17 Side Dishes That Quietly Plot to Take Over the Plate

Don’t let the “side” label fool you—these 17 dishes are loaded with flavor and fully ready to take center stage. From golden-roasted veggies to creamy, cheesy comfort food, they’re bold, satisfying, and just a little bit sneaky. Serve them once, and your main dish won’t know what hit it.

Blackstone Corn on the Cob

4 corn on the cob topped with butter and parlesy that were cooked on the Blackstone griddle. — Blackstone Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Blackstone Corn on the Cob is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish. Cook sweet and juicy corn on your Blackstone griddle in no time. Perfect for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Corn on the Cob

Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

This Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower is incredibly delicious! It is a great low-carb substitute for mashed potatoes. You'll love the smooth texture and the buttery garlic flavors of this cheesy cauliflower mash.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe

Making broccoli on the Blackstone Griddle is incredibly easy to do! Have deliciously tender broccoli ready in no time at all. Broccoli is a great keto Blackstone recipe that pairs easily with many proteins.
Get the Recipe: Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Enjoy crispy and delicious brussel sprouts in only 10 minutes with this air fryer recipe! Needing only six ingredients, this side dish is sure to grace your weeknight menu over and over again. These brussel sprouts are nutrient-rich, high in fiber, and are gluten-free!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Roasted potatoes and green beans make for a delicious and easy side dish! Complex carbs and a starch, all you need to do is add your favorite protein! These roasted vegetables are vegan and gluten-free!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon in a white bowl with red pepper flakes, a spoon, and a fork. — Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Sautéed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is a quick and easy side dish that's full of flavor! With only 5 ingredients and a cast iron skillet, clean up and prep is a breeze!
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

Quick and easy roasted garlic parmesan asparagus. Simply seasoned with avocado oil, sea salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

Air Fryer Acorn Squash

Acorn squash after air frying with some of the insides scooped up on a fork. — Air Fryer Acorn Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer acorn squash is delicious & simple to prepare. Perfect fall side dish for anyone looking for simple, low effort dish. Ready in about 25 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Acorn Squash

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Plate of butternut squash in front of an air fryer with a blue napkin in the background. — Air Fryer Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer butternut squash is a savory & healthy side dish! Cubes of squash are tossed with spices & roasted in the air fryer. Ready in 20 min.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Small baking dish with scalloped potatoes. — Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This recipe for easy scalloped potatoes is perfect for a cozy dinner for two. It's a simple and delicious side dish that is always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with pine nuts on a plate. — Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Upgrade your veggie game with this easy garlic butter green bean recipe. Perfectly seasoned and full of flavor, it's a side dish you won't be able to resist.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Air Fryer Okra Fries

Air fryer okra is the BEST way to enjoy this often overlooked vegetable. The air fryer turns what many refer to as a “slimy” texture into crispy, crunchy okra fries. Seasoned simply but irresistibly, this recipe will have you falling in love with okra!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Okra Fries

Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant

Crispy cubed eggplant roasted in the air fryer on a plate with a serving spoon. — Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This simply seasoned air fryer eggplant comes out crispy and delicious. It’s an easy side dish everyone will absolutely love and goes with almost any main course.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant

Roasted maple root vegetables

Roasted carrots, beets and Brussels sprouts on a tinfoil lined pan topped with sesame seeds. — Roasted maple root vegetables. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Tossed in a maple ginger dressing and roasted to caramelized perfection, these paleo-roasted root vegetables are the perfect side dish!
Get the Recipe: Roasted maple root vegetables

Gluten-Free Sweet potato casserole

Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping in a glass baking dish with a spoon in the dish. — Gluten-Free Sweet potato casserole. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Creamy mashed sweet potatoes in a cinnamon maple flavor topped with a candied pecan crumble. This gluten-free sweet potato casserole is a scrumptious addition to any dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Sweet potato casserole

Sweet Potato Puffs

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

These delightful sweet potato puffs feature a crunchy Corn Flake coating that gives way to a creamy, sweet interior, offering a playful and unique take on a timeless favorite, all thanks to the addition of cereal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

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.

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon is a savory side dish with a buttery and lemony finish. They are the perfect side dish for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon