Side dish recipes to complement any main course
Side dish recipes to complement any main course
Matching the right side dish to your main course is as nuanced as a wine-pairing. Sides serve to balance out flavors, textures, and colors of entrees, while also rounding out the nutritional benefits of a meal. After all, these extra additions are what transform a single dish into a full-fledged meal.
Many even prefer side dishes to the main course. According to Campbell's 2024 State of the Sides report, 55% of Americans who celebrate Thanksgiving describe sides as their favorite part of the meal. And with Christmas and other winter festivities around the corner, who among us doesn't enjoy stacking their plate with roasted squash, crispy Brussels sprouts, or a classic green bean casserole during the holidays?
In fact, you might want to go in for seconds, considering that the majority of Americans also need to eat more veggies. A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2022 found that only 10% of adults consume the recommended daily amount of vegetables. Generally, every adult should eat around 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day, so more people need to set aside the steak and pork chops in favor of carrots and broccoli.
Even if you do fall in that 10%, though, we could all use a little more variety in our diets. Coleslaw, corn on the cob, or fried green tomatoes—whichever sides you'd like to add to your dinner table, Stacker compiled a list of side dish recipes from Allrecipes. Here, vegetables take their rightful place at center stage to show off their complex array of flavors.
Keep reading for 50 fresh ideas to round out your next meal.
Lebanese Radish Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 4 cups
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Spring Pea Medley with Edible Bowl
- Rating: 4.4/5 (5 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Grilled Radicchio with Blue Cheese
- Rating: 5.0/5 (4 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Hasselback Potatoes
- Rating: 4.3/5 (496 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 55 minutes
- Total time: 75 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Lemon Couscous
- Rating: 4.7/5 (18 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 3
- Yield: 3 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Tomato Zucchini Casserole
- Rating: 4.7/5 (730 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 55 minutes
- Total time: 75 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 Servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Greek-Style Lemon Roasted Potatoes
- Rating: 4.8/5 (293 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Gluten-Free Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms (Fior di Zucca Ripieni)
- Rating: 5.0/5 (2 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 2 minutes
- Total time: 17 minutes
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 10 stuffed blossoms
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
How to Make Perfect Polenta
- Rating: 4.8/5 (271 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 35 minutes
- Additional time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Easy Coleslaw Dressing
- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,523 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Alfredo Sauce
- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,765 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Jamie's Sweet and Easy Corn on the Cob
- Rating: 4.8/5 (524 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 3
- Read more about the recipe here
Basic Mashed Potatoes
- Rating: 4.6/5 (641 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Best Steak Marinade in Existence
- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,555 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 1/3 cups
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Tomato Zucchini Casserole
- Rating: 4.7/5 (730 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 55 minutes
- Total time: 75 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 Servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Best Fried Green Tomatoes
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,065 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
- Rating: 4.7/5 (167 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 quart sauce
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Microwave Baked Potato
- Rating: 4.2/5 (405 reviews)
- Prep time: 1 min
- Cook time: 11 minutes
- Total time: 12 minutes
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 serving
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Microwave Corn on the Cob
- Rating: 4.6/5 (558 reviews)
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 serving
- Number of ingredients: 1
- Read more about the recipe here
Low-Carb, Twice-Baked Cauliflower Casserole
- Rating: 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 40 minutes
- Total time: 60 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Air Fryer One-Bite Roasted Potatoes
- Rating: 4.7/5 (15 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 2
- Yield: 2 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Buttery Garlic Green Beans
- Rating: 4.7/5 (775 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,462 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce
- Rating: 4.8/5 (903 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Pickled Beets
- Rating: 4.5/5 (282 reviews)
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 60
- Yield: 10 (1 pint) jars
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Simple Roasted Butternut Squash
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,374 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Sarah's Applesauce
- Rating: 4.8/5 (3,342 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Quick Tartar Sauce
- Rating: 4.5/5 (356 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 cup
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Old Fashioned Onion Rings
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,843 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 3 minutes
- Total time: 18 minutes
- Servings: 3
- Yield: 3 serving
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Simple Teriyaki Sauce
- Rating: 4.4/5 (438 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 6 minutes
- Total time: 11 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: cups
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
A Very Popular BBQ Sauce
- Rating: 4.6/5 (919 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 32
- Yield: 4 cups
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
- Rating: 4.6/5 (6,072 reviews)
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 60 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce
- Rating: 4.6/5 (5,835 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Mexican Rice II
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,226 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Yellow Squash Casserole
- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,492 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 1 - 9x13 inch pan
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Emily's Famous Hash Browns
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,219 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Best Spanish Rice
- Rating: 4.6/5 (3,187 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 5 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes
- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,709 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,374 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 45 minutes
- Total time: 60 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Superb Sauteed Mushrooms
- Rating: 4.8/5 (721 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Strawberry Jam
- Rating: 4.6/5 (948 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 40
- Yield: 5 cups
- Number of ingredients: 3
- Read more about the recipe here
Simple Syrup
- Rating: 4.8/5 (295 reviews)
- Prep time: 1 min
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 19 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 1 1/3 cups
- Number of ingredients: 2
- Read more about the recipe here
Garlic Aioli
- Rating: 4.7/5 (503 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 cup
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Sauteed Garden Fresh Green Beans
- Rating: 4.8/5 (159 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Pan-Fried Asparagus
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,795 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Glazed Carrots
- Rating: 4.7/5 (380 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Garlic Butter
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,114 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 1 cup
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
The Best Steak Marinade
- Rating: 4.6/5 (918 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 1 cup marinade
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Cream Corn Like No Other
- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,411 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Simple Chicken Brine
- Rating: 4.7/5 (299 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 1 gallon
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Additional writing by Cu Fleshman.
