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Home » Trending

19 Side Dish Recipes So Good, They’ll Cause Dinner Table Drama

Published: Oct 29, 2025 by Janelle This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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Warning: serving these 19 side dish recipes may lead to polite arguments over the last scoop. They’re that good. Whether it’s a perfectly crisp potato, a casserole that’s borderline legendary, or a salad that actually gets eaten first, these sides are the life of the dinner party. Just don’t be surprised if your guests conveniently “forget” about the main dish.

Asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle

Blackstone Asparagus on white plate.
Asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Making asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle is insanely easy to do! Crunchy delicious grilled asparagus is a healthy side dish. Minimal ingredients of garlic, salt, pepper and oil, this dish is done in no time at all!
Get the Recipe: Asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle

Air Fryer Radishes

Air Fryer Radishes with parsley, salt, and pepper in a white bowl with a spoon.
Air Fryer Radishes. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

These Air Fryer Radishes are incredibly easy to make and require only a few ingredients. They're a great low carb and low calorie side dish. They also spruce up your plate with color!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Radishes

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Peppers and Onions. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions are so sweet and flavorful! They are incredibly easy to make and done in about 10 minutes! Cooking peppers and onions in the Air Fryer is so easy!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

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

How to Rice Cauliflower

Cauli rice in a golden bowl with cauliflower head on the side.
How to Rice Cauliflower. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Learn How To Rice Cauliflower in Under a Minute using a food processor or a blender as the best tip one can give you. Making cauliflower rice that looks identical to regular rice will help you cook cauliflower recipes more often than you used to.
Get the Recipe: How to Rice Cauliflower

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Coconut Cauliflower Rice inside golden plate with lime slices.
Coconut Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Try this delicious Coconut Cauliflower Rice recipe, perfect for those following a keto, low carb, paleo, or whole30 diet. This flavorful and healthy side dish recipe will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation using our cauliflower rice recipe, coconut milk, toasted coconuts, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Creamy Cauliflower Rice Cheese Mash

A bowl filled with cauliflower mash garnished with fresh parsley.
Creamy Cauliflower Rice Cheese Mash. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

This cauliflower rice recipe is straightforward, simple yet delicious, and most importantly, the portions are enough to serve a person or two. Cheesy cauliflower rice is low-carb, which gives the same satisfaction and taste as classic cheesy meals. With only a few ingredients, you can already have the best side dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cauliflower Rice Cheese Mash

Almond Flour Dumplings

A plate of cooked dumpling balls garnished with chopped parsley.
Almond Flour Dumplings. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

These almond flour dumplings are the perfect way to curb your cravings in under 20 minutes. Gluten free and full of flavor, you can boil, fry, or even use those keto dumplings in a comforting soup. A quick and healthy option for small servings that’s sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Dumplings

How To Make Mashed Cauliflower

A bowl of mashed cauliflower and parsley leaves on the side.
How To Make Mashed Cauliflower. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

If you like mashed potatoes, this easy mashed cauliflower recipe is for you. Use it to change the side dishes you make at home. Simple yet flavorful, creamy mashed cauliflower is just as good as the classic potato mash.
Get the Recipe: How To Make Mashed Cauliflower

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes in a white ramekin topped with sour cream and green onions.
Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes at home in just minutes with this tasty Taco Bell copycat recipe! Enjoy crispy, spicy potatoes covered with nacho cheese sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes

Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Air fried red potatoes in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Red Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer red potatoes are almost effortless to make, healthy, delicious, and the perfect side dish for your next meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Red Potatoes

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

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 Purple Sweet Potatoes

Smashed roasted purple sweet potatoes on parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Roasted Purple Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This purple sweet potato recipe uses Stokes sweet potatoes that are smashed, drizzled with melted butter and herbs then roasted until super crispy. The perfect potato side dish with a stunning appearance!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Purple Sweet Potatoes

Utica Greens

Cast iron skillet with Utica greens and wooden handle serving spoon.
Utica Greens. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Hailing from upstate New York, Utica greens are a mouthwatering side dish starring escarole, prosciutto, pickled hot cherry peppers and finished with a cheesy breadcrumb topping. This side dish pairs wonderfully with everything from pizza to pasta and meat.
Get the Recipe: Utica Greens

Candied Maple Brussels-gf/v

glass bowl with roasted brussels sprouts and more sprouts on a baking tray behind it.
Candied Maple Brussels-gf/v. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Candied Brussels sprouts need only 5 ingredients! These maple roasted Brussels are made without bacon, crispy and an easy win with kids.
Get the Recipe: Candied Maple Brussels-gf/v

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

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Hi, I’m Lara, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer with a passion for food and travel.

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