From salads, grilled vegetables and cosy comforting dishes, this is our collection of The Best Side Dish Recipes. A great side dish can make your meal complete. We have recipes that will suit all proteins and dietary requirements. Colourful, simple and full of flavour – you’ll find lots of inspiration below!
Easy and Delicious Side Dish Recipes
I’ll be honest – I sometimes prefer the side dishes to the main event! I mean, a Roast Chicken is one of the best comforting meals, but it needs Crispy Potatoes at the very minimum to go alongside of it! In this collection we will offer recipes that:
- Meet a variety of dietary requirements – you’ll find several gluten-free, nut-free and vegan options. And for those that are not, we can help with necessary adjustments and substitutions.
- You can make in advance. Although there are some that are best made close to serving, you’ll find lots of options that will help you get ahead on your prep.
- Are ideal year round or also make the most of seasonal produce.
- Can be served with many different proteins.
Author note: to view each individual recipe, click on the “check out this recipe” button.
Simple Salad Recipes
There are no boring salads in our collection! They’re fresh, colourful and often have a variety of textures. Our favourites include our Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad and Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad.
Roasted Red Pepper Salad
This easy to prepare Roasted Red Pepper Salad is always a crowd pleaser. You will love the vibrant, fresh flavoured Mediterranean ingredients and the red, green and white colours reminiscent of the Italian flag. The peppers sit on a bed of rocket leaves with bocconcini, toasted pine nuts and pitted Kalamata olives. A flavoursome dressing of blended basil leaves, lemon juice, sea salt and extra virgin olive oil is drizzled over the top. There is flavour upon flavour; so delicious!
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Roasted Carrot Salad
This sweet and sour Roasted Carrot Salad is a great example of taking the humble carrot and transforming it into a special dish. The sliced carrots are roasted in the oven until tender and their edges begin to caramelise, then tossed in a simple sweet and sour dressing. Topped with toasted slivered almonds for crunch and sliced mint for freshness, this Sweet and Sour Carrot Salad is so easy and delicious.
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Charred Corn Salad
This Charred Corn Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish. With the slightly smoky flavour of the sauteed corn, the crunch of celery, the mellow cannellini beans, and the nutty, creaminess of the avocado, it is full of flavour and texture. The acidic note of lemon juice in the dressing balances all the flavours. You will find many occasions to enjoy the salad, either as a side dish for meat, fish or poultry or as a nutritious, meat-free meal.
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Quinoa and Spinach Salad
This very easy Quinoa and Spinach Salad is so delicious. As well as being nutrient-dense, it has vibrant colour and the flavoursome tang of citrus. It has a base of nutritious quinoa, with flavour, colour and nutrients added by spring onions, baby spinach, mandarin segments, pomegranate arils and slivered almonds. Enjoy it as a side dish to meat, poultry or fish or a nutritious, meat-free, light meal.
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Peach and Prosciutto Salad
This Peach and Prosciutto Salad highlights the flavours of summer. Sweet, juicy peaches are combined with salty prosciutto, creamy bocconcini and fragrant fresh basil leaves on a serving platter, then drizzled with a simple vinaigrette. It is colourful, nutritious, and best of all – easy to make.
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Tomato and Onion Salad
This easy to prepare Tomato and Onion Salad is the perfect side dish to serve with grilled or roasted meats, seafood or pasta! The salad comes together quickly and the flavours are enhanced with a simple dressing.
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Kale and Sweet Potato Salad
My Kale and Sweet Potato Salad is a simple to prepare dish that is so delicious. It has great texture and fantastic fresh flavour. A salad base of kale, sweet potato and almonds are tossed with a light, creamy dressing seasoned with fresh lemon juice and mustard. This Kale Salad makes the perfect side dish for your next gathering, barbecue or potluck!
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Broccoli Stem Slaw
My Broccoli Stem Slaw is crisp, colourful and totally delicious. I make it from simple, everyday ingredients and yet every bite of this salad is full of texture and bright flavours, all of which complement each other. It is the perfect side dish to serve with a barbecue, alongside a family dinner or to take on a picnic. It is also ideal to serve alongside a burger or in a sandwich.
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Rocket and Pear Salad
This simple, classic Rocket and Pear Salad is the perfect mix of sweet and savoury. With peppery rocket (arugula), sweet juicy pear, crunchy almond and umami flavoured parmesan cheese, it is a perfect combination of flavours and textures which contrast and complement each other. Serve it with meat, poultry or fish, or as a light starter with crusty bread.
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Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad
This Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad is a dish that will delight. Goat cheese and beetroot have long been a popular pairing and this salad demonstrates how well they work together. Although easily prepared from readily available ingredients, it is elegant, with a beautiful combination of textures, flavours and colours. As well, it is versatile; serve it as a starter, a side dish or a light lunch. It will be a great addition to your table.
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Caprese Pasta Salad
This easy to prepare Caprese Pasta Salad makes for an ideal lunch or side dish. Delicious, sweet tomatoes, creamy bocconcini and fresh basil are tossed with al dente pasta, garlic and olive oil. Perfect for a simple work lunch or to enjoy at your next picnic or barbecue!
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Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Turmeric
My Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Turmeric is a delicious side dish which is ideal for many occasions. It is healthy, satisfying and best of all, it is easily prepared. Not only does it look and taste good, but it is also full of health-benefiting nutrients. It’s not always that we find that food which is good for us is also delicious so I regard this as a bonus.
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Broccoli, Bacon and Cashew Salad
My Broccoli, Bacon and Cashew Salad is one of the best side dishes and a recipe that you must have in your repertoire. Tender broccoli combines with crispy bacon, roasted cashew nuts and dried cranberries. A tangy, creamy dressing coats all the ingredients. The broccoli soaks up the bright flavours of the dressing, complemented by the roasted cashews which provide great textural contrast. The flavour profile is a delicious balance of salty, sweet and tangy flavours.
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Quinoa Tabouli
This versatile salad is happy to fulfil many roles. Serve it as a delicious side dish, as an appetiser as part of a meze, or enjoy it as a light main meal. It is nutritious, full of flavour and will suit many people
with specific dietary requirements as it is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
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with specific dietary requirements as it is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
Marinated Tomato Salad
Close your eyes and imagine Italy as you enjoy this brightly flavoured Marinated Tomato Salad. Marinating the tomatoes intensifies their flavour. As a side dish, the salad will accompany meat, poultry or fish. It’s ideal to take to a pot-luck as it travels well, or, serve it as bruschetta on crusty, toasted bread. There’s absolutely no effort involved in making this flavourful salad; ensure that you make it soon.
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Radish, Feta and Cucumber Salad
There is a range of delicious, contrasting flavours and textures in this lovely salad. Cool cucumbers perfectly complement spicy radishes whilst sliced pear adds sweetness. The roasted walnuts add crunch and creamy feta brings all the ingredients together. This light, refreshing salad is easy to make and is ideal as a side dish or light, nutritious lunch.
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Orange, Spinach and Pomegranate Salad
There’s no doubt that some winter salads can be dull but that is not the case with this Orange, Spinach and Pomegranate Salad. Brighten your winter meals with this beautiful, healthy citrus salad. The vibrant colours of the salad are an indication of the flavour when we eat it. Enjoy it as an accompaniment to most main meals or as a light luncheon. Sprinkled with ruby-red jewels, this delicious salad will delight the senses.
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Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Healthy, delicious and tasty – my Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad is a great side-dish or light, meat-free meal. It’s fresh, nourishing, perfect for all occasions and can be made ahead of time.
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Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
This Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad is certain to become a favourite. It is light, full of flavour and so easy to make. Enjoy it as an appetiser or as a side dish. Don’t miss the opportunity to mop up the delicious juices with some crusty bread.
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Pumpkin, Cranberry & Almond Salad
This quickly made salad is perfect for any occasion or family gathering. It is not only nutritious, but it is also full of delicious flavours and textures. As a bonus, friends and family, who have specific dietary requirements, will also be able to enjoy it. It is vegan, gluten free and dairy free.
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Kale and Apple Slaw
My Kale and Apple Slaw is simple to prepare and so delicious. It has great texture and fantastic fresh flavours. A salad base of kale, apple and onion is tossed with a light, creamy dressing seasoned with fresh lemon juice and mustard. This Kale Salad makes the perfect side dish for your next gathering, barbecue or potluck!
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Easy Potato Salad with Peas and Mint
This is the best Easy Potato Salad with the delicious addition of Peas and Mint. The mellow potato flavour is boosted by fresh mint which adds freshness and brightness. Lemon zest accentuates and lifts the flavours and the dressing is made lighter and tangy by the addition of yoghurt.
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Butter Bean Salad
This Butter Bean Salad is full of vibrant flavour and colour. It is simple enough to play a supporting role as a side dish, but so flavoursome and nutritious that it can also stand alone as a light, meat-free meal. The creamy butter beans are perfectly complemented by crunchy, colourful vegetables and you will find it a breeze to put together; just combine the ingredients and toss them together in a simple vinaigrette. It’s as easy as that.
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You can also view our complete collection of Salad Recipes, which includes delicious options to enjoy over the festive season.
Vegetable Side Dishes
There are no boring salads in our collection! They’re fresh, colourful and often have a variety of textures. Our favourites include our Roasted Red Peppers and Baked Mashed Potatoes.
Crispy Roasted Smashed Potatoes
These Crispy Roasted Smashed Potatoes are likely to become one of your favourite side dishes. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Beautifully seasoned with chopped fresh rosemary, lemon zest and Parmesan cheese, they are a great accompaniment to many main courses. As a bonus, they are easy to make!
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Tuscan Stewed Beans (Fagioli all’Ucelletto)
These Tuscan Stewed Beans (Fagioli all’Uccelletto) are the epitome of rustic Italian comfort food. Made with plant-based ingredients, this is a hearty, flavoursome stew. For convenience, we have used canned cannellini beans which we simmer with extra virgin olive oil, tomato passata, garlic, sage leaves and some dried chilli flakes for a touch of spice. Enjoy it on its own with crusty bread or serve as a side dish.
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Baked Mashed Sweet Potatoes
My Baked Mashed Sweet Potatoes are the perfect, easy, make-ahead side dish and are certain to be popular with the whole family. Fluffy and creamy, with a crispy seasoned breadcrumb topping, this is a simple, delicious casserole side dish for autumn/fall or the festive season. If you prefer a savoury edge to your Mashed Sweet Potatoes, these are for you. You will find so many ways to enjoy them as they are extremely versatile, suitable to serve with most main courses.
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Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Easy to prepare and so delicious, you will find that there are many ways in which to enjoy Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. The simple method of roasting the tomatoes heightens and brightens their flavour. Serve as a side dish, with pasta, on salads and more!
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Honey Roasted Parsnips and Carrots
These Honey Roasted Parsnips and Carrots are a tasty and easily prepared side dish. This is a recipe that is simple enough to prepare for a weeknight meal but is sufficiently elegant for a special occasion such as Christmas. The carrots and parsnips are smothered in a glaze of honey, mustard and rosemary for the most delicious flavour.
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Roasted Bok Choy
Roasted Bok Choy is an ideal side dish that takes only a few minutes of preparation time! Flavoured with honey and soy sauce, this is a delicious and simple dish that will be on regular rotation.
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Piedmontese Roasted Peppers
These vibrantly coloured Piedmontese Roasted Peppers are utterly delicious and easily prepared. They are simple yet stunning, their flavours enhanced by roasting in the oven. Serve them on a large platter, with some crusty bread to mop up the delicious juices; you will be pleased that you did.
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Cauliflower Cheese Gratin
My Cauliflower Cheese Gratin transforms the humble cauliflower into a creamy, cheesy, show-stopping side dish. Parboiled cauliflower florets are added to a large baking dish, then bathed in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with a flavoursome breadcrumb mixture which becomes golden and crispy. This classic dish is pure comfort food and always a crowd-pleaser.
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Grilled Zucchini with Yoghurt Sauce
This easy Grilled Zucchini with Yoghurt Sauce evokes the bright, sunny flavours of summer. Zucchini slices are cooked on a chargrill pan until tender, then placed on a simple sauce of yoghurt, lemon and mint. For texture, we sprinkle with toasted slivered almonds. It is quick and easy to make and works well with meat, fish or poultry. As well, it is substantial enough to be a light meal when served with crusty bread.
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Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
These delicious Baked Parmesan Tomatoes make a great side dish. Flavoursome tomatoes are filled with breadcrumbs, herbs, Parmesan cheese and garlic. Baked until golden, this easy dish is a great addition to many meals.
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Brussels Sprouts Gratin
My Brussels Sprouts Gratin transforms this humble vegetable into a creamy, cheesy, show-stopping side dish which is ideal for the festive season. We first blanch the halved sprouts and then cloak them in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, topped with seasoned breadcrumbs which bake up crisp and golden. It is a perfect make-ahead side dish which can be served alongside most protein.
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Chargrilled Asparagus with Feta and Mint
This beautiful salad of Chargrilled Asparagus with Feta and Mint is full of bright flavours. The bright, slightly acidic tomatoes complement the smoky, tender asparagus while the feta adds creaminess and the toasted almond slivers add crunch. This quick and easy salad is a delicious side dish or light, meat-free meal. Fresh asparagus is a delicious spring delicacy – enjoy!
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Roasted Onions with Thyme
These Roasted Onions with Thyme are an ideal side dish, easy enough for weeknight meals as well as being a perfect addition to your festive table. The simple process of roasting the onions totally transforms them; as they cook, their sugars caramelise, enhancing their natural sweetness. And they are so easy to make! Just add the trimmed, halved onions to a baking dish along with some olive oil, season with salt, pepper and sprigs of thyme then roast.
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Roasted Red Peppers (Roasted Capsicums)
Delicious Roasted Red Peppers (Roasted Capsicums) are such a wonderful savoury treat. They are so simple to prepare and you can use them in so many different ways. The flavour is so fresh and vibrant that you'll never want store-bought again!
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Baked Mashed Potatoes
These Baked Mashed Potatoes are likely to become your go-to make-ahead side dish. I have found that most people love mashed potato, and this easy recipe takes the perennial favourite to new heights of deliciousness. Smooth, creamy mashed potatoes are added to a large casserole dish, topped with buttery breadcrumbs seasoned with fresh thyme and grated Parmesan, then baked until the top is golden and crisp. It is a great side dish that sits happily beside all protein.
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Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables
These Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables will become a regular inclusion in your meal plans. The oven-roasted vegetables are quickly and easily prepared and are a great way to get your family to enjoy more vegetables. The delicious vegetables are drizzled with basil oil and complement so many dishes.
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Butter Bean Mash
This quickly and easily made Butter Bean Mash is a perfect side dish to meat, poultry or fish. The creamy, mild butter beans readily absorb the accompanying flavours of aromatic rosemary, garlic and freshly grated parmesan cheese. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice balances and enhances the flavours. You will be delighted that such an easy dish is so flavoursome, as well as being nourishing, satisfying and able to be prepared in minutes.
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Mediterranean Baked Beans
Full of flavour and vibrant colour, these Mediterranean Baked Beans are a very satisfying meat-free meal or side dish. For convenience, we have used canned beans, making them perfect for busy nights. The beans are baked in the oven until succulent and creamy, with olive oil, tomatoes, Mediterranean herbs, and spices.
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Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli (Broccolini)
Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli (Broccolini) is an ideal side dish that takes only a few minutes of preparation time! Delicious hot or cold, this simple dish will be on regular rotation.
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Asparagus Gratin
My Asparagus Gratin is an easily made, elegant side dish that will sit happily beside most proteins. This seasonal vegetable is a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of spring, and whilst it’s available, I like to enjoy it in as many ways as possible. The tender asparagus is covered in a cheesy, creamy sauce, topped with panko breadcrumbs and baked until the top is golden and crispy. It is easy, impressive and pure comfort food that is loved by family and friends alike.
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Whole Roasted Baby Potatoes
These Whole Roasted Baby Potatoes with Polenta will become one of your favourite side dishes. They are quickly and easily made and go with almost every main dish. It takes just a few minutes to prepare them and get them in the oven, leaving you free to get on with the rest of your meal.
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Breads and Crackers
Complete your meal with a serving of bread or crackers. These are some of our favourite easy recipes.
Easy Spelt Focaccia
My Easy No-Knead Spelt Focaccia is a great way to experience the satisfaction of baking your own bread. It is a simple recipe that needs no more than 15 minutes of hands-on time. You just add all the dough ingredients to a bowl, stir with a wooden spoon and then set aside for about 5 hours for the dough to rise. Then, tip the dough into a baking tin and add toppings of your choice. After about 20 minutes of baking in a hot oven, the Spelt Focaccia will emerge, golden, crispy and tantalisingly aromatic.
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Gluten Free Olive and Rosemary Focaccia
A delicious, easily made, gluten free focaccia.
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Spelt Bread Loaf (No-Knead)
In the culinary world, there are few things more satisfying than making your own bread, and my No-Knead Spelt Bread Loaf is truly delicious. It is a simple recipe that could not be easier to make as it requires no more than 10 minutes of hands-on time. As well, it contains just 6 ingredients, including water. That is all you require to make this hearty, full of flavour bread.
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Mixed Seed Crackers
These easily made Mixed Seed Crackers are a great healthy snack to enjoy throughout the day, served with a dip or as a delicious addition to a cheese platter. The crispy crackers are packed with a variety of nutritious seeds, held together with water and seasoned with salt. They are vegan and gluten-free, full of flavour and great texture.
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Crispy Sheet Pan Stuffing
You are going to love this Crispy Sheet Pan Stuffing and will find many occasions to serve it. It is so easy to make. We combine sourdough bread, cranberries, apple, flavoursome herbs, toss with eggs, butter and seasonings and bake until golden and delicious. It is perfect for the festive season as it has the aroma and flavour that we associate with Christmas. And if you, like me, love the crispy, crunchy parts of stuffing, you are going to love this dish. It is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
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For more delicious inspiration, you may like to check out our collection of Condiments, Pickles and Dip Recipes. They are the perfect addition to many a meal!
This collection of Delicious Side Dish Recipes has something for everything. I hope you will find inspiration and some new favourite recipes to enjoy with your main meals for years to come.
Let me know what your favourite dishes are in the comments below!
Alex xx
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