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When you need dinner in a flash, the sides need to be a snap as well. These easy side dishes will have your family eating in no time!

Collage of easy side dish recipes.
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Gotta Love Easy Sides!

Whether it’s veggies, potatoes, rolls, or fruit – this collection of easy side dishes is perfect for even the most novice chef. These dishes do not skimp on flavor!! We’ve made meal planning easy, so go read a book.

  • For easy side dish tips & tricks, scroll to the bottom of the post!

More Collections

Who doesn’t love a simple side? These classics may use common ingredients but they are still packed with flavor and variety. From tender carrots to fresh corn the cob with butter, these are fresh sides are among our favorites to take to BBQs, picnics, and potlucks!

1 Glazed Carrots

Side Dish Glazed Carrots
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 1519 votes
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2 Spanish Rice Recipe

Side Dish Spanish Rice Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 5759 votes
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3 How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe

Side Dish How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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4 Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 90 votes
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5 Fruit Salad Recipe

Side Dish Fruit Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 52 votes
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6 Easy Yeast Roll Recipe

Bread Easy Yeast Roll Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
4.93 from 26 votes
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7 Fresh Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Side Dish Fresh Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 175 votes
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8 Pasta Salad Recipe

Side Dish Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 251 votes
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9 Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Side Dish Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 25 votes
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10 Sweet Cornbread Recipe

Bread Sweet Cornbread Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
4.95 from 37 votes
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Easy Vegetables

Make sure to get your veggies! Parmesan topped asparagus or grilled red onion and bell pepper, these best sides are quick, and perfect for adding some color to your meal!

11 Roasted Broccoli Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 16 votes
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12 Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts on white plate.
Side Dish Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 204 votes
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13 Caramelized Brussel Sprouts Recipe

Side Dish Caramelized Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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14 Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

Side Dish Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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15 Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Total Time: 16 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 18 votes
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16 Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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17 Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 5 votes
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18 Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Side Dish Cauliflower Rice Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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19 Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe

Side Dish Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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20 Roasted Green Beans Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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21 Asparagus Bundles Recipe

Side Dish Asparagus Bundles Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 18 votes
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22 Green Bean Bundles

Side Dish Green Bean Bundles
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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23 Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Side Dish Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 31 votes
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24 Zucchini Fries Recipe

Side Dish Zucchini Fries Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 28 votes
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25 Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Side Dish Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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26 Honey Glazed Carrots

Side Dish Honey Glazed Carrots
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 15 votes
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27 Yellow Squash Casserole

Main Course, Side Dish Yellow Squash Casserole
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 14 votes
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28 Microwave Corn

Side Dish Microwave Corn
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 41 votes
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29 Grilled Asparagus

Side Dish Grilled Asparagus
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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30 Brussel Sprouts and Bacon Recipe

Side Dish Brussel Sprouts and Bacon Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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31 Fried Cauliflower Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Fried Cauliflower Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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32 Fried Corn Recipe

Salad, Side Dish Fried Corn Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 2 votes
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33 Fried Eggplant Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Fried Eggplant Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

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34 Corn on the Cob on the Grill

Side Dish Corn on the Cob on the Grill
Total Time: 17 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
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35 Parmesan Brussel Sprouts Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Parmesan Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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36 Fried Zucchini

Appetizer, Side Dish Fried Zucchini
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 228 votes
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37 Roasted Carrots Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Carrots Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 4 votes
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38 Sauteed Green Beans Recipe

Side Dish Sauteed Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 2 votes
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39 Corn Casserole Recipe

Side Dish Corn Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 2 votes
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40 Easy Green Bean Casserole

Side Dish Easy Green Bean Casserole
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 97 votes
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41 Creamed Corn Recipe

Side Dish Creamed Corn Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 128 votes
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42 Mexican Corn on the Cob

Appetizer, Side Dish Mexican Corn on the Cob
Total Time: 14 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 62 votes
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43 Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Side Dish Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
5 from 19 votes
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Easy Potatoes

Potatoes are extremely versatile. They can take on many flavor profiles, are filling, and pair well with any main dish! In our opinion, potatoes are perfect for protein like chicken, steak, ribs, and everything in between.

44 Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 369 votes
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45 Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 185 votes
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46 Best Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Main Course Best Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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47 Mashed Potato Casserole

Side Dish Mashed Potato Casserole
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 120 votes
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48 Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.91 from 11 votes
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49 Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Side Dish Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Total Time: 48 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 118 votes
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50 Best Mashed Potatoes

Side Dish Best Mashed Potatoes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 121 votes
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51 Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe

Main Course, Side Dish Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
4.89 from 17 votes
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52 Funeral Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 1268 votes
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53 Herb Roasted Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Herb Roasted Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.94 from 15 votes
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54 Red Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Red Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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55 Perfect Baked Potato

Main Course Perfect Baked Potato
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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56 Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes

Side Dish Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 128 votes
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57 Candied Sweet Potatoes

Side Dish Candied Sweet Potatoes
Total Time: 18 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 20 votes
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58 Potato Wedges Recipe

Side Dish Potato Wedges Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 11 votes
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59 Instant Pot Potato Salad

Side Dish Instant Pot Potato Salad
Total Time: 40 minutes
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60 Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe

Side Dish Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes
4.67 from 3 votes
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61 Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.91 from 11 votes
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62 Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe

Side Dish Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 55 votes
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63 Pommes Frites

Side Dish Pommes Frites
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

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Easy Side Salads

Salads are always a go-to easy pairing. They whip up quickly and can lend themselves to so many different flavor profiles!

64 Macaroni Salad

Salad, Side Dish Macaroni Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 111 votes
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65 Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Salad, Side Dish Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 119 votes
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66 Broccoli Salad Recipe

Salad Broccoli Salad Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 82 votes
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67 Summer Corn Salad Recipe

Salad Summer Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 87 votes
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68 Quick Caprese Salad Recipe

Salad Quick Caprese Salad Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 2 votes
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69 Kale Salad Recipe

Salad Kale Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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70 Tomato Mozzarella Salad Recipe

Salad Tomato Mozzarella Salad Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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71 Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Salad Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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72 Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe

Salad Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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73 Wedge Salad Recipe

Salad Wedge Salad Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 4 votes
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74 Arugula Salad Recipe

Main Course, Salad, Side Dish Arugula Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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75 Asparagus Salad Recipe

Salad Asparagus Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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76 Pistachio Salad Recipe

Salad Pistachio Salad Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 113 votes
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77 Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Salad, Side Dish Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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78 Asian Noodle Salad Recipe

Salad Asian Noodle Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 11 votes
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79 Green Bean Salad Recipe

Side Dish Green Bean Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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80 Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe

Salad Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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81 Mexican Corn Salad Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Mexican Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
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82 Broccoli Slaw Recipe

Salad, Side Dish Broccoli Slaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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83 Sweet Coleslaw Recipe

Salad Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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84 Pea Salad Recipe

Salad, Side Dish Pea Salad Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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85 Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe

Salad Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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86 Antipasto Salad

Salad Antipasto Salad
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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More Easy Dinner Sides

We have too many fabulous choices to share so enjoy this bonus list of even more tasty recipes to complete your meal!

87 Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Main Course Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 283 votes
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88 Mexican Street Corn Recipe

Side Dish Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Total Time: 13 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 573 votes
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89 Fruit Kabobs

Side Dish Fruit Kabobs
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 15 votes
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90 How to Cook Rice in a Crock Pot

Side Dish How to Cook Rice in a Crock Pot
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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91 Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

cropped-cilantro-lime-rice-resize-2.jpg
Side Dish Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 63 votes
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92 Sour Cream Cornbread

Bread Sour Cream Cornbread
Total Time: 35 minutes
4.93 from 38 votes
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93 Canned Refried Beans

Appetizer Canned Refried Beans
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 47 votes
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94 Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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95 Coconut Rice Recipe

Side Dish Coconut Rice Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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96 Garlic Knots Recipe

Side Dish Garlic Knots Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 13 votes
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97 Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe

Side Dish Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
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98 Garlic Bread Recipe

Bread Garlic Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

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99 Garlic Bread Recipe

Bread Garlic Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.89 from 36 votes
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100 Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe

Bread Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe
Total Time: 14 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 5 votes
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101 Baked Beans Recipe

Side Dish Baked Beans Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 41 votes
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102 Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe

Side Dish Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe
Total Time: 12 hours

Recipe Video

5 from 45 votes
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103 Spinach Artichoke Bread Recipe

Appetizer, Bread Spinach Artichoke Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 19 votes
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104 Jiffy Corn Pudding

Side Dish Jiffy Corn Pudding
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 96 votes
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FAQS

What Sides Should I Put On My Dinner Party Menu?

  • Pairings should complement your meal and provide additional flavors and textures. Serve both hot and cold sides.
  • Try not to repeat ingredients in the main dish and side.
  • Be sure to balance the amount of starch, vegetables, and other dishes you plan to serve.

How Many Side Dish Recipes Should I Use at Dinner?

  • 3-4 side dishes for a smaller gathering (6-8 people)
  • 4-5 side dishes for a medium-sized party (8-12 people)
  • 5-6 side dishes for a larger party (12+ people)

Keeping Recipes Warm?

  • crock pots and chafing dishes
  • an insulated cooler with warm water bottles, or hot packs
  • a gas grill with a thermometer (keep the internal temp around 200°F)
  • insulated food carrier

How Much Should I Make?

  • salad. ½-1 cup per person
  • potato dish. 6 ounces per person
  • rice. 1½ ounces per person
  • pasta. 2 ounces per person
  • vegetable dish. 4 ounces per person
  • bread. 1½ rolls per person 

For More Easy Sides:

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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6 Comments

  1. Sue says:

    I make your Spanish rice a few times each month. Love your baked beans as well. I often come to your site to find new recipes when I’m trying to change things up with our dinner rotation. This list makes it easy to decide what to try next.

    Reply
  2. Olivia says:

    I love all your side dishes! Simple and all delicious.

    Reply
  3. Cori P says:

    What a fabulous collection! I just made the asparagus bundles and can’t wait to make more. Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Eden says:

    All of these recipes look AMAZING!!! Can’t wait to try the green beans! Thanks for the best roundup!!

    Reply
  5. Katie says:

    These are such great ideas. I always struggle coming up with good sides!

    Reply
  6. Joy says:

    You have so many delicious side dish recipes on your site!! I go to your site daily, because my family is never disappointed & the recipes are super easy to make.

    Reply