No Plate Is Complete Without 29 Sides To Round It Out

You’ve got the main dish down, but the sides are just as important. With these 29 options, you can transform any meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you’re craving something crispy, creamy, or fresh, these sides are the perfect finishing touch for your plate.

Focaccia Bread

Sometimes you just need a bit of crunch under your fingertips, followed by a soft, fluffy middle. Imagine pulling apart Focaccia Bread, hearing that rewarding tear, knowing you’ve got the perfect vessel for dipping or sandwiching. It’s a simple pleasure, really, but one that brings a smile every time it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Focaccia Bread

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

You’ve got to love little bites that pack a big punch, especially when they come with a surprise inside. Picture your guests’ eyes lighting up when they bite into Bacon Wrapped Smokies, experiencing that hint of smokiness wrapped in a little blanket of joy. They’re the little things that make gatherings just that much better.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Cheese Grits

Creamy and comforting, there’s something about that warm, inviting bowl that feels like home. Cheese Grits are a humble reminder that some of the best flavors are found in simplicity. They have a way of slipping into your heart, becoming that dish you always seem to crave on chilly days.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Grits

Mashed Potatoes

When you think of comfort, it often comes in the form of something creamy, something you can sink your spoon into. Mashed Potatoes are just that, a soothing backdrop to any main, ready to be livened up as you please or just appreciated for their buttery goodness. A good mash is just the ticket to rounding off a plate with a nod to the classic.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

Now, here’s a duo that sings with flavor without overpowering your palate. Jamaican Red Beans and Rice invites you to enjoy a taste that’s rooted in tradition and bursting with heart. It’s a dish that tells a story, one of culture and togetherness, bringing warmth to any table it graces.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

Bread Stuffing

Gather round for a classic that always feels like part of the family. When you’ve got Bread Stuffing alongside your meal, you’re embracing a piece of tradition that just feels right. It’s all about those herby, bready bites that make you pause and appreciate the coziness of a shared meal.
Get the Recipe: Bread Stuffing

Hasselback Potatoes

Sometimes it’s the unexpected presentation that draws you in, the way something familiar is made new again. With Hasselback Potatoes, you get that enjoyable contrast of crispy edges and tender centers in one single slice. It’s the kind of side that adds a bit of elegance without being pretentious.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes

Baked Rice

Consider that side dish that’s always welcome, never fussy, and endlessly adaptable. Baked Rice is like a blank canvas, willing to play its role as the silent hero of many a meal. It’s not about stealing the spotlight; it’s about complementing whatever it’s served with. It’s the staple you turn to when you want something done right without any fuss.
Get the Recipe: Baked Rice

Mac and Cheese

On days when only the most comforting of dishes will do, you know exactly where to turn. Mac and Cheese is the quintessential comfort food that never disappoints, whether you’re five or fifty-five. It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, and yes, it’s everything you need on a plate when you’re seeking a bit of culinary solace.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Cilantro Lime Rice

Meet the lively side that brightens up your plate without stealing the show. Cilantro Lime Rice is a refreshing balance to richer main dishes, adding just the right touch of lightness. It’s a simple tweak to the standard grain that somehow makes everything else on the plate shine a little brighter.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ever find a dish that becomes the inevitable centerpiece of every gathering? Buffalo Chicken Dip is that crowd-pleaser, the one you’re almost certain to get requests for when friends come over. It’s just spiced enough to keep things interesting, yet familiar enough to feel like a warm hug.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Why settle for a run to the chain when you can bring those flavors home? Liven up your plate with Copycat Chipotle Black Beans, a side that’s just as hearty as it is flavorful. These are the under-the-radar stars of the show, adding a depth of flavor that complements any meal seeking a bit of flair.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Italian Pasta with Salami

Dinner always gets a bit more interesting when there’s an Italian twist to look forward to. Italian Pasta with Salami offers that worthwhile bite with a side of character. It’s not just a side; it’s an invitation to explore bolder flavors in a familiar format. It’s the sort of dish that reminds you why pasta has been a favorite for generations.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta with Salami

Crispy Shallots

For those who enjoy a touch of elegant crunch, here’s a side that knows how to add texture without overpowering. Crispy Shallots bring a softly caramelized crispness that complements a host of dishes, whether scattered atop or nestled beside. They’re the underrated garnish that quietly enhances, bringing both flavor and finesse.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Shallots

Hawaiian Baked Beans

Take a little trip to the islands with a dish that’s both sweet and rewarding. Hawaiian Baked Beans are a testament to the perfect blend of flavors that feels both familiar and exotic at the same time. It’s the kind of side that can transport you, even if only for a meal.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Baked Beans

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

When the classic gets a twist, it’s an opportunity to experience something both new and nostalgic. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese melds the golden, earthy tones of squash with the creamy indulgence of cheese, creating a fusion that’s both innovative and heartwarming. Enjoy the familiar, but with a colorful spin that’s hard to resist.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Garlic Bread

There’s just something irresistible about the aroma of toasted, garlic-infused carbs wafting through the kitchen. Garlic Bread is the easy-going companion to any dish, ready to sop up sauces or stand proudly on its own. It’s the side that prompts you to reach for piece number two before you’ve finished the first.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Bread

Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

Oh, here’s a little number that’s all about capturing that restaurant magic in your own home. Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa offers a splash of sweetness with a hint of heat, a dance of flavors that’s just lively enough. It’s not just about the taste; it’s about recreating that lively dining-out experience right on your dinner plate.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

Best Zucchini Bread

Sometimes, it’s the quiet comfort of a baked good that perfectly complements a cup of coffee or tea. Best Zucchini Bread is that slice of simple pleasure, subtly sweet and perfectly moist. It’s the kind of baked treat that reminds you to slow down, to indulge the simple joys.
Get the Recipe: Best Zucchini Bread

Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

For those times when only the fluffiest, most aromatic rice will round out your meal, look no further. Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice is a fragrant bed ready to cradle your favorite main dish, or even shine on its own. It’s gentle on the palate, yet rich in aroma, making every bite a quiet celebration of texture and taste.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

Talk about a modern twist on a timeless favorite – it’s a side that’s all about convenience meeting crave-worthy. Crispy Air Fryer Bacon comes out just right, ready to add its distinct crunch to breakfast plates or wraps. It’s the streamlined way to get that classic flavor, a nod to the traditional that fits right into today’s fast-paced life.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Bacon

Dauphinoise Potatoes

Here’s a nod to the sophisticated without the need for any fuss – pure elegance on a plate. Creamy layers of Dauphinoise Potatoes invite you in with their tender, comforting warmth. It’s a dish that doesn’t shout, but rather whispers luxury, adding a touch of class to the evening’s spread.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes

Crunchy Onion Rings

What is it about rings of onion, crisped to golden perfection, that feels like such a treat? Delve into a stack of Crunchy Onion Rings and let each bite be a testament to the joy of texture. It’s the sort of playful side that pairs as well with fine dining as it does with a casual barbecue. Let each crunchy mouthful be a little celebration of its own.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Onion Rings

Easy Chow Mein

Stir up some excitement on your dinner table with a side that boasts a world of flavor. Easy Chow Mein is all about bringing that take-out experience home, twirling on your fork just as delectably as you’d hoped. It’s about the joy of mixing things up, introducing a bit of global cuisine to your routine.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chow Mein

Dinner Rolls

Who doesn’t love the promise of a warm, tender bread roll waiting eagerly on the table? Dinner Rolls are the heartwarming side that everyone reaches for, the symbol of a meal shared. They’re the little pillows of joy that somehow make everything else taste better.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls

Cobb Salad

Cobb Salad is a colorful ensemble that’s hard to ignore, a refreshing medley that packs its own punch. It’s like a chorus of fresh flavors, all finding harmony on one plate. Every forkful is a reminder that variety isn’t just the spice of life—it makes for a great salad, too.
Get the Recipe: Cobb Salad

Funeral Potatoes

When the name of a dish speaks to a tradition, you know there’s comfort to be found. Funeral Potatoes carry a sense of nostalgia, a dish that’s all about gathering and solace. It’s creamy, it’s hearty, and it’s a reminder of shared times, both joyful and poignant.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes

Garlic Knots

For those who know the joy of untangling a flavorful bite, there’s always room on the table for a knot or two. Nothing says “welcome to the table” quite like a basket of Garlic Knots. They’re playful, they’re garlicky, and they’re just the thing to pull apart while the conversation flows.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots

Mexican Street Corn

Step up your corn game with a side that’s bursting with life and full of character. Mexican Street Corn wraps up spices, cheese, and a hint of lime into a dish that’s just plain fun to eat. It’s a street fair on your plate, a little bit messy, a whole lot of flavor, and it’s absolutely worth every napkin. This is how you make corn anything but ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn