The side dish is the unsung hero of dinner. You can have a perfect protein on the plate, but if the side is forgettable, the whole meal is forgettable. Here is my collection of tested side dishes – vegetables, salads, starches, restaurant copycats, and the basics done well. Use this list as your go-to whenever you need to round out a meal.
Most of these come together while the main is cooking. A few are weekend-worthy. All are tested in my kitchen.
In This Roundup
- 1. Ultimate Plant-Packed Vegetable Soup
- 2. Velvety Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup
- 3. Hearty High-Fiber Lentil and Vegetable Stew
- 4. Julia’s Hearty Sweet Potato & Lentil Stew
- 5. Bj’s Brewhouse Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- 6. Olive Garden Broccoli
- 7. Vibrant Spring Vegetable Lasagna
- 8. Korean Rice Cake Lasagna (Tteokbokki Gratin)
- 9. Sticky Hoisin Chicken Wings with Corn & Rice Salad
- 10. Perfect Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken with Spring Vegetables
- 11. Easy Mango Chutney Chicken & Potato Traybake
- 12. Lemon Herb Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Traybake
- 13. Julia’s Classic Chicken and Vegetable Pie
- 14. Creamy Spring Pasta with Asparagus and Leeks
- 15. Julia’s Easy One-Pot Seafood Rice
- 16. Creamy One-Pot Salmon and Asparagus Gratin
- 17. Speedy Pesto-Crumbed Fish with Crispy Wedges & Charred Broccoli
- 18. Quick & Easy 30-Minute Seafood Rice
- 19. Hazelnut-Crusted Salmon with Crushed New Potatoes
- 20. Pan-Seared Salmon with Roasted Potatoes and Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette
- 21. Potato Scones with Smoked Salmon and Soured Cream
- 22. 30-Minute Glazed Pork Chops with Warm Potato Salad
- 23. Easy Umami Steak Rice Bowls
- 24. Quick Spiced Paneer and Asparagus Skillet
- 25. Springtime Sourdough Toasts with Ricotta, Asparagus, and Poached Egg
- 26. Rustic Vegetable Tart with Super-Flaky Pastry
- 27. Savory Steak Rice Bowl with Umami Sauce
- 28. Vibrant Smashed Potato Salad with Feta and Dill
- 29. Smoky Peanut & Black Bean Chilli Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- 30. Lemony Spring Vegetable Tart with Asparagus and New Potatoes
- 31. Authentic Uzbek Plov (Rice Pilaf)
- 32. Heart-Healthy Bean & Vegetable Casserole
- 33. Irresistible Sticky & Spicy Korean-Inspired Potatoes
- 34. Creamy Dijon Trout with Gnocchi and Asparagus
- 35. Creamy Spring Orzo with Wild Garlic and Asparagus
- 36. Springtime Potato Tart with Mint Salsa Verde
- 37. Creamy & Spicy Coconut Potatoes
- 38. My Go-To Vegetable Stir-Fry Noodles
- 39. Authentic Arroz al Horno: Valencia’s Favorite Baked Rice
- 40. Hearty Lentil and Sweet Potato Curry
- 41. Common Mistakes When Cooking Rice
- 42. Common Mistakes When Cooking Vegetables
- 43. Why Vegetables Turn Mushy
- 44. How Many Calories Are in Cooked Vegetables?
- 45. How Many Calories Are in Cooked Quinoa?
- 46. How Many Calories Are in Cooked Rice Noodles?
- 47. How Many Calories Are in Cooked Potatoes?
- 48. Are Canned Vegetables Healthy?
- 49. Are Frozen Vegetables Nutritious?
- 50. Are Cooked Vegetables Healthier?
The Recipes
1. Ultimate Plant-Packed Vegetable Soup
Looking for a delicious way to boost your weekly plant intake? This vibrant, nourishing soup is your answer. Packed with…
2. Velvety Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup
Bring a little sunshine to your table with this simple, yet elegant, sweet potato soup. Its vibrant color and velvety…
3. Hearty High-Fiber Lentil and Vegetable Stew
Embrace the wholesome goodness of a meal designed to nourish and satisfy. Our Hearty High-Fiber Lentil and Vegetable Stew is…
4. Julia’s Hearty Sweet Potato & Lentil Stew
At Julia’s Recipes, we believe food is the ultimate way to nourish and celebrate our unique bodies. Just as we…
5. Bj’s Brewhouse Broccoli Cheddar Soup
There is nothing like a warm, cheesy cup of soup to soothe the soul, and this BJ’s Brewhouse Broccoli Cheddar…
6. Olive Garden Broccoli
While broccoli is not always the main attraction on a plate, at Olive Garden, it is very important in balancing…
7. Vibrant Spring Vegetable Lasagna
There’s no better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with a dish that sings with the season’s best…
8. Korean Rice Cake Lasagna (Tteokbokki Gratin)
Welcome to my kitchen! Today, we’re creating something truly special that brings together two of my favorite comfort foods: the…
9. Sticky Hoisin Chicken Wings with Corn & Rice Salad
Welcome to a meal that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in every single bite. Our Hoisin-Marinated Chicken Wings…
10. Perfect Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken with Spring Vegetables
Embrace the bright, fresh flavors of the season with this stunning Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken. Tender, juicy chicken is infused…
11. Easy Mango Chutney Chicken & Potato Traybake
There’s a special kind of magic in a traybake dinner, where simple ingredients transform into a complete, flavorful meal with…
12. Lemon Herb Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Traybake
There’s a special kind of magic in a meal that comes together in a single pan, don’t you think? This…
13. Julia’s Classic Chicken and Vegetable Pie
There are few things more wonderfully comforting than a golden, flaky pie crust giving way to a rich, creamy filling…
14. Creamy Spring Pasta with Asparagus and Leeks
There’s nothing quite like the vibrant, fresh taste of spring produce. This Creamy Spring Pasta is a celebration of the…
15. Julia’s Easy One-Pot Seafood Rice
Bring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean straight to your kitchen with this wonderfully simple One-Pot Seafood Rice. Inspired by…
16. Creamy One-Pot Salmon and Asparagus Gratin
As the days grow longer and the air feels fresh with the promise of a new season, our kitchens begin…
17. Speedy Pesto-Crumbed Fish with Crispy Wedges & Charred Broccoli
Discover your new favorite weeknight meal—a delightful and speedy dinner for two that feels special without the fuss. This recipe…
18. Quick & Easy 30-Minute Seafood Rice
When a busy weeknight calls for a meal that is both incredibly fast and wonderfully satisfying, this 30-Minute Seafood Rice…
19. Hazelnut-Crusted Salmon with Crushed New Potatoes
With the arrival of spring, our kitchens are blessed with an abundance of crisp greens and tender new vegetables. It’s…
20. Pan-Seared Salmon with Roasted Potatoes and Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette
Discover the joy of a perfectly balanced and incredibly flavorful meal with our Pan-Seared Salmon with Roasted Potatoes and Lemon-Dill…
21. Potato Scones with Smoked Salmon and Soured Cream
There is something wonderfully comforting about a classic potato scone, or ‘tattie scone’ as it’s affectionately known. This recipe transforms…
22. 30-Minute Glazed Pork Chops with Warm Potato Salad
Discover your new favorite weeknight dinner with these succulent glazed pork chops, perfectly complemented by a vibrant warm salad of…
23. Easy Umami Steak Rice Bowls
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a well-crafted rice bowl, and this recipe is a testament to that. We’re combining tender,…
24. Quick Spiced Paneer and Asparagus Skillet
Welcome the vibrant flavors of the season with a dish that is as nourishing as it is delicious. This Spiced…
25. Springtime Sourdough Toasts with Ricotta, Asparagus, and Poached Egg
Welcome the vibrant flavors of the season with these gorgeous springtime sourdough toasts. In less than 25 minutes, you can…
