101 Side Dishes That Will Make Weeknight Dinners A Thousand Times Better
Now that you’ve got ideas for your new favorite side dish, you’re going to want to really wow with your main—check out our top steak , chicken , seafood , and vegetarian weeknight dinners . And don’t forget dessert !
On the other hand, there’s really something to be said about how good comfort food feels, so potatoes in all their many shapes and forms will always be welcome on our plate. We’ve got everything from potato gratin to twice baked potatoes , and lots in between. You’ll be set whether you’re having a steak dinner lit by candlelight 0r a quick microwave-friendly meal on your way out the door.
When it comes to simple, impressive sides, you don’t have to look much further than your local farmers’ market or the produce section of your grocery store to create a bright spot on your plate. Particularly when you’re serving meat as your main, highlighting colorful veggies is a great way to add some color to your dish. Getting in all the health benefits of vegetables is easy when your plate looks like a rainbow! Green veggie dishes, like braised cabbage or grilled green beans , are fantastic, but we’re extra fond of the pop of color orange veggies like butternut squash or carrots can bring to a plate. Looking to shake your dinner routine up? There’s really no better way than to experiment with veggies you and your family might be less familiar with—try bok choy , eggplant , or delicata squash .
Looking for sides that steal the show? We’ve got you covered, from simple grains and veggies to decadent, bacon -topped creations. No matter what the season or the main dish , there’s a perfect side in this list of 101 recipes for you.
Erik bernstein
of 101
You know what’s great? Mashed potatoes. You know what’s even better? Roasted garlic mashed potatoes! That extra-savory flavor from melty, roasted garlic adds the perfect kick to classic mashed spuds. (We also add a splash of tangy balsamic vinegar to kick them up a notch.)
Get the Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Parker Feierbach
of 101
This sweet potato salad is the perfect way to lighten up any autumnal dinner or even your Thanksgiving spread. Feta, dried cranberries, and red onions pair really nicely with the earthy sweetness of the orange super food. Did we mention it’s great warm or cold?
Get the Sweet Potato Salad recipe.
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
of 101
If you want to venture into the world of cabbage that goes beyond corned beef or coleslaw, try this fried cabbage on for size. Hearty and flavorful, it only requires 5 ingredients (if you don’t count the salt and pepper). Plus, one of those ingredients is bacon! This simple recipe might just convert even the most ardent of cabbage haters.
Get the Bacon Fried Cabbage recipe.
ERIK BERNSTEIN
of 101
White beans are a great blank canvas, especially for bright, assertive flavors like lemon and fresh herbs like basil. Perfect as a side, or as a meal topped with a poached egg, these beans prove from-scratch really does make a difference.
Get the Cannellini Beans With Herb Sauce recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
of 101
No matter what the centerpiece of your meal is, this cheesy squash skillet is sure to steal the show. The balance of sweet, salty, and creamy is EXTREMELY addictive.
Get the Cheesy Bacon Butternut Squash recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
of 101
The air fryer works some kind of magic on potatoes. They get extra crispy all over and stay perfectly soft on the inside. Toss them in just a little bit of oil so all of the seasonings stick to make these the most addicting potatoes ever.
Get the Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes recipe.
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SIMON ANDREWS
of 101
Slathered in buttery, garlicky goodness, these garlic knots are seriously yummy. They’re also easy and quick to make. Just be sure to plan ahead and take your refrigerated pizza dough out ahead of time.
Get the Garlic Knots recipe.
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
of 101
This quintessential side goes with any main dish in Jamaican cuisine. Fluffy and moist, it has a savory creaminess that comes from the use of aromatics like garlic and onion, in addition to coconut milk. It’s a perfect match for classic Jamaican dishes like curry chicken or oxtail stew.
Get the Rice & Peas recipe.
Parker Feierbach
of 101
Recipes that require frying are often super-specific. The temperature of the oil must be just so. Not with this method. Turns out you can put *unsoaked* potatoes in a Dutch oven, pour cold oil on top until they’re just covered, then bring the whole thing to a boil. 😋
Get the French Fries recipe.
Ethan Calabrese
of 101
The one side that everyone will love (and run for seconds). If you have vegetarian guests, feel free to skip the bacon! We’re all about the smoky flavor, but for this dish, it’s all about the CHEESE.
Get the Cheesy Brussels Sprout Bake recipe.
June Xie
of 101
Despite the name, there is no trace of fish in this delicious dish. Originating from the Sichuan province in China, 魚香 (yu xiang) describes a flavor profile that was originally used in preparing fish dishes from the region. Now these pickled chiles, fermented bean paste, green onions, garlic, ginger, and punchy spice blend are used to season vegetables, like this eggplant, too.
Get the Sichuan-Style “Fish-Fragrant” Eggplant recipe.
Park Feierbach
of 101
Pan-fried potatoes are one of life’s simplest pleasures. All you need is some potatoes, some fat, and plenty of salt. This French variety elevates the pan-fried potato even FURTHER with the addition of caramelized onions and lots of butter. What’s not to love?
Get the Lyonnaise Potatoes recipe.
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS
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Perfect for when your garden or the local farmers’ market is overflowing with cucumbers and tomatoes, this salad also does surprisingly well with out-of-season produce, due to their year-round availability.
Get the Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad recipe.
ANDREW BUI
of 101
Cauliflower is one of our favorites to roast because, flavor-wise, it’s very much a blank canvas. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or add a touch of color and zesty flavor with Old Bay seasoning like we did here. Experiment with your favorite spice blend!
Get the Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
of 101
Quick, easy, and made with the simplest ingredients, air fryer green beans give you tender, crispy results without having to turn on your oven or light up your stove. This rendition comes with a treat: 8 cloves of creamy, buttery roasted garlic. You can eat them alongside the beans or reserve them for another use, like smearing alongside butter and flaky sea salt on a slice of toasted sourdough bread.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
of 101
This is the creamiest, dreamiest mac and cheese, the kind that brings back childhood memories. You can bring it to a friend who is under the weather, to a potluck, make it for a dinner party or for a night in by yourself. It’s crazy delicious and versatile.
Get the Creamy Stovetop Mac & Cheese recipe.
Andrew bui
of 101
If you’ve never made risotto because you didn’t want to stand there stirring forever, then this recipe is for you. It packs all the satisfying flavor of a slow-stirred version into a fraction of the hands-on time. This is all possible because you’ll bake the risotto rather than cooking it on the stove (and in just one pot!).
Get the Baked Risotto with Lemon, Peas & Parmesan recipe.
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
of 101
Kimchi is a broad name for a type of Korean banchan—or side dish—that is served alongside most meals in Korea. In fact, it’s probably more accurate to refer to kimchi as a method of fermenting and preserving vegetables. Serve it alongside bibimbap, stir it into fried rice, or fold it into creamy pasta.
Get the Kimchi recipe.
Parker Feierbach
of 101
Grits might just be the easiest, most comforting dish to make. Taking less than 30 minutes to prepare, they will have you feeling all warm and cozy in no time. Adding cheese only makes them better so we added…a lot. You’re very welcome.
Get the Cheese Grits recipe.
EMILY HLAVAC GREEN
of 101
Creamed spinach is a simple side dish that is also the perfect way to use up any dying spinach. The creaminess will make you forget you’re eating spinach and turn anyone into a fan of leafy greens. It seems like a lot of spinach, but it will boil down into almost nothing so don’t skimp on it.
Get the Creamed Spinach recipe.
ERIK BERNSTEIN
of 101
These sweet-savory carrots are topped with the MOST delicious mix of crunchy nuts and spices. Pulse the nuts and coriander seeds in a spice grinder or food processor if you’ve got one, but no sweat if not—it’s easy enough to chop the nuts on the cutting board and smash the coriander seeds with the back of a knife.
Get the Miso Roasted Carrots recipe.
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON
of 101
Don’t overlook the humble cabbage! This straight cabbage braise (without meat!) is the perfect way to experience cabbage in all its vegetal glory.
Get the Beer Braised Cabbage recipe.
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
of 101
Like spinach, sautéed Jamaican callaloo is a versatile dish. Most often mixed with rehydrated salted cod fish and eaten for breakfast with boiled green bananas, boiled yams, dumplings, and of course, fried plantains, callaloo can be mixed with rice to make a delicious side dish. Or serve callaloo with jerk chicken and rice and peas.
Get the Callaloo recipe.
of 101
Known as horiatiki, this traditional Greek salad is made with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, thinly sliced red onion, and feta. The easy dressing is a mixture of red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, and extra-virgin olive oil. Simply said, it’s the best. Especially considering this Mediterranean side dish only takes 15 minutes to prepare.
Get the Greek Salad recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
of 101
Most scalloped potatoes don’t have cheese, but we couldn’t resist adding cheddar between each potato layer. When it melts with the cream sauce while the casserole bakes, it gives off major mac and cheese sauce vibes. INSANE.
Get the Loaded Scalloped Potatoes recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
of 101
Fried rice is a quick and delicious way to transform leftovers into something greater than the sum of its parts. Though we sometimes think of certain ingredients being typical (eggs, garlic), the only things you need to make fried rice are heat, rice, and oil. Anything else you add is up to you!
Get the Best Fried Rice recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
of 101
Sweet potatoes are one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen: They’re amazing boiled, baked, sautéed, and fried (we love you, sweet potato fries). One of the easiest and most convenient ways to cook sweet potatoes is to roast them. For perfect roasted sweet potatoes every time, abide by our simple rules.
Get the Perfect Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
of 101
A classic potato salad is a must-have at every picnic and BBQ, and this one’s the best—it’s creamy and tangy, but not too sweet (one of our potato salad pet peeves), and gets a little bit of crunch from the onion and pickles. Yum!
Get the Classic Potato Salad recipe.
Parker feierbach
of 101
Though people have many different thoughts on mashed potatoes like keeping the skin on the potatoes vs. peeling them, using milk vs. cream, or butter vs. sour cream, we on the Delish Test Kitchen team put our culinary noggins together to create these near-perfect spuds. They combine all of our absolute favorite things about mashed potatoes but still allow you to customize to your heart’s content.
Get the Perfect Mashed Potatoes recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
of 101
No grill or grill pan? A cast iron skillet works well for these too!
Get the Grilled Green Beans recipe.
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