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Home » Trending

21 Side Dish Recipes That Will Elevate Every Meal

Published: Sep 28, 2025 by Janelle This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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The secret to a well-balanced and unforgettable meal often lies in the side dishes, and this collection of 21 recipes is proof. From crisp, refreshing salads to rich, comforting classics, each recipe is designed to complement your main course while adding its own burst of flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a casual weeknight dinner or hosting a festive gathering, these sides will take your table from simple to spectacular.

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

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

Instant Pot Cauliflower

Instant Pot Cauliflower in a white bowl with a fork.
Instant Pot Cauliflower. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Instant Pot Cauliflower couldn't be easier to make! Just 1 minute under pressure gives you perfectly steamed cauliflower! Simply seasoned, this recipe is great for keto, paleo and gluten-free diets.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cauliflower

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

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

Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus (Keto & Gluten Free)

Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus (Keto & Gluten Free) on a white plate with parmesan cheese.
Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus (Keto & Gluten Free). Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Making asparagus in the air fryer is incredibly quick and easy! In just 7 minutes you will have a crispy asparagus ready to enjoy! You can also add some grated parmesan cheese to give it tons of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus (Keto & Gluten Free)

Scrumptious Blistered Tomatoes

Scrumptious Blistered Tomatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This delicious recipe for blistered tomatoes is a must-try for those seeking to add a special gourmet touch to any meal! Blistering cherry tomatoes in garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs makes them extremely juicy and flavorful. Definitely a go-to excellent appetizer or side dish anytime.
Get the Recipe: Scrumptious Blistered Tomatoes

Longhorn Steakhouse Broccoli Recipe

Broccoli with a cheese sauce served in a bowl.
Longhorn Steakhouse Broccoli Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Recreate the popular Longhorn Steakhouse broccoli dish at home with this easy recipe. It’s a tasty side dish for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Longhorn Steakhouse Broccoli Recipe

Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Buttery whole roasted cauliflower on a baking sheet.
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower is a delicious holiday side dish that features cauliflower that is perfectly tender on the inside and crisp on the outside. It requires minimal ingredients and comes together in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Baked Sliced Zucchini

Baked sliced zucchini with parmesan on a white plate.
Baked Sliced Zucchini. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe for Baked Sliced Zucchini features how this versatile vegetable can be roasted in the oven. This is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini

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 Asparagus

A plate of cooked asparagus spears garnished with sea salt and a lemon wedge.
Air Fryer Asparagus. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Asparagus is a finicky vegetable, in my opinion. Overcook it and you’ve got a limp, tasteless spear. Under cook it and it is bitter. But when you put it in the air fryer and season it just so? Chef’s kiss perfect. It might just change your mind about eating asparagus as it did mine.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Four ears of corn in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

When it comes to cooking corn on the cob, I never considered making it in the air fryer. On the grill? Sure. In the microwave? You bet. Stovetop? Of course. But now that I’ve tried this method, I may never cook corn another way.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer (Easy and Sweet!)

Sweet Japanese sweet potatoes roasted in the air fryer.
Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer (Easy and Sweet!). Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Air fryer Japanese sweet potato! With minimal ingredients and minimal effort, this recipe is perfect for anyone craving a flavorful side dish.
Get the Recipe: Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer (Easy and Sweet!)

Chinese Long Beans Recipe (Stir Fried With Garlic)

A plate of stir-fried green beans garnished with sesame seeds and minced garlic.
Chinese Long Beans Recipe (Stir Fried With Garlic). Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

This Chinese long beans recipe is a must-try if you love Chinese food. It offers a crunchy texture and is loaded with flavors.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Long Beans Recipe (Stir Fried With Garlic)

Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes

A white dish with scalloped potatoes and parsley.
Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes . Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cheesy, creamy, and absolutely irresistible, our Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes will steal the spotlight at holiday dinners and weekend feasts.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Souffle

Sweet potato casserole in a blue dish.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Souffle. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

The taste of air fryer sweet potato soufflé is nothing short of heavenly. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and creamy, with a hint of warm spices and a satisfying crunch from the pecan topping.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Souffle

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

A plate with breaded chicken cutlet, roasted green beans with seasoning, and lemon wedges.
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Turn a simple bag of frozen green beans into a delicious, vibrant side dish with this frozen roasted green beans recipe! Frozen green beans are tossed in a tasty seasoning mix, roasted to perfection in the oven, then finished off with a sprinkle of parmesan. You get perfectly crisp, cheesy, and garlicky green beans - the perfect addition to your veggie side dish rotation!
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Cheesecake Salad

A cheesecake salad with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries in a large bowl.
Cheesecake Salad. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Juicy fruit and rich cheesecake filling come together in this fun red, white, and blue cheesecake salad. Quick to make and always the first thing gone at at picnics!
Get the Recipe: Cheesecake Salad

Zesty Butter Beans

Zesty Butter Beans. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Zesty, creamy, and delicious butter beans can be enjoyed as is stew-style or served over rice or quinoa for a filling meal. Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Butter Beans

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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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