17 Sides That Compete With What’s on the Grill

Grilled mains usually get all the attention, but the right side dish can easily steal the spotlight. These 17 recipes hold their own with bold flavors, smart textures, and satisfying finishes that don’t just sit quietly on the plate. They’re the kind of sides that make people ask for seconds before the steak’s gone. When the grill’s fired up, don’t let the sides play backup.

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

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 about 40 minutes and combine caramelized sprouts, toasted almonds, and salty feta. The texture hits crispy and tender with a nutty crunch. The cheese adds a tangy bite that balances the bitterness. It’s a dish that holds its own next to anything grilled.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

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 ready in 35 minutes and blend sweet honey with tender roasted carrots and a hint of spice. The flavor is rich, sticky, and just savory enough to pair well with smoky mains. The edges caramelize slightly for extra texture. They’re easy to finish before the grill cools down.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Easy Oven Asparagus

Easy Oven Asparagus takes only 20 minutes and uses fresh spears, olive oil, and seasoning for a crisp-tender bite. The flavor stays clean with just enough char. It’s light but not forgettable, even beside big meats. It’s a go-to when the grill’s already full.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts roast in 30 minutes and bring earthy warmth with Indian spice and crisp edges. The flavor is bold, nutty, and just slightly sweet. Each bite delivers texture with real punch. It’s a side that surprises people in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

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 about 45 minutes and mix Yukon golds with butter, cream, and seasoning for a smooth finish. The taste is rich and familiar without being too heavy. The texture stays light but satisfying. It’s comfort food that doesn’t care what the main is.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Eggplant Tomato Stacks are ready in 45 minutes and layer roasted eggplant, tomato, and herbs for a fork-ready stack. The flavor is smoky, tangy, and fresh all at once. The texture stays tender with just enough bite. It’s a stacked side that doesn’t shrink from the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks

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 20 minutes to prepare and combines sharp beets with crisp cucumber and a simple brine. The flavor is sour-sweet with cooling crunch. The color pops on the plate next to anything grilled. It’s a sharp, chilled contrast to hot dishes.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

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 cook in about 50 minutes and bring together carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes in a caramelized mix. The texture is soft with crispy edges on every piece. The flavor leans earthy and sweet with just a hint of spice. It’s a one-pan side that feeds a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans take 25 minutes and sauté fresh green beans with Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and onions. The flavor is tangy and savory with a bit of heat. The beans stay snappy, not soggy. It’s a skillet side that knows how to get attention.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

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 roast in about 35 minutes and coat sweet potatoes with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. The edges caramelize while the centers stay soft. The flavor is sweet but balanced enough to pair with grilled meats. It’s a side you reach for twice.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots cook in 30 minutes and combine garlic, honey, and carrots for a sweet-savory bite. The glaze sticks lightly without being too heavy. Each piece softens just enough without losing its shape. It’s a quick side that stands up to smoky mains.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions are ready in 30 minutes and mix crisp green beans with garlic and crispy onions. The flavor is sharp and rich with texture in every bite. The onions bring crunch while the garlic keeps it bold. It’s the kind of green bean dish people ask about.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Loaded Cauliflower Mash takes about 35 minutes and blends cauliflower with sour cream, cheese, and bacon for a hearty mash. The texture is creamy with a bit of chunk. It tastes rich without being too heavy. It’s one of those sides that makes people double-check it’s not potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming Skillet Green Beans cook in 15 minutes and sauté green beans in high heat with oil, salt, and pepper. The texture is charred and snappy with a smoky flavor. No extras needed, just crispness and heat. It’s the fastest side that still hits hard.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes take about 50 minutes and mix roasted garlic, brown butter, and Yukon golds into a deep, nutty mash. The flavor is savory with a toasted finish. The texture stays creamy and smooth. It’s mashed potatoes with enough bite to matter.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts roast in 35 minutes and coat the sprouts in balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The glaze turns syrupy with a tangy-sweet bite. The sprouts stay crispy on the edges and soft inside. It’s a side with serious flavor backup.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Russian Potato Salad takes about an hour and mixes potatoes, peas, pickles, and eggs in a mayo-based dressing. The flavor is creamy, tangy, and lightly sweet. The texture is chunky and cool, perfect for warm weather meals. It’s a chilled classic that doesn’t get old.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)