Pinterest Faves: Food Boards

What are some of your favorite side dishes? I would love for you to share them with me so I can check them out. I’m always looking for something tasty and delicious – so share those recipes! Be sure to check out my 100 + Side Dish Recipes for even more great recipes.

Finding the perfect side dish can actually be super fun! There are so many ingredients and flavors out there that you can easily make a new and different side dish for each and every meal. Don’t get in a rut – make a list and stick to it. This is actually a great list of side dishes to start and work your way down!

If you want to see even more great side dishes, be sure to check out my Favorite Side Recipe board on Pinterest.

Table of Contents

What are some of the best side dishes options?

Side dishes are an important part of any meal, offering variation and balance to the main course. Some of the best options for side dishes include roasted vegetables such as potatoes and green beans, salads with a variety of toppings, and grilled corn on the cob.

Vegetables steamed or boiled in lightly salted water are also a healthy choice when served as a side dish. It is beneficial to include these as they contribute fiber to the body while helping to flush out toxins.

Grains such as quinoa, couscous, and wild rice make excellent side dishes that can easily be manipulated in both flavor and texture by adding seasonings and butter or olive oil.

All of these dishes have great nutritional benefits that make them ideal for rounding out any meal.

Can you prep side dishes in advance?

Prepping dishes in advance is becoming an increasingly popular approach to food preparation, particularly for side dishes. Many people are turning to this method due to its convenience and efficiency, as well as the potential it has to save time and money.

Having a stockpile of prepped side dishes available for regular use can be helpful for days when time is limited, and grocery shopping is inconvenient or not feasible.

Additionally, if ingredients are purchased in bulk, there may be a further reduction in cost acquired by preparing multiple meals ahead of time.

Regarding health and safety practices, however, perishables must be carefully stored and monitored, so they remain edible when reheated. Additionally, marinades or dressings that could cause food spoilage should always remain separate until ready for consumption.

Despite these necessary considerations, prepping side dishes in advance is a great way to provide delicious, fast meals with minimal effort.

Shop My Kitchen:

The following items can be found in my kitchen here at Miller Manor. Simply click the image that interests you – yes, they do contain affiliate links.

A collection of black cookware, including pots, pans, and lids, is artfully arranged on a wooden surface in the kitchen. Some lids are glass. The set features a grill pan with a few Brussels sprouts nestled nearby. A gray bottle completes this stylish culinary shop display.

A weathered sign leaning against a tree reads Farmers Market with a cow illustration. Below, it lists Cheeses, Fresh Eggs, Pies, Antiques & Collectibles for your kitchen needs. Grass and a few small yellow flowers surround the sign, inviting you to shop local treasures.

A farmhouse decor arrangement features a framed silhouette of a cow, pig, and chicken stacked; a bearded figure with a patterned hat; a farmhouse sign in cursive; and a felt ball garland in shades of white, gray, and green.

Three kitchen towels with crochet tops are displayed. The towels feature farm-themed designs: one with a cow and text Farm Fresh Milk, another with a rooster and cow, and the third with a rooster and Farm Fresh inside a wreath.

What are some of the most popular side dish ingredients?

Side dishes are essential components of any meal and can come in various ingredients. Common ingredients for side dishes include vegetables such as carrots, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower; whole grains such as quinoa, farro, and wild rice; nuts such as almonds and walnuts; and legumes such as chickpeas and black beans.

Additionally, potatoes, including french fries and mashed potatoes, are popular side dish choices. Various herbs and spices contribute to flavor combinations that help make these common ingredients appealing.

Finally, sauces like BBQ sauce or ranch dressing often add an extra layer to the overall effect of the side dish.

All these ingredients can be mixed or served separately to create interesting texture combinations in the same dish or served them separately to offer variation when combined with other meals.

Can you eat a side dish as the main entree?

With a little creativity and an open mind, one can certainly turn a side dish into a main entree. By adding more vegetables or proteins to the side dish, for example, it can become a main course.

One simple way to do this is to roast vegetables with herbs, such as oregano, rosemary, and thyme, and add nuts like almonds to turn a side dish into an entrée.

To further modify the side dish, one could also include sauces and dressings to intensify the flavors of your main course.

Finally, by adding some grains to the side dish, like quinoa or rice, you can quickly bulk up any nutritious plate of vegetables.

With just a few extra ingredients, creating a meal from a seemingly small side dish is possible!

Favorite Side Dishes

This list will give you great side dishes that you can make any time of the year. Start with one, and then move on to the next and let me know which one you like best!

Be sure to also check out my Thai Sweet Asparagus Recipe! This Roasted Cauliflower Steaks Recipe is one of my favorites, too!