19 Side Dishes That Belong in Your Regular Rotation

Some side dishes are so good they deserve a permanent spot on your table. These 19 recipes are delicious, and pair well with just about anything. Whether you need something fresh, crispy, or comforting, these sides have you covered.

Garlic Butter Corn

Butter fried corn in a bowl. — Image Credit: The Honour System

This buttery skillet corn is next-level, with fresh garlic vibes and a sprinkle of parmesan on top. It is super easy and works for both a weeknight dish and for a special occasion. Get the recipe: Garlic Butter Fried Corn

Roasted Balsamic Sweet Potatoes

Roasted balsamic sweet potatoes perfectly balance sweet, tangy, and caramelized. This easy side dish is golden, flavorful, and works with just about any meal. Get the recipe: Roasted Balsamic Sweet Potatoes

Sautéed Balsamic Asparagus with Parmesan

A plate of sauteed balsamic asparagus. — Image Credit: Cooking With Wine Blog

Asparagus is a favorite, and it’s even better with a good balsamic kick. This easy sautéed balsamic asparagus comes together fast and works with just about anything: weeknight dinners, special occasions, you name it. Get the recipe: Sautéed Balsamic Asparagus with Parmesan

Stick of Butter Rice

Ditch boring rice and try stick of butter rice—a retro recipe with just four simple ingredients and all the creamy, comforting vibes. Rich, buttery, and totally delicious, it’s the side dish everyone will ask for at dinner. Get the recipe: Stick of Butter Rice

Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad

This old-fashioned cucumber salad is a light, crisp, and tangy classic. It has the perfect balance of flavors and is super easy, so you can whip up this easy vinegar-based side in no time. Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad

Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Garlic-roasted potatoes are a classic for a reason—simple, easy, and always a hit. With just five ingredients, they come together fast without stealing attention from the main dish. Get the recipe: Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Goat Cheese and Roasted Beet Salad

A plate of roasted beet salad. — Image Credit: Quiche My Grits

This roasted beet salad with goat cheese is a flavor explosion on a plate. Oven-roasted beets and creamy goat cheese, paired with crunchy pistachios and a homemade honey-dijon vinaigrette—what’s not to love? Get the recipe: Roasted Beet Salad With Goat Cheese

Crispy Baked Potato Wedges

Potato wedges being dipped in sauce. — Image Credit: The Honour System

Crispy baked potato wedges are the ultimate side dish for any meal. Golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and full of flavor, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. Get the recipe: Oven Baked Potato Wedges

Cilantro Lime Rice

Cilantro lime mixture being stirred into a pot of warm rice. — Image Credit: The Honour System

Cilantro lime rice is a fresh and flavourful side dish. It’s light, citrusy kick, and perfect texture complement your southwestern meals beautifully. Get the recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Parmesan roasted potatoes come out golden, crispy, and packed with flavor. With parmesan, onion, and garlic, this easy side dish works with just about any meal. Get the recipe: Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Maple Glazed Carrots

A baking sheet of maple roasted carrots. — Image Credit: The Honour System

These maple-glazed carrots are side dish goals. They’ll steal the show at any meal, sweet, spicy, buttery, and perfectly caramelized. Get the recipe: Maple Roasted Carrots

Crispy Oven-Baked French Fries

A basket of oven baked fries. — Image Credit: The Honour System

Oven-baked fries are the perfect side dish for any meal. Crispy, golden, and full of all the potato goodness, they’re a homemade twist on the classic fry you’ll love. Get the recipe: Oven Baked French Fries

Slow Cooker Herbed Baby Potatoes

A tray of herbed baby potatoes. — Image Credit: Flavorful Eats

This slow cooker herbed baby potatoes recipe is a definite addition to your side dish lineup. With olive oil, butter, and dried herbs, these tender, seasoned potatoes are super easy to make and perfect for any dinner, holiday, or potluck. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Herbed Baby Potatoes

Cherry Tomato Salad

This cherry tomato salad is the perfect side to freshen up any meal. With juicy tomatoes and a light dressing, it’s simple, refreshing, and totally satisfying. Get the recipe: Cherry Tomato Salad

Flaky Sourdough Biscuits

A plate of sourdough biscuits. — Image Credit: Sourdough Brandon

These flaky sourdough biscuits are the ultimate side dish upgrade. Buttery, tender, and full of flavor from sourdough discard and buttermilk, they’re perfect for any meal. Get the recipe: Flaky Sourdough Biscuits

Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes

Roasting green beans and potatoes in the oven is an easy side dish win. This sheet pan of roasted veggies takes any meal from basic to something special. Get the recipe: Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes

Sweet and Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

A plate of oven roasted sweet potatoes. — Image Credit: The Honour System

Sweet and spicy roasted sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish. With just the right mix of sweetness and heat, they’re sure to step up your meal. Get the recipe: Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Smashed Potatoes in Air Fryer

A tray of smashed potatoes from an air fryer. — Image Credit: Spoons of Flavor

Boiled baby potatoes get smashed, brushed with garlic oil, and air-fried until perfectly crispy. They make a great side or a snack you’ll want to eat straight off the pan. Get the recipe: Smashed Potatoes in Air Fryer

Cheesy Cauliflower Broccoli Bake

A horizontal view of a broccoli cauliflower cheese casserole. — Image Credit: The Honour System

This cheesy cauliflower broccoli bake is the side dish you didn’t know you needed. Loaded with veggies and melted cheese, it’s the perfect comfort food to complement any meal. Get the recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Bake