Family dinners always feel complete with something homemade on the table. The laughter, stories, and familiar smells make every meal feel like a small celebration. With 23 Southern side dishes passed from kitchen to kitchen, comfort never stays far. Each bite carries a touch of home and a bit of history.
Buttered Sautéed Leeks
Mild and silky with a bit of bite, leeks add something different without going too far. Buttered Sautéed Leeks are great when the table’s packed with heavier stuff. Easy to plate and easy to like.
Get the Recipe: Buttered Sautéed Leeks
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Smooth, rich, and dependable, these are the backbone of any good plate. Creamy Mashed Potatoes don’t need anything extra to feel complete. They always manage to anchor the meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes
The Best Gluten-Free Biscuits (Egg-Free, Vegan Option)
Big platters don’t feel finished until the biscuits hit the table. The Best Gluten-Free Biscuits come through every time, soft and warm with zero fuss. Nobody guesses they’re vegan or egg-free, and nobody cares.
Get the Recipe: The Best Gluten-Free Biscuits (Egg-Free, Vegan Option)
Cottage Fries
Rows of golden potato rounds disappear faster than anything else on the tray. Cottage Fries have the crunch, the soft middle, and the no-nonsense flavor that makes them perfect for a crowd. No dipping sauce required.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Fries
Quick Pickled Celery
Something sharp and cold can make everything else on the plate taste better. That’s where Quick Pickled Celery comes in—tangy, crisp, and ready to cut through the rich stuff. Keeps things moving when plates are loaded.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pickled Celery
Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta
Crunch, creaminess, and just enough bite all packed into one little piece. Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta gets passed around fast and never feels like it’s just filler. Works well when the table needs something light but not boring.
Get the Recipe: Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
When time’s short but comfort matters, a pressure cooker gets it done. Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes land right in the middle of bold and familiar. That garlic flavor always lingers in a good way.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Vegan Cornbread
Cornbread shows up at almost every meal, but not all versions check every box. Vegan Cornbread holds up next to chili, beans, or just butter, with no need for explanation. It’s the one that quietly fits into every kind of plate.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cornbread
Screaming Skillet Green Beans
When everything else on the table leans heavy, sharp flavors can do a lot of work. Screaming Skillet Green Beans bring the punch and the heat to balance things out. Even the ones who skip green veggies give these a second look.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans
Kale Harvest Salad
Not every side has to be heavy to feel right at home. Kale Harvest Salad brings crunch, balance, and a little color to the mix without stealing attention. Even the meat-and-potatoes crowd reaches for it.
Get the Recipe: Kale Harvest Salad
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Creamy sides always seem to bring the whole table together. When the spread needs something rich and easy to scoop, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes always come through. Nothing complicated, just a go-to that people expect every time.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Stick around long enough at any family gathering and someone will ask for the mac and cheese. That’s when Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese makes its entrance—bold, creamy, and just a little sharper than expected. Brings a deeper flavor to a classic people already love.
Get the Recipe: Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic and browned butter do the work here without overcomplicating things. Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes offer richness without needing gravy to feel complete. The depth of flavor earns a spot every time.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes
Soft, brothy, and always ready to soak up anything on the plate. When things feel too rich, Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes bring balance without stealing the show. They hold their own quietly, which is why they always come with me.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes
Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread
Golden edges with a dense center always seem to calm the room. Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread doesn’t need much fanfare, but it never gets skipped. It’s one of those sides that stays on the table long after everything else is cleared.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread
Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe
Roasting brings out something special without needing much else. Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra has a crisp edge that changes the minds of folks who think they don’t like okra. Great side when everything else feels heavy.
Get the Recipe: Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe
Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
These make their case with a little caramelized edge and just enough sweetness. Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices walk the line between side and dessert in the best way. One tray never seems to be enough.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Little bites with crunch on the outside and a soft middle get passed around fast. Air Fryer Hush Puppies skip the oil but still feel like the real deal. A southern dinner doesn’t feel complete without them.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Southern Mash
Every table needs something that ties it all together. Southern Mash is thick, creamy, and ready for whatever gets piled on top. Never flashy, just exactly what you want in the middle of the plate.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash
Easy Air Fryer Squash
Crisp and golden without going greasy, this one adds a lighter touch to the table. Easy Air Fryer Squash shows up when something simple and fast is needed. Always disappears quicker than expected.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Squash
Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese
Corn and cream cheese blend into a soft, mellow dish that never needs an introduction. No matter what else is on the plate, Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese fits right in without trying too hard. Always makes it back onto the rotation.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese
Southern Mac and Cheese
Baked with just enough texture and loaded with sharp flavor. Southern Mac and Cheese earns its place no matter what else is being served. Some people come just for this one.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mac and Cheese
Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Slices fan out into crispy edges with soft centers hiding underneath. Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes look a little fancy but cook up quick when time’s tight. They never last long once they hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
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