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Home » Trending

19 Side Dish Recipes That Make Every Plate Feel Complete

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

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A great side dish has the power to turn any meal into something memorable, and these 19 recipes prove it. From crisp vegetables and creamy classics to vibrant grains and comforting favorites, each dish brings flavor, texture, and balance to the table. These sides are built to support your main course but bold enough to shine on their own. If you want meals that feel more satisfying, more colorful, and a lot more delicious, this collection gives you everything you need to round out your menu with style.

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

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash on a white plate with parsley, salt, and pepper.
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash is a delicious side dish and easy low carb recipe. It's a good low carb alternative to pasta and great for those following a keto or paleo diet! BONUS it's super easy to make and done in less than 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower in a white bowl with butter, salt, pepper, and parsley.
Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

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

Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe in a white bowl with a spoon.
Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

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

Blackstone Corn on the Cob

Close-up of grilled corn on the cob topped with melted butter, chopped parsley, and seasoning—an ideal addition to everything on your plate.
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

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

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

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

Broccoli Casserole

A casserole dish filled with broccoli and crumb topping.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Broccoli Casserole is a tasty family dinner ready in just 50 minutes. Steam broccoli, mix with other ingredients, top with shredded cheese and crushed crackers, then bake. It's easy and perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a quick meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Mexican Street Corn Salad

A bowl of Mexican street corn salad featuring corn kernels, diced red bell peppers, green onions, cilantro, cotija cheese, and sliced jalapeños, garnished with lime wedges on the side—one of the 13 sizzling Fourth of July recipes you'll love.
Creamy Mexican Street Corn Salad. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

When you’re tired of the same old thing, a bowl of Creamy Mexican Street Corn Salad will spice up your menu! This fun summer side dish is loaded with freshly grilled corn, chunks of ripe avocado, juicy tomatoes, and all the street corn toppings you want!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mexican Street Corn Salad

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

A wooden spoon serving some twice baked potato casserole.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Twice Baked Potato Casserole is pure comfort food with bacon, potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. No need to fuss with stuffing potato skins—just simple, make-ahead cooking!
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Easy Baked Skillet Mac and Cheese

Close-up of a spoon lifting a portion of cheesy baked macaroni and cheese with a breadcrumb topping from a casserole dish, garnished with chopped herbs.
Easy Baked Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Skillet Mac and Cheese baked in the oven is the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect in any dinner situation! Whether you’re serving up a dozen people at a holiday potluck or four at a summer cookout, this easy side dish is always a crowd pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Skillet Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos

A close-up view of a dish of macaroni and cheese garnished with chopped herbs, presented in a rectangular white baking dish, joins the ranks of our 21 roasted dishes.
Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Fresh jalapenos heat up this Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos – but delicious, creamy layers of cheese cool it all down, making this side dish perfect for all ages & palates! 
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos

Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

Two crispy air fryer hasselback potatoes with chives, garlic and butter on a white plate.
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Golden brown with crispy buttery edges, these hasselback potatoes made in the air fryer are the ultimate side dish. Seasoned simply with garlic, salt, pepper and fresh chives, they pair perfectly with almost any meal and couldn’t be easier to make!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

Air Fryer Okra Fries

Spiced air fryer okra fries served with a yogurt dip on a plate with fresh parsley.
Air Fryer Okra Fries. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

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 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

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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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