Yes, kids CAN eat their veggies! These easy side dish recipes are great vegetables that kids will actually love to eat.
Raising a kid who loves food and doesn’t balk at eating their vegetables can be tricky.
We know kids need to eat their veggies – they offer tons of vitamins and minerals our kids need as they are growing and learning.
But getting them their plates to their mouths can be frustrating.
I remember when my middle girl was 3 and she sobbed and sobbed because we gave her carrots with dinner. Like – SOBBED. Now her favorites are brussels sprouts and asparagus!
How to get kids to eat vegetables
The trick to getting kids to eat (and love) their vegetables is easy. There is no trick! Sorry, but there isn’t a magic wand to wave and instantly fix this.
Instead, it’s all about continued exposure to a wide variety of vegetables without any pressure attached.
Try out these easy and fun ideas to help your kids learn to love veggies:
- Read books about vegetables and other foods.
- Explore where flavor and taste come from.
- Help your kids learn how to try new foods.
- Grow a snacking garden.
- Continue serving a wide variety of vegetables at meals.
Interested in helping your kid love vegetables more? Try the Veggie Adventures Activity Packs!
The best way to help your kids eat more vegetables is to just keep serving them vegetables!
Did you know there are over 1,000 different vegetable species? Chances are, you can find a few of those your kids will not only eat but will LOVE!
And don’t forget, try offering vegetables cooked in different ways – serve them raw, roasted, grilled, steamed, blanched, or inside another recipe. There are so many different ways to try vegetables!
Add some of these easy kid friendly vegetable recipes to your meal plan today!
Kid Friendly Vegetable Recipes
Try these easy vegetables for kids at your next meal!
Roasted garlic mashed sweet potatoes are an easy and flavorful side dish that are perfect for evening meals. Sweet potatoes are roasted to perfection and mashed with roasted garlic, butter, and milk.
Green Bean Almondine is an easy and flavorful vegetable side dish that is fancy yet simple and to make. Kid friendly and quick, this classic French recipe will be a family favorite. Made with applewood smoked bacon, almond slices, and lemon zest, these green beans have a simple yet elegant and bright flavor.
French carrot salad with a quick lemon dijon vinaigrette is a simple, easy, and quick side dish the whole family will love. Also called “Carottes Râpées”, these carrots are sweet, tangy, both tender and crisp at the same time, and are a staple dish in France.
Orange & Ginger Sugar Snap Peas are an amazingly easy, quick, and delicious side dish the entire family will love! You only need a few minutes and a few ingredients to make this flavorful and vibrant side dish that will easily pair with any Asian themed meal you serve.
Maque Choux corn is a classic Southern side dish loaded with flavor and colors. A cross between succotash and creamed corn, this easy corn recipe is not only kid friendly but so easy to make, and everyone will love it!
Honey Roasted Baby Carrots with Ginger are an easy and quick side dish with Asian inspired flavors that are perfect for any busy weeknight.
Chinese Broccoli with Garlic sauce is an easy and delicious kid-friendly side dish that pairs well with any Asian inspired weeknight meal! Ready in less than 10 minutes!
This easy cucumber salad is the perfect Swedish side dish. It only takes a few ingredients and 5 minutes to put together but is a fresh and fun side dish that your whole family will love.
This simple Thai Cucumber Salad recipe is the perfect quick addition to your weeknight Asian recipes. A refreshing vegetable side dish with crisp cucumbers tossed in a sweet and savory dressing with red onions, peanuts and cilantro.
Creamed Spinach that uses three different kinds of cheeses and bakes in the oven until nice and bubbly. Leave out the red pepper flakes, if you kiddos don’t appreciate spicy foods.
Cabbage Fritters are a great way to sneak in some veggies for you little ones. This recipe for vegan fritters is stuffed with cabbage, red onions, and seasoned with lots of garlic.
Avocado Fries are a great alternative to the classic potato fries. Pair these tasty bites with a creamy dipping sauce.
These Air Fryer Potato Wedges are what you’ve been looking for, these potato wedges are a healthier version of traditional fried or roasted potatoes.
These cheesy mashed potatoes are a perfect side, can be made either stove-top or using an Instant Pot, and come together in just 45 minutes!
Creamy scalloped potatoes are layered with thinly sliced Yukon potatoes and baked with a heavy cream, parmesan and cheddar cheese sauce.
Cubed sweet potatoes are tossed in olive oil, salt, and pepper and then tossed generously with fresh garlic and sage. Then roasted until they have a nice crispy exterior.
Crispy potato skin is loaded up with a delicious filling that includes plenty of broccoli, cheese, and bacon!
Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes are anything but traditional. They’re ramped up with the flavors of roasted garlic, cauliflower puree, and the smoothness of cream cheese.
The best way to use up your Summer harvest of zucchini is to make this cheesy zucchini dish that is packed with basil and garlic.
Crispy green beans are sautéed in a skillet with loads of bacon to create a flavorful, family friendly side dish.
Tender, crisp, and sweet, these roasted honey glazed carrots elevate a simple side dish into something delicious.
Sweet potato fritters are light and crispy with hints of ginger, cinnamon, and fennel. Served with a sweet and spicy sauce, they make a delicious appetizer or dinner side dish.
This delicious Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese Bake is topped with crispy bread and melted cheese. It comes together quickly, using easy-to-find ingredients for an easy side dish any night of the week.
The kiddos will definitely eat the veggies for dinner tonight with this recipe for Bacon Wrapped Asparagus!
The kiddos will definitely eat the veggies for dinner tonight with this recipe for Bacon Wrapped Asparagus!
Freshly cut zucchini coated with light and airy panko breadcrumbs cooked in an air fryer to golden-brown, crispy perfection.
Vegetable Fried Rice is an easy way to sneak some veggies into your kids meal. Best of all, since you can make it with leftovers, it's inexpensive.
This sweet side dish is a kid's favorite; made with ripe plantains, it goes side to side with rice and beans and is made with just a handful of ingredients in minutes.
Hasselback Potatoes are a creative way to make crispy potatoes. These potatoes are air fried or baked, and they get their crispy edges from the natural cuts.
Easy to make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites that are tangy, perfectly sweet, spicy, savory, and will be a family favorite!
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese takes only 20 minutes and is a great way to sneak some veggies into a favorite kid's classic!
Thick, rich, and loaded with flavor, this classic and easy Creamed Corn recipe is a hit on every table!
Smashed Brussels sprouts are a great way to embrace Brussels sprouts. Tossed with parmesan, garlic, and salt, they're crispy, tender, and delicious!
Turn your garden abundance and leftover rice into this easy, cheesy side dish recipe. Packed with veggies and plenty of cheddar cheese, then baked until golden brown and delicious.
Maple Butter Carrots is an easy to make, four-ingredient, kid approved recipe featuring thinly sliced carrots in a sweet buttery sauce!
Broccoli Tots are a fun and healthy play on tater tots made with finely chopped broccoli in place of potatoes.
A super easy and healthy potato bake with vegetables and a sprinkle of cheese!
Crispy butternut squash fritters are filled with buttery leeks and fresh thyme for a simple and delicious side. Your kiddos will be obsessed with the crunchy edges!
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes are the perfect side dish for any meal! They are easy enough for a weeknight family meal but delicious enough for a special occasion.
A classic side dish, this Italian Potato Salad Recipe requires just a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes of your time! Even better, the entire recipe can be prepared in the microwave!
Food tastes better when its shared! If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and rate below!
