Easy Side Dishes
Easy side dishes you can throw together in minutes that are roasted, sautéed, grilled, or air-fried with simple pantry staples and fresh herbs.
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Start with quick-cook veggies (green beans, broccoli, carrots, potatoes), add garlic, citrus, and a splash of olive oil, then roast or sauté until crisp-tender. Batch once and keep warm, or prep components ahead and finish just before serving. Finish with bright toppers like lemon zest, toasted nuts, parmesan, or fresh herbs for sides that pair with any main.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Side Dishes
- Fast to the Table: Most are ready in 10–20 minutes with minimal prep.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples plus fresh herbs, citrus, and garlic do the work.
- Mix-and-Match Friendly: Roasted, sautéed, grilled, or air-fried, just pick your method.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Clearly tagged GF/DF with straightforward swaps.
- Scales for Any Crowd: Double for holidays or keep small for weeknights.
- Make-Ahead Smart: Prep components early; finish right before serving.
- Universal Pairings: Flavors that go with chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetarian mains.
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1
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
This Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe features brussels sprouts coated and roasted to a golden brown perfection, then drizzled with a balsamic and honey mixture.
Check out this recipe
2
Einkorn Biscuits
Einkorn Biscuits are a great way to get the delicious fluffy biscuits with the benefit and flavor of einkorn flour.
Check out this recipe
3
Asparagus Casserole
Asparagus Casserole is the perfect side dish for any fan of asparagus! This easy recipe gives you a casserole dish full of savory mushrooms, cheese, and asparagus, with a crisp panko topping.
Check out this recipe
4
Pico de Gallo
Pico de Gallo is a classic recipe full of fresh tomatoes, raw onions, and jalapeno pepper.
Check out this recipe
5
Wedge Salad
Wedge Salad is a flavorful salad that features iceberg lettuce with bacon, tomatoes, red onions, and topped with blue cheese dressing.
Check out this recipe
6
Roasted Acorn Squash
Our Roasted Acorn Squash recipe is the easiest way to enjoy the nutty flavor of acorn squash.
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7
Kale Apple Salad
This Kale Apple Salad recipe is a fresh, tasty salad that is perfect for any time of year, whether you need a light lunch or side dish for dinner.
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8
Loaded Potato Salad
This Loaded Potato Salad recipe loads up traditional potato salad with the classic flavors of a loaded baked potatoes.
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9
Southwest Quinoa Salad
This healthy Southwest Quinoa Salad is a tasty salad that is the perfect side dish for dinner or a light lunch during the summer months.
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10
Turnip Greens
This fresh Turnip Greens recipe features tender leaves with bold, earthy flavors balanced perfectly with garlic and lemon.
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11
Mushroom Risotto
Creamy and rich, this Mushroom Risotto features tender Arborio rice simmered with savory mushrooms, garlic, and Parmesan for a comforting, flavorful dish.
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12
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
This stuffed sweet potatoes recipe uses simple ingredients to pack a flavor punch. Great as a light lunch or even a decadent side dish for dinner.
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13
Roasted Butternut Squash
Roasted Butternut Squash is a simple side dish that is flavorful and healthy for you, featuring butternut squash roasted together with fresh cranberries, pecans, honey, and warm spices.
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14
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
This Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe is so delicious, creamy, and so close tasting to traditional macaroni and cheese that you'll wonder why you haven't been eating it this whole time.
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15
Cucumber Onion Salad
A simple and delicious recipe for Cucumber Onion Salad, with a delicious creamy dressing. 8 super simple ingredients, 15 minutes total time.
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16
Broccoli Bacon Salad
A delicious recipe for Broccoli Bacon Salad with cheese. Needs 8 simple ingredients and 15 minutes total.
Check out this recipe
17
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole is a healthy, delicious, and sweet side dish option that is great for holiday dinners, filled with nutrients and has a naturally sweet taste.
Check out this recipe
18
Honey Garlic Carrots
Honey Garlic Carrots are an easy 6 ingredient side dish that provides a bit of sweet relief to your next dinner.
Check out this recipe
19
Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped Potatoes are a belly-warming and belly-filling comfort side dish that goes with so many of your favorite dinners.
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20
Roasted Carrots & Zucchini
Roasted Carrots & Zucchini is a super simple 4 ingredient side dish that is perfect for any occasion!
Check out this recipe
21
Mashed Butternut Squash
Mashed Butternut Squash is a very easy and simple dish that goes perfectly as a side dish, especially in the fall or winter.
Check out this recipe
22
Garlic Roasted Potatoes
These Garlic Roasted Potatoes are a classic side dish that is so easy to make.
Check out this recipe
23
Veggie Spring Rolls
Looking for a healthy, crisp dish that exudes freshness? Then these Veggie Spring Rolls are for you, paired with delicious, salty and sweet peanut sauce!
Check out this recipe
24
Creamed Spinach
Creamed Spinach is a healthy, gluten-free, and keto side dish that tastes as good as it looks! This easy creamed spinach recipe goes with any weeknight meal.
Check out this recipe
25
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad provides a beautiful array of colors as well as flavors!
Check out this recipe
26
Sweet Potato Fries
A recipe for crispy baked sweet potato fries recipe A healthy side dish that always hits the spot.
Check out this recipe
27
Chimichurri Roasted Vegetables
An easy recipe for oven roasted vegetables marinated in a delicious chimichurri sauce.
Check out this recipe
28
French Onion Potatoes
These French Onion Potatoes are a staple side dish to any dinner but without the usual use of packet soup for flavor.
Check out this recipe
29
Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts are a great, nutritious side dish that your whole family will love.
Check out this recipe
30
Apple Coleslaw
This delicious and easy recipe for Apple Coleslaw is great on tacos and on its own. 8 Simple ingredients and 15 minutes to make.
Check out this recipe
31
Refried Kidney Beans
A simple and easy Homemade Mexican Refried Red Kidney Beans recipe. Made from scratch. Perfect for a Mexican Feast. 7 Simple Ingredients.
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32
Sourdough Flatbread
Whip up a batch of flavorful and versatile flatbreads that are perfect for sandwiches, wraps, quesadillas, Pizza, or dipping into hummus.
Check out this recipe
33
Cauliflower Gnocchi
This is an extremely basic recipe for Cauliflower Gnocchi – pretty much just cauliflower and egg pureed until it’s super smooth, formed into gnocchi shapes, and sautéed.
Check out this recipe
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Did You Make One Of These Easy Side Dishes?
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