By BrainFall Staff - Updated: August 23, 2024
You’re planning a huge meal and you’re setting up the guest list. Once that’s settled, you have to pick the menu. You know you want to serve something like a beef tenderloin or a salmon, but what do you make on the side? You can’t make the same thing for both, as side dish recipes need to go well with the main course. A classic side dish isn’t the star of your plate, but it’s an excellent accompaniment. Side dishes can add all kinds of different tastes and textures to your meal. Try adding some smoky flavor or some crunch to the main dish. You’ll love just a hint of variety on your plate.
If you’re trying to figure out what you should be making as your side dish, we have some ideas for you. The usual potato salad won’t do it on every plate. So let us help you out. Take this quiz, and we’ll tell you which side dishes you should consider to take your meal to the next level.
Side dish ideas
Side dishes are dishes that you serve alongside the main courses of a meal. They can add some taste, texture, and flavor to your meal. You can make them ahead of time or as the food is cooking. They tend to be starches, legumes, or other vegetable side dishes. Side dish recipes often utilize fresh herbs, and side dishes add some color to the plate. Some side dish examples are baked potatoes, baked beans, fried green tomatoes, wild rice, potato salad, and fresh veggies. You can find an easy coleslaw recipe to add some acid to your dish. You can find a classic recipe for side dishes that will boost your entire meal.
There are corn recipes with fresh corn and there are recipes with creamed corn or popcorn that you can utilize. Add some additional flavor boosters to your side dishes, like barbecue sauce or cream cheese. Side dishes go along great with all kinds of entrees. Vegetable side dishes will help give you a portion of the vegetables you need each day. Depending on what kind of dish you're making, you'll be able to find side dishes for it.
Side Dish Ideas: What Should I Make for Dinner?
Deciding what to whip up as the perfect accompaniment to your main course can sometimes feel like you're trying to solve a rubik's cube—blindfolded. But fear not, fellow foodies, because we've got the scoop on easy side dish recipes that'll have your taste buds doing the mambo. Whether you're in the mood for something warm and comforting or fresh and zesty, side dish recipes are the unsung heroes that elevate a meal from meh to marvellous.
Let's face it, the main dish might steal the spotlight, but the side dishes? They're like the best backup dancers ever—absolutely essential for the full performance. If you're hankering for that perfect pinch of pizzazz to complement tonight's culinary masterpiece, look no further. From roasted beauties to salads that sing, the perfect recipe is closer than you think. And the best part? They're delicious enough to make your grandma nod in approval but so easy, even your pet goldfish could almost make them. So, let's keep our aprons tied and our spatulas ready—dinner's unsung heroes await!
The Veggie Chronicles
We're about to dive fork-first into a garden of delectable sides. Ready your tastebuds for the greenest greens and the richest roots!
Green Machine Goodness
When it comes to green veggies, we hit the jackpot every time with our Green Machine Goodness. Imagine the crisp snap of zesty sugar snap peas sautéed to perfection with just the right amount of garlic and pepper. Then there's the roasted asparagus, golden and buttery, with a sprinkle of sea salt that'll make you swoon. And let's not forget the classic green beans, steamed or roasted, because we believe in keeping it fresh!
- Roasted Asparagus:
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Ingredients: Asparagus, olive oil, salt
Root for the Roots
Get your forks ready for our underground treasures in the Root for the Roots series. There's nothing humdrum about our roast potatoes, with their crispy outsides and fluffy hearts, they're the life of the party. Plus, golden carrots glazed with a touch of honey, or the sweet caramelized charms of butternut squash and delicata squash - oh, they'll root right into your heart.
- Caramelized Carrots:
- Toss in honey and a dab of butter, roast until they’re a beautiful sunset orange.
Cruciferous Crowd-Pleasers
We know a thing or two about making veggies the star of the show, and our Cruciferous Crowd-Pleasers will have you cheering for more. Think roasted broccoli and cauliflower, their florets turned crispy and deliciously nutty after a stint in the oven. And who could resist a shaved brussels sprout salad? Not us! Tossed with just the right tangy dressing, it's a kaleidoscope for your mouth.
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad:
- Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, vinaigrette, cranberries, almonds
- Toss with zest, and let the flavors mingle.
Salad Shenanigans & Grains Galore
When it's our turn to wow at the dinner table, nothing does the trick like a zesty salad or a hearty grain dish. We're talking plates piled high with vibrant veggies and grains that can steal the show.
Lettuce Make Salad
Let's dive headfirst into a world where the lettuce isn't just a backdrop — it's the main event! Picture this: a Chopped Salad that's a confetti of flavors, a Kale Salad so good it'll make you want to write poetry, and a Spinach Salad that’s practically screaming for a splash of tangy ranch dressing.
- Tomato Salad: Just dice up some ripe reds and throw in a drizzle of balsamic — simple, yet satisfying.
- Blueberry Salad: A fruity twist with plump blues that burst with sweetness in every bite.
- Arugula Salad: Add a sprinkle of lemon-pepper seasoning to baby arugula, and voilà, you've got sass on a plate.
- Pea Salad with Bacon: Because let's be real, bacon makes everything better.
- Creamy Pea Salad: Perfect for when you’re feeling a little indulgent.
- Apple Salad: Crunchy, sweet, and a little tart — it’s not your average salad, folks!
- Wedge Salad: Go old school with a chunk of iceberg and a river of blue cheese dressing.
Grains of Splendor
Now, let's get grainy with it! Grains are the unsung heroes that fill our bellies and fuel our fun.
- Quinoa Salad: It's not just fun to say, folks; it's a versatile superstar that pairs with almost anything.
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: Bust out your toga, because this mix will transport you straight to the sunny Mediterranean.
- Rice: Whether it’s wild, brown, or the ever-fancy basmati, rice is nice and a staple sidekick for any meal.
- Orzo: It's pasta's distant and often overlooked cousin that's just begging for a bit of butter and Parmesan to show its true potential.
- Farro: An ancient grain with a nutty flair that’s making a serious comeback.
- Polenta: This creamy dream is like the canvas where your culinary art comes to life.
So, whether you're in the mood for something tangy and tantalizing or a dish that feels like a warm hug, look no further. We've got you covered from greens to grains, and every delicious forkful in between!
