17 Side Dishes Boomers Made With Love and a Wooden Spoon

Side dishes used to mean something hearty, simple, and made from whatever was in the kitchen. Boomers knew how to make the most of a bag of potatoes, a stick of butter, and a wooden spoon. These recipes didn’t need trends or shortcuts—they just worked. If it showed up at every holiday, it’s probably on this list.

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming skillet green beans take 20 minutes and use fresh green beans, garlic, and crushed red pepper. They’re crisp with a spicy kick that lingers. The heat balances well with the natural sweetness of the beans. It’s a side that brought a little flair to dinner without much fuss.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey garlic carrots take 25 minutes and include carrots, garlic, and honey. The flavor is sweet with a mellow garlic finish, and the texture stays soft but not mushy. The glaze coats each piece evenly. It’s one of those sides that always found its way onto the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Garam masala Brussels sprouts take 30 minutes and feature sprouts, garam masala, olive oil, and salt. The flavor is warm and earthy with a hint of spice. The sprouts roast until crispy on the outside and tender inside. It’s a simple update to a classic that still feels homemade.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

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 use carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and olive oil. They’re soft in the middle with caramelized edges and a natural sweetness. The flavors blend well without needing much seasoning. It’s the kind of dish that stretched across generations.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts take 30 minutes and include Brussels sprouts, balsamic vinegar, and a touch of honey. The glaze adds tang and sweetness, while the sprouts roast up crisp. The flavor is bold but balanced. It’s the kind of side that sticks around long after the roast is gone.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

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 take 35 minutes and use carrots, honey, and butter. The carrots roast until tender with a glossy, sweet finish. The flavor is mellow with just a hint of caramel. It’s a dish that always seemed to show up in a warm Pyrex.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire green beans take about 20 minutes and feature green beans, Worcestershire sauce, and butter. The sauce adds a deep, savory flavor with a salty edge. The beans stay bright and firm. It’s an easy upgrade that felt fancy without changing much.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky green beans with fried onions take 25 minutes and combine green beans, garlic, and crispy fried onions. The beans are sautéed until tender and topped for crunch. The flavor is savory and nostalgic. It’s a cross between homemade and potluck-ready.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

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

Creamy mashed potatoes take 30 minutes and use russet potatoes, butter, cream, and salt. They’re smooth, fluffy, and just rich enough. The flavor is mild and comforting. It’s the kind of side no one questioned when it hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Easy Oven Asparagus

Easy oven asparagus takes 20 minutes and uses asparagus, olive oil, and a bit of salt. The texture stays crisp-tender, and the flavor is clean with a roasted edge. It’s simple and goes with just about anything. It’s been passed down because it just works.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown butter garlic mashed potatoes take 40 minutes and feature potatoes, browned butter, garlic, and cream. The butter adds depth while the garlic rounds out the flavor. The texture stays light and smooth. It’s a small twist on a favorite that still feels old school.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Loaded cauliflower mash takes 30 minutes and uses cauliflower, cheese, sour cream, and chives. The flavor is creamy and savory, with a texture that’s close to mashed potatoes. It’s lighter but still satisfying. It’s one of those dishes that got added to the rotation without anyone noticing the change.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

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 35 minutes and feature sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and cinnamon. They’re soft inside with caramelized edges and a hint of spice. The sweetness comes through without overpowering. It’s the kind of side dish that stuck around every holiday.
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 take 35 minutes and include Brussels sprouts, toasted almonds, and crumbled feta. The flavor is nutty, salty, and slightly tangy. The sprouts are tender with a little crunch from the edges. It’s a dish that balanced comfort with just enough flair.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Green beans with bacon and almonds on a red plate. — Green Beans Almondine with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Green beans almondine with bacon takes 30 minutes and uses green beans, bacon, butter, and sliced almonds. The bacon adds salt while the almonds bring crunch. The beans stay bright and just firm. It’s a recipe that made any meal feel like it mattered.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Sweet Potato Puffs

A plate with a bite out of a sweet potato puff. — Sweet Potato Puffs. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Sweet potato puffs take 40 minutes and include mashed sweet potatoes, butter, and cornflakes for a crispy coating. The inside stays smooth and sweet with a bit of crunch outside. The cereal gives it texture without taking over. It’s a fun version of a classic that still feels homemade.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Pea Salad

Pea salad takes 15 minutes and uses peas, cheddar cheese, red onion, and a creamy dressing. The texture is cold and crisp with a mix of sweet and savory. The cheese adds richness while the dressing pulls everything together. It’s a chilled side that always showed up in a plastic bowl.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad