When it comes to meal planning, the main dish often gets all the glory. However, the real secret to an unforgettable meal lies in the side dishes. These 25 side dishes are so good, that they're bound to steal the spotlight from the main course, transforming an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.
1. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These aren't your average Brussels sprouts. Roasted until crispy and tossed in a savoury mix of garlic and Parmesan cheese, they offer a mouth-watering blend of flavours and textures. Perfect for convincing the skeptics that Brussels sprouts can indeed be delicious.
Image by -Rita-👩🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay
2. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow & Pecan Topping
This side dish brings a delightful mix of sweet and nutty flavours to your table. The soft, spiced sweet potatoes are topped with a layer of crunchy pecans and gooey marshmallows, making it a hit, especially during the holidays.
Image by Lars Beulke from Pixabay
3. Creamy Truffle Mac and Cheese
Elevate your mac and cheese game with the addition of truffle oil. This creamy, dreamy pasta is sprinkled with a variety of cheeses and a hint of truffle, creating a rich and luxurious side dish that's hard to resist.
Image by WikiImages from Pixabay
4. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Forget about plain mashed potatoes; adding roasted garlic into the mix changes everything. These potatoes are fluffy, creamy, and full of savoury garlic flavour, making them a comforting and irresistible side dish.
Image by Mogens Petersen from Pixabay
5. Crispy Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
With just a hint of lemon to brighten the flavours, this asparagus dish is roasted to crispy perfection and sprinkled with Parmesan. It's a fresh, zesty, and cheesy side that pairs beautifully with any main dish.
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
6. Maple Glazed Carrots
These carrots are roasted with a generous glaze of maple syrup, which caramelizes in the oven to create a sweet and sticky masterpiece. The natural sweetness of the carrots is enhanced, making them a crowd-pleaser.
Image by Daniel Dan outsideclick from Pixabay
7. Spicy Corn on the Cob with Chipotle Butter
Give your corn on the cob a fiery makeover with chipotle butter. The smoky heat of chipotle peppers mixed with the sweetness of the corn is a match made in heaven for those who love a little spice.
Image by Cornell Frühauf from Pixabay
8. Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
This light and refreshing salad is a perfect side for any meal. Quinoa is tossed with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, offering a healthy and flavorful boost to your plate.
Image by Bernadette Wurzinger from Pixabay
9. Baked Ratatouille
This classic French dish is a feast for the eyes and the palate. Sliced vegetables are arranged beautifully in a dish and baked, resulting in a side that's as delicious as it is pretty.
Image by Petya Stoycheva from Pixabay
10. Cauliflower Buffalo Bites
For a vegetarian take on buffalo wings, these cauliflower bites are roasted and then tossed in buffalo sauce. They're spicy, tangy, and utterly addictive, especially when dipped in ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Image by Sabine Kroschel from Pixabay
11. Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and Almonds
This simple dish combines the crunch of almonds with the freshness of green beans, all brought together with a hint of garlic. It's a light, nutritious side that complements any main course beautifully.
Image by Mogens Petersen from Pixabay
12. Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms
Mushrooms roasted in balsamic vinegar become tender, flavourful, and irresistibly juicy. They make a savory side dish that adds a gourmet touch to any meal.
Image by Guillermo Vuljevas from Pixabay
13. Honey Glazed Butternut Squash
Chunks of butternut squash are roasted until tender and then glazed with honey, resulting in a side dish that's sweet, caramelized, and perfect for fall and winter meals.
Image by Nick Collins from Pixabay
14. Caprese Salad Skewers
These skewers layer cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves, drizzled with balsamic glaze. They're a fun, portable take on the classic Caprese salad and a hit at any gathering.
Image by Silvo Bilinski from Pixabay
15. Zesty Lime and Cilantro Rice
This side dish brings a burst of freshness to the table with its vibrant flavors of lime and cilantro. It's a perfect complement to Mexican and Asian dishes, offering a refreshing balance to spicy and savory flavors.
Image by ReStyled Living from Pixabay
16. Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
Earthy beets paired with creamy goat cheese and a balsamic reduction create a side dish that's both sophisticated and delicious. The contrasting flavors and textures make this salad a memorable addition to any meal.
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
17. Garlicky Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Served warm, this creamy dip is loaded with spinach, artichokes, and a generous amount of garlic. It's perfect for dipping bread or veggies and is so good, it might just upstage the main course.
Image by Rebecca Humann from Pixabay
18. Moroccan Couscous with Dried Fruits and Nuts
This vibrant couscous dish is mixed with an assortment of dried fruits and nuts, offering a sweet and savory flavor profile. It's a colorful side that brings a touch of exotic flair to the table.
Image by Larry White from Pixabay
19. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Bell peppers stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, vegetables, and sometimes meat, then baked until tender, are a meal in themselves. They're so flavorful and satisfying, they can easily become the star of the show.
Image by Matthias Lipinski from Pixabay
20. Grilled Vegetable Platter
A selection of grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and eggplant, seasoned and grilled to perfection, makes for a simple yet delicious side. It's a great way to showcase the flavors of summer.
Image by Angela Henderson Orr from Pixabay
21. Cranberry, Apple, and Walnut Salad
This salad combines the tartness of cranberries, the sweetness of apples, and the crunch of walnuts with a light dressing. It's a refreshing and nutritious side that adds a pop of color and flavor to any meal.
22. Smoky BBQ Baked Beans
These baked beans are slow-cooked with bacon, onions, and a rich, smoky BBQ sauce. They're hearty, flavorful, and the perfect companion to grilled meats.
Image by Grooveland Designs from Pixabay
23. Herb and Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Potatoes are cut into chunks and roasted with herbs and garlic until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This side dish is simple, aromatic, and goes with just about everything.
Image by Christo Anestev from Pixabay
24. Cucumber and Dill Salad
Thinly sliced cucumbers are tossed with dill, vinegar, and a touch of sugar for a refreshing side dish. It's particularly great in the summer and pairs well with fish and grilled meats.
Image by Bernadette Wurzinger from Pixabay
25. Fried Plantains
Sliced plantains are fried until caramelized on the outside and soft on the inside. These sweet and savory bites are a delicious addition to any meal, offering a taste of tropical flavour.
Image by Cesar Gonzalez from Pixabay
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