23 Sides That’ll Steal the Show Before the Main Arrives

Some sides don’t wait around for the spotlight—they take it. These 23 dishes bring the crunch, the flavor, and the real reason people show up. Whether you’re firing up the main or just passing time, these sides will be long gone before the meat hits the table. Expect no leftovers, just repeat requests.

Crispy cubed eggplant roasted in the air fryer on a plate with a serving spoon. — Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Loaded Cauliflower Mash is a rich, savory side made with cauliflower, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and crispy bacon. It takes about 30 minutes and tastes like a low-carb take on fully loaded mashed potatoes. The texture is smooth but hearty enough to hold its own on any plate. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor from every angle.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

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 takes 35 minutes and layers together nutty, salty, and roasted flavors in one pan. The sprouts caramelize in the oven while almonds bring crunch and feta adds a creamy finish. It’s a side that feels balanced, bright, and satisfying in every bite. The combo of textures makes it tough to ignore.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Easy Oven Asparagus

Easy Oven Asparagus comes together in just 20 minutes with tender spears, a light seasoning, and a crisp-tender bite. The olive oil and seasoning enhance its natural earthiness without overpowering it. It’s a clean, fast option that works with anything but rarely stays on the plate long. This simple dish still manages to steal attention from more complicated mains.
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 bake for 35 minutes and balance earthy sweetness with a glossy, sticky glaze. The carrots soften just enough to yield but still hold structure and bite. The honey glaze brings a hint of caramel while a touch of seasoning rounds it out. They hit that perfect note between savory and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

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 to roast into fork-tender rounds with crispy edges. Brown sugar melts into the surface for a caramel-like coating that clings to the natural sweetness of the potatoes. Each bite is soft in the middle and slightly crisp on the outside. They’ll disappear from the tray before the main course arrives.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans cook in 25 minutes and deliver a tangy twist with bold umami flavor. The sauce clings to the beans, giving each bite a hit of salt, depth, and brightness. They hold their snap and bring more complexity than most veggie sides. It’s a small dish that packs a punch.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

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 and deliver soft, buttery spoonfuls that melt into whatever’s on your plate. Yukon golds give them richness while cream and butter make them smooth and decadent. It’s the kind of side that gets second helpings before the main is even served. Comforting, classic, and hard to beat.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions come together in 30 minutes and bring serious crunch with a hit of garlic. The green beans stay bright and crisp, while the fried onions add salt and texture. It tastes like a fresh take on the casserole without the heaviness. They’re crunchy, savory, and gone in seconds.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Eggplant Tomato Stacks take 40 minutes and alternate layers of roasted eggplant, juicy tomatoes, and herbed cheese. The flavors build with every layer, giving you a little smokiness, acidity, and creaminess in one forkful. It eats like a side but feels like the star. The textures alone make it hard to pass up.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts are roasted for 30 minutes and tossed in a tangy-sweet balsamic reduction. The glaze brings out the sprouts’ natural sweetness while adding depth and zing. They come out tender with just enough crisp around the edges. It’s the kind of flavor that makes people forget what else is being served.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes are ready in about 35 minutes and layer nutty, roasted garlic flavor into buttery potatoes. The brown butter adds a depth that plain mash doesn’t hit. Every bite feels richer without being heavy. It’s the kind of side that people ask for by name.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts roast in 30 minutes with a warm, spiced coating that clings to every crispy leaf. The Indian-inspired blend adds depth without being overwhelming. These sprouts are bold, aromatic, and taste completely different from the usual roast. They’re the unexpected hit that’s always gone first.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming Skillet Green Beans come together in 20 minutes with a hot skillet and a garlic kick. The high heat keeps them snappy while letting the flavors sear right in. The result is bright, savory, and slightly smoky. These beans show up loud and disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

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 45 minutes to bake and bring together carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. They caramelize beautifully, each bite slightly sweet with a savory edge. The mix of colors and textures makes them feel hearty and satisfying. No one misses the meat when these hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots roast in 35 minutes and coat every bite in a sticky mix of sweet and savory. The garlic balances the honey, giving these carrots more depth than you’d expect. They stay tender but hold their shape, perfect for scooping up fast. One spoonful turns into three.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

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 take about 25 minutes and come out crispy on the outside, fluffy in the center. Tossed with seasoning and a bit of oil, they taste like diner-style home fries without the grease. The air fryer makes them fast, light, and addicting. They’re a side people keep reaching for.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Crock pot with sweet potato casserole with pecans and marshmallows. — Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole cooks low and slow for about 4 hours, with mashed sweet potatoes under a crisp pecan topping. The inside is creamy and spiced, while the top brings texture and just enough sweetness. It hits all the fall flavors in one bite. People come back for the topping, but stay for the filling.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes

Stack of Mexican corn cakes on a white plate with a fork. — Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes take 20 minutes and mix corn, cheese, and seasoning into golden cakes with a crisp crust. The inside stays soft and cheesy, giving you contrast in every bite. They’re lightly spiced, not too heavy, and perfect for scooping or snacking. No one needs convincing once they try one.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes

Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes

Closeup of fingerling potatoes roasted in air fryer coated in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and thyme dressing. — Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes roast up in 20 minutes with crisp skins and soft centers. They’re lightly seasoned to let the potato flavor shine, and the air fryer locks in that texture fast. These taste simple but satisfying, with a rustic edge. They’re gone before the main hits the plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes

How to Rice Cauliflower

Cauli rice in a golden bowl with cauliflower head on the side. — How to Rice Cauliflower. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

How to Rice Cauliflower shows how to prep a 15-minute side that’s light, neutral, and endlessly customizable. It’s not a full recipe, but a method that turns cauliflower into a base for stir-fries, bowls, or sautés. The result is fluffy and clean-tasting with a slight crunch. It’s a smart swap that doesn’t feel like a sacrifice.
Get the Recipe: How to Rice Cauliflower

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes take 25 minutes and bring juicy, concentrated bursts of flavor with each bite. Roasting draws out their sweetness while the skin crisps slightly. They’re great on their own or spooned over anything else on the table. People rarely leave any behind.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with pine nuts on a plate. — Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Green Beans with Garlic Butter are done in 20 minutes and balance bright, fresh beans with a buttery garlic coating. They stay tender-crisp and soak up just enough richness. It’s an easy side that feels more thoughtful than it is. This one goes quickly without a word.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant

Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant takes 25 minutes and delivers golden rounds with a soft center and crisp coating. It’s lightly seasoned to highlight the eggplant’s flavor while keeping the texture light and snackable. They’re great alone or dipped, and they cool just long enough to disappear. The crunch alone makes them a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant