17 Side Dishes That’ll Get Requested Before the Meat’s Done
The main dish isn’t the only thing people come back for. These 17 side dishes pack enough flavor to get requested while the grill’s still going. From crisp vegetables to rich potato mash, each one holds its own next to any entrée. Whether roasted, glazed, or skillet-seared, these sides prove the plate doesn’t wait for the meat.
Easy Oven Asparagus
Easy Oven Asparagus takes just 15 minutes and features fresh asparagus spears coated with olive oil, salt, and pepper. The result is tender stalks with crispy edges and a subtly nutty bite. It’s light, savory, and works alongside any protein without crowding the plate. This is a fast, no-fuss favorite that always disappears early.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta takes 30 minutes and brings together roasted sprouts, crumbled feta, and sliced almonds. The flavor is nutty, salty, and sharp with a soft center and crisped exterior. It’s the kind of side that skips small talk and gets noticed fast. The crunch and creaminess make it hard to wait for the rest of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta
Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts
Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts cook in about 25 minutes and use Indian spices like garam masala and turmeric for a warm, earthy depth. The roasted sprouts take on a crispy outside with bold seasoning that leans savory and just a little sweet. It’s a side with personality that wakes up the whole plate. These always get comments before the meat even lands.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts
Honey Garlic Carrots
Honey Garlic Carrots come together in 30 minutes with sliced carrots tossed in garlic, butter, and honey. They hit that sweet-savory middle with a glossy glaze and soft bite. The taste leans slightly caramelized with just enough garlic to be noticed. They’re usually half gone before anyone checks on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots
Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions
Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions takes 20 minutes and mixes snappy green beans with garlic and crispy onions. It’s salty, garlicky, and has crunch in all the right places. The contrast of tender and crisp makes it more than just a filler. It’s a pan that’s usually empty before the carving board gets touched.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables take about 45 minutes and mix carrots, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and onions with herbs and olive oil. The taste is earthy, slightly sweet, and perfectly caramelized. The texture is fork-tender with just enough browning to feel hearty. These bring enough flavor to compete with any roast on the table.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad
Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad takes 20 minutes and features sliced cucumbers, tangy pickled beets, and a bit of onion. The flavor is bright, vinegary, and slightly sweet with a cool, crisp texture. It’s light and refreshing but still strong enough to stand next to anything grilled or roasted. This is a chilled side that vanishes faster than the meat.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots take 30 minutes and are coated in honey, butter, and herbs before roasting. They turn out caramelized on the edges with a naturally sweet, soft center. The flavor sits somewhere between savory and sweet with a slight herbal kick. Most people grab seconds before the main even gets served.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
Worcestershire Green Beans
Worcestershire Green Beans are ready in 20 minutes and combine green beans with butter, garlic, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. The flavor is tangy, umami-rich, and buttery without being heavy. The beans stay crisp-tender, adding bite to every forkful. These go fast because they punch above their weight on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans
Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes take 40 minutes and are made with russet potatoes, garlic, and browned butter. The flavor is rich, nutty, and savory with a creamy texture that feels extra smooth. It’s the kind of mash that gets attention before the roast is even sliced. A spoonful of this is often the first thing to go.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Loaded Cauliflower Mash
Loaded Cauliflower Mash takes 30 minutes and uses cauliflower, cheese, sour cream, and bacon to mimic loaded potatoes. The flavor is savory, cheesy, and smoky with a surprisingly creamy texture. It’s a low-carb side that still feels like comfort food. No one waits for the meat when this hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash
Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices take about 35 minutes and feature sliced sweet potatoes baked with brown sugar and butter. The result is sweet, soft rounds with golden edges and a slightly candy-like flavor. They bring warmth and sweetness without overpowering the meal. They’re often gone before the main even has time to rest.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Russian Potato Salad takes 45 minutes and includes potatoes, eggs, peas, carrots, and pickles mixed in mayo. It’s creamy, tangy, and just a little crunchy from the pickles. The balance of soft and sharp flavors makes it stand out on any table. It’s a cold side dish that always seems to get scooped up first.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Creamy Mashed Potatoes take 40 minutes and rely on butter, cream, and Yukon Gold potatoes for a smooth texture and rich flavor. The taste is classic and buttery with a velvety consistency. They’re simple but always satisfying, and they hold their own next to any main dish. People often reach for these before anything else.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Screaming Skillet Green Beans
Screaming Skillet Green Beans are done in 15 minutes and seared in a hot pan with garlic, chili flakes, and olive oil. They’re spicy, garlicky, and blistered just enough to add smoky depth. The texture is tender with a crisp bite at the edges. This is one of those sides that gets noticed early and finished fast.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans
Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts take 25 minutes and get roasted before being tossed with a sticky-sweet balsamic glaze. They come out crisp on the outside with a tangy, slightly sweet finish. The flavor is deep and bold, perfect for cutting through rich mains. These don’t sit long on the table once served.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges take about 20 minutes and feature thick-cut wedges seasoned with spices and air-fried until crispy. The taste is sweet and salty with a crunchy outside and soft center. They’re lighter than deep-fried sides but just as satisfying. People usually finish these before they even think about what’s next.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges