21 Side Dishes So Good, They’ll Have Everyone Asking, “Wait… What’s the Main Dish Again?”

These 21 side dishes are so good, you’ll have people forgetting what the main dish even is. They’re packed with flavor and are the kind of sides that steal the spotlight without even trying. Whether it’s a casual dinner or a big feast, these dishes will have everyone reaching for seconds—if not thirds. Don’t be surprised if someone asks for the recipe instead of the main course.

Roasted Green Beans with Almonds and Lemon

Picture crunchy green beans meeting the warm, nutty crunch of almonds, all brightened by a squeeze of lemon. It’s not just a side dish; it’s a conversation starter. Roasted Green Beans with Almonds and Lemon bring that vibrant crunch and tangy taste to dinners that need a spark of joy. Every forkful promises a fresh pop of flavor that might just outshine your main course.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Green Beans with Almonds and Lemon

Cabbage & Potatoes with Bacon

Have you ever sat down to a meal and found the side dish had elbowed its way to being the star of the show? That’s exactly what happens when Cabbage & Potatoes with Bacon comes to town. Smoky, salty bites of bacon intermingle with the soft, comforting textures of cabbage and potatoes. This dish doesn’t just fill the plate; it fills the room with an aroma that pulls people in.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage & Potatoes with Bacon

Creamy Radish Salad

Enter Creamy Radish Salad, a side that tosses the rulebook out the window. Here, the peppery bite of radishes gets tamed by a dreamy, creamy dressing. It’s bold, it’s refreshing, and it dances on the palate in a way that makes you question everything you thought you knew about radishes. Serve this when you want to add a stroke of genius to your meal, proving that simple ingredients can star in show-stopping roles.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Radish Salad

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham and Cheese

When coziness is on the menu, there’s one dish that wears the crown. Scalloped Potatoes with Ham and Cheese is like the warm hug of comfort food that everyone craves. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes, embraced by creamy cheese and punctuated with pieces of ham, create a dish that’s impossible to resist. This isn’t just a side; it’s a memory on a plate that invites everyone to dive back into their favorite comfort meals.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes with Ham and Cheese

Texas Corn Succotash

Imagine you’re looking for a side that brings a little pizzazz to your barbecue. Texas Corn Succotash steps up, tipping its hat with a mix of sweet corn, bright peppers, and a hint of heat that says, “this isn’t your average succotash.” It’s a celebration of textures and flavors that play off each other perfectly, making each bite an adventure in taste. This dish knows how to party, bringing a colorful and tasty touch.
Get the Recipe: Texas Corn Succotash

Mediterranean Chopped Salad

Ever dreamed of the Mediterranean in a bowl? That dream comes alive with Mediterranean Chopped Salad. Crisp, fresh veggies tossed with bold flavors whisk your senses away to sunny shores and bustling markets. It’s the sort of side that doesn’t just complement a dish; it transports your dining experience to new destinations. Grab a fork, and let each bite bring a burst of freshness.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chopped Salad

Au Gratin Potato Stacks

For those moments when you crave something both elegant and comforting, Au Gratin Potato Stacks are here to save the day. These individually portioned towers of thinly sliced potatoes, cream, and cheese, baked until golden and bubbling, are a sight to behold. Each stack is a personal gift of creamy, crunchy textures that melt in your mouth and warm your heart.
Get the Recipe: Au Gratin Potato Stacks

Grilled Veggies

Nothing says fun like the charred lines on freshly grilled veggies. It’s a simple pleasure, transforming earth’s bounty into smoky, flavorful bites that remind us of long, lazy evenings and the sound of laughter in the air. Grilled Veggies are all about highlighting the natural goodness of each vegetable, with the grill lending its magic to enhance their flavors. It’s casual elegance served up in one colorful platter.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Veggies

Air Fryer Corn on The Cob

Gone are the days of waiting for a pot of water to boil. Air Fryer Corn on the Cob introduces a new star to your quick and easy side dish lineup. In a whirl of hot air, each cob turns out perfectly cooked, with kernels bursting in sweetness and a texture that’s just right. This method isn’t just fast; it’s a game changer, letting you serve up that classic taste of fun anytime, without the fuss or the mess.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Corn on The Cob

Southern Green Beans

When you’re yearning for a taste of the South, nothing comes close to the homely goodness of Southern Green Beans. This dish takes the humble green bean and upgrades it with flavors that tug at your heartstrings. Slow-cooked to perfection, each bean soaks up the rich, tasty blend of seasonings, transforming into something that’s both deeply comforting and utterly irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Is it possible for a side dish to whisk you away to the breezy Mediterranean coast? Mediterranean Quinoa Salad answers that question with a resounding yes. It combines the protein-packed punch of quinoa with a bounty of fresh, vibrant ingredients, delivering a side that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. This salad is a testament to the magic that happens when wholesome ingredients meet.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Corn Fritters

Picture the ultimate comfort food that doubles as a delicious little snack, and you’ve got Corn Fritters. Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside, they’re a harmonious blend of simplicity and indulgence. Whether you’re pairing them with a hearty main or munching on them by themselves, they have a way of making any meal feel like a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters

Grilled Ratatouille

This Grilled Ratatouille takes the traditional stewed vegetable dish and throws it onto the grill, giving it a smoky twist that’s hard to resist. This version showcases the vegetables in their rustic glory, enhancing their natural flavors while adding that unmistakable charred taste. It’s a side that stands out, perfect for those who love to bring a bit of adventure to their cooking. Serve it up for an experience that feels gourmet.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ratatouille

Smoked Asparagus

Imagine giving a classic vegetable a smoky makeover. Smoked Asparagus does just that, introducing a depth of flavor that grilled or steamed asparagus can only dream of. The smoke infuses each spear with a rich, nuanced taste, transforming a familiar side into something extraordinary. It’s a surefire way to add an edge to your meal, proving that a little creativity can turn even the simplest ingredients into a standout experience.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Asparagus

Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

Sometimes it’s the simplest dishes that leave the most lasting impressions. Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots bring the comfort of your favorite roadside restaurant right to your dining table. Soft, sweet, and slightly glazed, these carrots whisper tales of family road trips and the joy of finding a delicious meal miles from home. They don’t pretend to be anything but deliciously simple.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche

When breakfast and dinner want to meet halfway, Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche gracefully takes the stage. Light, fluffy, and filled with the simple, wholesome goodness of asparagus and ricotta, it’s a dish that feels both elegant and comforting. This quiche doesn’t just belong on your brunch table; it’s versatile enough to be the unexpected highlight of your dinner spread. It invites you to reconsider what a side dish can be.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

For when you want to add a twist to a classic side, Green Beans Almondine with Bacon invites you to indulge a bit. Here, the timeless elegance of green beans almondine is given a tasty update with the addition of bacon, creating a dish that’s both refined and hearty. It’s a side that speaks to those who love their comfort food with a side of sophistication. Each bite melds the crispness of beans with the smoky saltiness of bacon.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Smoked Brussels Sprouts

Who said Brussels sprouts were just a holiday staple? Smoked Brussels Sprouts are here to break the mold, wrapping each sprout in a smoky hug that upgrades this oft-maligned vegetable to new heights. The smoking process brings out a nutty, earthy flavor that makes even the staunchest sprout skeptic come back for seconds. Pair them with your favorite protein, or let them shine on their own.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brussels Sprouts

Cucumber Salad with Feta

In a world where salads often strive for complexity, Cucumber Salad with Feta brings it all back to basics. It’s the cool, refreshing break we all need on our plates, marrying the crispness of cucumbers with the creamy tang of feta cheese. This dish is a reminder that, often, less is more, offering a straightforward yet deeply satisfying side that complements just about any main.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta

Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Have you ever seen corn stand up and demand attention? Grilled Elote Corn Ribs do just that, transforming the humble ear of corn into a show-stopping, finger-licking experience. Each rib, cut from the cob, offers a smoky sweetness, seasoned to perfection, making it impossible to have just one. This dish turns a backyard barbecue into a culinary celebration, proving that sometimes the best flavors come from the simplest transformations.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Fasolakia Lathera – (Greek Green Beans)

If you’re in the mood to bring a touch of the Mediterranean into your kitchen, Fasolakia Lathera – (Greek Green Beans) will take you there. This dish celebrates the humble green bean in a way that’s anything but ordinary, simmering it in a rich, olive oil-laced sauce that’s full of flavor. It’s a vibrant addition to any table, showcasing how Greek cuisine can turn simple ingredients into a feast for the senses.
Get the Recipe: Fasolakia Lathera – (Greek Green Beans)