23 Best Green Vegetables (+ Health Benefits)

Add these green vegetables to your cooking, and you’ll see a whole slew of benefits.

From antioxidants to much-needed fiber, they’re super healthy!

20+ Healthy Green Vegetables You Should Be Eating

There are a ton of green vegetables out there – and they don’t all taste like grass!

Instead, they’re delicious, versatile, and incredibly nutritious. 

Plus, they add vibrant pops of color to everything from pasta and rice dishes to vegetable salads.

You won’t like everything on this list, and that’s okay. I certainly don’t!

But it’s a great resource for when you need to boost your nutrient intake.

1. Kale

Kale is an incredibly nutritious leafy green that was all but forgotten until recently.

It’s loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals – perfect for anyone looking to “up” their nutrition game. 

And eating kale is easier than you think. Throw it in a smoothie for a nutritious breakfast option, or add it to sautéed vegetables for a delicious side dish. 

For the brave at heart, check out these homemade kale chips

2. Collard Greens

Collard greens are a Southern-style vegetable that, somehow, are incredibly nutritious (no matter how many tasty fried recipes you can make). 

They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

My favorite way to cook this vitamin-rich leaf is lightly steaming or roasting them.

Here’s a twist: use your favorite vinegar-based dressing as a marinade before cooking them in the oven – you’ll love the unique tanginess it adds!

3. Cabbage

If you’re looking for a vegetable powerhouse to add to your plate, cabbage is the answer! 

This everyday vegetable is full of goodness and nutrition and is incredibly versatile in terms of cooking methods and flavors. 

Analyzing its credentials, cabbage is low in calories, high in fiber, and rich in vitamins C and K.

Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants that can help improve digestive health. 

For a quick dish during the week, try chopping up some cabbage with garlic and spices, then stir-fry it. 

4. Spinach

Spinach is a veggie superhero, packing tons of nutrition in its tiny leaves. 

This dark green powerhouse is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including Vitamin A, C, and K, iron, and magnesium─all essential for maintaining health and well-being. 

Its slightly bitter taste keeps you from overindulging, but if you can find your way around that momentary roadblock, it makes for a delicious addition to so many dishes. 

Toss some into a pasta primavera for added nutrition, or use baby spinach in salads with sliced strawberries and crumbled feta cheese.

5. Microgreens

Microgreens are small, immature vegetable greens harvested shortly after their first leaves emerge. 

Although they’re tiny in size, they pack a nutritional punch with high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

They’re super trendy right now and easier than you think to grow at home.

In fact, you’ll quickly impress your friends and family by displaying containers of these vibrant microgreens on your dinner table! 

Try them chopped up in salads for a flavorful texture and perfume-like aroma. Or use them as a colorful garnish for an inviting presentation.

6. Broccoli

Broccoli is a famously nutritious vegetable, making it an essential addition to any health-conscious diet. 

Its crunchy texture and earthy flavor make it both delightful and versatile – sautéeing it in olive oil until lightly browned is an easy way to bring out its.

You can bake it, steam it, sauté it, or even blitz it into ‘rice’ for something carb-free.

7. Arugula

This peppery green packs a nutritional punch and brings an assertive flavor to any salad recipe or sandwich. 

Arugula is an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, as well as potassium and calcium.

So it’s great looking on the outside and will make you feel good on the inside.

Try it in a steak sandwich, on homemade pizza, or in salads. Yum!

8. Watercress

Watercress is an often overlooked vegetable that packs a powerful nutritious punch.

Full of vitamins A and C, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and iron, watercress is an incredibly healthy option. 

As if that isn’t enough to get your taste buds dancing – watercress is great for spicing up meals and snacks. 

Throw it into a smoothie, add it to a sandwich or salad, embrace its zesty flavor with a stir fry, or just enjoy it raw for the full watercress experience. 

9. Okra

Okra is an interesting one. You either love it or you hate it!

But one thing’s for sure – it’s incredibly good for you. 

This leathery green veggie is packed with goodness, from Vitamin C and magnesium to dietary fiber and antioxidative properties.

It adds an interesting texture to savory dishes as a crunchy component or can be used as part of soups, stews, and stir-fries. 

Though my go-to recipe is this fried okra!

10. Romaine Lettuce

This delicious vegetable is an essential ingredient in many salads and meals. 

With its impressive nutritional contents, including vitamins A, K, and C, as well as folate and fiber, romaine lettuce gives us the nutrients we need to be healthy and strong. 

Not sure how to enjoy this shiny green delight? 

Try adding a few crunchy leaves to your sandwich or wrap for a no-fuss nutritious boost.

You can also sauté it briefly for an unexpected side dish. The possibilities are endless!

11. Brussels Sprouts

Behind its adorable appearance lies a veggie powerhouse bursting with robust nutrition.

Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, you won’t have to compromise on your health for a tasty snack! 

Toss Brussels sprouts with some olive oil, bacon, and onion, then roast them until golden brown. Or use them in a stir-fry with onions and garlic. 

When they’re crispy and salty, nobody can resist.

