There’s a reason people say no dinner is truly complete without the right sidekick. With 33 options ready to join the main course, each one brings balance, flavor, and personality to the table. It’s proof that a good meal isn’t just about what’s in the spotlight but what’s supporting it. Even the simplest dinner can feel like a big deal when the extras show up ready to impress.
Beetroot Daikon Radish Pickled
Bright, tangy pickles bring a cool crunch that makes people reach for seconds at dinner. Beetroot Daikon Radish Pickled stands out with its colorful slices and refreshing bite, giving every plate a lift. This pairs easily with hearty meals, providing a welcoming change of texture. Guests appreciate having something so lively to balance out rich main dishes. Leftovers work well in lunchboxes or as a snack later on.
Get the Recipe: Beetroot Daikon Radish Pickled
Almond Flour Dumplings
Soft, chewy additions can turn soup or stew into something truly memorable. Almond Flour Dumplings give a gluten-free twist that works nicely with a range of main courses, especially saucy ones. Dinner guests enjoy stabbing a few dumplings between bites. Leftovers keep their texture for the next day, holding up in reheated bowls. This side makes family meals feel a touch more special.
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Dumplings
Beef Bolognese Gravy
Adding a rich, hearty sauce puts everyone in the mood for a second helping. Beef Bolognese Gravy brings warmth to any spread and can be spooned over noodles, potatoes, or just about any base. Plates get passed around until every drop is gone. Kids especially love scooping up extra sauce. Guests always seem to ask for the recipe after one taste.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bolognese Gravy
Cheese Puffs Air Fryer
Bite-sized puffs are perfect for passing around before the main event or alongside a big salad. Cheese Puffs Air Fryer come out crispy on the outside and soft within, a combination that has both kids and grownups reaching for more. Puffs work as both a starter and a side, fitting in wherever you want a cheesy bite. These are gone fast, so extras rarely last overnight. Party trays empty quickly with these in the mix.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Puffs Air Fryer
Cold Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Lighter salads provide a nice contrast to roasted or baked main dishes. Cold Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette mixes crisp beans with a dressing that brings a little tang to each bite. This salad handles being made ahead, making serving stress-free. Guests enjoy a cool, crunchy addition next to their favorite entrees. Colorful salads like this help keep plates interesting.
Get the Recipe: Cold Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Crispy Low Carb French Fries
Fries aren’t just for fast food and these bring crispy edges without a carb overload. Crispy Low Carb French Fries stack well next to burgers or sandwiches, but nobody gets too full to finish a handful. Dipping is half the fun, especially for kids. These fries keep their crunch, even if you’re serving a crowd. Leftovers store well for a quick snack later.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Low Carb French Fries
Steamed Artichoke
Unique vegetables like this bring a bit of fun to the dinner table, with each leaf offering something to nibble. Steamed Artichoke makes people slow down and enjoy conversation while they eat, drawing attention to simple flavors. Dipping becomes a group event. Kids like pulling apart the leaves, and it gives adults an easy icebreaker. This side fits well with light or rich entrees.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Artichoke
Easy Creamy Salsa Dressing
Short on time but still need something with punch? Easy Creamy Salsa Dressing pours right over salads or acts as a dip for crisp veggies and chips. Colorful and bold, it jazzes up even basic meals. Guests keep reaching for the dressing, adding another spoonful to their plates. Squeeze bottles often go empty before the night ends.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Salsa Dressing
Rutabaga Fries
Fries made from something new help freshen up the usual dinner routine. Rutabaga Fries offer a mild flavor and a distinct texture that stands out from the rest. Kids reach for them out of curiosity, then stick around for more. They make a good swap for traditional sides, packing up easily for snacks. There’s a pleasant surprise in every bite with these fries.
Get the Recipe: Rutabaga Fries
Cook asparagus
Simple greens sometimes go further than you think at dinner. Cook Asparagus brings a subtle crunch with every spear, making it a classic pairing for fish or lighter proteins. Plate up a fresh batch for something that feels new without being complicated. This veggie side rounds out meals, even during the busiest nights. Everyone seems to want that last spear left on the tray.
Get the Recipe: Cook asparagus
Tabbouleh Salad
Colorful sides like this help any meal feel a bit more special, especially with their fresh taste. Tabbouleh Salad is full of bright flavors and bits that look good on the table. It mixes easily with other dishes, fitting into large spreads or simple family dinners. Leftovers keep their shape well for the next day’s lunch. This salad is one guests often ask about after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tabbouleh Salad
Homemade Marinara Sauce
Pour it over pasta, use it as a dip, or bring a little something extra to meats; there’s no wrong move here. Homemade Marinara Sauce pops with each bite, whether you use it for dipping, pouring, or spooning on the side. Both kids and adults scoop up every last drop with bread. This sauce supports almost any main dish on the table. Leftovers make for an easy next-day meal.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Marinara Sauce
TikTok Viral Onion Boil
Sometimes side dishes catch on for their fun approach as much as their flavor. TikTok Viral Onion Boil brings in bold notes that pair well with meats and casseroles, adding something new to dinner routines. Guests like the novelty factor, often making it the topic of conversation. No one is shy about going back for seconds. People remember the meal thanks to this side.
Get the Recipe: TikTok Viral Onion Boil
Green Bean Casserole
Creamy casseroles have a way of landing on the table to happy faces and cleared plates. Green Bean Casserole mixes a familiar veggie with a smooth texture that works with just about any meal. Kids and adults pick through to find all the crispy bits on top. It’s easy to make ahead for busy nights. This dish fits in with both classic and unexpected main courses.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole
Crispy Tortilla Chips
Chips can be more than just a snack and these bring crunch and flavor to all sorts of meals. Crispy Tortilla Chips shine next to dip, salad, or even a bowl of beans. Kids ask for extra scoops and adults aren’t shy either. Bowls empty before you know it. These make every meal feel a little more relaxed and fun.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Tortilla Chips
Easy Cauliflower Vegetable Fried Rice Bowl
Rice bowls bring vegetables right to the center of the meal, keeping things fresh and suitable for different diets. Easy Cauliflower Vegetable Fried Rice Bowl packs in crunch and flavor that even veggie skeptics can enjoy. Mix-ins keep each forkful interesting. This side can easily pair with chicken, beef, or fish. Leftovers are easy to reheat for lunches.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cauliflower Vegetable Fried Rice Bowl
Homemade Cheese Spread
Smooth, rich spreads are always welcome, especially with warm bread, crackers, or sliced veggies alongside. Homemade Cheese Spread sits well in small bowls waiting for guests to dig in. People spread a little extra on everything before the meal is even served. Spots on the board empty quickly. It leaves everyone talking after the main course is done.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cheese Spread
Avocado Egg Salad
Creamy sides can cut through a hearty meal, lending brightness and balance to the table. Avocado Egg Salad pairs nicely with bread or sits easily on lettuce for something extra. It keeps everyone guessing whether it’s a snack, side, or something in between. Bowl is empty fast at most dinners. Leftovers tuck into wraps or become a quick sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Egg Salad
Cranberry Sauce
Bringing color and tang, this classic is often expected at bigger dinners but it works any night of the week. Cranberry Sauce keeps things bright and balances out richer foods. Kids like how it stands out on their plate. This dish spreads well on bread or meats. Any extra fills up lunchboxes quickly.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce
Best Oven Roasted Beet Spread
Lively colors on the dinner table catch everyone’s eye first. Best Oven Roasted Beet Spread combines smooth texture with earthiness for a unique option among dips and spreads. It’s simple to scoop up with bread or crackers, adding interest to usual lineups. Guests chat about the color while reaching for more. Extras hold their appeal for next-day lunches or snacks.
Get the Recipe: Best Oven Roasted Beet Spread
Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven
A side with crunch but none of the fuss keeps meal times interesting and light. Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven brings a mild flavor and plenty of texture, making it fun to dip or eat plain. Kids tend to finish their serving without reminders. Leftovers come in handy as healthy snacks. This is a fast favorite in homes looking for easy sides.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven
Best Salsa
When something bright and tangy is needed to liven up the meal, salsa does it every time. Best Salsa pours over grilled dishes, piles up on chips, or even tops off a salad. Bowls get scraped clean, especially around a chatty table. Kids like the colors and choose their favorite scooping tool. Extra salsa finds its way into lunch wraps or as a dip in the afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Best Salsa
Lecso Vegetable Stew
Filling sides don’t have to be heavy, and stews like this layer flavor and bring variety. Lecso Vegetable Stew stands strong next to grilled meats or roasted mains. Each bite feels hearty without weighing down the rest of the dinner. Bowls tend to come back empty, no matter the crowd. Bringing this stew to the table means no one leaves hungry.
Get the Recipe: Lecso Vegetable Stew
Onion Rings Recipe
Crunchy, golden rings are a favorite for anyone who loves a good bit of fried food with their meal. Onion Rings Recipe delivers a crispy bite that goes well with sandwiches, grilled dishes, or even salads. Kids quickly go back for one more, turning sides into snacks as well. Plates clear out before dinner is over. These get requested for game night and movie snacks too.
Get the Recipe: Onion Rings Recipe
Brussel Sprouts Casserole
Hearty vegetables with a creamy finish give main dishes some welcome support at dinner. Brussel Sprouts Casserole pairs nicely with classic meals or something more adventurous. Guests enjoy finding the crisp top under the smooth inside. Kids dig in with excitement when this is on the table. Leftovers make a good lunch box filler the next day.
Get the Recipe: Brussel Sprouts Casserole
Veggie Noodles
Twists and ribbons of fresh produce bring color and interest to any plate, making every bite a little more appealing during dinner. Veggie Noodles serve as a fun option for those who want an alternative to classic pasta without skipping texture. Guests comment on the fresh look and kids quickly pick up their forks for extra strands.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Noodles
Refreshing Cucumber Dill Salad with Red Onion
Refreshing salads keep things light and clean when meals get heavy. Refreshing Cucumber Dill Salad with Red Onion brings just enough bite and crunch to help balance the plate. This salad holds firm even when made in advance. Families enjoy it as a palate cleanser or everyday side. The bowl never stays full for long at dinner.
Get the Recipe: Refreshing Cucumber Dill Salad with Red Onion
Easy Guacamole Dip with Sour Cream
Going green at dinner with something smooth and creamy adds a welcome twist. Easy Guacamole Dip with Sour Cream is good for topping tacos or tossing in wraps, or just digging in with chips. Everyone scoops a little extra on their plate, and kids like the bright color. Leftovers hold up well until snack time. It brings everyone together around the table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Guacamole Dip with Sour Cream
Extra Crispy Tater Tots Croquettes
Golden, crispy bites are always a popular side for big family meals or a stack of burgers. Extra Crispy Tater Tots Croquettes vanish from the tray by the handful. Kids enjoy dunking them in their favorite dips, and adults find them easier to nibble than fries. This is a go-to when feeding a crowd. Everyone mentions how crunchy they are.
Get the Recipe: Extra Crispy Tater Tots Croquettes
French Fried Onions
Crunchy onions aren’t just for casseroles; they also sprinkle well over salads or warm plates. French Fried Onions are a fun pick for both kids and adults, offering texture wherever you need a bit of crunch. Bowls get raided for extras. These make even basic dinners a bit more festive. No need to wait for a holiday to enjoy a crispy topping like this one.
Get the Recipe: French Fried Onions
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Recipe Skewers Style
When you want to serve something that gets noticed, skewers do the trick. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Recipe Skewers Style combine big flavors that hold their own next to roasted or grilled mains. Kids take them off the stick and ask for more. The leftovers are just as good in wraps or on salads. Whether as a snack or a side, everyone comes back for another.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Recipe Skewers Style
Faux Potato Salad
Lightened-up recipes can steal the show when people least expect it from an old favorite. Faux Potato Salad mimics all the comfort but skips the heaviness that comes with the classic version. Bowls fill up just as quickly, and even the skeptics come back for seconds. It’s good for picnics or a weeknight at home. This is one remake everyone approves of.
Get the Recipe: Faux Potato Salad
Squash Casserole
Giving vegetables a starring role at dinner, this side offers creaminess in every bite. Squash Casserole fits next to both roasted meats and lighter plates, staking its claim as a meal highlight. Families reach for the golden edges every time. Kids even forget they’re eating vegetables. This casserole often gets eaten down to the last crumb.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole