Recipes | Side Dishes | Favorite Side Dishes

Favorite Side Dishes

Sharing is caring!

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!

A collage of favorite side dishes: cheesy bread, pea salad, cheesy potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, corn dish with lime, and twisted breadsticks. Text in the center reads Favorite Side Dishes on a green background.

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

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:

These are the tools I reach for again and again in my own kitchen. I’m a Pampered Chef consultant, so links below may earn me commission at no additional cost to you.

Want to see more? Check out my favorite Pampered Chef products for busy kitchens and see which tools I use and recommend most.

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.

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! You'll also get regular recipes & printables to your inbox!

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!

Forget about stressful side dishes and check out these easy side dish recipes!

1
Three delectable Asparagus Spirals wrapped in golden pastry on a white plate. Text reads ASPARAGUS Spirals and In the Kids Kitchen in the corners, making it a delightful treat for little chefs.
Asparagus Spirals
These Asparagus Spirals are fun to make and fun to eat!
Check out this recipe
2
neighborfoodblog.com
Easy Cheesy Potatoes (From Scratch!)
The cheesy goodness is almost too much to handle – almost! I love this dish!
Check out this recipe
3
flouronmyface.com
Cheesy Gouda Cauliflower Casserole
The cauliflower in the casserole is perfect for adding veggies!
Check out this recipe
4
www.ihearteating.com
Funeral Potatoes (Recipe Video)
These are popular for a reason!
Check out this recipe
5
Broccoli Braid Recipe
This Broccoli Braid Recipe is a great way to get the kids to love a new dish!
Check out this recipe
6
rosebakes.com
Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Homemade Sweet & Sour Dressing
Just wait until you taste the flavor of this simple side dish!
Check out this recipe
7
walkingonsunshinerecipes.com
German Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream Dressing just like Oma’s.
I love this dish so much. It's great to make any time of the year.
Check out this recipe
8
rosebakes.com
Easy Green Beans with Bacon & Brown Sugar (Step-by-Step Video)
This green bean recipe couldn't be any easier to make!
Check out this recipe
9
bacon cheese pasta and ranch dressing side d
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
If you're a fan of pasta salad, you're not going to want to miss out on this.
Check out this recipe
10
cookingwithcurls.com
Orange Amaretto Cranberry Sauce
This would be the perfect side dish for your holiday table!
Check out this recipe
11
www.saltysidedish.com
Pea Salad Recipe with Red Onions and Cheese {Video}
There's a reason that this pea recipe is a classic dish!
Check out this recipe
12
crystalandcomp.com
Green Bean Casserole in the Slow Cooker
The flavor of these green beans in the crockpot is the best!
Check out this recipe
13
cheese ranch and bacon make this southern potato salad recipe
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Potato Salad
Check out this Hearty Potato salad recipe!
Check out this recipe
14
livingsweetmoments.com
Potatoes Au Gratin With A Creamy Jalapeno Sauce
You'll love the little heat that is added to this side dish.
Check out this recipe
15
theviewfromgreatisland.com
Fried Green Tomatoes
Talk about a Southern favorite dish!
Check out this recipe
16
theforkedspoon.com
10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe
You just need 10 minutes of time to make this recipe.
Check out this recipe
17
Loaded Mashed Potatoes Recipe
I love how creamy these potatoes are!
Check out this recipe
18
flouronmyface.com
Kabocha Squash Casserole
Check out this quick and easy way to cook up squash!
Check out this recipe
19
letsdishrecipes.com
Mexican Street Corn (Torchy’s Copycat)
The flavor of this street corn recipe is the best!
Check out this recipe
20
www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com
Cheesy Spinach Souffle
Have you ever made souffle before? Get ready to fall in love!
Check out this recipe
21
side dish recipe of delicious bacon and healthy broccoli
Bacon Broccoli Salad Recipe
This is such a fun bacon salad recipe to make!
Check out this recipe
22
kristineskitchenblog.com
Corn Casserole {Easy Homemade Recipe} – Kristine’s Kitchen
Talk about a simple casserole recipe!
Check out this recipe
23
www.mommalew.com
Roasted Brown Sugar Baked Carrots Recipe
This makes the carrots addictively sweet!
Check out this recipe
24
walkingonsunshinerecipes.com
Fresh Tomatoes and Pasta Recipe
I love the flavor of fresh tomatoes in this dish.
Check out this recipe
25
livingsweetmoments.com
Delicious Blue Mashed Potatoes
Talk about an awesome flavor!
Check out this recipe
26
easy macaroni salad recipe
Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe
This is the easiest pasta salad recipe that you'll make!
Check out this recipe
27
theviewfromgreatisland.com
Maple Candied Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
The sweetness from the maple syrup is the best!
Check out this recipe
28
www.saltysidedish.com
Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
You're not going to be able to stop eating these. Trust me.
Check out this recipe
29
crystalandcomp.com
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
If you like creamy potatoes, try these!
Check out this recipe
30
A slice of pineapple crumble dessert on a white plate with a fork showcases one of the delightful fresh pineapple recipes. A colorful cloth in the background sits beside a white baking dish filled with more of this tropical treat.
Pineapple Casserole
This casserole recipe is one of the best flavors!
Check out this recipe

Which one of these simple side dish recipes are you excited to make first? These would be great for any holiday season or any time of the year!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

These quick answers cover common questions about Favorite Side Dishes.

Yes. Prepare it as directed and store it properly for the ingredients used. Add crisp or delicate toppings shortly before serving for the best texture.

Keep leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate dishes with meat, dairy, eggs, or other perishable ingredients and follow specific storage notes in the post.

Yes. Adjust seasonings, toppings, portions, or mix-ins while preserving the main method and food-safety guidance.

Sharing is caring!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *