10 Side Dish Recipes: Savory Side Dish Ideas

Side dishes are any prepared dish that is served alongside the main dish. Vegetable side dishes—including salads and casserole recipes—are often paired with cooked meats to help round out the nutritional value and flavor of a meal. Pasta, grains, and bread can also be considered side dishes. Some side dish recipes call for an air fryer, slow cooker, or other specialized devices, but most side dishes can be prepared using a stovetop, oven, or microwave.

The main difference between a side dish and an appetizer is at what point in the meal they're served. Appetizers are typically served in anticipation of the main meal. Side dishes accompany the main dish and are meant to complement the entree.

Explore some popular recipes to find the perfect side to your main dish.

1. 1. Brussels sprouts: Perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts are crispy on the outside and tender (not mushy) on the inside. You can dress up roasted Brussels sprouts with a vinaigrette, pancetta, parmesan cheese, or dried fruits like cranberries or raisins. They're a delicious side dish in their own right, but can also be added to a vegetable medley.
2. 2. Potatoes: Potato varieties, such as Russet and Yukon Gold, are versatile and can be used to make an impressively wide range of side dishes. They're the star of many vegetable side dish recipes, including potatoes au gratin, scalloped potatoes, baked potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, French fries, crispy smashed potatoes, potato wedges, and potato salad. For an upscale potato side dish, try this potato gnocchi recipe.
3. 3. Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a healthy side dish that can easily be whipped up on a weeknight. From sweet potato fries to sweet potato casserole, sweet potatoes are extremely versatile veggies. They're naturally sweet and can add a pleasant contrast to savory main dishes like a pan-fried pork chop.
4. 4. Green beans: Green beans are a fantastic weeknight side dish because they’re packed with nutrients and can be prepared in myriad ways. They can be steamed, battered and fried, sautéed, or baked in a green bean casserole. Consider subbing fried green beans for French fries.
5. 5. Butternut squash: Butternut squash has a deliciously nutty, sweet flavor that will rival sweet potatoes, and is nearly as versatile. One of the easiest ways to prepare butternut squash is to simply peel it, dice it, toss it with spices, and roast it in the oven.
6. 6. Zucchini: Zucchini, also known as summer squash, has a vibrant, vegetal flavor that goes great with just about anything. It can be sautéed, grilled, or roasted and served on its own, or it can be tossed with other vegetables in a roasted vegetable medley.
7. 7. Beets: Beets are famous for their sweetness and earthy aroma. They can be steamed, roasted, or broiled for an easy side dish. A beet salad with arugula and feta cheese is a perfect pairing to savory main such as beef or lamb.
8. 8. Salads: A salad recipe consists of bite-sized ingredients—usually vegetables and greens—topped with meat, pasta, or fish and combined with a dressing. You can serve salad as a starter course, side dish, or entrée, especially when combined with protein. You can even make a roasted veggie salad, such as roasted eggplant salad.
9. 9. BBQ sides: No BBQ or potluck would be complete without the sides. Cornbread, baked beans, pasta salad, coleslaw, and macaroni and cheese are all classic sides that make for delicious counterparts to grilled meats and veggies. This smoked collard greens recipe is a must-have side dish for any barbeque.
10. 10. Grains: Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, couscous, and farro are healthy sides that are delicious, filling, and nutritious. You can also use grains to make side dish recipes, like rice pilaf or fried rice. For a unique take on grains, try this roasted carrots with farro salad recipe.

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