Side dish recipes

The secret ingredient in this spinach side dish is roasted black garlic. It has a milder, richer flavor than fresh garlic, and when paired with the sambal oelek sauce, it transforms...

After frying bacon pieces for a salad, save the rendered fat—it makes a great base for a flavorful vinaigrette. Add mustard, vinegar, and olive oil directly to the pan and drizzle...

A juicy, crisp salad of watermelon, jicama, and mint in a vibrant citrus dressing is the perfect summer side dish for grilled meat. Just the right amount of sweet and tart, it's perfectly refreshing and brings out the zesty...

Perhaps the most delicious part of this salad is the tart dressing made from bacon fat rendered during frying. It pairs perfectly with any hearty salad greens, especially spinach. Serve the salad...

This light and elegant salad pairs luscious spinach with blackberries, candied walnuts, and shaved salted Parmesan cheese, all tossed in a sweet-tart cherry jam dressing.

Arroz rojo, or red rice with vegetables, is a traditional side dish served throughout Mexico. The recipe is quite simple, but the dish is rich in flavor, and its distinctive red hue comes from...

This salad combines everything you love about tacos, from tortillas to cheese. Instead of meat, add canned beans, preferably two types, like pinto and black. And don't forget the most important...

Collard greens are dense and bitter, so they pair well with hot peppers and spices like cardamom and cumin. If you can't find Fresno pepper, substitute...

Here's the perfect recipe for a delicious and healthy weeknight dinner. The dish is filled with bright, juicy vegetables tossed in a rich, orange-based sauce. Chop all the vegetables ahead of time and serve...

Brown button and shiitake mushrooms are sautéed in vegetable oil with garlic and topped with a ginger-based sauce made with ketchup and mayonnaise. This mushroom stir-fry can be served as a side dish with meat or...

"Growing up in Brooklyn," recalls recipe author Vivian Chan. "Many of my friends had working parents who would leave them lunch money so they could buy takeout at..."

Broccoli is roasted in the oven until tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Toss it with cashews for crunch, chopped jalapeño for a nice kick, and...

Stuff mushroom caps with breadcrumbs, bacon bits, spinach, and mozzarella and bake in the oven until crispy on top. This makes a juicy and delicious appetizer for any occasion.

Combine cooked rice noodles with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs in a spicy Asian dressing with fresh chili and ginger. Sprinkle with cashews for crunch and serve as an appetizer or...

Make this spicy white beer rice with cilantro, garlic, green peas, and carrots for a festive side dish. It's aromatic, moist, and delicious. It's a perfect complement to meat or...

Besides the popular potato, there are many other undeservedly forgotten root vegetables that can be baked and served as a side dish with meat, and such a side dish will be healthier and lower in calories....

Sweet black tea is an unusual ingredient for a brine, but it adds a richer and more interesting flavor to pickled vegetables. Pour the sweet and spicy tea brine over various vegetables, such as chopped...

Pickled cherry peppers are a great alternative to pickles in this delicious, sweet-and-tart pineapple relish. The relish comes together in minutes: just toss all the ingredients in...

This quick Asian-inspired green bean side dish pairs well with both pork and fried chicken. Blanch the green beans in boiling water, then simmer in a seasoned soy sauce.

Sweet potato noodles, when cooked correctly, are so delicious you'll likely forget they're even a vegetable. Unlike most other types of vegetable noodles, sweet potatoes retain their...

Sauté 3 chopped green onions with 1 minced jalapeño pepper in olive oil until soft. Add 2 teaspoons of tomato paste and 1/2 teaspoon each of ground cumin, ground ancho chili, and...

This classic cornbread is made with only cornmeal, no added wheat flour, and is crumbly and the perfect side dish for gravy-based dishes. The sugar content is...

This vibrant rice is made with turmeric, mustard seeds, nuts, and beans, with a finishing touch of lemon juice and zest. The rice is fluffy, aromatic, slightly tart, and crispy. This recipe...

This Italian bread salad, panzanella, features juicy tomatoes, baby kale, crisp celery, egg, green onions, and capers, dressed with a red wine vinegar and mustard vinaigrette.

A cold salad of sweet watermelon, cucumber, and salty feta cheese in a tart mint vinaigrette—just the thing on a hot summer day! Watermelon and cucumbers contain a lot of water, making them...

For airy, velvety, and truly festive mashed potatoes, slice the potatoes thinly and soak them in cold water overnight to remove excess starch. On...

"By blending store-bought ricotta in a food processor with olive oil, salt, and a lot of love, you'll get an incredibly smooth, fluffy texture that pairs so well with the bold flavors of this light...

Kale is simmered with canned white beans, lemon zest, and fresh herbs. Serve as a standalone vegetarian dish, nutritious, high in fiber and protein, and...

This dip is versatile. Transfer it warm to a bowl and serve with fresh vegetables, crackers, toasted bread, or a cheese or meat platter. You can also serve it chilled or...

Infuse a simple rice side dish with rich flavor and a whole bouquet of aromas by adding sweet leeks sautéed in butter, fresh thyme, and chopped hazelnuts. The result is...

Despite the name, this filling is baked separately from the bird, but the resulting garnish is much larger than the cavity of a chicken or duck can accommodate. There's enough for everyone. A magnificent combination awaits you...

Canned beans make a hearty filling for Mexican tortillas....

Mashed black beans, sautéed with spices and a generous amount of lard or vegetable oil, make a hearty Mexican dish with a rich flavor! Sprinkle the refried beans with...

With this recipe, Brussels sprouts will turn out perfectly every time, with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. When preparing the sprouts, be sure to remove any loose or yellowed leaves...

This simple broccoli recipe is perfect for a quick, delicious vegetable side dish. All you need is olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Once you've separated the head of broccoli into florets, the thick...

Wrap the beets whole in foil and roast them in the oven. They'll be incredibly tender, rich in flavor, and their color will remain vibrant. A great alternative to boiling. Let them cool, peel, and...

Fermentation has been one of the most popular methods of preserving vegetables for centuries, and pickled lemons have long been a staple of Arab Mediterranean cuisine. There are various...

This mayonnaise-free potato salad is perfect for year-round dining. Kalamata olives, pickled lemons, fresh herbs, and olive oil infuse it with the rich flavors and aromas of Mediterranean cuisine. This...

Provençal tian casserole is traditionally made with summer vegetables, but if summer is still a long way off, this onion and potato version will do the trick. Potatoes, onions, and leeks are cut into approximately...

Sweet potatoes are a great alternative to potatoes when it comes to the holiday table. Make a sheet pan casserole for a crowd and serve as a side dish with meat or roast poultry.

Pico de gallo, a Mexican salsa made with chopped fresh tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, and cilantro, is transformed into a stunning appetizer in this recipe. Slice the tomatoes and assemble them into towers, layering them...

Plums are simmered with sugar to create a beautiful summer jam. Balance its sweetness with lemon juice and a hint of rosemary, adding a fresh sprig during the simmering process. The perfect jam for morning...

These savory pickled onions are perfect for salads, burgers, tacos, or simply as a light side dish for grilled meats. They're ready to eat once the brine has cooled—they'll be tart, spicy,...

There are several varieties of quinoa. Whether you choose red, white, black, or tri-colored, they're all suitable for this simple and foolproof recipe. You'll have...

This simple casserole is made with frozen corn kernels and cream, resulting in a tender and creamy crust topped with a crispy crust of buttery graham crackers and white cheddar. Excellent...

Make baked sweet potatoes with a honey, cinnamon, and ginger glaze for a festive turkey side dish. Top with crispy pecans for texture. To save time, start baking the sweet potatoes in...

Orange pumpkin, white parsnips, potatoes, red onions, and greens combine to create a delicious, colorful array of roasted vegetables, perfect as a holiday side dish. And to make the vegetables...

Steaming canned lentils (or any canned beans) for a few minutes will soften and refresh their flavor. Hot beans will more easily absorb the marinade's oil and...

Roast Brussels sprouts with garlic, cumin, and a spoonful of brown sugar, which gives the vegetables a nice glossy sheen, while red pepper flakes balance out the sweetness, creating a savory and...

Fennel's natural sweetness is intensified when roasted, pairing beautifully with the Mediterranean flavors of lightly roasted tomatoes, plump Kalamata olives, and crunchy pieces of...