12. Bok Choy

Bok choy, one of the most versatile greens available, can be seen everywhere, from grocery stores to farmers’ markets. 

Not only is it widely popular, but it’s also incredibly nutritious. It contains Vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber and carotene. 

Plus, its subtle flavor means it will fit right into any dish.

Whether you’re adding it to a quick stir fry or slow-cooking bok choy with your favorite Asian-inspired dish, it’s not one to miss.

13. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a dark leafy green you don’t sleep on. Packed with immense nutritional value, it’s like a superhero in your product selection. 

First off, all its vitamins and minerals, plus fiber and protein, make it a total powerhouse.

For example, just one cup of cooked Swiss chard can provide over 44% of your daily intake of vitamin A and over 100% of vitamin K.

The many crunchy fan-shaped leaves look equally delicious in salads, soups, sautés, and casseroles. 

14. Green Beans

Green beans are a member of the legume family and a great source of essential vitamins and minerals! 

They make for a tasty side dish, whether you prefer them plain boiled or seasoned with herbs and spices. 

But green beans are versatile enough to be used in salads, sandwiches, or even blended into soups.

They can also be cooked up with garlic butter or roasted with shallots for a delicious savory snack. 

So don’t be shy when it comes to stocking your pantry with these crunchy gems!

15. Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the most delightful staples in the kitchen. 

Not only is it visually pleasing with its bright, vibrant colors and tall stalks, but it also packs a ton of nutrition in each stick.

I’m talking vitamins and minerals like Vitamin K, folate, iron, calcium, and Vitamin A. 

Simply grilled with a hint of garlic or lemon zest make for an exquisite delight. Or add some excitement to your morning scramble.

Trust me, you’ll find no shortage of ways to enjoy this delectable vegetable!

16. Celery

Who knew something as basic as celery could be so versatile?

This unassuming vegetable is an excellent source of vital nutrients, including vitamin K and dietary fiber. 

Rich in antioxidants, celery is a low-calorie snack (hello, ants on a log!). Plus, it’s a staple in almost every soup and stew recipe with onions and carrots.

Consider adding some chopped celery to creamy potato salad. The hint of crunch gives it the perfect balance of texture.

17. Green Peppers

Green peppers are one of the most flavorful and nutritious vegetables you can eat.

Low in calories, they are packed with vitamin C and loaded with antioxidants. 

They have a crisp yet slightly sweet flavor that adds both color and zest to any dish. 

For lunch or dinner, enjoy them raw in salads or stir-fries, roasted with other vegetable medleys, stuffed with grains, or diced and served on their own. 

18. Beet Greens

This delicious and nutritious vegetable has a unique taste. It is a combination of sharp and sweet, with a slightly earthy note. 

Not only do beet greens boast extraordinary flavor, but they also offer incredible nutritional value. 

Packed with vitamins A, B6, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium and iron, eating beet greens gives your body the boost it needs to stay healthy. 

For an easy lunch or dinner dish, try sautéing them with onion and garlic and pairing them with grilled chicken.

19. Artichoke

Artichoke’s wonderfully delicious flavor will win over anyone.

And even better, these little fellows are a nutritional powerhouse, providing high concentrations of vitamins A and K, plus plenty of dietary fiber. 

As for serving suggestions, to incorporate these nutritious nuggets into your diet, I suggest adding them to salads or soups.

Or better yet, try roasting them whole with olive oil and breadcrumbs!

Oh, and we can’t forget about spinach and artichoke dip!

20. Cucumber 

Cucumbers are an incredibly underrated vegetable.

They have a crisp, refreshing flavor with subtle hints of sweetness. And they’re highly nutritious too!

They offer essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. 

Plus, their high water content makes them particularly healthy for rehydrating after exercise or a hard day’s work. 

Try chopping them into salads and sandwiches or serving them as a side dish with a pinch of salt.

21. Green Peas

Green peas are truly a sight to behold.

Not only do they add vibrant green color and a wonderfully refreshing flavor to any dish, but they also pack quite a bit of nutrition, too. 

High in fiber and packed with protein, green peas can be added to virtually any meal for an added nutrition boost. 

From salads and pasta to stir-fries and mashed potatoes, green peas make the perfect addition with their pleasant flavor.

I love roasting them for an even bolder taste. 

22. String Beans

String beans are one of the most versatile vegetables out there. 

Whether they’re steamed, boiled, roasted, or grilled, they never fail to bring a robust flavor. 

Plus, their nutritional properties are outstanding. String beans are full of essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin K and Iron. 

Not to just mention the plethora of dietary fibers.

Perfect for livening up a stir fry or making a delicious gratin, you really can’t go wrong with string beans!

23. Leeks

Leeks are incredible!

They have a mild onion flavor with a slightly sweeter taste. And they’re so easy to cook with.

They need a good cleaning before use, though. With all those layers, it’s not uncommon to find a few bugs in the mix.

So be sure to chop and soak them in cold water before use.

And if you need some inspiration, check out these vegan leek recipes!