26. Rustic Vegetable Tart with Super-Flaky Pastry
Elevate a humble bake to new heights with this recipe for a rustic vegetable tart, featuring a wonderfully flaky, buttery…
27. Savory Steak Rice Bowl with Umami Sauce
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a well-crafted steak rice bowl. This recipe balances the rich, savory notes of perfectly seared…
28. Vibrant Smashed Potato Salad with Feta and Dill
As the days grow longer and warmer, our kitchens begin to crave the fresh, vibrant flavors of spring. It’s time…
29. Smoky Peanut & Black Bean Chilli Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Embrace a meal that is as nourishing as it is delicious with these incredible Smoky Peanut & Black Bean Chilli…
30. Lemony Spring Vegetable Tart with Asparagus and New Potatoes
Welcome the vibrant flavors of the season with a dish that is as beautiful as it is delicious. This Lemony…
31. Authentic Uzbek Plov (Rice Pilaf)
Embark on a culinary journey along the ancient Silk Road with a dish that is far more than the sum…
32. Heart-Healthy Bean & Vegetable Casserole
Nurturing your heart begins with the wholesome, delicious food you place on your plate. As Victoria Taylor, a senior dietitian…
33. Irresistible Sticky & Spicy Korean-Inspired Potatoes
Prepare to meet your new favorite side dish! These sticky, spicy potatoes are an absolute flavor explosion, combining crispy, fluffy…
34. Creamy Dijon Trout with Gnocchi and Asparagus
As spring breathes new life into the kitchen, we welcome the vibrant colors and fresh flavors of the season. This…
35. Creamy Spring Orzo with Wild Garlic and Asparagus
As the first green shoots of spring appear, our kitchens begin to crave lighter, brighter flavors. March is a wonderful…
36. Springtime Potato Tart with Mint Salsa Verde
Welcome the vibrant flavors of the season with this stunning potato tart, a perfect centerpiece for a springtime lunch or…
37. Creamy & Spicy Coconut Potatoes
Discover the magic that happens when tender new potatoes meet a creamy, spicy coconut sauce. In this wonderfully simple dish,…
38. My Go-To Vegetable Stir-Fry Noodles
We all have those moments, staring into the refrigerator at a collection of wonderful but slightly forgotten vegetables. This stir-fry…
39. Authentic Arroz al Horno: Valencia’s Favorite Baked Rice
Welcome to my kitchen! Today, I’m so excited to share a treasured recipe from the heart of Spain. While many…
40. Hearty Lentil and Sweet Potato Curry
There’s nothing quite like a warm, fragrant bowl of curry to comfort the soul, and this Lentil and Sweet Potato…
41. Common Mistakes When Cooking Rice
Rice seems easy, yet it is one of the most commonly overcooked foods. Common mistakes when cooking rice Rice problems…
42. Common Mistakes When Cooking Vegetables
Vegetables are simple to cook, but small mistakes can quickly ruin their texture and flavor. Common mistakes when cooking vegetables…
43. Why Vegetables Turn Mushy
Overcooked vegetables often lose their structure and become unappealing. Why vegetables turn mushy Vegetables turn mushy when their cell walls…
44. How Many Calories Are in Cooked Vegetables?
Vegetables are known for being low in calories, but cooking can change their energy value. How many calories are in…
45. How Many Calories Are in Cooked Quinoa?
Quinoa is often labeled a superfood, but many people want clear numbers when tracking calories. How many calories are in…
46. How Many Calories Are in Cooked Rice Noodles?
Rice noodles are commonly used in many cuisines, but their calorie content often raises questions. How many calories are in…
47. How Many Calories Are in Cooked Potatoes?
Potatoes are filling and nutritious, but their calorie content often causes confusion. How many calories are in cooked potatoes Cooked…
48. Are Canned Vegetables Healthy?
Canned vegetables are convenient, but many people question their health value. Are canned vegetables healthy Canned vegetables can be healthy,…
49. Are Frozen Vegetables Nutritious?
Frozen vegetables are often seen as a lower-quality option compared to fresh produce, but this is not always accurate. Are…
50. Are Cooked Vegetables Healthier?
Cooking vegetables changes their texture, flavor, and nutrition. Are cooked vegetables healthier Cooked vegetables can be healthier than raw depending…
Final Thoughts
These are the sides I make all year. Save this page so you always have a side idea on hand when you need it.