Once You Try These 35 Side Dishes, You’ll Plan Meals Around Them

Side dishes this good don’t just complement meals, they take over the show. Each one packs that “wow” factor everyone talks about. Once tried, every dinner plan changes!

Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

Once the crunch hits, planning a meal around Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans feels too easy. The quick prep and crisp bite turn this into an everyday favorite. One try is all it takes to keep them in rotation.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

The first bite of Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread makes every dinner feel complete. It has that perfect balance that keeps people coming back for more. After trying it once, skipping it just isn’t an option.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

Creamy Dill Potato Salad (Vegan Option)

Every plate feels upgraded when Creamy Dill Potato Salad joins the meal. It brings a cool, balanced flavor that fits any main dish. Once it’s part of the spread, it never gets left out again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Potato Salad (Vegan Option)

Southern Mac and Cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese topped with breakcrumbs in a casserole dish. — Southern Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

One spoonful of Southern Mac and Cheese can change the way dinner is planned. It’s rich, simple, and has that comforting flavor that never gets old. After trying it, no meal feels right without it.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mac and Cheese

Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes

There’s something about Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes that keeps everyone reaching for seconds. It’s hearty without being heavy, making it a go-to for any night. After the first taste, it’s hard not to plan around it.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes

Southern Mash

Mashed potatoes on a white plate. — Southern Mash. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Once Southern Mash hits the table, every meal feels more complete. It’s creamy, balanced, and goes with nearly anything. People try it once and end up building the whole dinner around it.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash

Air Fryer Hush Puppies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

The crunch from Air Fryer Hush Puppies is all it takes to make them a repeat favorite. Light, quick, and full of flavor, they steal the spotlight from any main course. After trying them, every meal feels empty without them.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hush Puppies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Vegan Cornbread

Nothing rounds out a meal quite like Vegan Cornbread. It’s simple, soft, and fits perfectly beside any dish. Once on the plate, it quickly becomes the reason dinner happens.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cornbread

Creamy Cajun Coleslaw

The cool kick of Creamy Cajun Coleslaw brings life to any meal. It’s the kind of side that ties everything together without trying too hard. After one bite, it’s hard not to crave it again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cajun Coleslaw

Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Meals start feeling planned around Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese after just one serving. It’s rich and cozy without being over the top. Once tried, it becomes a permanent favorite.
Get the Recipe: Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Best Roasted Potato Salad

Every bite of Best Roasted Potato Salad hits with that perfect balance of texture and flavor. It turns simple dinners into something worth repeating. After one try, it never leaves the menu.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potato Salad

Stewed Okra & Tomatoes

Stewed okra and tomatoes on a plate with parsley garnish. — Stewed Okra & Tomatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

The combo in Stewed Okra & Tomatoes brings comfort to the plate without much effort. It’s hearty and simple, yet always feels special. After trying it, most meals feel incomplete without it.
Get the Recipe: Stewed Okra & Tomatoes

Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

Once Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes show up, everything else feels like an add-on. They’re soft inside, crisp outside, and perfect for any meal. One taste and it’s hard to go back.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

Buttered Sautéed Leeks

When Buttered Sautéed Leeks hit the plate, they instantly grab attention. They’re light but full of flavor that blends into any meal easily. After one taste, they turn into a dinner regular.
Get the Recipe: Buttered Sautéed Leeks

Classic Fried Cabbage

Every bite of Classic Fried Cabbage brings that familiar flavor everyone loves. It pairs with anything and keeps meals interesting. Once tried, it becomes a dish that’s hard to skip.
Get the Recipe: Classic Fried Cabbage

Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe

The crunch in Roasted Okra makes every bite worth the hype. It’s simple yet hard to stop eating once it’s on the table. After trying it, dinner ideas start forming around it.
Get the Recipe: Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe

Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Once Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices show up, the main dish doesn’t stand a chance. They’re crisp, light, and easy to keep eating. After one try, they’re in every weekly lineup.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta

Roasted tomatoes atop toasted bread rounds with feta cheese. — Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

There’s an instant crowd reaction when Roasted Tomato Crostini lands on the table. It adds color and flavor that feels fresh but familiar. Once it’s tried, it’s part of every get-together.
Get the Recipe: Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta

Crispy Cajun Tofu Bites

The crunch from Crispy Cajun Tofu Bites turns heads fast. They add fun to any meal without needing anything extra. After the first round, they end up being the reason dinner gets made.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Cajun Tofu Bites

Garlic Knots

A pile of bread rolls on a plate. — Garlic Knots. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

The moment Garlic Knots appear, plates clear faster. They fit with everything, and nobody ever stops at one. Once they’re part of dinner, it’s impossible to skip them next time.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots

Pisto Manchego

When Pisto Manchego joins the meal, every plate looks more complete. It brings warmth and balance that make meals feel finished. After one try, it’s hard not to plan around it again.
Get the Recipe: Pisto Manchego

Breaded Cauliflower

The light crunch of Breaded Cauliflower wins people over instantly. It’s easy, quick, and always feels right next to any dish. After tasting it once, it becomes a must-have side.
Get the Recipe: Breaded Cauliflower

Quick Pickled Celery

Every meal feels more alive with Quick Pickled Celery on the plate. It adds that perfect bite that keeps things interesting. After trying it, it’s the side that never gets left out.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pickled Celery

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

There’s something bright about Citrus Asparagus Couscous that keeps meals from feeling heavy. It pairs with everything while standing out just enough. Once it’s part of dinner, it stays on the list.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Air Fryer Parsnips

There’s something addictive about Air Fryer Parsnips that keeps people coming back. They’re light, crisp, and fit any kind of meal. After one bite, they’re hard to forget.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Parsnips

Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Masshed potato casserole in a baking dish with a cracker crumb topping. — Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Every meal feels more complete with Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole on the table. It’s simple but always draws attention. After trying it, no dinner feels right without it.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Arroz con Coco (Colombian Coconut Rice)

The smooth taste of Arroz con Coco adds something memorable to any meal. It’s balanced and fits perfectly with a variety of dishes. Once it’s tried, it becomes a go-to favorite.
Get the Recipe: Arroz con Coco (Colombian Coconut Rice)

Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts

A bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts and broccoli. — Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Mama's on a Budget.

Once Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts hit the tray, everyone takes notice. They bring just the right crunch to round out any dinner. One try and they’re permanently on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts

Grilled Foil Packet Adobo Potatoes

Once Adobo Potatoes hit the grill, they steal the spotlight. The flavor fits any main dish and leaves no leftovers. After trying them, every cookout feels incomplete without them.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Foil Packet Adobo Potatoes

Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe

Stuffed mushrooms on a wooden cutting board. — Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Meals get more exciting when Mushroom Bourekas join the mix. They’re easy to grab and make the plate feel special. After tasting them once, they become a new favorite go-to.
Get the Recipe: Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe

Best Sautéed Mushrooms

Every bite of Sautéed Mushrooms brings that earthy flavor everyone loves. They go with everything and never feel overdone. After one taste, they become an instant staple.
Get the Recipe: Best Sautéed Mushrooms

Cheesy Quinoa

Dinner feels more put together with Cheesy Quinoa on the table. It’s light but still brings a full flavor that sticks. After one try, it becomes part of the regular rotation.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Quinoa

Creamy Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes

Meals feel brighter when Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes are part of the spread. They’re smooth, colorful, and always stand out. Once tried, they become a reason to plan the next dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Artichokes

Once Roasted Artichokes hit the plate, every meal feels upgraded. They’re easy to eat and bring a fresh balance to the table. After one try, they quickly become a favorite repeat side.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Artichokes

Air Fryer Eggplant

The texture of Air Fryer Eggplant makes it easy to love from the first try. It’s simple but hits all the right notes with any dish. After tasting it, it’s impossible not to crave again.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Eggplant