11. Blackberry Salad with Creamy Feta
While we’ll never tell you to skip dessert (there are plenty of light and lovely dessert recipes out there!), we will tell you that a fruit salad this delicious can count as both a heart-healthy side dish recipe and a final course. Opting for feta cheese lends a lovely creamy element and offers enough of a salty note to eliminate any need for added sodium. Plus, quick-pickled onions, fresh mint, and lemon complement the naturally sweet berries.
12. Air-Fryer Mushrooms with Balsamic, Thyme, and Goat Cheese
Whether you pile them on top of your protein, toss them with whole-wheat pasta, build them into a grain bowl, or dream up something totally new, you can’t go wrong with this low-calorie and low-sodium—yet high flavor—option. Besides being very versatile, this heart-healthy side dish recipe can be yours in just 18 minutes. But let’s not overlook the flavor—the most important part of this air-fryer recipe. These umami mushrooms are irresistibly sweet and tangy thanks to a splash of balsamic glaze. You won’t even miss the butter!