19 Side Dishes You’ll Regret Not Adding to Your Menu Sooner

When it comes to side dishes, it’s easy to stick with the basics, but these recipes are too good to miss. I’ve rounded up some standout sides that will take your meals to the next level. Whether you’re looking for something quick or a bit more special, these dishes are ones you’ll wish you’d tried sooner.

Close-up of a spoon holding fried rice with crab meat, green onions, and red bell peppers. — Crab Fried Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Bowl of sautéed cabbage topped with crispy bacon strips. — Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a savory dish that brings together the richness of bacon and the tender texture of cabbage. This side dish is quick to prepare and adds a comforting, homestyle flavor to any meal. If you’re looking for a way to bring a classic Southern touch to your dinner, this recipe is one you’ll wish you’d added to your menu sooner.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Close-up of creamy scalloped potatoes topped with melted cheese and garnished with parsley in a baking dish. — Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes offer a creamy, cheesy side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. This dish is perfect for when you want something comforting and classic, without spending too much time in the kitchen. It’s an ideal choice for any meal where you want to add a rich, flavorful side you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Zucchini Bruschetta

Slices of zucchini topped with diced tomatoes, basil, grated cheese, and herbs are arranged on a white surface. These recipes from around the world are anything but boring. — Zucchini Bruschetta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Zucchini Bruschetta is a fresh, vibrant side that’s quick to make and full of flavor. This dish is a great alternative to traditional bruschetta, using zucchini as a base instead of bread. It’s an excellent choice for when you want to add something light and colorful to your menu, making you wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bruschetta

Aloo Gobi Masala

A pot of vegetable curry with cauliflower and potatoes, garnished with herbs, served with naan bread. — Aloo Gobi Masala. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Aloo Gobi Masala is a flavorful Indian dish made with potatoes, cauliflower, and a blend of spices. This side is not only easy to prepare but also brings a unique flavor to your table that pairs well with a variety of main courses. It’s an ideal addition to your dinner that you’ll be glad you didn’t overlook.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Sliced glazed carrots garnished with herbs on a fork, with more on a plate in the background. — Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer are a sweet and savory side dish that’s simple to make and full of flavor. The air fryer helps caramelize the carrots, enhancing their natural sweetness with a touch of maple syrup. This dish is an easy way to add a bit of elegance to your meal, and you’ll be glad you added it to your menu.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air-fried brussels sprouts with grated parmesan cheese on a white plate. — Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are a quick, crispy side dish that brings out the best in this often-overlooked vegetable. The air fryer gives them a perfect texture, with a crispy exterior and tender inside. They’re a great way to add a healthy, flavorful side to your meal, one that you’ll be glad you decided to include.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Two halves of baked sweet potatoes topped with butter and garnished with herbs on a white plate, with a red checkered napkin on the side. — Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes are a simple and healthy side dish that’s easy to prepare in no time. The air fryer cooks them to perfection, making them a great addition to any meal. These sweet potatoes are a must-try for anyone looking to add a nutritious and flavorful side to their menu, something you’ll be glad you tried.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole is a classic side dish that’s always a hit at family dinners and holiday gatherings. This dish combines tender green beans with a creamy sauce and crispy onion topping for a comforting, homey flavor. It’s an essential addition to any meal, one that you’ll be glad you made room for on your menu.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage is a unique and flavorful side dish that combines the richness of bacon with the crispness of cabbage. The air fryer cooks the bacon to perfection while keeping the cabbage tender and flavorful. It’s an effortless way to add a delicious side to your meal, one that you’ll be glad you tried.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

A plate of green beans tossed with herbs and pine nuts. — Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Green Beans with Garlic Butter are a simple yet flavorful side dish that pairs well with almost any main course. The combination of fresh green beans and rich garlic butter makes this dish an easy choice for any meal. It’s a classic side that you’ll wonder why you didn’t add to your menu sooner.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

A spoon lifting a smashed potato garnished with rosemary, with a festive table setting in the background. — Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese are a crispy, cheesy side dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The air fryer gives the potatoes a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. This dish is an easy way to add a comforting, flavorful side to your meal, one that you’ll be glad you included.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Vegan Mexican Rice

Bowl of Mexican rice mixed with tomato sauce and garnished with a sprig of cilantro, with a fork inserted into the rice. — Vegan Mexican Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Vegan Mexican Rice is a flavorful, easy-to-make side dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses. This dish combines rice with a blend of spices and vegetables, creating a satisfying and hearty side. It’s a great choice for adding a bit of flair to your menu, one that you’ll be happy you decided to include.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

A baking dish containing four twice-baked potatoes topped with melted cheese and diced ham, garnished with herbs. — Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes are a rich, comforting side dish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. These potatoes are loaded with cheese and other savory toppings, making them a hearty addition to any meal. If you’re looking to add a flavorful and satisfying side to your menu, this is one dish you’ll wish you had made sooner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a classic French vegetable dish that’s both flavorful and healthy. This side dish combines a variety of fresh vegetables, cooked to perfection, making it a colorful and satisfying addition to your meal. It’s a dish you’ll be glad you added to your menu, bringing both flavor and nutrition to your table.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

A close-up of seasoned potato wedges served with a side of dipping sauce. — Air Fryer Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air Fryer Potato Wedges are a quick and easy side dish that’s perfect for any meal. The air fryer gives the potato wedges a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. They’re a great addition to your menu, offering a simple yet satisfying side that you’ll be glad you included.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Green Bean Tomato Salad

A plate of green beans with cherry tomato halves and crumbled feta, served with a fork on a white tablecloth. — Green Bean Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Green Bean Tomato Salad is a fresh, vibrant side dish that’s perfect for summer meals or as a light addition to any dinner. The combination of crisp green beans and juicy tomatoes creates a refreshing and flavorful salad. It’s a great way to add some color and nutrition to your menu, and you’ll be glad you included it.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Sliced and roasted cabbage wedges seasoned with herbs on a white plate, garnished with black pepper and fresh herbs. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Roasted Cabbage Steaks are a simple yet flavorful side dish that’s easy to prepare and pairs well with a variety of main courses. The cabbage is roasted to perfection, giving it a tender texture and rich flavor. This dish is a great addition to your menu, one that you’ll wish you had added sooner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Crab Fried Rice

Crab Fried Rice is a flavorful, satisfying side dish that’s perfect for seafood lovers. This dish combines rice with crab and a blend of spices, creating a rich and savory flavor that pairs well with a variety of main courses. It’s a great way to add something different to your menu, one that you’ll be glad you included.
Get the Recipe: Crab Fried Rice

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Close-up of a spoon holding creamy mac and cheese garnished with green onions. — Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is a creamy, comforting side dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. The slow cooker makes it easy to achieve a rich, cheesy texture without much effort. It’s a must-have addition to your menu, offering a classic side that you’ll be glad you made room for.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese