When sides are this good, the main dish might as well pack it up and go home early. Whether they’re crisp, creamy, or somewhere in between, these 17 masterpieces know how to grab attention without saying a word. They’re the MVPs of any meal, turning “just a side” into the dish everyone remembers. By the end of the night, the main course will be wondering where all the love went.
Southern Mash
This one sneaks onto the table as a side but ends up stealing the show. Southern Mash has that smooth, dreamy vibe that makes you question if you even need the main course. It’s the kind of dish that turns “just a scoop” into thirds before you know it. Let’s be honest—plates aren’t big enough for both this and whatever else you planned to serve.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash
Greek Green Beans
These aren’t just any green beans; they come with a story and a flavor that could easily take center stage. Cooked slowly until tender, each bite is a whisper of olive oil and herbs, promising more than just a side dish. Greek Green Beans embody a simplicity that’s hard to find, making every meal feel like a feast without trying too hard. You might just forget about the main dish after trying these.
Get the Recipe: Greek Green Beans
Au Gratin Potato Stacks
Imagine a dish that transforms the humble potato into a star. These stacks layer flavors and textures in a way that makes them irresistibly crispy on the outside and meltingly soft inside. Au Gratin Potato Stacks are so good, you’ll find yourself making them not just as a side but as the highlight of many meals. They’ll have everyone at the table asking for the recipe, while the main course sits forgotten.
Get the Recipe: Au Gratin Potato Stacks
Grilled Elote Corn Ribs
Ever thought corn could steal the show? Well, it can when it’s cut into rib shapes, seasoned, and grilled to perfection. Grilled Elote Corn Ribs burst with a flavor that’s both familiar and excitingly new, making it tough to think about much else. It’s the dish that brings the joy of street food right onto your plate, and good luck making room for anything else after this.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs
Chicken Fried Rice
This isn’t just a filler; it’s a full display of what rice can be when it plays the lead. With every forkful of Chicken Fried Rice, you experience a combination of textures and flavors brought alive with bits of chicken and vegetables. It’s so filling on its own that the main course might just become an afterthought. Bet you’ll keep coming back to this comfort dish night after night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
Sweet potatoes get a makeover that will have everyone reaching for them. These Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes come out perfectly seasoned and crisp, proving that the best tastes come in small packages. Once they hit the table, they become an instant favorite, overshadowing other dishes with their simple, undeniable charm. You might even catch yourself making them just to snack on.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds
Gone are the days of Brussels sprouts being the last picked side dish. When tossed with brown butter and almonds, Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds nearly become addictive with their nutty and savory layers of flavor. They turn a regular meal into an extraordinary one, where the side dish might just get all the attention. Don’t be surprised if this is the first dish to run out at your next gathering.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds
Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Sometimes, a side dish comes along that’s so fresh and full of flavor, it overshadows the main dish effortlessly. This salad mixes the best of spring into a vibrant bowl of greens, making Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes a refreshing change from the norm. It stands as a testament to how mixing simple ingredients can result in something truly spectacular. This might be the new favorite that turns every meal into a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Asparagus Salad with Lemon and Parmesan
It’s all about the fresh, crisp flavors that make you think of sunny days. Asparagus Salad with Lemon and Parmesan combines the tang of lemon with the saltiness of Parmesan in a way that’s hard to forget. This dish promises to be a light but memorable side that can easily overshadow more traditional mains with its bright freshness. You’ll be surprised by how much joy a simple salad can bring to the table.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Salad with Lemon and Parmesan
Southern Green Beans
Imagine green beans done so right that you can’t help but go for them first. That’s what Southern Green Beans are all about, bringing a comforting touch to any meal with their heartwarming flavors. They have a way of making themselves the center of attention, proving that sometimes the side dish is the real reason everyone’s at the dinner table. You won’t even remember what the main course was supposed to be.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans
Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Here’s a salad that travels the distance to bring flavors from around the world right to your fork. The smokiness of tomatoes mingled with couscous makes Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes a dish that’s both vibrant and comforting. It’s a side that doesn’t just complement the meal; it could very well redefine it. Expect to be asked for seconds, and maybe even thirds.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Smoked Cauliflower
Cauliflower like you’ve never experienced before brings a smoky flavor to the table that’s both sophisticated and filling. Smoked Cauliflower proves that with the right touch, a simple vegetable can turn into a centerpiece. It’s the kind of dish that gets people excited about eating their veggies, making everything else on the plate seem a little less important. This could easily become the main highlight of your meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cauliflower
Classic Caprese Salad
With just a few ingredients, this dish makes simplicity shine bright. Classic Caprese Salad captures the essence of fresh produce paired with the timeless blend of basil and mozzarella. It’s hard not to let this salad take over the meal with its straightforward goodness. Each bite reminds you that perfection doesn’t have to be complicated, and sometimes, the side dish is all you really need.
Get the Recipe: Classic Caprese Salad
Classic Mac and Cheese
Comfort food gets a front-row seat when mac and cheese is involved. But Classic Mac and Cheese is not just any side; it’s the creamy, cheesy bowl of goodness that can make anyone forget there was supposed to be a main dish. It has a way of comforting the soul and filling the belly that makes everything else seem unnecessary. Who needs a main course when you can have more of this?
Get the Recipe: Classic Mac and Cheese
Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
This side dish brings a refreshing twist with every bite, blending herbs and smoked tomatoes into an unforgettable mix. Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes is more than just a salad; it’s a vibrant celebration of flavors that can stand on its own. The freshness and smokiness come together in a way that could easily outshine any main dish, making it the star of your dining table more often than not.
Get the Recipe: Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Who knew cauliflower could be so filling? When sliced thick and grilled, these Grilled Cauliflower Steaks offer a hearty, almost meaty, alternative that will have everyone talking. They showcase how versatile and flavorful vegetables can be, making it hard to give much thought to anything else that’s served. This dish could easily turn a side into the main attraction of your meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Creamed Corn
Often overlooked, creamed corn can be the star of the meal, bringing a sweetness and creaminess that complements any dish. Creamed Corn turns what is familiar into something dazzling, with a texture and taste that pulls you in for more. It’s not just a side; it’s a reminder of how comfort food should always be: warm, inviting, and capable of stealing the spotlight. You might even catch yourself enjoying this more than the main course.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn