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Home » Trending

20 Side Dishes That Slay Harder Than the Entrée

Published: Jul 27, 2025 by Janelle This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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Great side dishes don’t just play backup—they steal the spotlight. These 20 sides are so bold, flavorful, and downright irresistible, they just might outshine the main course. From crispy, golden veggies to creamy, cheesy bakes, each one brings serious flavor to the table and turns any meal into a full-on feast.

Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage

Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage on white plate.
Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage turn out perfectly juicy and delicious. No mess like you have with cooking breakfast sausage on the stove top!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Air fryer Brussel Sprouts in a white bowl with a spoon.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

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 with parsley, salt, and pepper.
Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

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

Blackstone Green Beans

Blackstone Green Beans with pepper and salt in a white bowl with a spoon.
Blackstone Green Beans. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Making green beans on the Blackstone Griddle is incredibly easy to do! These green beans have just 5 ingredients and are made in just 10 minutes! Not only do they taste delicious, but they're a great low carb side dish!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Green Beans

Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Blackstone Brussel Spouts with bacon in a white bowl with a fork.
Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Make delicious Brussel sprouts with bacon on your Blackstone Griddle. This is a delicious side dish that the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle

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

Make perfectly cooked zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle. Quick and easy, these make for a healthy side dish! These Blackstone zucchini are low in carbs and great for a keto or paleo diet!
Get the Recipe: Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle

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

Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower (Keto & Gluten Free)

Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower in a white bowl with a spoon, parsley, butter, salt, and black pepper.
Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower (Keto & Gluten Free). Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower is a great low carb alternative to potatoes! These Cauliflower mashed potatoes are deliciously buttery! Also, this mashed cauliflower recipe is low in carbs and is a healthy side dish!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower (Keto & Gluten Free)

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus on foil with parmesan, salt, and pepper.
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

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

How to Boil Farm Fresh Eggs So They Peel Easily

Boiled Farm Fresh Eggs on a white plate with salt and black pepper.
How to Boil Farm Fresh Eggs So They Peel Easily. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

The information in this post will change your life.....well, it did for me and a few of my friends. Keep reading to learn how to boil farm fresh eggs so they peel easily.
Get the Recipe: How to Boil Farm Fresh Eggs So They Peel Easily

Stir Fry Taiwanese Spinach with Garlic

Healthy and flavorful stir-fried Taiwanese spinach with garlic on a brown plate.
Stir Fry Taiwanese Spinach with Garlic. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Simple, easy Taiwanese Spinach stir fry is a classic Chinese vegetable dish.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fry Taiwanese Spinach with Garlic

Cheesy Rice

A bowl of cheesy grits on a table, with a striped napkin beside it and chopped cheese in the background.
Cheesy Rice. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Whip up this tasty cheesy rice in minutes. It's perfect as a quick side dish. Use any kind of cheese and seasonings to make it your own.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Rice

Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes

Loaded baked potatoes topped with melted cheese, green onions, and crispy fried onions, served on a wooden surface with a small bowl of more crispy onions in the background.
Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Looking for a new side dish idea? These air fryer twice baked French onion baked potatoes are sweet, creamy, savory, and oh so delicious.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tater Tots

A plate full of sweet potato tater tots with dip.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tater Tots. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These air fryer sweet potato tater tots are great as either an appetizer or a side dish. You can even make them as a snack. They're so good.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tater Tots

Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole

A round dish of sweet potato casserole topped with pecans and herbs, set on a green cloth with serving utensils nearby.
Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This gorgeous maple garlic sweet potato casserole is simple to prepare and offers a blend of incredible flavors and textures in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole

Homemade Chinese Zucchini Pancakes Recipe (糊塌子)

Crispy Chinese zucchini pancakes on a plate.
Homemade Chinese Zucchini Pancakes Recipe (糊塌子). Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Chinese zucchini pancakes are bursting with the flavors of different vegetables. They are a great way to enjoy a vegetable-packed meal.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chinese Zucchini Pancakes Recipe (糊塌子)

Sichuan Stir-Fried Chinese Shredded Potato (酸辣土豆丝)

Stir-fried shredded potatoes with green onions and dried red chilies on a green plate, accompanied by black chopsticks.
Sichuan Stir-Fried Chinese Shredded Potato (酸辣土豆丝). Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Chinese shredded potato is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that brings the flavors of Sichuan cuisine to your table.
Get the Recipe: Sichuan Stir-Fried Chinese Shredded Potato (酸辣土豆丝)

Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry: Quick and Healthy

A plate of stir-fried broccoli and mushrooms garnished with sesame seeds.
Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry: Quick and Healthy. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

This simple yet delicious recipe combines tender broccoli, meaty mushrooms, and a savory sauce that will feel satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry: Quick and Healthy

Authentic Hunan Tofu Recipe (Stir-fry In Hunan-style)

Spicy and savory Hunan-style tofu stir-fry on a plate with a pair of silver chopsticks.
Authentic Hunan Tofu Recipe (Stir-fry In Hunan-style). Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Hunan tofu is characterized by its bold and spicy flavor profile, with the tofu serving as a mild base to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Hunan Tofu Recipe (Stir-fry In Hunan-style)

Oven Roasted Purple Yam Recipe: An Easy Side Dish

Sweet and creamy oven-roasted purple yams on a white plate with green onions.
Oven Roasted Purple Yam Recipe: An Easy Side Dish. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

This roasted purple yam recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to add a unique twist to their meals. They are the perfect side dish or snack!
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Purple Yam Recipe: An Easy Side Dish

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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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