The side dish is a powerful, if little noticed, thing. It’s a companion on a plate, a helpmate on the table.
It can make a familiar main dish sing notes we’d forgotten about, or it can ground the wild flavors of a complex main dish while still letting its magical qualities come through.
Of course, your choice of a main dish plays a huge part in where your meal is headed, but there’s good reason to also focus in on choosing the best side dishes.
Whether you’re trying to highlight the central flavors, contrast with the textures, or simply find the fastest way to get a well-rounded and delicious meal on the table, it can be both an art and a science.
Most meals are best thought of as an ensemble cast of characters, not one built to highlight one powerhouse performance.
Of course, there will be powerhouse performances, and that’s as it should be.
All eyes will – and should – turn to that gorgeous beef Wellington you slaved over. But it’s the perfect accompaniment that will really make all that work pay off.
Because, once you master the perfect side dish, you’ll realize that it’s often the unsung hero – the bit player, the character actor – which makes the whole meal not just good, but deliciously memorable.
That’s all the long way of saying that, bringing the best supporting cast into your menu will only make your main dish sing with even more aplomb.
Much like pairing the perfect wine, the perfect side can often make your main dish even better, bringing out flavors and textures that might otherwise fade into the background.
Of course, great side dishes can also simply round out the meal, not just to make sure there’s enough food for a satisfying meal, but also to diversify the nutrition, visual appeal, and flavors of the meal.
Finding the Right Balance
Leaning into contrasting flavors to balance and add interest to the palate is one of our go-to uses of dish duos. If your main dish is fatty and heavy, think about a side dish with a touch of acid or spice.
If your main dish comes barreling at you with bright and spicy flavors, look for sides with a touch of sweetness or a luxurious fattiness.
A heavy protein is often beautifully balanced with the light crunch of vegetables or the bitterness of greens with a touch of heat and a wisp of acid from citrus or vinegar.
If your main dish is complex and involved, then easy side dishes may be in order to help balance your time and sanity in the kitchen.
It’s Always the Right Season
Thinking seasonally and regionally is also a good strategy for searching out the perfect accompaniment to round out your meal.
If your main dish leans heavily on seasonal ingredients or is traditionally served at a specific time of year, then don’t hesitate to lean into seasonal touches with your sides or appetizers.
Think lamb with mint and peas or roast turkey or seared duck with autumn root vegetables for Thanksgiving side dishes.
The Role That Salads Play
Salads not only add a punch of fresh flavors and endless possibilities, they can also be a great time saver.
Whether you’re going elaborate or simple, you can almost always pull a good salad together while your main dish is cooking. On a busy weeknight or during hectic prep for a dinner party, salads are the perfect companion to – well – pretty much everything.
Bonus: We’re in a golden age of fruits and vegetables, and keeping just a few things in the fridge can up your salad game tenfold.
Pomegranate seeds are available all year long now, and there are wide varieties of things like pea shoots, radish shoots, watermelon radishes, and other types of produce that were just a blip on the radar a few years ago.
Playing in the produce aisle has never been this much fun!
So, let’s delve into some of our favorite ideas for side dishes to our favorite meals.
Sides for Beefy Dishes
Beef brings a hearty, bold savoriness that makes it naturally the star of every plate. So, it practically begs for bold partners especially when you’re talking about special dinner sides.
There are many ways for a side dish to be assertive and bold – whether it be through bright contrasts of acidity and crunch or the richness of a stick-to-your-ribs classic.
We explore these many possibilities to get the perfect accompaniment for your delectable beef recipe tonight.
1. Best Side for Steak: Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin
As the French know well, this may be the best side that has ever been created.
With a crispy, cheesy top filled with perfectly sliced potatoes, Au Gratin compliments both the flavor and texture of steak.
Yum. We want this. You know you want this.
They are easy to make, and they’re spectacularly rich.
This is bound to satisfy the hearty appetites in your family. We recommend making a large batch; these go fast.
They’re best fresh out of the oven, but if you happen to have leftovers, au gratin does reheat well, and it’s delicious because it gets a little extra golden and crispy.
2. Short Rib Side: Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Mash
Well, we’re licking our lips thinking about fork-tender, slow-cooked, short-ribs cooked with root vegetables.
Talk about comfort.
The only thing that could make this meal better is if you add a little sweetness in the mix. Maybe we also want something a little smooth or creamy, so compliment the pull-off-the-bone texture of the short ribs.
We’ve got an idea. Maple. Syrup. Sweet. Potato. Mash.
Put those words together to create something magical.
This recipe from Simply Delicious Food will bring the perfect balance to this dish with a combination of sweet and savory.
3. Delicious Sides for Beef Stew: Fluffy Cornbread
We know, when you think of cornbread, it’s usually next to a big bowl of chili. Well, can you ever really have too much cornbread?
This fluffy and cakey bread goes so well with any stewed or soupy entree.
Whether you make this from scratch or dress up the little blue box of Jiffy, there are few things better than a warm, buttery, slice of cornbread.
The best cornbread is only lightly sweet, but it incorporates the rich flavor that we are looking for to complement the hearty beef stew.
4. Good With Any Beef Dish: Chinese Garlic Green Beans
These Chinese-style green beans tossed in garlic are a fantastic side dish. These delicious strings are flash-fried, which keeps the center perfectly tender and crisp.
The umami flavor compliments the flavor of the beef and will add a sweet Asian flavor to any meat-based meal.
These are not only delicious, but they are super good for you.
No matter what style beef you are cooking up for the evening, you’ll wow your family or guests with these babies.
Chinese-style garlic beans are the perfect side dish; a perfect way to incorporate the perfect umami taste.
5. Roasted Mushrooms with Herbed Quinoa
Most people know how well mushrooms pair with tender steak or meatloaf. Even if you aren’t a fungi fan, you’ll enjoy this blend packed with herbs and the superfood quinoa.
While you’re cooking this dish, the spongy raw morsels will turn into luxurious, delicious umami bombs of flavor.
You don’t even need fancy mushrooms for this.
This is a light side dish with a perfect blend of textures and flavors.
The squeeze of lemon juice will bring together all of the delicious mushroom juices.
Enjoy this refreshing, texture diverse side!
Now, our list of beef dishes with their unbelievable side dish ideas:
Beef Bourguignon sides
There aren’t many dishes that come more packing with comforting, deep umami, and succulent textures than this amazing French beef stew. Check out our list of delicious and accommodating sides to make your special dinner even better.
Beef Stew sides
Hearty, meaty, stick-to-your-ribs deliciousness – beef stew needs no introduction. But you might be surprised at just how much more appreciation you’ll have for this classic concoction once you serve it with the perfect side. Our list has a plethora of ideas for just the right combinations.
Beef Tenderloin sides
As the name implies, beef tenderloin is not only tender and succulent, it also deserves your love and attention. But pair it with the perfect side dish, and it might just take your breath away. Whether you focus on archetypal combinations like the perfectly baked potato or adventure into more unusual territory, we have a whole host of ideas to help get your perfect dinner together.
Beef Wellington sides
The perfect beef Wellington wants, nay, demands the perfect simple and elegant side dishes to compliment its masterful place in the center of the table. Whether it’s a simple bright carrot puree, or a rich and decadent cheesy potatoes dauphinoise, we have the sides that one of the most storied main dishes will love. You’ll find the perfect accompaniment here.
French Dip Sandwiches sides
A mouth-watering French Dip is warm, savory, flavorful, and perfect on a fall or winter’s day. The soft, gorgeous, yeasty roll with a slight sweetness, the thinly sliced tender beef folded inside in satiny layers, melted provolone cheese, and then, the Au Jus. This amazing concoction deserves the perfect accessories, and we have some simple yet ultra delicious ideas.
