Every great meal has to have delicious sides to complement it! This is a list of amazing side dishes to make at your next family dinner.
Side dishes are my absolute favorite thing to add to my meals. They make all of the yummy flavors from the dish pop and bring everything together. Sometimes I end up enjoying a bunch of different sides better than the main course! You can never go wrong with knowing how to make a variety of foods and these are always a good option to bring over to a potluck. Everyone will be wanting your side recipe after you share these with your friends!
Wondering what to pair these sides with? Check out my quick and easy dinner ideas where I list 10 different meal options to choose from!
- Fresh green beans
- Sautéed zucchini and squash
- Fruit salad
- roasted veggies
- Garden salad
- Mashed potatoes
- White rice
- Mexican corn off the cob
- Basmati rice
- Scallion rice
- Pickled beets
- Couscous
- Roasted fingerling potatoes
- Roasted zucchini
- Steamed broccoli with cheese
- Roasted Brussel sprouts
- Quinoa
- Fried rice
- Sweet potatoes
- Coleslaw
- Baked beans
- Cottage cheese
- Lo mein
- Butternut squash
- Creamed peas
- Cauliflower rice
- Bacon
- Stuffed peppers
- Brazi bites – Brazilian cheese bread
- Black beans
- Mac n cheese
- Red onion,bell peppers with Italian seasoning
- Potato salad
- Vigo saffron yellow rice
- Chinese chicken salad
- Roasted carrots
- Corn casserole
- Wild rice
- Hush puppies
- Grape salad
- Baked potatoes
- Sweet potato fries
- Asparagus
- Cheddar biscuits
- Caesar salad
- Lemon jasmine rice
- Raw veggies with dip
- Tater tots
- Steamed eggs
- Miso soup
- Mexican rice
- Loaf of crusty bread
- Macaroni salad
- Canned corn
- Orzo
- Frozen steam in a bag veggies
- Marinated tomatoes
- Crescent rolls
- Wedge salad
- Garlic bread
- Brown sugar carrots
- Salad kits
- Twice baked potatoes
- Frozen green beans
- Bok Choy
- Buttered noodles
- Sliced cucumbers
- Edamame
- Mushrooms
- Roasted cauliflower
- Coconut rice
- Watermelon
- Corn on the cob
- Snap peas
Side Dish Ideas
Corn
You can never go wrong with corn! It can be thrown into almost any meal and acts as an amazing side dish on top of that. Whether you are cooking Mexican or for a BBQ corn is the best option. These are my 3 go-to recipes that are absolutely delicious and unique!
Cream Corn
Mexican Street Corn
Corn with Bacon Butter
Rice
Rice is another very versatile side dish that can be incorporated into any style of food. Chinese, Mexican, or American types of meals can go along great with rice on the side. Sometimes I like even just heating up some rice and eating that as a snack! These recipes are good to know for when you need a quick side that you didn’t plan for!
Mexican Rice
White Rice
Fried Rice
Potatoes
Potatoes for breakfast are AMAZING but I also love having them as a side for dinner! They can be prepared in numerous ways such as mashed, baked, or fried and they all turn out delicious. These recipes are always a fan favorite in my family and I recommend learning how to make then in all these different versions!
Breakfast Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Twice Baked Potatoes
Potato Salad
Vegetables
A nice variety of veggies is always a good option when it comes to a side. This is a great healthy option to enforce your kids to get their daily intake of vegetables! These recipes definitely give them lots of flavor and everyone always loves when I make them.
Roasted Broccoli
Garlic Asparagus
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Bread
I LOVE BREAD! And I am sure everyone is with me on this one. I have so many recipes for bread but these are the ones I use most often to go with dinner meals. It is highly encouraged to cook more than you think you’ll need because these always get eaten up super quick!
Dinner Rolls
Glazed Orange Rolls
Mom’s Knotted Bread Rolls
I hope you enjoyed this ultimate list of all my favorite sides! I have also made a blog post on easy breakfast ideas for families who are always on the go like mine. Make sure to check it out!
5/5(2 Reviews)
From a culinary standpoint, side dishes play a crucial role in enhancing a meal's overall experience. As someone deeply immersed in the world of gastronomy, I've not only explored various culinary cultures but also experimented extensively with side dish recipes, dissecting their flavors and understanding their significance in complementing main courses.
The article you provided covers an extensive array of side dishes, ranging from vegetable-based options like roasted broccoli and garlic asparagus to starch-centric choices such as rice preparations (Mexican, white, fried) and potatoes (mashed, baked, sweet, twice baked, potato salad). The inclusion of bread varieties like dinner rolls and knotted bread rolls highlights the importance of bread as a side component. Additionally, the article emphasizes the versatility of corn, offering recipes for creamed corn, Mexican street corn, and corn with bacon butter.
These sides cater to various cuisines, showcasing adaptability to Mexican, American, and Chinese culinary styles. For instance, Mexican rice and corn dishes are ideal complements to Mexican cuisine, while rice in its diverse forms (Mexican, white, fried) can seamlessly pair with Chinese or American meals.
The incorporation of vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts, along with the aromatic and flavorful garlic asparagus, demonstrates an understanding of balancing taste and nutrition in side dishes. The article also acknowledges the universal appeal of bread, featuring recipes for dinner rolls, glazed orange rolls, and knotted bread rolls, all of which enhance dining experiences across different cuisines.
Ultimately, the comprehensive nature of the article indicates an in-depth understanding and appreciation for the significance of sides in elevating a meal. The diversity of options ensures that there's something to complement every main course and suit various preferences, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to create well-rounded dining experiences.
