If you’re looking to level up your mealtime routine, I’m excited to share some sides and salads that you might not have considered before. These dishes bring fresh flavors and unique ingredients to the table, making them perfect companions for your main meals or even as satisfying stand-alones. By incorporating these lesser-known recipes into your cooking, you can upgrade your dining experience and impress family and friends with something new and exciting.
Chopped Greek Salad
This chopped Greek salad offers a fresh, vibrant blend of veggies with olives and feta. It’s a great option for something light yet flavorful alongside heavier main dishes. Tossed with a classic Greek vinaigrette, this salad is refreshing and easy to prepare. Ideal for adding a crisp, colorful side to your meal spread. Perfect for any gathering where you need a simple yet well-rounded side.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Greek Salad
Apple Salad
This apple salad combines crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and creamy dressing for a balanced, refreshing side. The flavors come together for a light but filling dish, great for meals that need a touch of fruit. This is a quick and easy side that’s ready to go in minutes. It’s an option that adds freshness and texture to your meal. A fun way to add fruit to the table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Salad
Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes
Roasting Roma tomatoes in the air fryer brings out their natural sweetness in no time. With a soft, slightly caramelized texture, these tomatoes make a versatile side for any meal. They’re simple to prepare, with the air fryer doing most of the work. Great for adding a pop of color and flavor that’s off the beaten path. Perfect for those looking to try something new with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Air fryer sweet potatoes are an easy and hands-off way to bring a warm, hearty side to the table. They’re cooked until tender inside and crisp outside, giving them a great texture. With a touch of seasoning, they’re ready to pair with almost any main. This is a practical side that requires little attention, yet complements a wide range of flavors. A straightforward choice for adding more veggies to your plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
These garlic mashed red potatoes are creamy and packed with flavor, perfect for pairing with any main dish. They’re easy to whip up and bake, offering a warm, familiar side without much work. The garlic adds a mild kick that enhances the natural flavor of the potatoes. Ideal for bringing comfort to your meal. A go-to choice for something comforting yet simple.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
Salmon Salad
Salmon salad is a light yet filling option, blending fresh greens with tender pieces of salmon. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a protein-packed side that’s easy to put together. This salad adds something unique to the table without much fuss. Great for adding variety to your usual sides lineup. A fresh and balanced option that complements many main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Salad
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
These air fryer Brussels sprouts cook up crispy and slightly caramelized, making them a quick and flavorful side. They’re easy to prepare and require only a few simple ingredients. The air fryer does the work, giving them a light crunch without much effort. Great for adding a veggie with a bit of flair to your meal. A satisfying, easy-to-make option that’s not your usual side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Easy Scalloped Potatoes
These easy scalloped potatoes offer a creamy, cheesy texture that pairs well with many main dishes. They bake up golden and tender, making them a perfect choice for gatherings. With only a few ingredients, they’re simple to prepare and hard to resist. A warm, comforting option that’s great for rounding out any meal. Perfect for anyone wanting a traditional yet easy side.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Broccoli salad with bacon brings together crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, and a creamy dressing for a hearty side dish. It’s a quick, no-cook option that’s easy to prepare. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a standout addition to any meal. Ideal for adding something a bit more substantial to your table. A unique, veggie-forward dish that’s sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese
These air fryer smashed potatoes are crispy outside and fluffy inside, topped with melted cheese for extra flavor. They’re quick to make and add a fun twist to traditional potatoes. With minimal prep, this side is perfect for busy days when you want something different. Great for adding a satisfying potato dish that’s easy to handle. A flavorful, crispy addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese
Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Taco-stuffed sweet potatoes offer a plant-based option with bold flavor, making them a filling side or main. The seasoned filling contrasts with the natural sweetness of the potatoes, creating a well-rounded dish. This is an easy-to-make option that brings something new to the table. Perfect for those looking to add variety without much effort. A colorful and balanced choice for your meal lineup.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
This sweet potato casserole is warm, soft, and has a light sweetness that pairs well with savory dishes. It’s a quick and easy bake, making it a convenient option for gatherings. Topped with pecans, this casserole brings a bit of crunch to each bite. Great for adding something cozy and comforting to the table. A classic side that’s both simple and memorable.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Crock Pot mac and cheese is creamy and comforting, slow-cooked to perfection for hands-off preparation. It’s an easy option that serves well at gatherings or family meals. With tender pasta and melted cheese, this dish is a reliable crowd-pleaser. Great for adding a warm, cheesy side that’s hassle-free. A timeless favorite that’s always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Aloo Gobi Masala
Aloo Gobi Masala combines potatoes and cauliflower in a spiced sauce, making it a flavorful, veggie-based side. This dish cooks up soft and aromatic, pairing well with a range of main courses. It’s a simple, one-pan option that’s great for trying something new. Ideal for adding a global-inspired side to your meal. A warm, comforting choice that’s a bit different from the usual options.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala
Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Roasted cabbage steaks are a hearty and flavorful side with a tender yet crisp texture. This is a quick, oven-baked dish that pairs well with any main. With minimal ingredients, it’s an easy option to switch up your usual side rotation. Great for adding a unique veggie to the table with little effort. A satisfying option that adds variety to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Green beans with garlic butter are a simple yet flavorful side that pairs well with almost any main course. Cooked until tender and coated in garlic butter, they’re a quick option that doesn’t require much work. The garlic butter enhances the green beans without overwhelming them. Great for adding a bit of extra flavor to a classic veggie. A straightforward, tasty side for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a colorful, vegetable-packed side that brings warmth and flavor to the table. With tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant, it’s a great choice for anyone looking to add variety to their meal. This oven-baked dish is easy to prepare and serves well with a range of main courses. Perfect for adding a rustic, veggie-forward option to your table. A beautiful, hearty dish that’s not your typical side.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille
Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing
This berry salad with blueberry dressing is light and refreshing, with mixed berries tossed in a fruity dressing. It’s an easy side that brings a burst of color and sweetness to any meal. Ideal for pairing with savory dishes, it balances the flavors on your plate. Great for adding something bright and different to your sides lineup. A unique, vibrant option perfect for any season.
Get the Recipe: Berry Salad with Blueberry Dressing
Crab Fried Rice
Crab fried rice combines tender rice with succulent crab and veggies, making it a flavorful side dish. It’s a quick stir-fry that pairs well with seafood and meat dishes alike. This dish adds a bit of variety to your meal without much effort. Perfect for anyone looking to try something new. A tasty, hearty side option.
Get the Recipe: Crab Fried Rice
Seafood Pasta Salad
Seafood pasta salad is a cool, refreshing side that blends pasta, seafood, and a light dressing. This chilled dish is easy to prepare and perfect for warmer days. It’s a great way to add seafood to your meal without extra cooking. Ideal for rounding out your spread with a fresh, unique side. A versatile option that goes well with many mains.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad
Vegan Mexican Rice
Vegan Mexican rice is a spiced, flavorful side that pairs well with a range of dishes. It’s an easy, stovetop option that adds color and flavor to your plate. This rice dish is perfect for adding variety to any meal, with a mildly spiced flavor. Great for balancing out heavier main courses. A simple, satisfying side with a bit of flair.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice