When planning a meal, side dishes often play a crucial role in complementing the main course. They can add variety, flavor, and nutrition to your plate, making the entire meal more satisfying. In this collection, we’ve gathered 19 side dishes that are easy to prepare and pair perfectly with any meal. From vegetables to grains, these recipes offer something for everyone.
Colombian baked plantains recipe with guava and cheese
This dish combines the sweetness of ripe plantains with the tangy flavor of guava and the creaminess of cheese. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and bake. The result is a delightful balance of sweet and savory that melts in your mouth. It’s a unique side that complements any main course.
Get the Recipe: Colombian baked plantains recipe with guava and cheese
Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions
Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions is a quick, 20-minute dish that bursts with flavor. Fresh green beans are paired with the robust taste of garlic and the crunch of fried onions. This combination creates a side dish that’s both crispy and savory. It’s perfect for adding a little zest to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions
Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains
Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains are a simple yet flavorful side that takes about 15 minutes to make. The plantains are sweet and caramelized, providing a rich, sugary taste. This dish is perfect for those who enjoy a touch of sweetness with their meal. It’s a versatile side that pairs well with a variety of mains.
Get the Recipe: Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic
This dish features Brussels sprouts that are crispy on the outside and tender inside, taking about 20 minutes to prepare. They’re topped with tangy feta, sweet pomegranate seeds, and a drizzle of balsamic. The flavor combination is both refreshing and savory. It’s a vibrant side that adds a pop of color and taste to your plate.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic
Crispy Ottolenghi’s Air Fryer Asparagus
Crispy Ottolenghi’s Air Fryer Asparagus is a quick, 15-minute side dish. The asparagus is cooked to a perfect crispness and seasoned lightly. This dish has a fresh, earthy flavor that’s complemented by a subtle crunch. It’s a simple yet elegant addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Ottolenghi’s Air Fryer Asparagus
Fennel and Mango Slaw
Fennel and Mango Slaw is a refreshing side that takes about 15 minutes to prepare. The crunchy fennel pairs perfectly with the sweetness of mango. This slaw has a light, tangy flavor that’s both crisp and refreshing. It’s an ideal side for adding a fresh note to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Fennel and Mango Slaw
Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard
Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard is a colorful and nutritious side dish that takes about 15 minutes to make. The chard is sautéed until tender, bringing out its natural flavors. It has a slightly earthy taste with a hint of sweetness. This dish adds a vibrant and healthy touch to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard
Mexican Tostones
Mexican Tostones are crispy, twice-fried plantains that take about 25 minutes to prepare. They have a crunchy exterior and a soft interior, providing a delightful texture contrast. The tostones have a mild, savory flavor that’s perfect for dipping in your favorite sauces. They make a versatile side that pairs well with many dishes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Tostones
Quinoa fritters with spring peas, feta and cilantro-chive yogurt sauce
These quinoa fritters are a flavorful and nutritious side that takes about 30 minutes to make. The fritters are packed with spring peas and feta, giving them a rich, hearty taste. They’re served with a cilantro-chive yogurt sauce that adds a fresh, tangy note. This dish is a great way to add protein and flavor to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa fritters with spring peas, feta and cilantro-chive yogurt sauce
Spiced Grilled Corn
Spiced Grilled Corn is a quick, 20-minute side dish that’s full of flavor. The corn is grilled and seasoned with a blend of spices, giving it a smoky, slightly spicy taste. It’s a simple yet delicious way to enjoy fresh corn. This dish is perfect for adding a bit of zest to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Grilled Corn
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Carrots Recipe with Red Wine
This dish features carrots that are glazed with a sweet and spicy red wine sauce, taking about 25 minutes to prepare. The carrots are tender and flavorful, with a perfect balance of sweetness and heat. The red wine adds a rich, deep flavor. It’s a sophisticated side that pairs well with many main courses.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Glazed Carrots Recipe with Red Wine
Beet latkes with poached egg
Beet latkes with poached egg is a unique and flavorful side that takes about 30 minutes to prepare. The latkes are made with beets, giving them a slightly sweet, earthy flavor. They’re topped with a perfectly poached egg, adding a rich, creamy element. This dish is an elegant and delicious addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Beet latkes with poached egg
Circassian fried cheese with a Middle-Eastern field salad
Circassian fried cheese with a Middle-Eastern field salad is a flavorful side that takes about 20 minutes to make. The fried cheese is crispy and savory, while the field salad adds a fresh, tangy note. This combination creates a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. It’s a unique side that brings a taste of the Middle East to your table.
Get the Recipe: Circassian fried cheese with a Middle-Eastern field salad
Roasted cauliflower in green herb sauce
Roasted cauliflower in green herb sauce is a savory side dish that takes about 30 minutes to prepare. The cauliflower is roasted until tender and then coated in a fresh, tangy herb sauce. This dish has a rich, earthy flavor that’s complemented by the brightness of the herbs. It’s a delicious way to enjoy cauliflower.
Get the Recipe: Roasted cauliflower in green herb sauce
Roasted cauliflower casserole with tomatoes and capers
This casserole features roasted cauliflower with tomatoes and capers, taking about 35 minutes to make. The cauliflower is tender and flavorful, while the tomatoes add a sweet, juicy note and the capers bring a tangy, salty element. This dish is a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s a hearty side that complements many main courses.
Get the Recipe: Roasted cauliflower casserole with tomatoes and capers
Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Eggplant Tomato Stacks are a delicious and simple side that takes about 25 minutes to prepare. The eggplant is tender and slightly smoky, while the tomatoes add a fresh, juicy note. This dish has a light, refreshing flavor that’s perfect for summer meals. It’s an elegant and easy way to enjoy fresh vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Homemade Balkan bourekas with eggplant, tomatoes, Jarlsberg and feta cheese
These homemade Balkan bourekas are a flavorful side that takes about 40 minutes to prepare. They’re filled with a delicious mixture of eggplant, tomatoes, Jarlsberg, and feta cheese. The result is a rich, savory pastry that’s perfect for any meal. This dish brings a taste of the Balkans to your table.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Balkan bourekas with eggplant, tomatoes, Jarlsberg and feta cheese
Spinach colcannon recipe
Spinach colcannon is a hearty and nutritious side dish that takes about 25 minutes to make. It’s a blend of mashed potatoes and spinach, creating a creamy, flavorful mixture. This dish has a rich, buttery taste with a hint of earthiness from the spinach. It’s a comforting side that’s perfect for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach colcannon recipe
Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes
Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes are a simple and delicious side that takes about 30 minutes to prepare. The pancakes are made with grated potatoes, giving them a crispy exterior and a tender interior. They have a mild, savory flavor that’s perfect for pairing with a variety of dishes. This dish is a classic Irish favorite that adds a comforting touch to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes