Side Dishes
A side dish can support the main course or provide a contrasting texture and flavor. Potatoes, vegetables, beans, grains, pasta, and dressings offer different ways to complete the meal. Begin with the ingredient or serving you want, from browned mushrooms to a creamy gratin, then choose a preparation that fits the rest of the table.
Browse the posts below, or choose a subcategory when available.
Beans & Legumes
Butter beans and pinto beans offer substantial side dishes with different seasonings and sauces. Browse these legumes for a preparation that can accompany another dish or become part of a wider meal.
Pasta & Macaroni Side Dishes
Macaroni and other pasta forms provide a base for creamy or savory side dishes. These recipes offer portions to serve alongside another dish, with sauces and finishes shaping their texture.
Potato Side Dishes
Mashed, gratinéed, fried, and smashed potatoes offer different ways to complete a meal. Lemon-garlic mash and layered potato preparations show how the same ingredient can change texture through the method.
Rice, Grains, & Grits
Rice, grains, and grits provide a base for both simple seasonings and fuller combinations. Mushroom rice, cilantro-lime rice, and buttery corn rice offer different flavors to serve beside another dish.
Stuffings & Dressings
Bread and other ingredients gather into stuffings and dressings with different seasonings. Beer cheese and pecan preparations provide starting points for an accompaniment, with the cooking method specified in each recipe.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Browned mushrooms, zucchini preparations, and other vegetables offer sides with varied textures. Browse dishes that use sautéing, baking, or another method to bring a vegetable accompaniment to the table.
In this collection
Fried Zucchini Strings
1 whole Zucchini 4 cups Canola Oil For Deep Frying Sea Salt Using a julienne peeler, cut the zucchini into very thin pasta-like strips. Discard the center core…
Tuscan Cheese Potato Bake
Fold three types of cheeses and garlic-thyme butter into mashed potatoes then cover with a crunchy Parmesan and panko topping. Bake it till it’s golden and bubbly for…
Steve’s Creamy Grits
Ingredients 3 cups water 1/2 cup coffee creamer 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup quick-cooking grits 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, or a little more if desired, at room temperature…
Bacon-Cheddar Grits
This side dish pairs well with fried chicken or grilled pork and shrimp. 4 slices bacon, finely chopped 1 Jalapeño, finely chopped (optional) 4½ cups water 1 cup…
Creamy Grits
This delicious Southern recipe for creamy grits comes from chef Frank Stitt’s cookbook, Frank Stitt’s Southern Table. 4 cups water, preferably spring water Coarse salt and freshly ground…
Potato Gratin
In this classic gratin, thinly sliced potatoes soak up all the goodness of a milk-and-cream mixture that has been spiked with nutmeg. A sprinkling of grated Gruyere cheese…
Stuffed Acorn Squash
3 large acorn squash, cut in half ½ lb. Italian sausage 1 6-ounce Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken 1 cup chopped apple ½ cup raisins Preheat oven…
Creamed Green Cabbage
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 1 small head green cabbage (about 2½ pounds), cored and shredded (10 cups) 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2…
Toasted-Coconut Rice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil ½ cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut 1 cup basmati rice 2 cups water ¾ teaspoon coarse salt 2 scallions, thinly sliced on the…
Potato Gratin
In this classic gratin, thinly sliced potatoes soak up all the goodness of a milk-and-cream mixture that has been spiked with nutmeg. A sprinkling of grated Gruyere cheese…
