Potato gratin topped with rosemary in a baking dish
Food & Drink

Side dish recipes to complement any main course

Written by:
Nicole Caldwell
October 5, 2021
Esin Deniz // Shutterstock

Side dish recipes to complement any main course

With Christmas coming up in a matter of days, many of us have begun to plan our holiday meal menus. And while some may still be deciding whether to serve , an even more important question follows: what will you dish up on the side?

Matching the right side dish to your main course is as nuanced as a wine pairing. Sides serve to balance out the 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鈥擟ampbell's October 2024 State of the Sides report found that more than half (56%) of Americans say they'd , with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole ranked as some of the nation's favorite sides.

That's just as well, considering most Americans also need to eat more veggies. published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2022 found that only 1 in 10 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 Brussels sprouts and broccoli. 

Even if you do fall in that 10%, though, we could all use a little more variety in our diets. Cole slaw, corn on the cob, or fried green tomatoes鈥攚hichever sides you'd like to add to your dinner table, 麻豆原创 compiled a list of side dish recipes from . 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.

You may also like: Best steakhouses in 50 major cities

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

You may also like: Best BBQ restaurants in 50 major cities

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

You may also like: Best brunch restaurants in 50 major cities

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

You may also like: The 15 most popular chain restaurants in America

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

You may also like: Best delis in 50 major cities

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

You may also like: 25 tasty snack recipes

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

You may also like: 20 iconic Christmas movie foods ranked according to nutrition

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

You may also like: Mounjaro menu plan: What foods to eat and avoid for optimal results

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

You may also like: Best Mexican restaurants in 50 major cities

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

You may also like: 15 common US foods that are banned in other countries

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

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
-

Additional writing by Cu Fleshman.

You may also like: Slicing into Pi Day: These are America's favorite pies

Trending Now