Healthy Sautéed Vegetables – Quick, Flavorful & Nutritious Side Recipe
A quick and flavorful recipe for healthy sautéed vegetables, perfect as a nutritious side dish. Packed with a colorful variety of fresh veggies, lightly seasoned and cooked to a crisp-tender perfection with simple ingredients like garlic, olive oil, and optional enhancements such as lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 medium carrot, julienned or sliced thin
- ½ cup snap peas
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
Oils & Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil/butter)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar or soy sauce (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Toasted nuts
- Seeds
- Fresh herbs
- Grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Prep Vegetables: Wash, peel if necessary, and cut all vegetables into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Heat Pan: Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil or your choice of cooking fat.
- Cook Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and sliced onions to the hot oil. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Add Harder Vegetables: Introduce the carrots and broccoli florets first. Cook them for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- Add Softer Vegetables: Add the bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, and snap peas. Continue to sauté for another 4–5 minutes until all vegetables are crisp-tender but still vibrant.
- Season: Season the vegetables with salt, black pepper, and add optional flavorings such as lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or soy sauce for a zesty finish.
- Finish & Serve: Toss the sautéed vegetables well to combine all flavors. Garnish with your choice of toasted nuts, seeds, fresh herbs, or grated Parmesan. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and freshness.
Notes
- Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- You can substitute olive oil with avocado oil or butter for a different flavor.
- Adding lemon juice or balsamic vinegar enhances the freshness and tanginess of the dish.
- For a vegan option, omit Parmesan cheese toppings.
- Serve immediately for best texture; reheating may soften the vegetables further.
Keywords: sautéed vegetables, healthy side dish, quick vegetable recipe, vegetarian side, easy sautéed veggies, nutritious vegetables
