A really good side dish has a way of becoming the most talked about part of the meal, even when it was not supposed to be. The kind that gets scraped clean before anything else on the table and has people asking if there is any more left. Having a few recipes like that in your rotation makes putting a full meal together a lot more enjoyable.
This list has a good range of recipes that are simple to make and good enough to hold their own alongside just about anything. Some are light and easy for nights when you want to keep things simple, and others are hearty enough to almost steal the show from whatever they are sitting next to. Try a few and do not be surprised when the sides start getting more attention than the main course.
Sugar Free Honey Roasted Carrots
Sugar free honey roasted carrots come out tender and slightly caramelized, with a sweet, warm flavor that makes them really enjoyable to eat. The roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots, so they taste rich without needing much added to them. Because they pair well with so many main dishes, they’re an easy side to fit into almost any meal.
People always comment on how good these are for something so simple to make. Once you’ve made them this way, plain roasted carrots start to feel like a missed opportunity every single time. Since they come together so quickly, adding them to any dinner is never a big deal.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Free Honey Roasted Carrots
Refreshing Cucumber Dill Salad with Red Onion
Cucumber dill salad with red onion is crisp, tangy, and really refreshing in a way that makes it a great companion to pretty much any meal. The dill adds a bright, herby flavor that pairs naturally with the cucumber and the mild bite of the red onion. Because it gets better as it sits, making it ahead is always the smartest move.
A bowl of this always disappears faster than people expect, since the flavor is so clean and enjoyable. Once you’ve made this a few times, it becomes one of those reliable sides you keep coming back to on a regular basis. Since it stores really well in the fridge, having a batch ready throughout the week is always a really good idea.
Get the Recipe: Refreshing Cucumber Dill Salad with Red Onion
Roasted Butternut Squash Mash with Parmesan
Roasted butternut squash mash with parmesan is creamy, warm, and has a flavor that feels richer than a regular mash. The squash roasts first, so the flavor gets deeper and more concentrated before it’s mashed into something really smooth. Because the parmesan adds a salty edge, it balances out the natural sweetness of the squash really nicely.
A bowl of this always gets people going back for another scoop before it’s even halfway done. Once you’ve made this, plain mashed squash starts to feel like it’s missing something important. Since the roasting step makes such a noticeable difference in the final flavor, it’s always worth the extra time it takes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Mash with Parmesan
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Garlic mashed cauliflower is creamy, smooth, and has enough garlic flavor running through it to make every bite really enjoyable. The texture is so close to a classic mash that people often can’t tell the difference until someone mentions it. Because the garlic adds so much depth, the whole dish tastes really well seasoned and complete.
Nobody ever complains when this shows up as a side, and the bowl always comes back empty. Once you’ve made garlic mashed cauliflower, plain steamed cauliflower starts to feel like a missed opportunity. Since it comes together so quickly, adding it to any weeknight dinner is never a challenge at all.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Steamed Artichoke
A perfectly steamed artichoke is one of those simple things that feels really special when it comes to the table. Each leaf pulls away easily and has a tender, slightly nutty flavor that makes eating it a really enjoyable experience. Because the whole process is so simple, getting a great result requires very little hands-on effort at all.
The first time I made steamed artichokes, I was surprised by how much flavor comes from something so simple to prepare. Once you’ve had artichokes done right, they become a side dish you look for reasons to make again. Since they pair so well with a good dipping sauce, putting one out alongside them is always the right call.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Artichoke
Cold Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Cold green bean salad with Dijon vinaigrette is crisp, tangy, and has a really clean flavor that makes it a great side for pretty much any meal. The vinaigrette coats every bean with a bright, slightly sharp dressing that makes each bite really enjoyable from start to finish. Because it’s served cold and holds up really well in the fridge, it’s one of the best make-ahead sides you can have ready.
My go-to when I need a side that’s easy, reliable, and always gets eaten is usually this one. Once you’ve made it a couple of times, it becomes one of those sides you make without even thinking about it. Since the flavor actually deepens as it sits, making it ahead is always the right move.
Get the Recipe: Cold Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Pumpkin Fries
Pumpkin fries come out crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, so they hit that fry texture people love with a slightly different flavor. They have a slight natural sweetness that makes them a fun change from a regular fry. Because they season up so well, they’re really hard to stop eating once you start.
Kids and adults both tend to be won over after just one bite since the flavor is more interesting than they expected. Once you’ve tried pumpkin fries done right, you’ll want to make them again pretty soon after. Since they bake up so nicely, you don’t need a deep fryer to get a really great result.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Fries
Coconut Cauliflower Rice
Coconut cauliflower rice has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that makes it a really enjoyable base for a lot of different meals. The coconut adds a subtle richness without being overpowering, so it pairs well with a wide range of dishes without competing for attention. Because it comes together so quickly, it’s one of the easiest sides you can add to any meal without much thought.
A side this flavorful and this simple is hard to beat on any weeknight. Once you’ve made coconut cauliflower rice a few times, it becomes one of those reliable options you reach for often. Since the coconut flavor keeps things interesting without being too much, it works really well alongside pretty much anything.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cauliflower Rice
Kale Salad with Parmesan Cheese
Kale salad with parmesan cheese turns a green that some people avoid into something people genuinely enjoy eating. The parmesan adds a salty, sharp flavor that pairs really well with the kale, so the bitterness disappears completely. Because a little massage on the leaves softens everything up, each bite has a good balance of crunch and richness.
People who claim they don’t like kale tend to change their minds pretty quickly after trying this. Once you’ve made it this way, it earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation without any debate. Since it holds up well in the fridge, making it ahead is always a smart move.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad with Parmesan Cheese
