Complete Reference Guide
The Complete Guide to Side Dish Recipes
288+ side dish ideas organized by main course, protein, and occasion - so every plate feels complete.
288+Side Dish Recipes
25+Cuisine Styles
NewAdded Weekly
You've got the main course figured out - now what goes next to it? We've organized 288+ side dish recipes by protein pairing, cooking style, and how much time you actually have.
The CooksCrafter team tests every side dish recommendation against real meals. We pair chicken sides with actual chicken dinners, check whether a potato side works beside steak or falls apart next to fish.
Most side dishes here take 30 minutes or less. We flag anything that needs more time so you can plan ahead.
How We Test Side Dishes
Every side dish has been tested alongside at least two different main courses.
PairWe test each side with multiple mains to confirm it actually works.
TimeWe verify cook times and flag anything over 30 minutes.
ScaleRecipes tested at 4 and 8 servings.
Most Popular Guides
Chicken Side Dishes
51 guides
Chicken is mild enough to pair with almost anything, but the best sides bring contrast - something crispy, acidic, or starchy.
What to Serve with Apricot Chicken? 10 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bourbon Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Breaded Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Dip? 13 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Butter Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Caprese Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken and Broccoli? 14 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Drumsticks? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Florentine? 10 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Fricassee? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Fried Rice? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Korma? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Milanese? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Piccata? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Pot Pie? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Romano? 10 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Salad? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Saltimbocca? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Sausage? 13 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Shawarma? 10 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Souvlaki? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Taquitos? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Tenders? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Tikka Masala? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Tinga? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Waffles? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chicken Wings? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Citrus Chicken? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with City Chicken? 10 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Creamy Mushroom Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Garlic Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Greek Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Hawaiian Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Honey Sriracha Chicken? 10 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Italian Chicken Cutlets? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with King Ranch Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Korean Fried Chicken? 10 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Mango Salsa Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken? 10 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Mexican Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Mississippi Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Peri Peri Chicken? 13 Best Side Dishes
Beef & Steak Sides
28 guides
Beef needs sides with enough presence to stand up to a rich, heavy main. Think roasted potatoes, creamed spinach, or a sharp salad.
20 Delicious Sides to improve your Burger Meal
20 Easy and Fresh Slaw Recipes to Complement Your Grilled Meats
20 Essential BBQ Side Dishes Your Guests Will Love
What to Serve with Ahi Tuna Steaks? 12 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Beef and Broccoli? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Beef Stroganoff? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Beef Tenderloin? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Beef Tips? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Beef Wellington? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bulgogi Beef? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cabbage Steaks? 10 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cauliflower Steaks? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cheeseburger Soup? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chimichurri Steak? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Filipino BBQ? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Ham Steak? 13 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Jamaican Beef Patties? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Meatballs? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Meatloaf? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Pepper Steak? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Pulled Beef? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Shredded Beef Sandwiches? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Skirt Steak? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Spaghetti and Meatballs? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Steak au Poivre? 10 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Steak Bites? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Tomahawk Steak? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Turkey Burgers? 13 Best Side Dishes
Seafood Sides
18 guides
Seafood sides should be light enough not to compete with delicate fish, but substantial enough for heartier shellfish.
What to Serve with a Seafood Boil? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Asian Salmon? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Baked Salmon? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bang Bang Shrimp? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Blackened Fish? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cedar Plank Salmon? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Crab Salad? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Crawfish Etouffee? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Fish and Chips? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Fish Pie? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Fried Shrimps? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Shrimp? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Grilled Salmon? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Honey Glazed Salmon? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Poached Salmon? 10 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Shrimp Creole? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Shrimp Pasta? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with White Fish? 13 Best Side Dishes
Vegetable Side Dishes
16 guides
Roasted, sauteed, steamed, or raw - vegetable sides that bring color and nutrition without much fuss.
13 Delicious Vegan Side Dishes Everyone Will Love
20 Delicious Side Dishes Featuring Canned Corn
20 Delicious Side Dishes Using Frozen Vegetables: Quick and Easy Recipes
20 Easy Vegetable Sides That Go With Anything
20 Roasted Veggie Recipes That Don't Get Mushy
Miso Roasted Cauliflower
What to Serve at a Pig Roast? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Acorn Squash? 12 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Asparagus? 15 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Broccoli Casserole? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Buffalo Cauliflower? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cauliflower Cheese? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cauliflower Soup? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cornish Hens? 13 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Mexican Street Corn? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Roasted Vegetables? 10 BEST Side Dishes
Quick & Easy Sides
18 guides
Under 20 minutes from counter to table. These sides work when the main is already complicated enough.
10 Crispy Fried Side Dishes to improve your Meal
10 Hot Appetizers That Stay Crisp and Flavorful for Gatherings
11 Fast and Flavorful 3-Ingredient Appetizers for Any Occasion
12 Tasty Bite-Sized Appetizers That Travel Well
13 Refreshing Cold Appetizers Perfect for Any Gathering
14 Delicious Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes to Try Today
14 pleasant Cheese Appetizer Recipes for Every Occasion
15 Irresistible Puff Pastry Appetizers to Impress Your Guests
16 Crowd-Pleasing Game Day Appetizers to Keep Your Guests Happy
18 Party Appetizers to Make Hosting Easy and Delicious
20 Flavorful One-Pan Skillet Side Dishes for Easy Meals
20 Quick and Delicious Microwave Side Dish Recipes
Easy Air Fryer Ratatouille
What to Serve with Breakfast Burritos? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Breakfast Casserole? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Egg Bites? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Fried Green Tomatoes? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Fried Potatoes? 13 Side Dishes
More Guides
15 Summer Side Dishes That'll Steal the Show at Every Cookout
17 Delicious Dips to Upgrade Your Snacking Game
20 Cold Side Dishes That Travel Well: Perfect Recipes for Picnics
20 Cozy Baked Side Dishes to improve Every Meal
20 Delicious Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes Beyond French Fries
20 Essential Meal Prep Side Dishes That Reheat Beautifully
20 Essential Mediterranean Sides to Brighten Up Your Meals
20 Healthy-ish Side Dishes That Don't Feel Like Diet Food
20 High-Fiber Side Dishes That Actually Taste Good
20 Make-Ahead Side Dishes to Simplify Your Meal Planning
20 Oven-Free Holiday Side Dishes to Save Your Oven and Impress Your Guests
20 Popular Potato Side Dishes to improve your Meals
20 Rice Side Dishes That Aren't Just Plain White Rice
20 Southern-Inspired Side Dishes for Cozy Family Meals
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts: A Flavorful Twist
What to Serve with Antipasto Salad? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Arancini Balls? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Arepas? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Arroz con Pollo? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Artichokes? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Arugula Salad? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Avgolemono Soup? 10 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bagels? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Baked Beans? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Baked Potatoes? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Baked Ziti? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bearnaise Sauce? 10 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Beets? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bierocks? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Birria Tacos? 11 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Biryani? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Biscuits and Gravy? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Blintz Souffle? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with BLT Sandwiches? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bobotie? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bologna Sandwiches? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Borscht? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Boudin Blanc? 12 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Braciole? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Braised Red Cabbage? 8 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Branzino? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bratwursts? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Breaded Cod? 9 BEST Side Dishes
What to Serve with Brownies? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Bruschetta? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Butternut Squash Risotto? 12 Side Dishes
What to Serve with Butternut Squash Soup? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cabbage Soup? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Caesar Salad? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Caponata? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Caprese Salad? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Carne Asada? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Cevapcici? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Charcuterie Board? 13 Best Side Dishes
What to Serve with Chateaubriand? 12 BEST Side Dishes
Frequently Asked Questions
What side dishes go with everything?
Roasted vegetables, steamed rice, and a simple green salad work alongside most proteins and cuisines.
How do I pick a side dish?
Match the weight of the side to the main. Light mains pair with hearty sides. Rich mains work better with something fresh and acidic.
Can I prep side dishes ahead?
Most grain-based and roasted vegetable sides reheat well. Dress salads just before serving.
How many sides should I serve?
One for weeknights, 2-3 for entertaining. A starch, a vegetable, and a salad covers most situations.