22 Easy Side Dishes That'll Save You From a Boring Meal

Tired of the same old sides? These 22 easy side dishes are here to rescue your meals from the dreaded boring routine. Whether you’re pressed for time or just want something different, these sides have got your back.

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

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

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

Glazed Carrots & Pears

A platter of glazed carrots and pears. — Image Credit: The Perks of Being Us

Bubbly maple bourbon glazed carrots and pears bring the perfect mix of sweet and rich. All you need is a sheet pan and about 40 minutes for this easy side dish—bourbon optional! Get the recipe: Glazed Carrots & Pears

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

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

Maple Roasted Delicata Squash

A plate of roasted delicata squash. — Image Credit: Maple and Mango

This oven-roasted delicata squash is a must for fall and winter meals. Tossed in a maple glaze and roasted to caramelized perfection, it’s an easy side with just 10 minutes of prep and no peeling required. Get the recipe: Maple Roasted Delicata Squash

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

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 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

Garlic Butter Green Beans

Sautéed green beans in garlic butter and parmesan? Yes, please! This easy side dish is so good, don’t be surprised if everyone asks for seconds. Get the recipe: Garlic Butter Green Beans

Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

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

This cheesy cauliflower 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

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

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

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. Its light, citrusy kick, and perfect texture complement your southwestern meals beautifully. Get the recipe: Cilantro Lime 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

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

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

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

Hot Honey Brussel Sprouts

A tray of hot honey brussels sprouts. — Image Credit: Food Exit Recipes

Give your roasted Brussels sprouts a glow-up with hot honey. This side dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser: sweet, spicy, and irresistible. Get the recipe: Hot Honey Brussel Sprouts

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