There’s no such thing as “boring” when it comes to deli sandwiches. Jazz up any sandwich with these easy & healthy side dishes. These sides, salads, and soups are perfect for a light lunch or a hearty dinner. For your next meal, check out these 25 healthy sides for sandwiches!
Healthy Side Dishes for Sandwiches
Your sandwiches are looking a little sad and lonely. Don’t give up on them just yet because we’re about to turn this sandwich game around with 35 delicious side dishes that will make your next sandwich-eating experience one for the history books!
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Even the pickiest eaters will find side dish ideas and recipes here they will love. From air fryer potato wedges to the most popular summer vegetable in America—the zucchini—your next lunch break is going to be packed full of flavor and ready to go! So let’s get started.
35 Healthy Side Dishes for Sandwiches
A good side dish can make or break your sandwich, so I've rounded up my favorite healthy and easy-to-make side dishes to serve alongside your sandwiches! Whether you need a side for grilled cheese, paninis, or chicken salad sandwiches...you're covered.
Macaroni Salad is a classic side dish for barbecues, potlucks, and picnics. This version is a mainstay on a Hawaiian plate lunch with macaroni noodles, canned tuna, grated carrots, celery, and green peas.
This crunchy kale and blueberry salad is loaded with color and superfoods. Pair this salad with raspberries, radishes, cabbage, carrots, and vegan buttermilk salad dressing to your favorite sandwich or serve at a picnic or barbecue.
This is my family potato salad recipe with mayo, hard-boiled egg, apple, mustard, and sweet bread and butter pickles. My mother is asked to bring this potato salad all the time because it's a bit different and has a great blend of flavors.
Whether you are serving a grilled cheese sandwich or a deli submarine, a classic tomato soup pairs well. This classic soup is creamy and enhancing with a pop of basil.
Instead of store-bought dill pickles, you can make your own with this easy recipe. These are lacto-fermented pickles that are cured on the countertop for 2-3 days. Once done, they last for 4-5 months.
This raw vegetable salad is full of crunch and protein. Chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumbers. broccoli and black olives are dressed with a simple vinaigrette with a simple side dish.
This summer orzo pasta salad is one of my favorite side dishes for cold cut sandwiches and pitas with grilled chicken pita.
This raw broccoli salad is more of a slaw than a salad with chopped apples, cranberries, and nuts. There's a touch of sweetness and loaded with goodness.
This chilled soup is almost a dessert loaded with fresh strawberries. We love to pair it with PB&Js and Nutella sandwiches.
Fresh from the garden and bursting with flavor, this tomato salad is vegan, Whole30 and Paleo compliant.
A potato salad with a twist is what you'll get here. Although named Russian Salad, this hails from Italy with potatoes, beets, and green beans.
Fermented sauerkraut is good for gut health. This paleo salad with bell peppers, onions, carrot, celery, and sauerkrait is ideal served alongside your favorite sandwich. It's also great inside your sandwich.
Whip up this easy poppy seed salad dressing and drizzle over any simple green salad.
This marinated white bean salad jar is the perfect on-the-go side dish for lunch. Whether for a lunch to take to work or on a picnic, this jarred salad is convenient and super simple to make.
This tri-color coleslaw is a close copycat of the popular Rudy's BBQ coleslaw. I love to serve it on top of my pulled pork BBQ sandwich with a drizzle of Carolina vinegar BBW sauce.
This summertime salad highlights the bounty of fresh from the garden zucchini and tomatoes. A tangy lemon basil vinaigrette can be doubled and uses as a condiment on your deli sandieches too.
This hearty whole-grain salad pairs wonderfully with lighter sandwiches and wraps. Pickled onion, goat cheese, and arugula pack a punch to jazz up any lunch.
French fries are a go-to side dish for many people. Opt for a healthy version with these air-fried potato wedges. Check out the seasoning suggestions including smoky paprika ad BBQ seasoning to spice them up.
Here is another fry recipe to try. These are baked with a Japanese 7 Spice blend is a peppery Japanese spice blend, typically made from a mix of chili peppers, orange peel, sesame seeds, ginger, and nori.
These blistered green beans mixed with the soy sauce combine flavors that will knock your socks off!
If you are grilling or pressing sandwiches, create these grilled pineapple slices for a sweet treat.
This Black Bean Salad with avocado is an easy side dish for next lunches, dinners or parties!
Instead of traditional potato chips with your sammie, serve up this sweet fruit salsa and cinnamon chips.
Serve up this cool, tangy cabbage slaw with a Mexican-spiced apple cider vinaigrette with a fish sandwich or grille chicken sandwich.
Perfect for a casual lunch or picnic, this carrot salad is a healthy side dish. This recipe uses carrot, raisins, Greek yogurt, mayo, honey, cinnamon, and walnuts.
This simple cucumber side dish is a bit spicier than regular pickles with cayenne and red pepper flakes. If you like heat, you'll love the flavor.
The sweetness of apples against tangy Cheddar served on greens with walnuts pairs well with many sandwiches.
Summer berries and candied nuts make this salad a crowd pleaser and kid-friendly. This easy side is heathy and loaded with superfoods.
This delicious bowl of soup is Whole30, Paleo, Keto, and Vegan. It has a bright flavor that pairs well with a variety of foods for lunch, dinner, and picnics.
This creamy cucumber salad is a real food version of Miracle Whip for all the flavors you want but made healthier.
For nights when you want to serve sandwiches and a warm side, try this pasta salad You can prep the vegetables and cheese ahead of time and then cook your pasta just before serving.
Summer Kale Salad with Cherries and Crispy Prosciutto Recipe
Classic comfort food made healthier serves as delicious side dishes. Pair your favorite deli sammie with this easy soup.
Enjoy the flavors of summer in this Summer Slaw with Corn, Peaches, and Tomatoes. Together these combine in this colorful, crunchy slaw.
I love sliced watermelon alongside my lunch sandwiches. This salad recipe elevated simple watermelon with feta, fresh herbs, and a simple vinaigrette.
These 35 healthy side dishes for sandwiches will jazz up any grinder, submarine or deli sandwich. There’s a wide variety of salads and soups here that will bring in new flavor without adding too many calories—plus some healthier alternatives to chips and fries! Did you find a new one recipe to try? Let us know what types of sides you like to serve in the comments below.
More Sandwich Ideas to Try
- Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwich Recipe
- Danish Smoked Salmon Sandwiches
- Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap
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Just an FYI this article is poorly named. As a picky eater I can tell you I found 1 maybe 2 things on this list I’d eat…. There are some really classic disliked food that are staples in these recipes….
Don’t be such a bitch. Branch out a little. Also, you wear way too much makeup and look ridiculous.
These recipes look delicious! I love Eleanor’s comment! If you can’t say anything nice Anaya, don’t say anything at all! Be respectful of everyone. Be kind.
Love the idea of jazzing up sandwiches! Can’t wait to try the kale blueberry salad. Do you think it’d be good with a turkey sandwich?
So many tasty camping breakfast ideas—those orange cinnamon rolls sound amazing!