17 Sides That Take Dinner to the Next Level

Sides often decide whether a meal feels ordinary or memorable. These 17 recipes show how simple vegetables, potatoes, and grains can take dinner to the next level. From roasted classics to fresh salads, each one brings balance and flavor. They prove that the right side dish makes the whole table shine.

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.

Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

Close up on beet cucumber salad with dill. — Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad takes about 20 minutes with beets, cucumbers, and dill. The flavor is tangy, fresh, and slightly sweet with crisp texture. It adds color and crunch alongside heavier mains. This recipe proves simple salads can brighten any dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

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 are ready in 30 minutes with sprouts, almonds, and crumbled feta. The taste is nutty, salty, and savory with a tender bite. Roasting enhances their natural flavor while the toppings add contrast. This recipe makes Brussels sprouts a side worth craving.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts take about 25 minutes with sprouts, garam masala, and olive oil. The flavor is earthy, spiced, and slightly sweet from caramelization. They’re a twist on a familiar vegetable that pairs with many mains. This recipe shows spices can turn sprouts into something new.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes are ready in 35 minutes with potatoes, butter, and garlic. The taste is creamy, rich, and savory with nutty depth from the browned butter. They make a classic side feel extra indulgent. This recipe proves mashed potatoes can always be elevated.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Overhead view of olivier salad with two egg halves. — Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Russian Potato Salad takes about 40 minutes with potatoes, peas, carrots, and mayonnaise. The flavor is creamy, savory, and slightly tangy, served chilled for freshness. It’s a traditional salad that works well year-round. This recipe shows potato salad can be both hearty and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots cook in about 25 minutes with carrots, honey, and garlic. The flavor is sweet, savory, and caramelized with a glossy finish. They’re simple but full of character. This recipe proves carrots can be more than a side note.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

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 are ready in 30 minutes with potatoes, butter, and cream. The taste is smooth, savory, and rich with a soft texture. They remain a dependable partner for almost any main. This recipe highlights why mashed potatoes never leave the table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming Skillet Green Beans cook in about 15 minutes with beans, garlic, and olive oil. The flavor is crisp, savory, and lightly charred from the skillet. They’re quick but packed with freshness. This recipe proves green beans don’t need much to stand out.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Loaded Cauliflower Mash is ready in 25 minutes with cauliflower, cheese, and bacon. The flavor is creamy, savory, and smoky while staying lighter than potatoes. It feels indulgent without being heavy. This recipe shows cauliflower can carry comfort just as well.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions take about 20 minutes with beans, garlic, and crispy onions. The flavor is savory, aromatic, and crunchy from the topping. It’s a quick side that feels special. This recipe proves green beans benefit from bold garnishes.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans are ready in 15 minutes with beans, Worcestershire sauce, and butter. The flavor is tangy, savory, and slightly smoky. It’s a side that balances rich mains well. This recipe shows how a simple sauce can add depth fast.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

A basket of seasoned sweet potato wedges with a small bowl of ketchup beside it. — Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges cook in about 20 minutes with sweet potatoes, paprika, and olive oil. The flavor is sweet, smoky, and crisp on the edges. They’re quick to prepare and easy to serve with dips. This recipe makes wedges a weeknight-friendly side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

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 30 minutes with sweet potatoes, butter, and brown sugar. The flavor is sweet, caramelized, and tender with golden edges. They’re simple yet comforting on any plate. This recipe proves sweet potatoes always earn their spot at dinner.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables roast in about 40 minutes with carrots, parsnips, and beets. The taste is earthy, sweet, and savory with crisp edges. They bring warmth and color to the table. This recipe shows roasted vegetables always deliver comfort.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Easy Oven Asparagus

Roasted asparagus on a white bowl. — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Oven Asparagus cooks in 15 minutes with asparagus, olive oil, and lemon. The flavor is crisp, fresh, and lightly tangy. It’s a quick side that works for any season. This recipe proves asparagus belongs on weeknight tables.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

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 about 25 minutes with carrots, honey, and butter. The flavor is sweet, savory, and glossy with tender texture. They look as good as they taste. This recipe shows carrots can feel festive with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts roast in 30 minutes with sprouts, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. The taste is tangy, caramelized, and savory with crisp edges. They pair easily with meats or grains. This recipe proves Brussels sprouts thrive with bold glazes.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts