17 side dishes that are here to upstage your main course

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These 17 side dishes are ready to steal the show and make your main course a little jealous! Packed with flavor and variety, they’ll take your meal to the next level. Whether it’s a holiday spread or a weeknight dinner, these sides are here to shine!

Summer orzo pasta salad in a while serving bowl on a whitewashed background next to a bowl of green beans.
Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Surprise Potatoes

A casserole dish with shredded cheese and a wooden spoon.
Surprise Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Looking for something different? Grandma’s Surprise Potatoes totally steal the show! Cheesy, creamy, and super tasty, they’ll have everyone going back for more. They’re so easy to make and disappear fast—perfect for any meal or hangout!
Get the Recipe: Surprise Potatoes

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Green beans with bacon and almonds on a red plate.
Green Beans Almondine with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Need something quick but still fancy? Check out our Green Beans Almondine! With crispy bacon, creamy almonds, and fresh green beans, it’s super easy and packed with flavor. Perfect for when you want to impress without spending a ton of time. You’ll be going back for seconds!
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Carrot Raisin Salad

A bowl of coleslaw with shredded carrots and raisins on a wooden surface, next to a red and white checkered cloth.
Carrot Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This carrot raisin salad is super easy to make and so fresh! It’s got shredded carrots and cabbage, sweet raisins, and a tangy lemon-mayo dressing that’s just perfect. It goes with pretty much anything, and it’s always gone before you know it. Plus, it’s one of those sides everyone loves to scoop up!
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Grape Salad

Grape Salad in clear bowl with green grapes in background.
Grape Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Who needs fancy dishes when you’ve got this creamy grape salad? It’s super easy, super tasty, and perfect for just about any occasion. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked and want it on the table all the time. Plus, it’s always a crowd-pleaser! Seriously, everyone will ask for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad

FDL’S 75 Best Bites

FDL's best bites tasty recipes.
FDL’S 75 Best Bites. Photo credit: Food Drink Life.

Our cookbook with 75 tasty recipes will be your go-to kitchen companion for easy dinners with ad-free recipes right at your fingertips. Crafted by experienced chefs and recipe developers, this collection offers a treasure trove of tried-and-true dishes that make mealtime a breeze.
Get the Recipe: FDL’S 75 Best Bites

Cabbage Apple Salad

Red cabbage slaw in a wooden bowl with a spoon.
Cabbage Apple Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Forget the fancy salads—this Cabbage Apple Salad is where it’s at! Crunchy cabbage, sweet apples, and a tangy dressing that’s way better than the main dish. It’s super easy to throw together and goes fast, whether it’s for a quick dinner or as a side. Simple, tasty, and you’ll definitely be going back for more!
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

A baking dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with a golden breadcrumb crust, with a portion served out.
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Whip up this creamy mac and cheese with cheddar, Gruyere, and a buttery panko-Parmesan topping for any occasion, and get ready to impress your friends! It’s cozy, cheesy, and so good you’ll probably see everyone going back for seconds (or thirds).
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Layered Salad

A layered salad in a clear glass trifle bowl on a wooden board, with peas, lettuce, and red tomatoes, next to a floral patterned cloth.
Layered Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This layered salad is a total hit! It’s got crunchy lettuce, fresh veggies, crispy bacon, and a creamy dressing—so good. Super easy to whip up and filling enough to be a meal. Bet it’ll be the first thing gone at dinner, so grab your plate before it’s all gone!
Get the Recipe: Layered Salad

Sweet Potato Puffs

A plate with a bite out of a sweet potato puff.
Sweet Potato Puffs. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

You’re gonna love these Sweet Potato Puffs! Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside—they’re so addictive. Great as a snack or side dish, they go with pretty much anything. They’re super easy to make, and trust me, they’ll be gone in no time. Make extras, just in case!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Summer Orzo Salad

Summer orzo pasta salad in a while serving bowl on a whitewashed background next to a bowl of green beans.
Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This orzo salad is way better than the main dish! It’s got crunchy cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, and orzo pasta all tossed together in a tangy, homemade vinaigrette. You’ll love how refreshing and flavorful it is, making it the perfect side for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad

Mexican Macaroni Salad

Mexican Macaroni Salad in a bowl.
Mexican Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Bored of the same old salads? Try Grandma’s Mexican Macaroni Salad! It’s creamy, full of flavor, and super easy to make. Your family will be going back for seconds, and it goes with just about anything. Plus, it’s an easy way to change things up without any extra work!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Macaroni Salad

Orange Glazed Carrots

A plate of glazed carrot slices topped with chopped herbs, served with a light sauce.
Orange Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These Orange Glazed Carrots are sweet, buttery, and full of fresh citrus flavor. Tossed in a tasty orange sauce, they’ve got the perfect mix of sweetness and a little savory kick. Super easy to make and seriously yummy, they’re a great way to mix up your usual side dish!
Get the Recipe: Orange Glazed Carrots

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Three baked potatoes on a blue and white plate.
Stuffed Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Throw together these loaded baked potatoes for the coziest side ever! Creamy potatoes, melty cheese, and they’re super easy to make—you’ll be chilling in no time. They go with pretty much anything, or just grab a fork and eat them by themselves. Seriously, they’re that good!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Orange Rice

Bowl of rice with chopped celery and orange slices on a wooden table.
Orange Rice. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Hey citrus fans, this one’s for you! This easy oven-baked orange rice is super tender and full of zesty flavor—it might even steal the spotlight from the main dish. It goes with pretty much anything, and I bet everyone will be asking for the recipe. Oh, and it’s so simple to make—you’ll probably want to make a double batch!
Get the Recipe: Orange Rice

Cowboy Caviar

A bowl of bean and corn salad with diced avocado, red onion, tomatoes, and cilantro surrounded by tortilla chips.
Cowboy Caviar. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Make some Cowboy Caviar and watch it disappear! This mix of beans and veggies is perfect for scooping with chips, tossing in a salad, or just eating by the spoonful. It’s fresh, easy, and always a hit. Don’t blink—it’ll be gone before you know it!
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic

Roasted brussels sprouts with pomegranate and goat cheese.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

These air fryer Brussels sprouts are crispy on the outside and super tender inside. Drizzle on some balsamic, sprinkle with feta, and toss in a handful of pomegranate for a burst of flavor. The sweet pomegranate and tangy balsamic make these sprouts anything but ordinary. They’re easy to make and perfect for any meal!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic

Brocolli Salad with Bacon

A bowl of broccoli salad with bacon.
Brocolli Salad with Bacon. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

This Broccoli Salad with Bacon is the perfect low-carb, keto, and gluten-free dish. It’s packed with crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, and a creamy dressing, plus cheese and nuts for some extra flavor and crunch. Great for picnics, barbecues, or as a healthy side, and it only takes about 15 minutes to whip up!
Get the Recipe: Brocolli Salad with Bacon

Cilantro Lime Rice

Chipotle rice in a bowl with sliced lime and spoons.
Cilantro Lime Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This Cilantro Lime Rice is the perfect side for just about anything—and honestly, it might even outshine the main dish! It’s fresh, zesty, and super easy to make, with lime, cilantro, and a little garlic kick that’ll take your tacos, chicken, or whatever you’re serving to the next level. Give it a try—you’ll want to make it all the time!
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

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