28 Side Dishes to Add Serious Flavor Flair to Any Plate

Side dishes are often an afterthought, but they can really make or break a meal. They add flavor, texture, and variety to your plate. And the best part is, there are endless possibilities when it comes to side dishes.

In this post, we're going to share 28 side dish recipes that are sure to add some serious flavor flair to any plate. From classic favorites like mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables to innovative creations, there's something for everyone. With these side dishes, you’ll never have a dull meal again.

Roasted Balsamic Green Beans and Tomatoes

A simple recipe for Roasted Green Beans And Cherry Tomatoes is taken to another level with quick Balsamic reduction and a sprinkling of vegan Parmesan cheese. An easy side dish that goes with any meal. Get the recipe.

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Really easy Mediterranean Asparagus with Balsamic Drizzle and Pine Nuts. Trimmed asparagus spears are baked in olive oil until tender but crispy and then finished with a quick homemade Balsamic drizzle. This healthy vegan recipe is kid-friendly and makes a delicious dinner side. Get the recipe.

Italian Rice Salad

This colourful, flavourful Italian rice salad is perfect for a picnic, potluck, summer BBQ, or as a versatile side dish for a simple lunch or dinner. Reminiscent of a salad you might enjoy in Italy or Greece, every mouthful of this Mediterranean brown rice salad is bursting with fresh ingredients such as tasty salad vegetables. In Italy it is called Insalata di Riso. Get the recipe.

Roasted Vegetables 

Enjoying produce that’s in season is one of my favorite things, and these roasted fall vegetables do just that! It’s the most delicious combination of butternut squash, broccoli, beets, and sweet potatoes, all perfectly roasted to bring out their natural sweetness and flavors. It’s a versatile side dish for any occasion this fall! Get the recipe.

Korean Style Carrot Salad

Crunchy and Spicy Korean Carrots Salad will win people over at potlucks, picnics, and as a unique side dish in any home. Made with fresh carrots, coriander, garlic, and oil, these Korean-style marinated carrots are easy, quick and always delicious! Ready in 20 minutes. Get the recipe.

Marinated Mushroom Pasta Salad

Easy and fun Marinated Mushroom Pasta Salad With Green Olives is perfect for picnics or potlucks. Mushrooms make this pasta salad hearty and rich. They also stand up to the bold flavors of the dressing. Be sure to slice the mushrooms thin to make sure they absorb plenty of flavor from the marinade. Get the recipe.

Cauliflower Potato Bake

This Potato and Cauliflower Bake or also called Cauliflower Au Gratin is an easy comfort food recipe that has quickly become one of the favorites in my house. It creamy, cheesy, and such a delicious side dish for holidays as well as for Sunday night dinner. Get the recipe.

Lemon Pasta

This lemon pasta is incredibly easy to make, and you only need 5 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) to get the most delicious pasta. It features tender pasta tossed in a tasty lemon sauce with hints of garlic and garnished with fresh parsley. What’s best is that you can have it ready in under 25 minutes! Get the recipe.

Spicy Beet Salad

A roasted beet salad is prepared by cooking the beets and then marinating them in a few flavorful ingredients. This simple beet recipe is incredibly delicious, healthy, and perfect for any time of the year. Get the recipe.

Rice with Dried Fruit and Nuts

Basmati Rice with Dried Fruit and Nuts - flavorful and delicious side dish for dinner or holidays. It's super easy to make and will turn any meal into a colorful feast. Get the recipe.

Roasted Mediterranean Potatoes

These Roasted Mediterranean Potatoes are fully loaded with lemony oregano, garlic, and olive oil flavors. Plus, they couldn’t be easier to make! No boiling is needed. Try this simple side dish the next time you’re craving something fresh, unique, and flavorful. Get the recipe.

Sauteed Swiss Chard

Want to know How To Cook Swiss Chard? Look no further. My Sautéed Swiss Chard recipe with garlic and tomatoes is simple yet unique. It's ready in minutes and is loaded with nutrients. This easy red chard recipe makes a wonderful and delicious addition to any recipe. Get the recipe.

French Eggplant Gratin

This creamy and scrumptious Eggplant Gratin is smothered with a secret white sauce and topped with a generous layer or Gruyere cheese. It is a side dish that is so easy to make and will be gone before you know it. Get the recipe.

Creme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes

Side dish that goes with everything. These Mashed Potatoes with Creme Fraiche and Roasted Garlic are creamy and so flavorful. Put this recipe in your cookbook, it's going to become your favorite mashed potato recipe ever! Get the recipe.

Brussel Sprouts with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

These Easy Brussels Sprouts are healthy, delicious and take little time to prepare. Roasted until tender and crispy and drizzled over with a tangy and sweet honey balsamic vinaigrette. This recipe will quickly become your favorite! Get the recipe.

Potato Salad

This Healthy Potato Salad with cucumber and tomato in a garlicky yogurt sauce is all you need for summer picnics or BBQs. This simple salad is so easy to make and it's creamy and delicious. Get the recipe.

Creamy Cauliflower Salad

Vibrant, healthy, and delicious Creamy Cauliflower Salad With Cucumber And Corn is going to be on repeat this summer. So easy to make. You'll love the creamy and herby sauce. The best part - it's mayo and oil-free. Get the recipe.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

So easy and delicious, these Crispy Smashed Red Potatoes With Garlic And Dill are a comfort side dish that never disappoints. Made with just 4 simple ingredients, these crushed red potatoes are great for any occasion. Get the recipe.

Zucchini Gratin

Cheesy Potatoes and Zucchini Au Gratin is a simple recipe that requires little preparation and great rewards. Get the recipe for cheesy potatoes and zucchini au gratin here. It's an ultimate comfort food side dish for any occasion. Get the recipe.

Hasselback Potatoes

These Best Hasselback potatoes are the most beautiful potato dish you'll ever make. Cut into a funky accordion shape, this crispy and delicious side dish is sure to delight your family and friends. Get the recipe.

Broccoli and Mushroom Salad

This Broccoli and Mushroom Salad Recipe features some of my favorite ingredients. Shiitake mushrooms, fresh crunchy broccoli, Kalamata olives, and amazing red onion vinaigrette. So healthy, clean, and perfect for a light dinner, a colorful side. Get the recipe.

Grilled Panzanella Salad

The perfect potluck salad for summer. Grilled Panzanella Salad with zucchini, eggplant, squash, tomatoes, sourdough bread and a tangy basil dressing. Get the recipe.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

This delicious Mashed Sweet Potatoes is an absolutely must-try for the holidays! It’s naturally sweet, incredibly creamy, and absolutely satisfying. In just 30 minutes, you can have it ready using only six ingredients. Get the recipe.

Air Fryer Carrots

Are you craving a side dish that's both satisfying and sweet? These air fryer carrots have just the right amount of brown sugar, butter, and honey to turn this simple vegetable into a gourmet dish worthy of a sophisticated dinner party and easy enough for a simple weeknight dinner at home. Get the recipe.

Aloo Beans / Indian Green Beans Curry

Easy Aloo Beans or Indian Green Beans Curry recipe prepared with cumin, garlic and spices in just 15 minutes. Get the recipe.

Pineapple Fried Rice

This pineapple fried rice is a delicious and simple dish that's ready in just 25 minutes. With its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, this one-pot recipe is a family favorite that never fails to satisfy. The best part? It's incredibly easy to make, making it a go-to recipe for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Get the recipe.

Fresh Black Bean and Mango Salsa

Black Bean Mango Salsa! This high-protein salsa is packed with fresh, delicious flavor! Mango, red bell peppers, cilantro, jalapeños, black beans and a tangy lime dressing. Get the recipe.

Creamy Corn Salad

Crisp and tender sweet corn combined with a creamy dressing is super easy to make. Creamy corn salad is the perfect side dish for picnics and barbecues. Get the recipe.

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