15 Side Dishes Mom Thought You’d Pass Down Someday

You might not have inherited Mom’s handwriting or her casserole dish, but these side dishes? They stuck. Each one tastes like it came from a handwritten card tucked in a family recipe box. They’re hearty, nostalgic, and way too good to leave behind—no matter how modern your menu gets.

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming Skillet Green Beans take about 25 minutes and pack a punch with fresh green beans, garlic, red pepper flakes, and tangy balsamic vinegar. The flavor hits sharp and smoky, with a touch of heat that sticks around. The beans stay crisp-tender, not mushy, with a slight char for texture. It’s bold and a little dramatic, just how Mom made them when she wanted everyone to notice.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans are ready in 20 minutes and rely on pantry staples like butter, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce to bring rich, umami flavor. They’re salty, buttery, and just tangy enough to stand out. The beans stay tender with just the right snap. It’s the kind of side that somehow disappears before the main dish is touched.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts come together in about 30 minutes and balance warm spice with deep roasted flavor. The sprouts are tossed with olive oil, garlic, and Indian spices like cumin and garam masala. They’re nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet with crispy edges. One bite makes it clear why they earned a spot on the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Loaded Cauliflower Mash takes 35 minutes and mixes cauliflower with cheddar, sour cream, and scallions for a rich, low-carb twist. It’s creamy, slightly tangy, and surprisingly filling. The texture stays smooth with just enough bite to feel like comfort food. You won’t miss mashed potatoes once this hits your plate.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots are done in 40 minutes and combine carrots, honey, butter, and thyme for a sweet and savory finish. They roast up tender with caramelized edges. The flavor is sweet, slightly herbal, and comforting. It tastes like something Mom made when she wanted vegetables to taste like candy.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots take about 30 minutes and feature a simple mix of carrots, garlic, honey, and parsley. The sweetness pairs with mellow garlic for a balanced, crowd-pleasing dish. They’re tender without being soft, and always get second helpings. It’s the kind of side that makes people suddenly like carrots again.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Indian-Style Okra Curry Recipe (Bhindi Masala Gravy)

A black bowl filled with vegetables on a table. — Indian-Style Okra Curry Recipe (Bhindi Masala Gravy). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Indian-Style Okra Curry takes about 45 minutes and simmers okra in a tomato-based gravy with ginger, garlic, and warming Indian spices. The okra stays tender without going slimy, soaked in tangy, spiced sauce. The flavor is bold and comforting, with enough heat to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of dish that feels passed down, even if it wasn’t.
Get the Recipe: Indian-Style Okra Curry Recipe (Bhindi Masala Gravy)

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables take about 45 minutes and mix carrots, parsnips, and potatoes with herbs and olive oil. Everything roasts until golden, with crispy edges and soft centers. The flavor is sweet, earthy, and deeply savory. It tastes like the kind of dish Mom made to stretch the roast a little further.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes are ready in 35 minutes and bring together Yukon golds, garlic, butter, and sage for a rich, savory mash. The brown butter adds nuttiness that’s hard to resist. They’re smooth, creamy, and full of flavor without being too heavy. It’s exactly the kind of mash you grew up craving.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices take about 40 minutes and are tossed with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. They come out soft in the center with caramelized edges. The flavor is sweet and warming, like a side and dessert rolled into one. It’s a dish that somehow showed up at every family gathering, no matter the season.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A bowl of roasted brussels sprouts. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta bake up in 35 minutes and pair crispy sprouts with salty cheese and crunchy nuts. The flavor swings from sharp to creamy, with plenty of texture in every bite. Toasted almonds add richness, while feta keeps it from feeling too heavy. It’s the one dish that convinced everyone Brussels sprouts were worth a second chance.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Eggplant Tomato Stacks are layered with roasted eggplant, fresh tomato, and herbs, all ready in about 50 minutes. The flavor is bright, slightly smoky, and rich with olive oil and garlic. Each bite brings tender vegetables and savory depth. It tastes like something Mom would have served to impress company.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions are ready in 25 minutes, combining crisp green beans with garlic, butter, and a crunchy onion topping. They’re savory, slightly sweet, and packed with texture. The onions add a salty crunch that pairs well with the fresh beans. It’s basically the green bean casserole you actually want to eat.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Air fried red potatoes in an air fryer basket. — Air Fryer Red Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Red Potatoes cook up in 25 minutes with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and salt. The outsides get crisp while the insides stay soft and fluffy. The flavor is herby, buttery, and just salty enough to keep eating straight off the pan. It’s a side dish that makes you forget what it was served with.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Mashed Potatoes are done in 35 minutes and use butter, milk, and Yukon golds for a smooth, rich finish. They’re buttery, fluffy, and just the right amount of salty. The texture is silky without being soupy. It’s the kind of mash that shows up at every real family dinner, no matter what else is on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes