17 Side Dishes That Bring Excitement Back to the Table

These amazing side dishes are so good they might just become the star of your meal. They are full of bright colors and delicious tastes that are simple to make. Your family and friends will definitely be asking for more after they try them. You can find everything from fresh vegetables to tasty rice recipes in this list. There is a perfect side here to go along with whatever you are cooking for dinner tonight.

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Table of Contents

1 Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad
2 Oven-Baked Mexican Potatoes
3 Baked Stuffed Tomatoes
4 Papas a la Mexicana (Mexican-style potatoes)
5 Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus
6 Ejotes a la Mexicana (Mexican Green Beans)
7 Broccoli Salad with Almonds
8 Mexican Pickled Carrots
9 Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
10 Mexican Mashed Potatoes
11 Arroz Mexicano (Mexican red rice)
12 Loaded Ranch Potato Salad
13 Mexican Brussels Sprouts
14 Elotes Mexicanos (Mexican Street Corn)
15 Roasted Asparagus with Feta
16 Nopales Asados (Grilled Cactus)
17 Roasted Asparagus Recipe
18

Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad

A colorful salad with fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, pecans, and red onions in a decorative bowl. Wooden salad servers are placed inside the bowl. — Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad. Photo credit: Food meanderings.

This salad combines fresh spinach with sweet strawberries and crunchy pecans. A light dressing makes the Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad a refreshing and tasty side for any meal.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad

Oven-Baked Mexican Potatoes

Close-up of a plate of crispy oven baked potatoes seasoned with herbs and spices. The potatoes are golden brown around the edges and appear tender on the inside. A silver fork is placed on the plate beside the potatoes. — Mexican-Roasted Potatoes. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These Oven-Baked Mexican Potatoes get nice and crispy with a spicy seasoning. They are a simple and flavorful side dish that goes with many main courses.
Get the recipe: Oven-Baked Mexican Potatoes

Baked Stuffed Tomatoes

Close-up of stuffed tomatoes filled with rice, herbs, and browned toppings, arranged on a plate with a spoon. The tomatoes are garnished with fresh green basil leaves. — Baked Stuffed Tomatoes. Photo credit: Craving something healthy.

These Baked Stuffed Tomatoes are filled with a savory mixture of rice and herbs. They make a beautiful and delicious side dish for a special dinner.
Get the recipe: Baked Stuffed Tomatoes

Papas a la Mexicana (Mexican-style potatoes)

Two Papas a la Mexicana tacos served on a green plate and surrounded with bowls of potential toppings. — Papas a la Mexicana. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These Papas a la Mexicana are potatoes cooked with onions, tomatoes, and peppers. They are a hearty and flavorful side dish that is very satisfying.
Get Recipe: Papas a la Mexicana

Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus

A plate of grilled asparagus spears served over a bed of rice mixed with green peas. The asparagus is lightly charred, giving it a fresh and appetizing appearance. — Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus. Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

This Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus is a simple and delicious way to cook the vegetable. It needs just a few basic ingredients to become a tasty side.
Get the recipe: Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus

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 Credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These Ejotes a la Mexicana are green beans cooked with tomatoes and onions. They are a fast and flavorful side dish that is full of fresh taste.
Get Recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

Broccoli Salad with Almonds

A vibrant salad in a white bowl featuring broccoli, red onion slices, diced red bell peppers, shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon bits, and almond slivers. The colorful ingredients create a fresh and appetizing appearance. — Broccoli Salad with Almonds. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

This Broccoli Salad with Almonds is a fresh and crunchy side with a tangy dressing. The toasted almonds add a nice nutty flavor and great texture.
Get the recipe: Broccoli Salad with Almonds

Mexican Pickled Carrots

These Mexican Pickled Carrots are a tangy and slightly spicy condiment you can make at home. They add a bright and crunchy pop of flavor to your plate.
Get the recipe: Mexican Pickled Carrots

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Crispy bacon is wrapped around tender asparagus spears for this simple dish. These Bacon Wrapped Asparagus bundles are a salty and savory treat that bakes in the oven.
Get the recipe: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

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

These Mexican Mashed Potatoes are a creamy and comforting side with a little bit of a spicy kick. They are a fun and flavorful twist on regular mashed potatoes.
Get the recipe: Mexican Mashed Potatoes

Arroz Mexicano (Mexican red rice)

Arroz Mexican served in a clay bowl and topped with a cilantro leaf. — Arroz Mexicano. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This Arroz Mexicano is a flavorful red rice made with tomatoes and spices. It is a classic and colorful side that goes with so many different meals.
Get the recipe: Arroz Mexicano

Loaded Ranch Potato Salad

A blue bowl filled with creamy potato salad, garnished with chopped green onions and bacon bits. The salad is placed on a rustic white wooden surface with a light-colored cloth next to it. — Loaded Ranch Potato Salad. Photo credit: Budget delicious.

This Loaded Ranch Potato Salad is packed with flavor from bacon, cheese, and a creamy dressing. It is a hearty and satisfying side that is always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the recipe: Loaded Ranch Potato Salad

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

A blend of Mexican spices gives these Brussels sprouts a delicious and savory flavor. These Mexican Brussels Sprouts roast until they are tender inside and crispy outside.
Get Recipe: Mexican Brussels Sprouts

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

Creamy, tangy, and spicy sauce covers sweet corn for these Elotes Mexicanos. This street food is a messy but incredibly delicious side for grilling season.
Get the recipe: Elotes Mexicanos

Roasted Asparagus with Feta

A ceramic oval plate with roasted asparagus topped with crumbled feta cheese and herbs. A lemon half is beside the plate on a light gray surface. — Roasted Asparagus with Feta. Photo credit: Souvlaki for the soul.

Salty feta cheese crumbles over tender roasted asparagus in this simple recipe. This Roasted Asparagus with Feta is an easy but very tasty vegetable side dish.
Get the recipe: Roasted Asparagus with Feta

Nopales Asados (Grilled Cactus)

Grilled cactus paddles on a decorative brown ceramic plate with small white and green dotted patterns, placed on a light wooden surface. — Nopales Asados. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

These Nopales Asados have a unique, slightly tangy flavor and a soft texture. Grilling the cactus paddles gives them a wonderful smoky taste that is really good.
Get the recipe: Nopales Asados

Roasted Asparagus Recipe

Grilled asparagus spears topped with slices of roasted lemon, placed on a metal baking sheet. The lemons are golden brown, adding a vibrant touch to the green asparagus. — Roasted Asparagus Recipe. Photo credit: Homemade food junkie.

This simple Roasted Asparagus Recipe brings out the best natural flavor of the vegetable. It is a quick, healthy, and very easy side to prepare.
Get the recipe: Roasted Asparagus Recipe