Meatballs sides
The classic (and classy!) Italian meatball is insanely popular – and for good reason. It’s the ultimate family dish. Adults love them. Kids love them. Domestic animals linger beneath your feet hoping one will roll off the plate. And they love a good side dish. So, whether you opt for a traditional side like a Caesar salad, or go for something that’s simple and unique like eggplant pizzas, we’ve got you covered.
Meatball Sub sides
Meatballs, Marinara, and Submarine rolls make one heckuva a snack, but they can be upgraded to a fantastic meal with the addition of some amazing side dishes. It can be a minefield deciding which way to go to make this masterpiece complete. Read on for some killer ideas.
Meatloaf sides
It’s a Wednesday night, and the aromatic smell of a beef or turkey meatloaf is wafting through the kitchen. Oh, you can smell its homey and luscious flavors. And those flavors want the perfect side dish to match its unparalleled table appeal. So, while you’re letting it rest for a bit why not pull together a quick side of bacon-wrapped asparagus? How about a steakhouse favorite like luscious creamed spinach? We have 15 delectable sides for you to choose from here.
Pot Roast sides
When you’ve had a pot roast in the oven for a few hours it gives you time to think. Namely, about how rich and juicy the meat is going to be – and what would lovingly pair with its amazingness. Wonder no more! We have 15 suggestions that cover everything from the sweet (hello, applesauce!), to the hearty (hello, whipped mashed potatoes!), to the light and airy (hello, dinner rolls!).
Shepherd’s Pie sides
Another great traditional meal. This dinner deserves something special, but not too crazy given how filling the main course is already. Browse this wonderful list of the best side dishes to captivate your pallet and your stomach.
Sloppy Joes sides
We love Sloppy Joes! It’s a security blanket of youthful joy and whimsical pleasure. A classic of barbecues and good school days. Sloppy Joes never let you down. So, they deserve the right back up, as well. And we found a world of side dishes – from quick pickles and savory corn – that are perfect for a quick Tuesday night meal. So many ideas to get you started.
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls sides
When you love something, you take the time to make the time. And cabbage rolls are definitely a Sunday meal – not a Monday one. So, once you’ve taken the time to put together these bundles of flavor – you want some stellar sides to go with them. And boy, did we find some amazing sides that fit the bill.
Stuffed Pepper sides
Stuffed peppers are a fun dish that never seem to go out of style. They’re like Audrey Hepburn riding a Vespa scooter in Roman Holiday. They fill you with joy. So, we searched out side dish recipes to make sure all that joy has some excellent company on the plate. From a peppery and fresh salad to pillowy homemade pita, you’ll never need to wonder what to serve with stuffed peppers again.
Swedish Meatballs sides
This is one savory and delicious concoction of meat and pasta. It’s a wondrous food all on it’s own sitting in the bowl before you. But this dish does beg for something a little more to create the perfect balance. We offer up that little more with our side dish ideas to make your meal complete…all put together like a diamond set in the perfect, finished ring.
Sides for Poultry Dishes
Poultry loves to absorb what’s around it, which makes it a perfect canvas for a variety of flavors.
And the sides that accompany it can be comfortably fresh and light like the many easy side dishes for chicken, or hearty and savory, and each can elevate the poultry main dish until it shines.
1. Simple and Tasty Lemon Ginger Spinach
We are moving away from our belly-busting side options. This one is light and healthy.
The ginger and lemon come together to add some zest to the poultry meal. The array of flavors will completely change the sensation of each bite.
If it’s summertime, try cooling this down for a bit in the fridge. Chilled cooked greens can be some of the most refreshing.
This side is bound to add to the flavor profile of your dinner or lunch.
Lemon and chicken are natural companions. The sharp acidity of lemon cuts the rich flavor of the chicken.
This lemon and ginger spinach side dish is simple and easy to prepare. It’ll go well with grilled or roasted chicken.
2. Classically Smooth Mashed Potatoes With Mushroom Sauce
Yup, you guessed it. Skin off, skin on, whichever way you mash it, there is nothing better than a dollop of perfectly creamy mashed potatoes equipped with a dip full of gravy.
There are just some things that you don’t grow out of: Disney movies, napping, and mashed potatoes.
It’s comfort food to soothe any mood. Mashed potatoes are genuinely healing.
Even a dry prepared chicken, turkey, or duck can be spruced up with this on the plate.
Mashed potatoes can be made in a million ways, so be sure to experiment to find your winning side dish.
3. Thanksgiving Turkey Anytime; Comforting Stuffing
When it comes to the holidays, it’s all about showing appreciation for our family. Well, we all love the cousin that hates stuffing. More for us!
Stuffing cooked inside the turkey is more savory and delicious as it sucks up all the tasty juices.
When roasted together, these ingredients mesh in a marvelous blend of texture and flavor; stuffing is the most loyal of food friends.
Stuffing is so hearty and delicious.
Its roasted avian partner often overshadows this bready goodness. However, it has won the heart and taste buds of so many.
Herbs, bread, butter. Where could it go wrong?
It could only be made better if you add another classic.
Do you know where we’re going with this?
4. Grilled Zucchini Boats
When you’re eating chicken, duck, or turkey, it can be easy for a plate to lack color.
Add some beauty to your plate with this fantastic and healthy side.
These grilled zucchini boats are filled with antioxidants and protein-packed veggies.
Zucchini boats are incredible and will make your dinner.
The acidity of the balsamic vinaigrette brings together the flavors of chickpeas, quinoa, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
Throw some chicken breasts and zucchini boats on the grill and prepare the filling. If you’re having a summer cookout, these babies will wow the crowd.
An amazing side dish like this will help make your table look beautiful when entertaining.
5. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Cheesy, crunch, macaroni. Not from the box, but straight out of the oven.
What could be better to pair with poultry?
The salty flavor combines well, and the creamy texture is more than welcome.
The crispy Panko-Parmesan topping sets this side dish apart from a lot of other options.
We love cheese more than most, and then if you add pasta to it?
Fuggetaboutit.
We’re in love.
The roux base is simple, and once you bake it, the whole thing melts all together.
This is one poultry side dish that is absolutely delectable and will make the whole family smile.
Now, some of our favorite poultry dishes with plenty of side dish ideas:
Chicken Cordon Bleu sides
Roll this chicken dish into a roulade or deep fry it, or stuff it with black forest ham and gruyere cheese and bake it in the oven. It’s a mouthful of wonderful textures and flavors, and what you pair it with can make it even more magical when you find just the right contrasts. Check out these ideas and take a ride beyond the boundaries of appetizing.
Chicken and Dumplings sides
A bowl of chicken and dumplings is legendary. Just so perfectly homey and comforting, whether in a wedding buffet spread or on a harried Tuesday night dinner table. It also pairs magically with any number of sides, from sweet and creamy corn to hearty breads. We’ve got all the bases covered with this list.
Chicken Marbella sides
A chicken dish that comes with so many flavors it’s hard to know what truly works best alongside it. Not to worry, this list of sides makes the decision easier for you. We take you from beginning to end and every flavor in between so you can complete this famous chicken entree.
Chicken Marsala sides
Chicken marsala sides run the gamut from “great” to “really great” to “fork-droppingly fantastic.” And we have a list of them that are resoundingly delicious and versatile. Creamy polenta starts our list off and spinach with garlic and lemon closes it out – and there’s so much more deliciousness in between.
Chicken Parmesan sides
There are so many more options for sides that go with this scrumptious dish, and they aren’t all the traditional pasta wingman you might expect. Check out our suggestions to make this dish even better than it could be alone. We will help you find the perfect mix of flavors to leave you wanting more.
