28 Sides and Salads That Deserve More Credit Than They Get

Sides and salads usually get shoved to the edge of the plate, but they’ve got way more potential than most people give them credit for. They’re the quiet MVPs that can tie a whole meal together or completely steal the show. These recipes are easy to prep and don’t rely on a ton of ingredients you’ll only use once. They’re practical, fresh, and way more interesting than plain lettuce or boiled rice. If you’re bored with the usual fillers, these sides and salads are the upgrade your meals have been waiting for.

Asparagus spears are topped with grated cheese on a white platter, surrounded by lemon slices. White serving tongs are holding some of the asparagus.

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Aloo Gobi Masala

This spiced cauliflower and potato dish holds its own next to any main course. It’s ready in under an hour and doesn’t require hard-to-find ingredients. With its bold seasoning and tender texture, it's proof that vegetable-based sides can bring just as much flavor to the table. It’s a good reminder that a side doesn’t have to be plain to earn a spot on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Seafood Pasta Salad

Cold pasta tossed with seafood and crisp vegetables makes this a go-to for gatherings or weeknight meals. It comes together quickly and keeps well in the fridge, making it easy to prep ahead. The mix of textures and flavor makes it more than just a filler next to the main dish. This one easily stands out when sides are often overlooked.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Oven Baked Asparagus with Parmesan

Tongs holding roasted asparagus with grated cheese on a white platter, surrounded by lemon slices. — Oven Baked Asparagus with Parmesan. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Roasting brings out the best in asparagus, and a quick sprinkle of Parmesan adds enough richness to carry the whole dish. This is one of those easy sides that comes together in under 20 minutes. It’s a solid option for weeknights or special meals without much effort. A simple vegetable like asparagus shows it doesn’t need to be complicated to be worth noticing.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Asparagus with Parmesan

Zucchini Bruschetta

Using zucchini rounds instead of bread gives this appetizer a lighter twist without losing the crunch. It works well as a small side or a snack and doesn’t take long to pull together. The mix of tomato, garlic, and herbs packs a lot of flavor into each bite. It’s a great example of how sides can be creative and useful at the same time.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bruschetta

Air Fryer Home Fries

Air-fried potato cubes with diced green bell peppers on plate. — Air Fryer Home Fries. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These crispy potatoes cook up fast in the air fryer and come out golden without much oil. They work well with breakfast or dinner and reheat nicely the next day. It’s the kind of side that everyone notices once it hits the table. This recipe shows that simple ingredients can still be worth talking about.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Home Fries

Vegan Mexican Rice

Mexican rice in small oval serving dish with spoon. — Vegan Mexican Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This rice dish is packed with tomato flavor and a bit of heat, making it a reliable option alongside grilled or roasted meals. It’s easy to scale up for a crowd or keep small for a weeknight dinner. It comes together with pantry basics and adds color to the plate. It’s a reminder that rice doesn’t have to be plain or ignored.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Salmon Salad

A grilled salmon fillet served on a bed of fresh salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and olives on a white plate. — Salmon Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This salad is hearty enough for lunch but also works well as a side when paired with lighter dishes. It’s a good way to use leftover salmon and keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days. The mix of greens and protein adds balance without a lot of prep. It’s a solid reminder that salads don’t need to feel like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Salad

Bacon Green Beans

Close-up of a plate with sautéed green beans and bacon pieces, with a fork spearing a few beans. — Bacon Green Beans. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crisp-tender green beans with bacon offer a good mix of crunch and flavor without being too heavy. This side cooks up quickly and works with a range of main dishes. It’s the kind of recipe that gets people going back for seconds. Green beans are easy to pass over, but not when they’re done like this.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Green Beans

Crab Fried Rice

A bowl of fried rice with vegetables and crab meat. — Crab Fried Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Fast, filling, and packed with flavor, crab fried rice works just as well as a side or a light meal. It’s made with simple pantry ingredients and takes under 30 minutes. The seafood adds something different from the usual sides. It’s one of those dishes that proves rice can bring more than just bulk to the table.
Get the Recipe: Crab Fried Rice

Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Roasted tomatoes seasoned with herbs and spices, served on a white plate garnished with parsley. — Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These roasted tomatoes bring deep flavor without a lot of hands-on time. The air fryer keeps things simple and quick, making this an easy go-to side. They pair well with almost anything and even work as a topping. A solid example of how small touches can make a big difference on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with pine nuts on a plate. — Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This one’s ready in minutes and brings out the best in a basic ingredient. The garlic butter gives just enough richness without overpowering. It’s easy to make and pairs with just about any meal. Green beans often get pushed aside, but not when they’re this well-prepared.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Red Skin Potato Salad

Bowl of potato salad garnished with fresh herbs and bacon on a white background. — Red Skin Potato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This version uses red potatoes for a slightly firmer bite and a simple dressing that keeps things easy. It holds up well at picnics and gatherings and can be made ahead. The texture and flavor are both spot-on for something that doesn’t need fancy ingredients. This potato salad definitely earns more attention than it usually gets.
Get the Recipe: Red Skin Potato Salad

Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

A bowl of creamy penne pasta with a fork, placed on a textured surface. — Dairy Free Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Even without cheese, this creamy pasta has the kind of texture people look for in a warm side. It cooks up quickly and uses common pantry ingredients. It’s a smart choice when you want something comforting but different. Mac and cheese doesn't have to be loaded to get credit where it's due.
Get the Recipe: Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Straight from the freezer to the air fryer, these fries crisp up fast and need hardly any prep. They’re easy to serve with burgers or grilled chicken and reheat well too. The sweet flavor holds up nicely against spicy sauces or dips. Fries like these show that even store-bought sides can deserve a second look.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Chopped Greek Salad

A fresh greek salad with tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers, olives, and peppers, served with a fork and a glass of water on the side. — Chopped Greek Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This salad is crisp, loaded with vegetables, and easy to throw together. It works well with grilled meat or sandwiches and brings bold flavor without needing much dressing. The combination of textures keeps it interesting with every bite. It’s a solid example of how chopped salads can hold their own at any meal.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Greek Salad

Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Close-up of a spoonful of sweet potato casserole with a topping of toasted pecans and marshmallows. — Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Using canned yams cuts down the prep time without losing any of the cozy, warm flavors. This casserole works well with roast meals or as part of a holiday spread. It balances sweet and savory in a way that’s hard to forget. It’s one of those side dishes that often outshines the main course.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker. — Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This version is all about convenience and comfort, with no need to babysit the stove. It cooks while you focus on other things, making it great for busy days or gatherings. The creamy texture makes it feel special without a lot of work. Mac and cheese like this reminds you that the sides don’t need to be flashy to be appreciated.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Green Bean Tomato Salad

A plate of green beans tossed with cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese, accompanied by a fork, on a white surface. — Green Bean Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Fresh green beans and tomatoes make a solid combo that’s crisp and juicy all at once. It’s easy to prep ahead and holds up well in the fridge. This side works for weeknights or potlucks without being overcomplicated. It’s another reminder that salads made with vegetables instead of lettuce deserve more notice.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Mushrooms and Green Beans

A fork holds cooked green beans and sliced mushrooms, with more on a plate in the background. — Mushrooms and Green Beans. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Earthy mushrooms and crisp green beans cook quickly and pair well with both meat and grains. It’s a solid addition to any weeknight lineup. This combo has a satisfying bite without being too heavy. It's one of those simple sides that pulls its weight on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Mushrooms and Green Beans

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Wrapping cabbage in bacon turns a basic vegetable into something worth talking about. It cooks up quickly in the air fryer and doesn't require a long list of ingredients. The texture is tender with a bit of crisp on the edges. This is the kind of side that makes cabbage feel like more than just filler.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Two halves of baked sweet potato 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.

These sweet potatoes come out soft inside with just the right crisp outside. The air fryer cuts down on cooking time without drying them out. They pair well with almost anything and are easy to make in batches. A reliable reminder that simple sides don’t need to get passed over.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Santa Fe Salad

A colorful chicken salad with avocado, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and lime slices, presented in a white bowl. — Santa Fe Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This salad mixes beans, corn, and veggies for something hearty that still feels fresh. It’s easy to prep ahead and keeps well for lunches or quick dinners. The flavor is bold without needing much dressing. It shows that salads with some substance should get more attention than they usually do.
Get the Recipe: Santa Fe Salad

Broccoli Slaw Salad

A plate of colorful broccoli slaw with shredded purple cabbage and carrots topped with dried cranberries and pine nuts, next to a red-checked napkin. — Broccoli Slaw Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Using bagged broccoli slaw makes this one extra quick to throw together. It’s crunchy, colorful, and works well with tangy or creamy dressings. It’s a good way to switch things up from regular lettuce salads. Slaws like this bring more to the table than people tend to give them credit for.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Slaw Salad

Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato stuffed with black beans and corn. — Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These sweet potatoes are loaded with taco-inspired toppings and work well as a main or hearty side. They’re easy to prep ahead and reheat without losing flavor. The mix of soft and crunchy textures keeps things interesting. This is one of those sides that could easily steal the show.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Cabbage and bacon in white serving bowl. — Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Fried cabbage with bacon brings out a rich, smoky flavor that goes with everything from cornbread to pork chops. It’s cooked on the stovetop and ready in under 30 minutes. The texture stays tender without getting mushy. It’s the kind of side that reminds people cabbage deserves a lot more respect.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Fried potato wedges with ketchup and parsley. — Air Fryer Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These wedges are crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and don’t take long to cook. They’re easy to season and make a good side for burgers or sandwiches. A quick recipe like this fits right into busy weeknight plans. They’re proof that potatoes don’t always have to come second.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Spinach Bacon Salad

A fork holds a bite of spinach salad with chopped eggs, bacon, and cheese over a wooden bowl filled with the same salad. Two blurred bowls are in the background. — Spinach Bacon Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This salad brings together warm bacon, tender spinach, and a quick dressing for a side that holds up. It comes together fast and doesn’t require much prep. It fits well with grilled meats or baked dishes. A solid salad like this one deserves more credit than it usually gets.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Bacon Salad

Ratatouille

This vegetable medley cooks down to a rich, soft texture that works with almost anything. It’s a smart way to use up produce and comes together with basic pantry items. It holds up well whether served warm or room temperature. Ratatouille is one of those sides that quietly adds real value to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille