If the main dish had feelings, it would be jealous. These 31 side dishes don’t just complement the meal—they dominate it. There’s something for every craving, from hearty classics to fresh and zippy additions that bring balance to the plate. Some are so good they barely make it to the table before getting eaten straight from the pan. With options like these, calling them “sides” feels like an insult. The real question is why the main dish even showed up.
Grilled Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside—this is what potatoes were meant to be. Grilled Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes take that perfect balance and bring a smoky char that seals the deal. Every bite is a mix of golden edges and fluffy centers, making it impossible to stop at just one. The main dish might as well not even try—this is what everyone came for.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Mexican Rice
The kind of side dish that refuses to sit quietly on the plate. Mexican Rice is packed with bold flavors, a perfect texture, and just enough kick to keep things interesting. It’s hearty enough to be a meal on its own but still knows how to play well with others. Whether scooped onto a plate or straight from the pot, it’s the definition of comfort with a little bit of attitude.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Rice
Grilled Asparagus
Grilling takes this classic veggie to a whole new level. Grilled Asparagus gets just the right amount of char, bringing out flavors that roasting or steaming just can’t match. It’s simple, but somehow the first thing to disappear from the table. Whether served alongside a big meal or just eaten straight off the grill, it proves that sometimes, less is more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus
Quick Smoked Tomatoes
Tomatoes don’t always get to be the star of the table, but that changes here. Quick Smoked Tomatoes bring a deep, smoky richness that transforms even the simplest meal into something special. Juicy, slightly charred, and packed with flavor, they add depth to any dish—or just stand on their own. Toss them onto a plate, mix them into something else, or eat them straight from the bowl—either way, they win.
Get the Recipe: Quick Smoked Tomatoes
Smoked Cauliflower
Cauliflower has officially stopped being boring. Smoked Cauliflower comes in with deep, bold flavors that turn a simple veggie into something that barely makes it to the table before disappearing. It’s got the kind of texture that keeps every bite interesting and a smoky richness that makes it unforgettable. Forget serving this as a quiet side—it’s taking over the whole plate.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cauliflower
Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta
The part of the beet that usually gets tossed is actually the best part. Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta bring a perfect mix of rich, crispy, and slightly earthy flavors that belong on every plate. There’s a balance here that keeps every bite fresh, making them way more than just a way to use up leftovers. Main dishes should probably step aside because this side is handling the job just fine.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta
Cucumber Salad with Feta
Crisp, refreshing, and just the right amount of tangy, this dish is anything but basic. Cucumber Salad with Feta balances crunch with creaminess in a way that makes every bite pop. It’s light enough to keep things fresh but flavorful enough to hold its own next to heavier dishes. Whether piled high on a plate or eaten straight from the bowl, it refuses to be ignored.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta
Grilled Vegetables
There’s something about a little character that makes everything better. Grilled Vegetables turn simple produce into something smoky, rich, and packed with flavor in a way that roasting or steaming just can’t match. The mix of textures keeps things interesting, making every bite worth going back for. If these are sitting on the table, don’t expect leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetables
Mini Flaky Cheese Biscuits
These little biscuits may be small, but they don’t play around. Mini Flaky Cheese Biscuits bring a crispy, golden outside with a soft, buttery inside that somehow disappears faster than they were made. Whether stacked high on a plate or stolen straight from the pan, they’re impossible to ignore. Pair them with anything, or just eat them on their own—either way, the main dish will start feeling pretty unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Mini Flaky Cheese Biscuits
Parisian Potatoes
There’s something about perfectly roasted potatoes that just works every time. Parisian Potatoes take things up a notch with a crispy, golden finish that’s all about texture and flavor. They’re the kind of side dish that keeps disappearing off the tray before the meal even begins. Whether served alongside something fancy or piled up for snacking, these little bites don’t need help stealing attention.
Get the Recipe: Parisian Potatoes
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Light but packed with bold flavors, this dish knows how to make an impression. Mediterranean Couscous Salad brings fresh ingredients together in a way that’s both hearty and refreshing. The mix of textures keeps every bite interesting, and it pairs well with just about anything. Honestly, it’s good enough to steal the show on its own.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Couscous Salad
German Yellow Beans
Simple, rich, and just the right amount of hearty, these beans know how to hold their own. German Yellow Beans bring a mix of tender texture and deep flavor that makes them anything but background noise. Whether served alongside a big meal or eaten straight from the dish, they’re the kind of side that surprises everyone. Don’t expect leftovers—this one disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: German Yellow Beans
Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad
When two great sides come together, good things happen. Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad brings smoky, tender asparagus into the mix with perfectly cooked potatoes for a side dish that’s fresh, hearty, and impossible to ignore. It’s not your typical potato salad, and that’s exactly why it works. This one doesn’t sit quietly next to the main course—it takes over the conversation.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad
Classic Mac and Cheese
There’s nothing fancy about this dish, and that’s exactly why it works. Classic Mac and Cheese is all about creamy, cheesy comfort that makes everything else on the plate feel unnecessary. Every bite is rich, gooey, and exactly what mac and cheese is supposed to be. It’s not trying to be anything new, and it doesn’t need to—this is the side dish everyone actually wants.
Get the Recipe: Classic Mac and Cheese
Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob
Corn is good, but smoky, charred, and grilled corn is better. Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob takes sweet, juicy kernels and adds a deep, smoky flavor that makes every bite something to fight over. It’s the kind of side dish that gets eaten before it even makes it to the plate. If you’re making extras, they won’t stay extra for long.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Corn on the Cob
Turkey Fried Rice
Leftovers just got interesting. Turkey Fried Rice takes simple ingredients and turns them into something you’d actually go out of your way to make. The combination of crispy bits, soft grains, and rich flavors makes every bite a little different, but all of them are good. Whether eaten as a side or straight from the pan with a fork, it does the job better than the main dish ever could.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Fried Rice
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Cauliflower as a steak might sound bold, but one bite proves it works. Grilled Cauliflower Steaks bring a smoky, charred edge with a tender bite that makes them impossible to pass up. They soak up every bit of flavor from the grill, making them a side dish that feels like the main event. If this is on the table, meat might not be missed.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Fresh, light, and packed with texture, this salad knows how to balance things out. Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes brings crisp veggies, tender potatoes, and just the right amount of crunch to every bite. It’s the kind of side that keeps things interesting without being overpowering. Whether served warm or chilled, it’s a dish that always disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Grilled Pineapple with Buttery Lime Glaze
Sweet, smoky, and just the right amount of tangy, this side dish is something special. Grilled Pineapple with Buttery Lime Glaze takes juicy fruit and gives it a caramelized char that makes every bite pop. It’s the perfect mix of fresh and rich, making it just as good as a side as it is a sneaky dessert. If you’ve never grilled fruit before, this will change your mind.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pineapple with Buttery Lime Glaze
Smoked Mac & Cheese
Take everything great about classic mac and cheese, add a layer of smoky depth, and you’ve got something next-level. Smoked Mac & Cheese is rich, creamy, and packed with bold flavors that make the main dish feel unnecessary. Every spoonful is smooth, cheesy perfection with just the right amount of bite. If this is on the table, everything else is just there for decoration.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Mac & Cheese
Grilled Ratatouille
When fresh vegetables meet the grill, good things happen. Grilled Ratatouille takes classic flavors and adds a smoky twist, bringing out sweetness and depth that roasting just can’t match. It’s a side dish that feels light but tastes bold, making it impossible to ignore. Whether piled high on a plate or eaten straight from the pan, it’s the kind of dish that keeps people coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ratatouille
Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill
Cauliflower doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but this dish changes that. Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill brings bright, fresh flavors that wake up the plate while keeping things simple. It’s light but packed with enough flavor to make the main course feel unnecessary. Whether served alongside something heavier or eaten on its own, it holds its own just fine.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill
Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
Crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, these tots don’t mess around. Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots brings everything good about comfort food into one perfect bite. Every piece is golden brown on the outside, rich on the inside, and impossible to stop eating. If you’re looking for a side dish that gets more attention than the main course, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
Creamed Corn
Smooth, rich, and packed with just the right amount of sweetness, this dish is a classic for a reason. Creamed Corn takes simple ingredients and turns them into something that works with just about any meal. It’s the kind of side that feels comforting and indulgent without trying too hard. Whether served as part of a big meal or just enjoyed on its own, it never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Light, fresh, and packed with bold flavors, this salad does it all. Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp combines bright ingredients with just the right amount of texture to keep every bite interesting. It’s satisfying without being too heavy, making it perfect for balancing out richer dishes. Whether eaten as a side or all on its own, it’s the kind of dish that sticks with you.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Ukrainian Potatoes
Hearty, rich, and packed with flavor, these potatoes know how to make an impression. Ukrainian Potatoes bring a balance of crispy and tender that makes every bite worth going back for. They pair well with just about anything, but honestly, they don’t need a main course to feel complete. If potatoes could steal the show, these would be the ones to do it.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds
Brussels sprouts have a bad reputation, but not here. Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds bring crispy edges, nutty depth, and just the right amount of richness to turn skeptics into fans. Every bite is a mix of crunch and flavor that makes them impossible to ignore. If Brussels sprouts were always made like this, no one would ever complain about eating them.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter & Almonds
Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole
Mashed potatoes are great, but a baked, golden-topped casserole takes things to another level. Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole is creamy, rich, and loaded with the kind of comfort food flavors that make every meal better. It’s the kind of dish that makes people go back for seconds before they’ve even finished their first plate. If there’s one side guaranteed to be scraped clean, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole
Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Simple, rich, and surprisingly addictive, these carrots know how to hold attention. Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots bring a soft, tender bite with a flavor that keeps you reaching for more. They may seem basic, but one taste proves why they’ve been a restaurant favorite for years. Sometimes, the simplest sides are the ones you remember most.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Fresh herbs, bright flavors, and a smoky depth make this dish anything but ordinary. Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes balances light and bold in a way that makes every bite refreshing and packed with flavor. The combination of textures keeps it interesting, making it just as good on its own as it is next to a heavier dish. If you think salads are boring, this one changes the game.
Get the Recipe: Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Bacon Fried Corn
Corn is good, but adding crispy bits of something savory makes it even better. Bacon Fried Corn brings sweet, smoky, and crispy together in a way that works with just about any meal. The combination of flavors makes every bite feel like comfort food at its best. If there’s one dish guaranteed to have people asking for seconds, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Fried Corn