19 Side Dishes So Good, They Might Outshine the Main

If you’ve ever secretly loved the side dish more than the main event, you’re in the right place. These recipes are simple, stress-free, and packed with flavor, exactly what you need when you want something that tastes like more effort than it was. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just getting dinner on the table fast, these sides totally steal the show.

Cilantro Lime Rice

This fluffy cilantro lime rice brings a pop of freshness that instantly brightens up any plate. It’s the kind of side that’s so flavorful and easy to make, you’ll keep coming back to it week after week. Whether you’re serving grilled meat, tacos, or a simple bowl of beans, it’s one of those side dishes so good, it just might outshine the main course.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Baked Potato Soup Chilis

You might plan this as a side, but it has all the makings of a scene-stealer. This baked potato soup is creamy, hearty, and loaded with crispy bacon, cheese, and chives, just like the classic from Chili’s. When something this comforting shows up on the table, don’t be surprised if it’s the side dish that outshines whatever else you’re serving.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup Chilis

Broccoli Rice Casserole

This cheesy broccoli rice casserole is everything a cozy side should be, warm, creamy, and full of flavor. With just a few everyday ingredients, you get a delicious dish that’s surprisingly easy to throw together. It’s one of those side dishes so good, folks might forget there’s even a main course coming.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole

Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Rice

Copycat Longhorn rice brings a big flavor payoff with minimal effort. Tender rice, sautéed onions and bell peppers, and rich chicken broth come together in a way that’s both simple and memorable. It’s the kind of side dish that stands its ground, and might even steal the spotlight from your main entrée.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Rice

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

These make-ahead mashed potatoes take the pressure off your holiday prep without cutting corners on flavor. Creamy, buttery, and cheesy, they bake up beautifully when you’re ready to serve. Honestly, they’re the kind of side dish that can easily outshine the main attraction, and no one’s going to complain about that.
Get the Recipe: Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Roasted green beans are proof that frozen veggies don’t have to be boring. With crispy edges, garlicky seasoning, and a generous sprinkle of parmesan, they’re a total win. Honestly, it’s one of those side dishes so good, it could easily outshine whatever main you’re serving next to it.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Popeyes Coleslaw

Cool, crunchy, and creamy, this copycat coleslaw nails the balance of sweet and tangy just right. It’s a go-to for anything grilled, but don’t be surprised if this simple slaw steals the spotlight at your next cookout. It’s definitely in the running for a side dish so good, it might outshine the main.
Get the Recipe: Popeyes Coleslaw

Potato Fritters

Whether it’s breakfast or a side for dinner, they’re one of those unexpected hits that can totally outshine the main. These crispy potato fritters bring major flavor with just a handful of pantry staples. Golden on the outside and fluffy in the middle, they’re topped with a spoonful of yogurt and fresh chives for extra flair.
Get the Recipe: Potato Fritters

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

When side dishes are this rich and delicious, don’t be shocked if they outshine the main dish on the table. Creamy, buttery, and full of roasted garlic flavor, this mashed potato recipe is pure comfort food. It’s easy enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for a holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Honey Glazed Carrots

Sweet and savory with a glossy honey-garlic-butter glaze, these carrots are anything but ordinary. They bring color, flavor, and just the right amount of flair to your dinner plate. This one’s definitely in the camp of side dishes so good, they might just outshine the main course.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

If you’re looking for a veggie side dish that could easily outshine the main course, this is it. These air fryer zucchini fries are everything you want in a snack or side, crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with cheesy, herby flavor. Coated in a seasoned parmesan breadcrumb mix, they air fry to golden perfection in under 20 minutes, no deep frying required.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Parmesan Potatoes

Roasted to perfection with a cheesy, crispy coating, these parmesan potatoes are little bites of magic. The buttery centers and golden crust make them totally irresistible, especially with a dip of sour cream. Honestly, they’re the kind of side that steals the show, no matter what else is on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Parmesan and Garlic Wings

These wings are crispy, buttery, and bursting with bold garlic-parmesan flavor in every bite. They’re so good, they don’t just complement the main dish, they compete with it. TOnce these hit the table, they become the main event., golden, addictive, and impossible to ignore, there’s no way these sides are getting left behind.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan and Garlic Wings

Cauliflower Tortillas with Garlic and Oregano

Cauliflower tortillas are flexible, sturdy, and packed with way more flavor than your average store-bought wrap. They’re not just a base for your fillings, they’re a side dish in their own right, with enough personality to carry the whole meal. Whether you’re loading them up with carne asada, grilled veggies, or anything in between, they hold their shape and bring big flavor to every bite.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Tortillas with Garlic and Oregano

Carrot Raisin Salad

This sweet and tangy carrot raisin salad takes just minutes to make, but it brings a cool crunch you can’t ignore. It’s a fun, unexpected side that adds color and flavor to any spread. When guests ask what the standout dish was, don’t be surprised if it’s this one that outshines the main.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Broccoli Casserole

Creamy, cheesy, and topped with a golden layer of buttery crackers, this broccoli casserole is the definition of a comfort food side dish done right. It transforms humble broccoli into something rich, delicious, and downright crave-worthy, turning even veggie skeptics into fans. The velvety cheese sauce coats every floret, while the crispy cracker topping adds just the right amount of crunch and nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Homemade Asparagus

No more limp, overcooked asparagus because this simple method gives you perfectly tender, vibrant green stalks every single time. Whether you roast it, sauté it, or give it a quick char under the broiler, the flavor shines through without needing much else. It’s an elegant side that pairs beautifully with everything and more than earns its place on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Asparagus

Cabbage Fritters

These crispy cabbage fritters are fast, flavorful, and anything but boring. Shredded cabbage is seasoned with bold curry spices, then pan-fried until golden brown and irresistibly crunchy around the edges. Whether you serve them as a cozy afternoon snack with tea or as a flavorful side at dinner, these fritters are the kind of simple dish that ends up stealing the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Fritters

Homemade Sauerkraut

Made with just cabbage, salt, and time, this homemade sauerkraut is a tangy, crunchy game-changer that proves the power of simplicity. The deep, briny flavor wakes up any dish it’s served with, especially rich or hearty mains like sausages, roasts, or stews. It’s more than just a condiment; it’s a bright, punchy side that adds contrast and complexity to your plate.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sauerkraut