When the side dishes start stealing the spotlight, you know something good is happening. This lineup of 31 side dishes that’ll have everyone asking, “are you sure this isn’t the main?” brings serious flavor without trying too hard. Expect everything from crowd-pleasers to unexpected hits that people will pile higher than whatever meat you worked so hard on. Honestly, you might want to double the recipes, unless you like explaining to guests why you “ran out.”
Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
Nobody’s pretending Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots are fancy, but nobody cares either. They land on the table and immediately steal the spotlight from every careful, home-cooked dish nearby. Crunchy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, they’re the shameless favorite everyone’s too proud to resist. Good luck keeping any left for the second round.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
Mini Flaky Cheese Biscuits
Some side dishes ask politely for attention, and then there’s Mini Flaky Cheese Biscuits crashing the party. Buttery, flaky, and packed with flavor, they vanish faster than any carefully plated entrée. They’re the kind of dish that gets people wandering back to the kitchen, pretending they’re “just checking on something.” Make extra, or prepare for serious biscuit-related arguments.
Get the Recipe: Mini Flaky Cheese Biscuits
Turkey Fried Rice
Everyone expects turkey to play nice and stay in the background, but Turkey Fried Rice refuses to be ignored. Big flavor and satisfying texture push this dish into main-course territory immediately. It’s a side that accidentally becomes the thing people fill their plates with. Not bad for something that was supposed to sit quietly in a bowl on the side.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Fried Rice
Ukrainian Potatoes
Some sides just quietly do their job, but Ukrainian Potatoes show up ready to cause a scene. The rich flavors and hearty texture make them feel like they’re auditioning for main course status. Nobody’s leaving these behind on the plate while chasing after the meat. Expect compliments, second helpings, and maybe a few awkward questions about why you didn’t just serve them as the main event.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Potatoes
Smoked Cauliflower
It’s easy to underestimate cauliflower, but one bite of Smoked Cauliflower and that ends fast. The smoky depth and hearty bite make this feel way too important to be just another side. Suddenly, everyone’s plate is mysteriously heavier, and the brisket looks like an afterthought. Good luck getting anyone to believe you didn’t steal this idea from a trendy restaurant downtown.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cauliflower
Cucumber Salad with Feta
You don’t expect a cucumber salad to start a conversation, but Cucumber Salad with Feta has other plans. Fresh, crisp, and full of bold personality, it somehow runs the show without trying too hard. It’s the first thing to vanish from the table, even when meat and bread are piled high. If a side dish can be the life of the party, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta
Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
There’s something about the bright, easygoing vibe of Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes that fools people into thinking it’s just light filler. One forkful later, and suddenly it’s the only thing anyone’s talking about. It’s hearty enough to steal attention without any drama or fancy moves. Don’t be surprised if someone asks if there’s more hiding in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Most sides stay in their lane, but Grilled Cauliflower Steaks swerve all over the road and take the prize. Bold flavor and smoky character make these a serious contender for the plate’s MVP. You’ll see forks coming back for seconds before anyone even notices the chicken. In the world of sides, this one definitely forgot it was supposed to play backup.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
A lot of couscous salads quietly blend in, but Mediterranean Couscous Salad marches right into the spotlight. Full of bold character and hearty enough to satisfy on its own, it doesn’t need to share a plate with anything else. It’s the side that pulls all the attention away from the fancy main dish. People will leave the party with the name of this one burned into their brains.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Grilled Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Sometimes potatoes just mind their business, but Grilled Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes show up loud. Crisp, smoky, and ready to upstage the main, these have no plans of fading into the background. Guests will be fighting over the last few left on the tray without an ounce of shame. There’s no pretending these aren’t a meal all on their own.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Mexican Rice
A great side supports the meal without stealing it—Mexican Rice completely ignores that rule. Full of bold character and satisfying flavor, it practically demands to be the center of attention. You’ll find guests giving serious side-eye to the main course while piling their plates high. It’s the kind of dish that makes everything else feel like a suggestion.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Rice
Smoked Mac & Cheese
Mac and cheese is already a scene-stealer, but Smoked Mac & Cheese takes it several steps further. The deep, smoky flavor and rich texture make it almost impossible to stop eating. Good luck convincing anyone it was “just supposed to be a side.” Honestly, once this hits the table, the rest of the meal is just background noise.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Mac & Cheese
Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta
Sides don’t usually walk off with the entire meal’s attention, but Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta has no interest in following the rules. Bold, savory flavors turn a simple dish into the one people chase down seconds for. The roast on the table never stood a chance. If you’re looking for a “just enough” side, this isn’t it.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta
Grilled Ratatouille
Ratatouille is usually calm and collected, but Grilled Ratatouille shows up loud and proud with real main dish energy. Smoky, rich, and layered with flavor, it makes everything else feel a little underdressed. It’s the dish people won’t stop eating long after they swore they were full. Be ready for someone to declare it the highlight of the entire meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ratatouille
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Nobody expects a side dish to threaten the entrée, but Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp does it casually. Packed with enough bold flavor and hearty bite to anchor a plate, it makes main courses feel like decoration. People will be scraping the bowl and asking when you’re making it again. If you don’t plan for leftovers, good luck finding any.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Grilled Vegetables
Grilled Vegetables are supposed to be the safe, polite choice—until these hit the plate. Smoky, vibrant, and full of flavor, they don’t sit quietly next to the steak—they challenge it to a duel. Suddenly, meat is optional, and vegetables are in charge. Expect raised eyebrows and people who “don’t usually eat veggies” coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetables
Greek Green Beans
Green beans don’t usually steal the spotlight, but Greek Green Beans are playing a different game. Big, savory flavors push this side to the front of the line, and it never looks back. Guests will pretend they’re just being “healthy” while demolishing half the platter. It’s the kind of vegetable dish that makes everything else feel like extra work.
Get the Recipe: Greek Green Beans
Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
It’s easy to underestimate a salad, but Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes throws that idea right out the window. Bold, smoky, and loaded with character, it’s more of a lead act than a supporting role. People who swore they were full will find room when this shows up. There’s no such thing as leftovers when this is on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Carrots aren’t supposed to be the main event, but Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots have their own ideas. Rich, buttery, and just sweet enough, they’ll steal attention right out from under the roast. People will be politely ignoring the meat while fighting over the last few carrots. Don’t expect polite applause—expect full-on applause.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob
Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob doesn’t wait for permission to take over the plate. Smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor, it makes everything else look like it’s just there for moral support. People will find themselves choosing corn over steak, and they won’t even feel bad about it. This isn’t the polite kind of corn—it’s the bossy kind.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob
Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill
You’d think cauliflower would stick to its quiet, polite role, but Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill flips the script. Bright and bold with a serious punch, it runs circles around heavier dishes without even trying. It’s the side people pretend they’re “just trying a little” before returning for full servings. If you weren’t planning on it being the star, better rethink your menu.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill
Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds
Brussels sprouts usually need some PR help, but Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds speak for themselves. Nutty, savory, and full of rich flavor, they leave even the skeptics reaching for more. Suddenly, everyone’s a fan, and there’s not a sprout left on the tray. If you thought you were making extras for later, think again.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds
Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad
Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad doesn’t tiptoe around bigger dishes—it shows up ready to headline. Smoky, hearty, and full of bite, it makes the rest of the plate feel like filler. It’s the first thing to run out, and the one people casually hover near for seconds. If your main course had dreams of stealing the show, sorry, not today.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad
Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole
Comfort food sides are supposed to support, not steal, but Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole ignores that rule completely. Creamy, rich, and baked to serious greatness, it steps right into the spotlight with no apologies. Plates will be stacked high with “just a little more” long after everything else is packed away. It’s the kind of dish that makes even the turkey seem like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole
Parisian Potatoes
A fancy name doesn’t usually mean much, but Parisian Potatoes actually walk the walk. Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, they grab attention without even trying to be flashy. Forks will be clinking against the serving dish, fighting for the last spoonfuls. These aren’t just potatoes—they’re the reason people ask when you’re cooking again.
Get the Recipe: Parisian Potatoes
Creamed Corn
Corn usually sits quietly at the side of the plate, but Creamed Corn demands more respect. Rich, savory, and with just the right kind of texture, it feels way bigger than its job description. People who thought they were here for the brisket will find themselves hypnotized by a scoop of this. It’s the kind of side dish that ends up with its own fan club.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn
Classic Mac and Cheese
Classic Mac and Cheese doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel to win. Comforting, rich, and impossible to resist, it’s the dish that pulls everyone straight back to the table for seconds. People might swear they’re “cutting back” until this shows up steaming hot. Sides aren’t supposed to be the star, but try telling this one that.
Get the Recipe: Classic Mac and Cheese
Grilled Pineapple with Buttery Lime Glaze
Fruit usually gets left for dessert, but Grilled Pineapple with Buttery Lime Glaze flips the script without warning. Smoky, juicy, and just a little bold, it knocks heavier dishes right off the table. People will be grabbing slices two at a time and acting like it’s totally normal behavior. This is the kind of side that makes everyone rethink the whole “meat first” rule.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pineapple with Buttery Lime Glaze
Quick Smoked Tomatoes
Some sides are quiet about how good they are, but Quick Smoked Tomatoes come in with all the confidence. Smoky, juicy, and full of punch, they take every plate up about five notches without even trying. Nobody’s pretending the brisket is the star once these show up. It’s the side that somehow feels bigger than the main without even raising its voice.
Get the Recipe: Quick Smoked Tomatoes
Grilled Asparagus
You think you know asparagus until Grilled Asparagus shows up and changes the game. Smoky, crisp, and just enough bite to get attention, this isn’t a side that blends into the background. Guests who thought they’d skip the greens will be hunting for every last spear. When the vegetables are the first thing gone, you know something wild just happened.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus
German Yellow Beans
Beans don’t usually cause a stir, but German Yellow Beans are clearly not here to play nice. Hearty, bold, and packing way more punch than expected, they somehow carry a full meal’s energy. Guests will be giving the roast a casual nod while going back for thirds on these. If vegetables could brag, these would never stop talking.
Get the Recipe: German Yellow Beans