Some meals feel unfinished without a good side dish, and that is where the flavor comes together. From crisp salads to creamy potatoes and warm breads, these plates add balance and variety that make any dinner feel complete. Here are 25 delicious side dishes we love to make for weeknight dinners and gatherings because they always bring something extra to the table.
Avocado Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Lemon Kale Salad
This lemon kale salad brings crunch and freshness with kale, cucumbers, and tomatoes tossed in a simple lemon dressing. Fresh herbs add flavor that makes it stand out from plain greens and keeps every bite crisp and lively. It is a delicious side dish that always disappears quickly because it stays crunchy and full of flavor from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad
Buttery Dinner Rolls
These buttery dinner rolls bake golden on the outside and stay pillowy soft in the middle, giving a rich and comforting taste with each bite. They pair perfectly with everything from soups to roasts, which makes them an easy choice for any meal. This is a classic side dish that never lasts long on the table because everyone reaches for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Dinner Rolls
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Baby bok choy gets a smoky char on the grill while staying tender and crisp on the inside, making it flavorful without needing much effort. It adds variety and texture to the plate, which helps balance out heavier main courses. This is an easy side dish that often disappears first because people enjoy the unique flavor.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Thinly shaved Brussels sprouts hold onto their crisp bite even when tossed in a light and simple dressing that shows off their nutty flavor. The texture feels different from regular green salads, which makes it a fun way to change up the table. This is a side dish that vanishes quickly because it brings freshness and variety without being hard to make.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Tomato Quinoa Salad
Juicy tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers mix into fluffy quinoa with a refreshing dressing that feels light but filling at the same time. The balance makes it a smart choice to pair with heavier dishes like meat or pasta. This is one of those easy side dishes that always gets scooped up quickly because it feels both fresh and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes whip up smooth, fluffy, and buttery, giving the perfect base for sauces and gravies to sink into. The taste is rich and comforting, which makes them a natural match for almost any main dish. This is a classic side dish that people always finish first because they can never resist going back for another serving.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Avocado Tomato Salad
Creamy avocado chunks mix with juicy tomatoes in a fresh salad that shines in a simple dressing without feeling heavy. The smooth avocado balances the sweetness of the tomatoes, giving each bite a cool and refreshing taste. This is a side dish that empties fast once it hits the table because it feels light yet full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Thin layers of potatoes bake slowly in a rich cheese sauce until bubbling hot and golden brown across the top. Every bite is smooth, creamy, and cheesy, which makes it hard to stop at just one scoop. This is a delicious side dish that always runs out quickly because it is impossible to resist.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Fluffy quinoa gets mixed with spinach and plenty of parmesan, giving it a flavor that is simple yet rich enough to stand on its own. It feels light while still being filling, so it pairs easily with many main dishes without weighing the meal down. This is a side dish that gets eaten fast because it tastes good and works with almost everything.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Buttery Crescent Rolls
Crescent rolls bake soft, flaky, and golden, with a buttery flavor that makes them a comforting choice at any meal. They are easy to serve alongside soups, salads, meats, or casseroles, and they fit right into any spread. This is a side dish that people always grab more of because one roll never feels like enough.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Crescent Rolls
Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Crispy French fries get covered with pulled pork, melted cheese, and bold toppings that make every bite feel hearty and fun. The mix of crunch, softness, and flavor turns simple fries into something special that stands out on the table. This is a side dish that never lasts long once it is served because people cannot stop scooping more.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Brussels sprouts roast until golden and tender with crisp edges, then get topped with crunchy toasted pine nuts and a little parmesan. The mix of nutty and savory flavors makes every bite satisfying and full of texture. This is a side dish that always disappears quickly because it is a reliable favorite at the table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Dinner Roll Knots
Warm dinner roll knots bake golden brown and pull apart with a soft, fluffy middle that feels homemade and comforting. They taste good plain, with butter, or next to any main dish, which makes them easy to serve. This is a simple side dish that vanishes fast because everyone reaches for another knot as soon as they finish one.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Roll Knots
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Golden challah bread bakes soft with a light sweetness that makes it perfect for butter, jam, or dipping into sauces. It looks beautiful on the table but is still easy enough to make for everyday meals. This is a side dish that disappears fast because everyone enjoys grabbing another slice.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Challah Bread
Golden challah bread bakes soft with a light sweetness that makes it perfect for butter, jam, or dipping into sauces. It looks beautiful on the table but is still easy enough to make for everyday meals. This is a side dish that disappears fast because everyone enjoys grabbing another slice.
Get the Recipe: Challah Bread
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Roasted potatoes come out golden brown and crispy on the outside while staying soft in the middle, then get tossed with garlic and spinach. The mix of flavors feels hearty but not too heavy, making them easy to pair with almost anything. This is a side dish that people scoop up quickly because it is filling and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts roast until caramelized on the edges, then mix with smoky bacon for a salty crunch and bold flavor. The natural sweetness of the sprouts balances the bacon, which makes the dish satisfying in every bite. This is a side dish that rarely lasts long because it always ends up being a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Zucchini, squash, and tomatoes simmer with herbs until tender, creating a side that is colorful, flavorful, and comforting. The vegetables stay hearty without feeling too heavy, so they pair well with a variety of main dishes. This is a tasty side dish that becomes a favorite once people get a chance to try it.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Harvest Quinoa Salad
Roasted squash, feta cheese, and cranberries mix into fluffy quinoa for a side that blends sweet and savory flavors in one bowl. The texture feels hearty but still light, which makes it easy to enjoy with other parts of the meal. This is a side dish that empties fast because it is both filling and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad
Soft Pretzels
Freshly baked soft pretzels come out golden on the outside with a chewy center that pulls apart easily. They are simple to make and perfect for dipping, sharing, or just enjoying plain at the table. This is a side dish that tends to vanish quickly because people love grabbing one right away.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pretzels
French Baguettes
A fresh baguette bakes with a crisp crust on the outside and a soft, airy middle that works well with almost any meal. It can be sliced, torn, or left whole so everyone can serve themselves without much fuss. This is a simple side dish that people return to over and over because it always pairs well with everything.
Get the Recipe: French Baguettes
Baked Kale Chips
Kale crisps up in the oven with just a little oil and salt, turning into a light, crunchy snack that works well as a side. They take very little time to prepare but bring a lot of texture and crunch to the table. This is a side dish that empties fast because everyone wants to grab a handful.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Brazilian Cheese Bread
These small cheese breads bake with a crisp golden shell and a soft, stretchy, cheesy middle that feels rich and savory. They are easy to eat by hand and perfect for sharing, which makes them fun for the table. This is a side dish that disappears quickly because people always grab more than one.
Get the Recipe: Brazilian Cheese Bread
Corn Casserole
Corn casserole bakes creamy and rich with sweet corn, crispy bacon, and cheese, all mixed together in one dish. The flavors are hearty without feeling too heavy, so it pairs well with almost any main course. This is a side dish that often empties first because people cannot stop going back for another scoop.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Crockpot Applesauce
Apples cook low and slow until soft and smooth, creating a naturally sweet side that feels comforting without being heavy. A touch of cinnamon brings just enough flavor without needing extra sugar, making it simple but tasty. This is a side dish that always disappears fast because everyone enjoys taking a spoonful or two.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Applesauce