15 Irresistible Sides That’ll Have You Skipping Straight to Seconds

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Let’s be honest—side dishes are the real stars of any meal. Who cares about the main course when you’ve got Crispy Smashed Potatoes stealing the show? Or Garlic Knots so buttery and soft they practically beg to be devoured. Craving crunch? Vegetable Tempura and Potato Skins have you covered. Need something cheesy? The Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions will ruin you for all future onions. And for a little sweet, savory, and spicy magic, don’t skip the Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans, Cranberries, Feta & Hot Honey. Honestly, why settle for one when you can have them all? Click in—your taste buds will thank you.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

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Crispy smashed potatoes drizzled with creamy sauce, garnished with fresh rosemary, arranged on a white platter.
Image Credit: Ambitious Kitchen

These Crispy Smashed Potatoes are a simple yet incredibly delicious appetizer or side dish! With perfectly golden edges and simple seasoning, these easy-to-make potatoes are the perfect complement to any meal. Serve with our creamy garlic feta sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

To learn more: Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Garlic Knots

A bowl of golden, knot-shaped breadsticks coated with herbs and cheese, served with marinara sauce and garnished with fresh basil.
Image Credit: Baking A Moment

These Garlic Knots are incredibly soft and pillowy, bursting with garlic and herb flavor! Easy to make, they’re a perfect appetizer or side dish for any occasion.

To learn more: Garlic Knots

Grilled Zucchini

Grilled zucchini strips garnished with herbs and lemon slices on a white platter, showcasing a delicious summer dish.
Image Credit: Carlsbad Cravings

This Grilled Zucchini recipe is a game-changer for easy side dishes! Quick to prepare, incredibly versatile, and delicious, it’s a perfect make-ahead option that complements almost any meal.

To learn more: Grilled Zucchini

Potato Skins

Four loaded baked potato halves topped with sour cream, bacon, cheese, and green onions on a white plate.
Image Credit: Baking A Moment

These loaded Potato Skins are restaurant-quality delicious, but made with the love (and ease) of home cooking! Crispy potato skins are generously topped with melted cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions.

To learn more: Potato Skins

Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans, Cranberries, Feta & Hot Honey

A dish of roasted butternut squash topped with pecans, cranberries, feta cheese, and fresh herbs, served in a white bowl.
Image Credit: Two Peas And Their Pod

This Roasted Butternut Squash is a simple yet sophisticated side dish, perfect for any occasion! The combination of crunchy pecans, sweet cranberries, creamy feta, and a drizzle of hot honey elevates the butternut squash to a new level of deliciousness.

To learn more: Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans, Cranberries, Feta & Hot Honey

Roasted Cauliflower

A white baking dish filled with golden-brown roasted cauliflower, topped with crispy breadcrumbs and a serving spoon beside it.
Image Credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This Roasted Cauliflower recipe delivers the ultimate cauliflower experience! High-temperature roasting yields exceptional caramelization, resulting in crispy edges and a tender interior—a flavor and texture revelation.

To learn more: Roasted Cauliflower

Sesame Tomato Salad

A vibrant salad featuring mixed cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, sesame seeds, and a creamy dressing, served in a rustic bowl.
Image Credit: Feasting At Home

This Sesame Tomato Salad is a simple, delicious, and healthy side dish! Made with ripe heirloom tomatoes, a flavorful sesame-ginger dressing, and fresh herbs, this easy recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for summer.

To learn more: Sesame Tomato Salad

Smashed Cucumber Avocado Salad

A fresh green salad featuring diced avocado, cucumber, and cilantro, garnished with lime on a pink background.
Image Credit: Ambitious Kitchen

This Smashed Cucumber Avocado Salad is incredibly easy to make and incredibly versatile! With simple ingredients, it’s a beautiful and refreshing side dish, perfect for grain bowls, salads, or alongside proteins.

To learn more: Smashed Cucumber Avocado Salad

Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

Close-up of golden-brown, baked onion slices garnished with herbs, showcasing a crispy texture and rich flavor.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

These Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions are a quick, delicious, and surprisingly simple side dish! Made with just six ingredients, they’re packed with savory cheesy goodness.

To learn more: Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

Thai-Inspired Peanut Chicken Wings

A platter of golden-brown chicken wings coated in sesame seeds, garnished with green onions and lime wedges.
Image Credit: Ambitious Kitchen

These Thai-Inspired Peanut Chicken Wings are a delicious and easy appetizer or snack! Crispy wings baked to perfection and tossed in a flavorful peanut sauce create a truly irresistible treat.

To learn more: Thai-Inspired Peanut Chicken Wings

Creamy Baked Brussels Sprouts

A spoonful of creamy baked Brussels sprouts, topped with melted cheese, in a white dish.
Image Credit: Will Cook For Smiles

These Creamy Baked Brussels Sprouts are a delicious and elegant side dish! Sautéed Brussels sprouts with shallots and garlic are baked to perfection in a rich, creamy parmesan sauce.

To learn more: Creamy Baked Brussels Sprouts

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Golden-brown slices of toasted bread topped with melted cheese and herbs, baked until bubbly and crisp.
Image Credit: Little Spoon Farm

This Cheesy Garlic Bread is a simple yet incredibly satisfying side dish! Easy to make and bursting with cheesy garlic flavor, it’s the perfect complement to any dinner.

To learn more: Cheesy Garlic Bread

Vegetable Tempura

A wooden plate piled with golden-brown breaded green beans and crispy fried vegetables, accompanied by a small red bowl and chopsticks.
Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands.

This Vegetable Tempura recipe is a family favorite for a reason! We’ve perfected the recipe for maximum crunch, making these homemade tempura easy to prepare and far superior to takeout.

To learn more: Vegetable Tempura

Cheese Fries

A white tray filled with crispy French fries generously coated in creamy cheese sauce, surrounded by drinks and garnishes.
Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

These Cheese Fries are a family favorite comfort food—easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser! Made with simple ingredients like frozen French fries, cheddar cheese, garlic, and a few pantry staples, they’re a quick and delicious meal that disappears fast.

To learn more: Cheese Fries

Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes

Twice-baked potatoes topped with melted cheese, green onions, and crispy fried onions, served on a wooden board.
Image Credit: Xoxo Bella

These Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes are a quick and easy way to enjoy a comforting classic! Perfect for cozy nights in or as a hearty side dish for gatherings, they’re a delicious and satisfying meal.

To learn more: Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes

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