Side dishes are often the unsung heroes of a meal, but some are so good they steal the spotlight. These 25 side dishes are so irresistibly tasty, you’ll find yourself going back for seconds—or thirds. Whether you’re serving them up at a family dinner or bringing them to a potluck, these sides are sure to be a hit. Get ready to discover your new go-to favorites that might just outshine the main course.
Honey Garlic Carrots
Honey Garlic Carrots are sweet, savory, and ready in just 20 minutes. These carrots are cooked to tender perfection with honey, garlic, and a hint of butter. They offer a balance of sweet and savory flavors that make them irresistible. This dish is a simple yet delicious side that complements any meal.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots
Zucchini Noodle Salad
Zucchini Noodle Salad is a refreshing, light dish packed with fresh flavors. It features spiralized zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and a lemony dressing, ready in just 15 minutes. The crisp, cool texture of the zucchini pairs perfectly with the tangy dressing. It’s a healthy and satisfying side for any summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad
Summer Orzo Salad
Summer Orzo Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that’s perfect for warm weather. It combines orzo pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty dressing. This salad is ready in about 20 minutes and offers a bright, tangy flavor with a satisfying bite. It’s ideal for picnics or barbecues.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad
Worcestershire Green Beans
Worcestershire Green Beans are a quick and savory side dish that comes together in just 15 minutes. The green beans are sautéed with Worcestershire sauce, butter, and garlic, giving them a rich, umami flavor. They are perfectly tender with a slight crisp, making them a great accompaniment to any main course. This simple dish adds a punch of flavor to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans
Veggie Couscous Salad
Veggie Couscous Salad is a colorful, flavorful dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes. It features fluffy couscous mixed with fresh vegetables like bell peppers and cucumbers, all tossed in a light vinaigrette. The salad is light yet filling, with a great balance of textures and flavors. It’s a perfect side for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad
Shrimp Asparagus Risotto
Shrimp Asparagus Risotto is a creamy, indulgent dish ready in about 30 minutes. This risotto combines tender shrimp, fresh asparagus, and Parmesan cheese for a rich, satisfying flavor. The arborio rice creates a creamy texture that pairs beautifully with the seafood and vegetables. It’s an elegant side that could easily be a main course.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Asparagus Risotto
Basic Polenta
Basic Polenta is a simple, comforting side dish that takes just 30 minutes to make. The polenta is smooth and creamy, with a mild, corn flavor that pairs well with a variety of dishes. You can serve it soft or let it firm up to slice and grill. This versatile dish is a great canvas for adding your favorite toppings.
Get the Recipe: Basic Polenta
Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes are a rich and savory side dish ready in about 30 minutes. The potatoes are mashed with garlic and nutty brown butter, giving them an intense, deep flavor. They’re creamy and smooth, with just the right amount of butter and seasoning. These mashed potatoes are a delicious complement to any hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Greek Quinoa Salad
Greek Quinoa Salad is a healthy, flavorful dish that’s ready in 20 minutes. It combines quinoa with classic Greek ingredients like feta, olives, and cucumbers, all tossed in a lemony dressing. The quinoa adds a fluffy texture and nutty flavor that pairs well with the crisp vegetables. This salad is a light, refreshing side that’s perfect for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad
Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Roasted Cabbage Steaks are a hearty, flavorful side dish that’s ready in 40 minutes. Thick slices of cabbage are roasted until tender and caramelized, then topped with crispy bacon and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The result is a slightly sweet, savory, and crispy dish that’s surprisingly addictive. These cabbage steaks are a great way to add some vegetables to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Cranberry Apple Stuffing
Cranberry Apple Stuffing is a sweet and savory side dish perfect for the holidays, ready in about an hour. This stuffing combines tart cranberries, sweet apples, and savory herbs with bread cubes for a rich, complex flavor. The mix of textures from the soft bread and juicy fruit makes it a standout dish. It’s a must-have on your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Apple Stuffing
Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts
Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts are a spiced, flavorful side dish that takes about 25 minutes to prepare. The Brussels sprouts are roasted with garam masala, giving them a warm, aromatic flavor. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a subtle sweetness from the caramelization. This dish is a delicious twist on a classic vegetable side.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts
Citrus Asparagus Couscous
Citrus Asparagus Couscous is a light, refreshing side dish that’s ready in 20 minutes. The couscous is combined with fresh asparagus and a bright citrus dressing, creating a flavorful and vibrant dish. The tangy citrus pairs perfectly with the tender asparagus and fluffy couscous. It’s a great side for any spring or summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is a crunchy, fresh side dish that’s ready in just 15 minutes. Thinly sliced Brussels sprouts are tossed with dried cranberries, nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette. The salad has a great balance of textures, with the crisp sprouts and chewy cranberries. It’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy Brussels sprouts raw.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Brioche Rolls
Brioche Rolls are soft, buttery rolls that take about 3 hours to make, including rising time. These rolls are rich and slightly sweet, with a tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth. They’re perfect for serving alongside soups, stews, or any meal where you want to impress. These rolls are a little extra effort, but totally worth it.
Get the Recipe: Brioche Rolls
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots are a sweet and savory side dish that’s ready in 40 minutes. The carrots are roasted until tender and caramelized, then tossed in a honey glaze. They have a deep, rich flavor with a hint of sweetness from the honey. This simple dish is a great addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
Easy Oven Asparagus
Easy Oven Asparagus is a quick and simple side dish ready in just 15 minutes. The asparagus is roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper, resulting in tender spears with a slight crisp. The flavor is fresh and clean, letting the natural taste of the asparagus shine through. It’s a healthy and delicious side for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus
Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions
Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions is a flavorful, crispy side dish that takes just 20 minutes to make. The green beans are sautéed with garlic and topped with crispy fried onions, giving them a savory, satisfying crunch. The combination of the tender beans and crunchy onions is addictive. This dish is perfect for holiday dinners or weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta is a savory, nutty side dish that’s ready in 30 minutes. The Brussels sprouts are roasted until crispy, then topped with toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese. The result is a dish with a great mix of textures and flavors, from the crispy sprouts to the creamy feta. It’s a delicious way to enjoy Brussels sprouts.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables are a hearty, flavorful side dish that’s ready in about 45 minutes. A mix of root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes are roasted until tender and caramelized. The vegetables develop a rich, sweet flavor as they roast, making them irresistible. This dish is a great way to enjoy a variety of seasonal vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices are a sweet and savory side dish that’s ready in 40 minutes. The sweet potatoes are sliced, seasoned with brown sugar and spices, and baked until tender and caramelized. They have a soft, creamy texture with a hint of sweetness from the brown sugar. This dish is perfect for holiday dinners or any time you want a comforting side.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce
Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce are a crispy, flavorful side dish that’s ready in about 30 minutes. The fritters are made with grated sweet potatoes and spices, then fried until golden and crispy. They’re served with a sweet and spicy sauce that adds a delicious kick. These fritters are a tasty and fun side dish.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce
Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli
Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli is a rich, comforting side dish that takes about 1 hour to make. The ravioli are filled with creamy butternut squash and served with a simple sauce. They have a delicate, tender texture and a sweet, nutty flavor from the squash. This dish is a little more work, but the results are worth it.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Creamy Mashed Potatoes are a classic, comforting side dish that takes about 30 minutes to make. The potatoes are mashed with butter and cream until they’re smooth and silky. They have a rich, buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with any main course. These mashed potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Screaming Skillet Green Beans
Screaming Skillet Green Beans are a spicy, flavorful side dish that’s ready in just 15 minutes. The green beans are sautéed with garlic and red pepper flakes, giving them a spicy kick. They’re tender yet crisp, with a burst of flavor from the spices. This dish is a great way to add some excitement to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans