These 24 Side Dishes Will Revolutionize Your Dinners

A good side dish can really make your whole meal better, turning something simple into something special. This list has all kinds of options, from different kinds of potatoes to tasty vegetables and rice dishes. You will find the perfect thing to go with your main course, whether it is for breakfast, lunch, or a big dinner. These recipes are so flavorful that they might just become the star of your plate.

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Tadka Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with a drizzle of dark sauce, crispy garlic slices, and chopped green onions. The dish is served in a light-colored bowl on a textured surface. — Tadka Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Masala and Chai.

Creamy mashed potatoes are topped with a sizzling mix of spices and herbs cooked in hot oil, which gives this dish an amazing Indian flavor that makes these Tadka Mashed Potatoes really special and different.
Get the recipe: Tadka Mashed Potatoes

Arroz Mexicano (Mexican Rice)

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

White rice is cooked with tomato, onion, and garlic until it is fluffy and full of flavor, making this Arroz Mexicano a classic and always popular side dish for any Mexican-inspired meal you are making.
Get Recipe: Arroz Mexicano

Mexican Mac and Cheese

A close-up of a serving of baked macaroni and cheese being lifted from a rectangular baking dish with a spoon. The dish features a golden-brown breadcrumb topping and gooey, melted cheese. A plate with a portion of the macaroni is visible in the background. — Mexican Mac and Cheese. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This version of mac and cheese includes spicy peppers and other Mexican flavors mixed into the creamy cheese sauce, creating a dish that is both familiar and excitingly different for dinner.
Get Recipe: Mexican Mac and Cheese

Oven Roasted Carrots

A large bowl filled with grilled baby carrots garnished with chopped parsley. Two hands are holding the bowl, showcasing the vibrant orange carrots with charred marks and fresh green herb accents. — Oven Roasted Carrots. Photo credit: Two healthy kitchens.

Carrots are tossed with oil and herbs and then roasted in the oven until they become tender and sweet with slightly crispy edges, making them a simple but delicious vegetable side.
Get Recipe: Oven Roasted Carrots

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

Green beans are sautéed with tomatoes, onions, and spicy peppers in a traditional Mexican style, creating a side dish that is full of fresh and vibrant flavor for your plate.
Get the recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

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

Brussels sprouts are roasted with spicy seasonings until their edges become crispy and dark, making these Mexican Brussels Sprouts a flavorful and interesting vegetable option that goes great with many meals.
Get the recipe: Mexican Brussels Sprouts

Savory Chicken Rice

A white bowl filled with cooked rice garnished with chopped green herbs. A wooden spoon rests on the bowl's edge. The background is a light, textured surface. — Savory Chicken Rice. Photo credit: Flavorful Eats.

Rice is cooked in a rich chicken broth with herbs until it is incredibly flavorful and fluffy, making this Savory Chicken Rice a reliable and tasty side for almost any main dish.
Get Recipe: Savory Chicken Rice

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

Creamy mashed potatoes are mixed with cheese and spicy peppers for a fun and flavorful twist on the classic recipe that everyone will want to try at their next meal.
Get the recipe: Mexican Mashed Potatoes

Sautéed delicata squash with sage

A bowl of roasted squash slices garnished with crispy green herbs, served on a white plate with a fork resting on the edge. — Sautéed Delicata Squash with Sage. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Thin slices of delicata squash are cooked in butter with fresh sage until they are soft and slightly caramelized, making a simple and savory side dish that tastes great.
Get the recipe: Sautéed delicata squash with sage

Champiñones a la Mexicana (Mexican Mushrooms)

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

Mushrooms are cooked with tomatoes, onions, and spicy peppers for a warm and earthy side dish that adds a real Mexican flavor to your dinner table.
Get the recipe: Champiñones a la Mexicana

Frijoles de la Olla (Pinto Beans)

A metal ladle full of cooked pinto beans. — Frijoles de la Olla. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Pinto beans are simmered slowly with onion and garlic until they are incredibly tender and flavorful in their own broth, making a classic and comforting Mexican side.
Get Recipe: Frijoles de la Olla

Southern sweet potato casserole

A baked sweet potato casserole topped with a golden-brown pecan crumble sits in a white dish, next to a black and white checkered cloth and scattered pecans on a white surface. — Southern Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: The Toasty Kitchen.

A smooth and sweet potato filling is topped with a crunchy pecan streusel and then baked until it is bubbly, creating a classic Southern side that is almost like dessert.
Get the recipe: Southern sweet potato casserole

Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

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

Sweet potato cubes are tossed with spicy seasonings and oil and then roasted until they are tender and caramelized, making a sweet and spicy side dish that is really good.
Get the recipe: Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

Grilled Summer Veggie Pesto Pasta Salad

A bowl of fusilli pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, red onions, zucchini, pine nuts, and fresh basil, all lightly dressed and colorful. — Grilled Summer Veggie Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

Pasta is mixed with grilled vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers and then tossed with pesto sauce for a cold salad that is perfect for outdoor meals and parties.
Get Recipe: Grilled Summer Veggie Pesto Pasta Salad

Papas a la Mexicana (Mexican 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

Potatoes are diced and cooked with tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños until they are tender and full of flavor, making a hearty and traditional Mexican potato side dish.
Get Recipe: Papas a la Mexicana

White Wine Gravy with Herbs

Two slices of roasted turkey with brown gravy, served with seasoned baby potatoes, fresh lettuce, and slices of sweet potato on a white plate. — White Wine Gravy With Herbs. Photo credit: Mediterranean Latin Love Affair.

A smooth and rich gravy is made by simmering broth with white wine and fresh herbs, creating a delicious sauce that is perfect for pouring over meat or mashed potatoes.Get the recipe: White Wine Gravy with Herbs

Zucchini Lemon Jalapeño Muffins

Shredded zucchini is baked into a savory muffin with a little bit of lemon and spicy jalapeño, making a unique and tasty bread that is great with soup or chili.
Get Recipe: Zucchini Lemon Jalapeño Muffins

Cranberry Rice with Caramelized Onions

A close-up of a bowl filled with wild rice, chopped onions, dried cranberries, and orange zest, served in a white dish with a red floral pattern. — The BEST Cranberry Rice with Caramelized Onions. Photo credit: montana happy.

White rice is cooked with sweet caramelized onions and tart dried cranberries, creating a side dish that has a wonderful mix of sweet and savory flavors in every bite.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Rice with Caramelized Onions

Grilled Herb Potatoes

A picture of potatoes wrapped in a foil packet next to a package of Kingsford charcoal. — Grilled Herb Potatoes. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Potatoes are sliced and tossed with oil and herbs, then grilled until they are tender and have smoky grill marks, making a fantastic side dish for any cookout.
Get Recipe: Grilled Herb Potatoes

Herb & Garlic Breakfast Potatoes

A bowl of golden, roasted potato wedges garnished with fresh herbs, served next to a small dish of creamy white dipping sauce. — Herb & Garlic Breakfast Potatoes. Photo credit: Chocolates & Chai.

Potatoes are chopped and pan-fried with garlic and herbs until they are golden brown and crispy, making them the perfect addition to any breakfast or brunch plate.
Get Recipe: Herb & Garlic Breakfast Potatoes

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

Potato wedges are coated with Mexican spices and oil and then baked in the oven until they are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside for a easy side.
Get Recipe: Oven Baked Mexican Potatoes

Cornbread Dressing

A plate of cornbread stuffing with herbs sits on a white table next to a dish, a fork, and a napkin. The stuffing appears golden and crumbly, garnished with fresh thyme. — Cornbread Dressing. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

Crumbled cornbread is mixed with sausage, vegetables, and broth and then baked until it is moist and golden brown on top, making a classic holiday side dish.
Get the recipe: Cornbread Dressing

Harvest Squash Casserole

A white bowl filled with shredded yellow and orange vegetables, garnished with herbs, sits on a woven mat next to an orange napkin. A spoon rests inside the bowl. — Squash Casserole. Photo credit: What a girl eats.

A mix of different squashes is combined with a creamy sauce and a crunchy topping and then baked until it is hot and bubbly for a comforting vegetable casserole.
Get the recipe: Harvest Squash Casserole

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts With Cranberries And Pistachios

Close-up of roasted Brussels sprouts mixed with dark roasted pecans, glistening with oil and caramelization, on a white plate with a silver serving spoon. — Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pistachios. Photo credit: Scarlati Kitchen.

Brussels sprouts are roasted and then tossed with a sweet balsamic glaze, dried cranberries, and chopped pistachios for a side that is both tangy and crunchy.
Get the recipe: Balsamic Brussels Sprouts With Cranberries And Pistachios