55 Diabetic-Friendly Side Dishes

55 Diabetic-Friendly Side Dishes

Read Time: 25 mins

55 Diabetic-Friendly Side Dishes2/55 Corn Okra Creole 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Corn Okra Creole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This dish is representative of my area of the country, and particularly the Texas-Louisiana border. The okra, corn and Creole seasonings are all popular here. —Ruth Aubey, San Antonio, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 147 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 19mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch. 3/55 Zesty Garlic Green Beans 5

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat

Reviews Zesty Garlic Green Beans Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These green beans travel so well because they can either be served at room temperature or reheated at the party. —Christine Bergman, Suwanee, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 76 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 4/55 Red Potatoes with Beans 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the

Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

Recipe Creator: You can serve this homey blend of fresh green beans, potato wedges and chopped red onion hot or cold. Either way, this easy side dish makes a pleasing accompaniment to Mom’s meat loaf or almost any other meat. —Daria Burcar,Rochester, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 138 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 212mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 5/55 Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes and Olives 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes and Olives Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time

5 hours 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

5 hours 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This squash is outstanding as a side dish, but you can also top it with canned tuna to create a healthy main dish. It’s easy and so tasty! I like to use my own canned tomatoes for the best flavor. —Carol Chase, Sioux City, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 95 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 464mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat. 6/55 Confetti Quinoa 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total

I serve it with orange-glazed chicken

Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you have never tried quinoa, start with my easy side, brimming with colorful veggies. I serve it with orange-glazed chicken. —Kim Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 196 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 307mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat. 7/55 Roasted Pumpkin and Brussels Sprouts 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grace Natoli Sheldon for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: While

It inspired me to roast pumpkin with Brussels sprouts

traveling to Taiwan, I had the pleasure of trying a unique vegetable dish that included fresh pumpkin. It inspired me to roast pumpkin with Brussels sprouts. —Pam Correll, Brockport, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 152 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 255mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 starch. 8/55 Honey Garlic Green Beans 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Honey Garlic Green Beans Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Green beans are a reliable standby, but

they can seem ordinary on their own

they can seem ordinary on their own. Just a couple of extra ingredients give them a sweet and salty attitude. This is definitely my family’s favorite way to enjoy them. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 72 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 225mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 9/55 Grilled Street Corn 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mexican food is my grandmother’s favorite. I wanted a perfect side for

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat

her legendary tacos, and this chile-lime grilled corn turned out to be just right. —Ashley Crainshaw, Shawnee, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 ear of corn with about 1 tablespoon sour cream mixture: 143 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat. 10/55 Lemon Couscous with Broccoli 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I combined two recipes to create this side with broccoli and pasta. The splash

of lemon adds nice flavor

of lemon adds nice flavor. Instead of toasted almonds, you could also sprinkle servings with grated Parmesan cheese. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado. Check out our collection of diabetic-friendly pasta dinners. Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 115 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 328mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 11/55 Golden Zucchini Pancakes 6 Reviews Golden Zucchini Pancakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 zucchini pancakes Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If your garden is overflowing with zucchini this time of year,

make these incredible pancakes to use it up

make these incredible pancakes to use it up. We squeeze the zucchini well before using to remove excess moisture. —Terry Ann Dominguez, Silver City, New Mexico Nutrition Facts: 2 pancakes: 145 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 510mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat. 12/55 Carrots and Snow Peas 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is without question my favorite side dish, both for flavor and ease of preparation. Sherry adds an amazing spark to

the vegetables

the vegetables. —Cheryl Donnely, Arvada, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 129 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 fat. 13/55 Green Beans Amandine 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Green Beans Amandine Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It’s hard to improve on the taste Mother Nature gives to fresh green beans, but Mom has done just that for years using this green beans amandine recipe. I have

always thought the crunchy almonds were a super addition

always thought the crunchy almonds were a super addition. —Brenda DuFresne, Midland, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 125 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 14/55 Spicy Grilled Eggplant 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This side dish goes well with any meat you might also be grilling. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, the zesty eggplant gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands,

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable

Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 88 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 152mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 15/55 Roasted Rosemary Cauliflower 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Roasting the cauliflower really brings out its flavor in this side dish. Even folks who aren’t cauliflower lovers like it this way. —Joann Fritzler, Belen, New Mexico Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 65 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate

(2g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein

(2g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 16/55 Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tender side dish is perfect for the holidays or any time you want to add a special touch. Dried cranberries, currants and almonds serve up color and texture. My co-workers all make this rice pilaf for their families. —Pat Gardetta, Osage Beach, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 166 calories,

Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat

4g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 382mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat. 17/55 Gouda Mixed Potato Mash 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Gouda Mixed Potato Mash Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everything’s better with cheese, right? This cheesy two-potato mash is no exception. If you cube the cheese, you’ll discover delicious pockets of melted cheese throughout the dish. —Shelby Goddard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 178 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat),

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Gouda Mixed Potato Mash 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Gouda Mixed Potato Mash Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everything’s better with cheese, right?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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