These 31 side dishes are the secret weapon every meal needs. While the main course takes all the credit, these sides are the ones getting all the compliments. Minimal prep, zero drama, and they somehow manage to steal the spotlight every time. Perfect for when you want your meal to impress without breaking a sweat—because why should the roast have all the fun?
Turkey Fried Rice
If you’re looking for a side that’s hearty yet refreshing, Turkey Fried Rice might be the answer. It’s got the right balance of flavor and texture that makes it the perfect complement to your main dish. Don’t be surprised if this one steals the spotlight—it has a way of making the roast seem less exciting. Easy to make and even easier to love, this is the side people will remember.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Fried Rice
Mexican Rice
Need a side that’s as bold as your main course? Mexican Rice is here to steal the show. It’s colorful, flavorful, and a crowd-pleaser every time. While the roast might get the attention, this rice is always the talk of the table. Simple to make but packed with flavor, it’s the kind of side you’ll come back to time and time again.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Rice
Smoked Mac & Cheese
Smoked Mac & Cheese brings all the comfort without the work of standing over a stove. The smoky flavor adds depth, while the creamy texture gets you every time. You’ll soon find that this dish gets more compliments than your roast. It’s the side that proves that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated to steal the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Mac & Cheese
Ukrainian Potatoes
These potatoes are so good, they might just steal the spotlight from the main course. Ukrainian Potatoes bring bold flavors without demanding much attention. They’re simple to make, but somehow, they’re always the first to disappear from the table. Whether it’s the crispy edges or the savory finish, this side dish makes the roast look lazy. Serve them up, and watch the compliments pile up.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Potatoes
Smoked Cauliflower
Not your average cauliflower—Smoked Cauliflower takes a side dish you might overlook and turns it into a flavor powerhouse. You’ll love how the smoke gives it a depth that somehow doesn’t overpower the meal. It’s an easy, no-fuss option that gets people talking. Watch as it steals the show without you breaking a sweat in the kitchen. If you haven’t tried it yet, get ready to be impressed.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cauliflower
Cucumber Salad with Feta
Cucumber Salad with Feta is light, fresh, and exactly what your meal needs without feeling like an afterthought. It’s simple but full of flavor that gets people asking for seconds. This dish balances perfectly with your main course and somehow outshines it every time. Easy to whip up, it’s the kind of side you can rely on to get the crowd’s attention. Sometimes less is more, and this salad nails it.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta
Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
If you think Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots are just another side dish, think again. They’re a crowd favorite that shows up with all the crunch and flavor, taking center stage without trying too hard. Expect these to disappear fast, as they always do, leaving everyone wanting more. These tots are not here to play second fiddle; they’re here to make a statement. No one will be talking about the roast when these are on the table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
Mini Flaky Cheese Biscuits
Mini Flaky Cheese Biscuits are more than just a side—they’re the bite-sized miracle your meal needs. Light, fluffy, and packed with flavor, they somehow outshine the main event. You’ll be asked for the recipe, guaranteed. Perfect for when you need a side dish that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but really didn’t. They bring the comfort without any of the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Mini Flaky Cheese Biscuits
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
When you need a side that’s both satisfying and light, Mediterranean Couscous Salad is the answer. Packed with flavor and texture, it pairs well with nearly anything you throw on the grill. This dish isn’t just a side, it’s a conversation starter. It’ll quickly become a favorite on your table, getting more compliments than your main course ever expected.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Grilled Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Grilled Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are as easy as they are delicious. Crunchy, crispy, and perfectly seasoned, these potatoes are the side dish everyone will fight over. They cook up quickly and pack plenty of flavor, giving your meal a real standout moment. Serve them up next time and let them steal the spotlight—your roast won’t mind.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob
Want a side that adds a smoky kick to your meal? Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob is here to step up your game. It’s sweet, smoky, and adds just the right crunch to any plate. This simple side dish will easily become a favorite, and your guests will want more. It’s got the kind of flavor that leaves the roast in the dust.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob
Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta
Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta sounds fancy, but it’s surprisingly simple. This side is as good as it gets when you need something green that adds flavor and texture to your plate. The combination of crispy pancetta and tender greens is perfect, making it a side dish that gets talked about long after the meal is over. This one may just become your new go-to.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta
Grilled Ratatouille
Grilled Ratatouille might just be the most flavorful side dish you’ve ever served. This dish makes vegetables the star of the meal, and it does so with minimal effort. The smokiness from the grill and the blend of flavors make it the perfect complement to anything else on the table. The best part? It’s so easy to make, yet it always manages to wow your guests.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ratatouille
Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes brings the fresh flavors of the season right to your table. It’s simple but doesn’t skimp on flavor, offering a perfect balance of greens and comfort. This salad is the kind of side that sneaks up on you—it looks basic but quickly becomes a fan favorite. Serve it alongside your main, and you’ll find people digging into it first.
Get the Recipe: Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Looking for a side that feels a little more special? Grilled Cauliflower Steaks offer a unique twist while being simple to prepare. Their smoky flavor and hearty texture make them a surprising showstopper on any plate. People will be asking if they can get more of the “steak” while your roast gets the second look. It’s the kind of side that feels fancy without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Grilled Vegetables
Grilled Vegetables might seem simple, but they bring a smoky, savory punch that makes them hard to resist. Perfectly charred, these veggies pair well with just about anything on your table. They’re the kind of side that doesn’t require a ton of work but still manages to impress. Grilled vegetables are the unsung heroes that steal the show without even trying.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetables
Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes is the side dish that proves fresh doesn’t have to be boring. Smoky tomatoes elevate the classic flavors, making it something guests will remember long after the meal. It’s a simple dish with enough flavor to shine, even next to the roast. You’ll find yourself making this one again and again—because it just works.
Get the Recipe: Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots are the side dish you never knew you needed until you try them. They’re simple, sweet, and always the first thing people grab from the table. These carrots don’t require much, but they get all the attention. Expect them to steal the show and leave your roast feeling a little overlooked.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill
Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill takes a vegetable that’s often overlooked and turns it into a flavor powerhouse. The lightness of the cauliflower paired with a refreshing citrus touch makes it the perfect complement to any meal. It’s the kind of side that’s simple yet unforgettable, getting more attention than your roast. Minimal effort, maximum flavor—that’s the magic of this dish.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill
Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds
Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds are everything you want in a side dish: crunchy, savory, and packed with flavor. The brown butter gives it richness, while the almonds provide a nice crunch, making it more than just a vegetable side. It’s a dish that gets more love than the roast, and it’s easy to see why. Serve this one next time, and watch it disappear before the main course.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds
Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad
Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad takes two classic ingredients and combines them into a winning side dish. The smoky, charred flavor of the asparagus pairs perfectly with tender potatoes, making this salad a hit every time. It’s hearty yet fresh, offering a great balance to your main course. This salad won’t be left behind as the main course steals the show—it’s a side that gets noticed.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
If you’re looking for a side that combines light and filling, Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp delivers. This dish brings a little something extra with its shrimp and refreshing Mediterranean flavors, but it’s not over-the-top. It’s the kind of side that makes you wonder why you haven’t been serving it all along. You’ll quickly find that this dish gets more attention than your main course.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Creamed Corn
Creamed Corn is the classic side that never goes out of style. Creamy, sweet, and comforting, it’s the dish people always come back to for seconds. Whether you’re serving it alongside a roast or something else, it’s the perfect addition to any meal. This one won’t just sit quietly on your plate—it’ll be the talk of the table.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn
Classic Mac and Cheese
Classic Mac and Cheese is a side that always brings comfort and satisfaction. It’s creamy, cheesy, and downright delicious, which is why it always gets more attention than the roast. Expect everyone to ask for the recipe, and don’t be surprised if this side dish disappears before anything else. It’s the perfect combination of simple and crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Classic Mac and Cheese
German Yellow Beans
German Yellow Beans might sound like an afterthought, but they’re packed with flavor that makes them a standout. Tender, savory, and with just the right amount of crunch, they’re a perfect side to complement any meal. This dish doesn’t need much to shine—it just does. Serve these up next time, and watch them get more compliments than your roast.
Get the Recipe: German Yellow Beans
Grilled Pineapple with Buttery Lime Glaze
Looking for something a little different? Grilled Pineapple with Buttery Lime Glaze adds a sweet and tangy twist to your meal. The caramelized pineapple and refreshing lime glaze make it a unique side that still pairs well with anything. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, always getting more love than the main course. Serve it next time, and let it steal the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pineapple with Buttery Lime Glaze
Quick Smoked Tomatoes
Quick Smoked Tomatoes may seem simple, but their smoky, tangy flavor adds a whole new level to your side dish lineup. They’re easy to prepare and pair well with just about anything. This side is the perfect example of how less can be more—offering maximum flavor with minimal effort. Expect to hear more compliments about these tomatoes than your roast.
Get the Recipe: Quick Smoked Tomatoes
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled Asparagus is a simple side, but its smoky flavor makes it a winner every time. This dish is fresh, light, and easy to make, yet it’s packed with flavor that gets everyone talking. Pair it with any main course, and it will quickly become the star of the show. It’s the side dish that doesn’t require a lot of effort but still steals the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus
Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole
Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole is the kind of comfort food that makes everything else on the table seem irrelevant. Creamy, fluffy, and topped with a crispy finish, it’s the kind of side that gets all the compliments. You can make it ahead of time, and it will still be the first dish to go. Even if the roast is good, people will be talking about this casserole.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole
Parisian Potatoes
Parisian Potatoes are a great way to make a simple side feel a little more special. They’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, offering the perfect balance of texture and flavor. You won’t need a ton of ingredients for this dish, but you’ll still get all the praise. This side dish always manages to steal the spotlight from the roast—no competition.
Get the Recipe: Parisian Potatoes
Greek Green Beans
When you want something fresh and easy, Greek Green Beans are a great go-to. They’re light but packed with flavor, providing a satisfying side without overwhelming the rest of your meal. Expect this dish to be the first thing people talk about once they dig in. It’s a perfect blend of simplicity and flair, and it doesn’t need much to stand out.
Get the Recipe: Greek Green Beans