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17 Easy Side Dishes That Go With Everything

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A great side dish can make any meal feel complete. This list is full of simple recipes to go with whatever you’re cooking. These sides are easy to make and add a lot of flavor to your dinner plate. They are perfect for a regular weeknight or for when you have company over and want something special.

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Elotes Mexicanos (Mexican Street Corn)

Elote Mexicano (or Mexican Street Corn) on a white plate topped with chile powder, cheese, and cilantro.
Elotes Mexicanos (Mexican Street Corn). Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

If you want a quick and flavorful snack, try Elotes Mexicanos. This street corn recipe is easy to make and totally delicious.
Get the recipe: Elotes Mexicanos

Potato Leek Gratin

A baked casserole with a golden cheesy crust sits in an oval dish on a patterned cloth. Sprigs of fresh thyme garnish the top, and a wooden spoon is placed nearby.
Potato Leek Gratin. Photo credit: Noshing With the Nolands.

Potato Leek Gratin is the ultimate cozy side dish with layers of tender potatoes and leeks. It all bakes under a golden, cheesy crust.
Get the recipe: Potato Leek Gratin

Ejotes a la Mexicana (Mexican Green Beans)

A bowl of Ejotes a la Mexicana served in a bowl next to fresh cilantro.
Ejotes a la Mexicana. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Ejotes a la Mexicana is an easy and healthy side packed with flavor. It takes just minutes to prepare for a really tasty addition to your plate.
Get the recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes sitting on a white plate.
Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Try Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes for a tasty and crispy side dish. These potatoes are sure to be a hit at your next dinner or gathering.
Get the recipe: Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with butter and garnished with chopped herbs. A spoon and fork are placed nearby, along with a small white plate.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. Photo by Chew Out Loud

These Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are fluffy, creamy, and full of flavor. You only need five ingredients to make this easy side dish in no time.
Get Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Mexican Mashed Potatoes

A white bowl filled with creamy mashed potatoes, garnished with small pieces of green herbs, placed on a matching white plate. A spoon rests inside the bowl. In the blurred background, there are broccoli florets and a white cloth napkin.
Mexican Mashed Potatoes. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Make your family dinners even better with these Mexican Mashed Potatoes. They’re rich, creamy, and packed with just enough spice to please everyone.
Get the recipe: Mexican Mashed Potatoes

Arroz Blanco (Mexican White Rice)

Arroz blanco served on a decorative blue plate.
Arroz Blanco. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Arroz Blanco is an easy-to-make vegetarian Mexican white rice. This fluffy and flavorful side dish is perfect with almost any meal you can think of.
Get Recipe: Arroz Blanco

Roasted Asparagus with Mornay Sauce and Breadcrumbs

A dish of roasted asparagus topped with creamy sauce and crispy breadcrumbs on an oval plate. A small bowl of sauce and a spoon rest nearby on a light-colored surface.
Roasted Asparagus with Mornay Sauce and Breadcrumbs. Photo credit: Vikalinka.

Roasted Asparagus with Mornay Sauce takes your meal up a level with a rich, creamy sauce. A crispy breadcrumb topping adds the perfect finish.
Get the recipe: Roasted Asparagus with Mornay Sauce and Breadcrumbs

Mexican Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts on a foil-lined baking sheet. The sprouts are halved and seasoned, displaying a golden-brown roasted appearance. The background features a rustic wooden surface.
Mexican Brussels Sprouts. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Mexican Brussels Sprouts are a perfect side dish with a crispy outside and a tender inside. Everyone will love this tasty way to eat your veggies.
Get Recipe: Mexican Brussels Sprouts

Champiñones a la Mexicana (Mexican Mushrooms)

Mexican-style mushrooms served on a round plate.
Champiñones a la Mexicana. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Enjoy Champiñones a la Mexicana, a delicious and authentic Mexican side dish. These savory mushrooms are cooked with traditional flavors.
Get the recipe: Champiñones a la Mexicana

Mexican Pickled Onions

Pickled red onions in a jar next to a jalapeno peppers and tortillas.
Mexican Pickled Onions. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Mexican Pickled Onions are a tangy and tasty topping that’s super easy to make. They add a lot of classic Mexican flavor to your tacos or bowls.
Get the recipe: Mexican Pickled Onions

Greek Potato Salad

A bowl of sliced potato salad topped with crumbled feta, black olives, red onion slices, capers, and fresh dill, drizzled with olive oil. The salad is presented in a white bowl on a light surface next to a gray cloth.
Greek Potato Salad. Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

Greek Potato Salad is a fresh twist on the classic, made with olive oil and lemon. It’s a lighter, flavorful side that’s perfect for any meal.
Get the recipe: Greek Potato Salad

Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus Recipe

A white rectangular plate with phyllo-wrapped asparagus spears. The spears are golden brown and crispy. A small metal cup with pink dipping sauce is placed beside the plate. The background includes a green textured surface.
Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus Recipe. Photo credit: Dinner Mom.

Phyllo-Wrapped Asparagus makes a stunning side dish or appetizer with its crispy, golden layers. It’s a simple way to impress any crowd.
Get the recipe: Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus Recipe

Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers

A bowl of green pasta with spinach leaves, topped with vibrant red, yellow, and orange edible flowers and shaved cheese.
Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers. Photo credit: The Pasta Project.

Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers is a delicious, healthy, and stunning dish. It adds a very special touch to your table for any occasion.
Get the recipe: Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers

Parmesan Green Beans

A dish of cooked green beans garnished with crumbled bacon and grated cheese, arranged on a white plate.
Parmesan Green Beans. Photo credit: A Cowboy’s Life.

Parmesan Green Beans are crispy, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make. They bring a little extra flavor to your dinner plate with very little effort.
Get the recipe: Parmesan Green Beans

Asian Stir Fried Asparagus

A white bowl filled with cooked asparagus spears, showcasing a glossy green color and slight char marks. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the asparagus.
Asian Stir Fried Asparagus. Photo credit: That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

Asian Stir-Fried Asparagus is a simple yet flavorful way to change up your veggies. It uses just a few basic ingredients for a great side.
Get the recipe: Asian Stir Fried Asparagus

Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw Recipe

A close-up of a bowl of coleslaw featuring shredded green and purple cabbage, carrots, and a creamy dressing. A fork is placed in the coleslaw, ready to take a bite. Small black pepper specks are sprinkled on top.
Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw Recipe. Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw is a crunchy and refreshing mix of apples and cabbage. It’s ready in just ten minutes for a quick, tasty side.
Get the recipe: Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw Recipe

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