
  • Stir in tomatoes and smoked paprika, cooking for an additional 3 minutes.
  • Season with salt.

Tip: Add a splash of vinegar to the dish to reduce the sliminess of the okra.

18. Sautéed Snap Peas with Sesame Seeds

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sugar snap peas
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • Salt to taste

Directions:

  • Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add snap peas and cook for 4-5 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds and season with salt.

Tip: Toss the snap peas in a hot skillet quickly to retain their crunch and bright green color.

19. Sautéed Radishes with Garlic Butter

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups radishes (halved)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add radishes and sauté for 6-8 minutes.
  • Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  • Season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Use a mix of radish varieties (like watermelon or daikon) for a more interesting flavor and presentation.

20. Curry-Spiced Cauliflower

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • Salt to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add cauliflower and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Sprinkle with curry powder and season with salt.

Tip: Toast the curry powder in the skillet for 30 seconds before adding the cauliflower to intensify its flavor.

21. Sautéed Mushrooms with Thyme

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mushrooms (sliced)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add mushrooms and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned.
  • Sprinkle with thyme and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure the mushrooms brown properly instead of steaming.

22. Sautéed Yellow Squash with Garlic

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium yellow squashes (sliced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add squash slices and cook for 5-6 minutes.
  • Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Slice the squash uniformly to ensure even cooking.

23. Sautéed Baby Corn with Soy Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups baby corn
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp grated ginger

Directions:

  • Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add baby corn and cook for 4-5 minutes.
  • Stir in soy sauce and ginger, cooking for another 2 minutes.

Tip: Add a dash of chili garlic sauce for a spicy twist.

24. Sautéed Artichoke Hearts with Lemon

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups canned or frozen artichoke hearts (drained)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add artichoke hearts and cook for 5-6 minutes.
  • Drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Use fresh artichoke hearts if available, and marinate them in lemon water to prevent browning.

25. Sautéed Turnips with Rosemary

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups turnips (peeled and diced)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add turnips and sauté for 8-10 minutes until tender.
  • Sprinkle with rosemary and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth to the skillet to keep the turnips moist and flavorful.

Conclusion

With these 25 sautéed vegetable recipes, you can create quick, flavorful sides for any meal. From classic garlic butter green beans to unique options like curry-spiced cauliflower, these dishes are simple to prepare and incredibly versatile. Experiment with these recipes to discover your favorites, and enjoy the vibrant flavors of fresh, sautéed vegetables!

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