Chicken Piccata sides
There’s no denying that when you eat something as special as chicken piccata you need something extraordinary to go with it. In fact, whatever you choose will undoubtedly taste better itself. Let our list of sides, apps, drinks and desserts complete your perfect evening tonight.
Chicken Pot Pie sides
Chicken pot pies are the ultimate in comfort food. Steaming chicken and vegetables in a flaky crust is like a hug on a plate. So, to bring that loveliness up a notch we’ve compiled a list that ranges from the sweet and tangy all the way to the rich and savory. Our list of the perfect side dishes for this beloved classic await you.
Chicken Salad sides
Chicken salad is one of the most versatile meals around. It can be a bit of classic Americana, or it can be filled with the flavors of Asia. Chicken salad wears its many hats very well. Our list of sides celebrates this versatility, from crunchy bites like cheese straws to a multitude of salads and soups.
Chicken Wings sides
Chicken wings are a go-to for parties. They’re easy to walk around with, and they make the perfect pointer tool for gesturing at the television when your team earns some points on the board. Score! You’ll score too, with this list of side dish ideas that covers an exciting range of indulgent flavors. Delve into the goodness here.
Coq au Vin
Coq au Vin is a French classic that is much more straightforward to prepare than you might imagine. What to serve with it is effortless when you follow our guide on the tastiest accompaniments out there.
Cornish Hens sides
These wonderful, diminutive birds are the perfect meal for a date night, a dinner party, or a special and memorable weeknight meal. So, we wanted to let them “get their fancy on” with some sides that would showcase their beauty. Roasted veggies, a myriad of eye-popping salads, and big, fluffy, popovers are just a few of the amazing sides that made our list.
Duck sides
Duck breast is a wonderful midweek treat. It cooks in the same amount of time as a chicken breast, but brings a certain joie de vivre to a worknight meal. So rich. So decadent. So elegant. And we love pairing it with things as traditional as roasted figs, or as avant garde as burrata blood orange salad. This is a fun – and delicious – list of sides.
Jerk Chicken sides
Jerk chicken is spicy, but it’s not a “hey, hold my beer while I walk across a bed of red hot coals on a dare” type of heat. It’s a thoughtful heat that’s a little fruity and bright. It just begs for side dishes with vibrant colors and an array of textures. Think colorful salsas, red beans and rice, or fried plantains – just to start. Our list is chock full of easy and delightful weeknight sides to pair with this multi-layered main dish.
Teriyaki Chicken sides
Oh, this Asian inspired dish is so magical when it comes to sweetening up a nice, lean protein like chicken. Asian side dishes aren’t the only way to enjoy this favorite. See what we’ve cooked up in our list of combos for this spectacular dish.
Sides for Mexican Dishes
Mexican food is one of the most popular cuisines in America. For example, salsa has overtaken ketchup as the number one selling condiment.
This also means there are a plethora of new and fresh ingredients popping up in grocery stores that are perfect to create a side dish with classic and new Mexican flavors.
We’re full of ideas of what sides work with your favorite south-of-the-border dishes.
1. Rajas con Crema, Creamy Meats Spicy
We’re talking Mexican here, so it’s hard to go around spiciness. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a few Mexican side dishes that, while based on chili, are incredibly smooth and balanced.
There’s a green, fist-sized chili of mild spiciness called poblano. If you see something like a bell pepper in the Mexican supermarket aisle grab it, it’s delicious!
Now clean it up and slice it thin strips (Julianne is the fancy term.) Sautee them with diced onions and a hefty amount of heavy cream, and you’ve got yourself some rajas con crema.
You see, dairy tames spiciness, that’s the way things work. This is why you can have a whole bowl of this peppery, herbal, buttery and creamy side dish without breaking a sweat.
Check out Stephen Chavez recipe for Rajas con Crema at Latino Foodie here.
2. Pickled Chiles
You know pickles, they’re the hint of acidity and crunchiness every dish deserves; now meet pickle’s Mexican cousin — Chiles en Vinagre.
