12 Side Dishes You Can Whip Up in the Microwave—Yes, Really
Think delicious side dishes need an oven or stovetop? Think again. These 12 microwave-friendly recipes prove that you can whip up crowd-pleasing sides in minutes—without sacrificing flavor or texture. Whether you’re in a time crunch or just avoiding a pile of dishes, these speedy sides are your new go-to.
Microwave Baked Sweet Potatoes

Microwave baked sweet potatoes are a fast and easy way to make a healthy and delicious vegetable side dish for any main course! Sweet potatoes are extremely versatile, you can serve them sweet, savory, or plain with a slice of butter! By microwaving sweet potatoes, you will save so much time in the kitchen and won’t have to turn the oven on!
Microwave Spaghetti Squash with Sage-Browned Butter and Toasted Walnuts
This fantastic recipe for Microwave Spaghetti Squash is easy enough for weeknights, but impressive enough for Thanksgiving dinner and holiday suppers! With a great microwave technique that cuts down on cooking time, and only 5 simple ingredients (plus those freebies, salt and pepper), this easy side dish recipe is a total snap to pull together – yet surprisingly, satisfyingly delicious!
Microwave Baked Potato Recipe
Baked potatoes are a delicious side dish, but take way too long to make in the oven! But did you know you can make microwave baked potatoes in minutes?
Microwave Cauliflower Rice
Stop buying those frozen bags of cauliflower rice and make your own…Microwave cauliflower rice for half the price!
Microwave Acorn Squash
This easy Microwave Acorn Squash cooking method yields perfectly tender acorn squash in no time at all! Load up your favorite fillings like the comfort food classic combination of butter and brown sugar for a super quick vegetable side that everyone loves!
Microwave Cauliflower
Perfect, tasty, and tender microwave cauliflower is the best way to steam your fresh cauliflower any night of the week! This no-fuss method takes just minutes to serve up delightfully tender-crisp cauliflower as a side to any family meal!
Microwave Carrots
These microwave carrots are so quick and simple, and they are also some of the tastiest steamed carrots you’ll ever enjoy. With only a splash of water and a few minutes of cooking time, this has to be the best way to get a veggie side dish on the table in no time at all. Serve up some microwave carrots at the holiday dinner table and everyone will be none the wiser.
How to Steam Broccoli in Microwave
Here’s how to steam broccoli in the microwave, making crisp tender florets in minutes! This foolproof method delivers perfectly cooked broccoli that will impress everyone: no pots and pans needed.
Microwave Green Bean Casserole
Microwave Green Bean Casserole is a great way to save oven space during Christmas or Thanksgiving, and it tastes just as incredible as oven-baked! The fried onions stay nice and crispy. In just a few minutes, it gets cooked to perfection. Plus, it can be made ahead!
Microwave Brussels Sprouts
Make these easy Microwave Brussels Sprouts! Free up space on your stove or oven and make tasty sprouts in minutes in your microwave. Follow our tips so they’re tender, not soggy! Plus, you don’t need any extra equipment!
Microwave Bell Peppers
These Microwave Bell Peppers are such an easy and healthy side dish! Use seasonings of your choice and cook them in less than 10 minutes, using just the microwave.
Microwave Corn On The Cob
Microwave corn on the cobis a quick and convenient way to prepare one of the most beloved summertime vegetables! All it takes is a few minutes in the microwave, and you have sweet, juicy corn on the cob ready to eat! Top them with a little butter, salt, and pepper, and no one will be any the wiser!