Literally ‘chilis in vinegar’, the side dish is a bit more complex than what its name makes you believe.
Slice a carrot and a few jalapeno peppers, break down a cauliflower head into bite-sized pieces, throw in a few garlic cloves and a three-fingered pinch of peppercorns. Add a teaspoon of sugar and another one of salt. Throw it all in a jar and fill with white vinegar to the rim.
Shake and store in the fridge until ready to use.
This is authentic Mexican right there, the holy grail of Mexican street food and home cooking alike. The brine itself is exhilarating, a spoonful of the stuff will brighten any dish with acidity, texture and the right amount of heat.
3. Fideo Seco, Mexican Pasta, Really!
Fideo seco is for Mexico what Mac & Cheese is the States, it’s THAT of a big deal.
Fideos are a thin, short pasta brought from Spain (think fideuá) that’s was embraced by the Mexican people during the colony — expect half-inch angel hair noodles.
Cooked in chicken broth, the pasta becomes the country’s most popular soup: the fideo soup, but when cooked in tomato paste, leaving all the water to consume, fideos become a side dish made in heaven.
Fideo seco, or dried fideo, looks and kinda tastes like day-before spaghetti, it’s dried up and has a thick consistency, what’s not to love?
The secret ingredient is a measure of smoky chipotle pepper; it gives color and bright, spicy flavors to the singular pasta dish. Top fideo seco with fresh crumbly cheese, and you can call yourself Mexican.
Check out Carissa’s recipe for Fideo Seco at Thrift and Spice for an authentic rendition of this side.
4. Mexican Corn on the Cob, from the Streets to Your Table
You think you know corn on the cob, but you haven’t tried it at its fullest potential, and that is Mexican style.
Corn on a stick is a popular evening street food Mexican snack. When the sun goes down, people come out looking for the steaming pots of boiling water to get a massive corn on a stick. Now you can make them at home too!
Boil your corn until tender and cut in into three or four pieces with a heavy knife (or leave them whole). Use a wooden skewer to make the handles and set them on a platter.
The seasoning is essential: spread mayo on to each piece, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, drizzle with lime juice, powder with grated fresh cheese and dust with powdered red chili (use paprika for a milder heat.)
5. Jalapeño Poppers, Cheesy, Spicy One-Biters
You might have tried this fun, spicy, gooey snack before in fast-food chains, but the home-made version is insanely better.
I dare you to eat just one because if you clean the peppers well enough, you’ll only get a kiss of heat and a mouthful of coating, cheesy flavor.
Get yourself a fistful of small jalapeño peppers, cut them open, and remove all the seeds. Fill them with your favorite cheese and dip them into the batter (a home-made beer batter is excellent, but even premixed pancake batter works!)
Deep fry your poppers until golden brown and let them rest on a paper towel to eliminate excess fat.
Jalapeno poppers are an incredible side dish and a fantastic stand-alone snack too. Make a whole platter and sit back to watch the game.
Enchilada sides
This is one dish that comes with variety. Mexican food restaurants will often have an entire page dedicated to enchilada types. We give you side options that cater to whatever style you’re in the mood for.
Quesadilla sides
Meat, cheese, veggies all melted and sandwiched together in a tortilla. There’s no telling what you can pair with this American favorite Mexican dish, and we take you through some of the tastiest matches. From the spicy to the refreshing, you’ll find a an authentic supporting cast of sides.
Fajita sides
You don’t need a party as an excuse to serve fajitas, because they are the party. Once the flavorful sizzling meat and vegetables kissed with a bit of lime hit the warm tortilla – oh, yes. It’s a party. And every party deserves fun guests. So, we found some. From classic combos to unexpected delights, our list has more than enough ideas to turn your table into a fiesta.
Fish Taco sides
Get your Taco Tuesday dinner filled out with some of these amazing side dishes just for your fish-filled tacos. We cover everything from authentic and spicy to ideas you’ve never tried before but will become instant “bests”