Side Dish Recipes

Romaine salad with grilled chicken, fresh apricots, mint, and toasted almonds in a dried apricot-mint dressing. A Mediterranean main-course salad where the dressing doubles as the chicken marinade.

Achara Zuke: Japanese pickled turnips with kombu seaweed, dried chili, and rice vinegar. A crisp, tangy tsukemono made by slow-curing accordion-cut turnips. Side dish or banchan.

Classic French onion soup slow-caramelizes pounds of sliced onions in butter, then simmers them with beef stock, Cognac, and dry vermouth. Top with toasted bread and Swiss for the gratiné finish.

Corn and tomato saute browns sweet fresh corn and shallots, then folds in raw tomatoes and tarragon off the heat so they stay fresh and juicy. A light, 5-ingredient summer side in 20 minutes.

Classic French leek and potato soup made with just leeks, potatoes, butter, and stock. A 5-ingredient gluten-free soup that turns pantry basics into a creamy first course or light supper.

Pasta in almond garlic sauce blends blanched almonds, raw garlic, and parmigiano-reggiano into a silky, dairy-light coat for cavatappi. Fresh basil, mint, and a squeeze of lemon keep it bright.

Asparagus and pimento side dish steams fresh asparagus and tops with lime juice, pimento, and pine nuts. A 10-minute Mediterranean-leaning side that works hot or chilled.

Easy creamed spinach: a Pennsylvania-style side made by wilting fresh spinach in its own water, then folding it into a quick nutmeg-spiked bechamel. Seven ingredients, half an hour.

Lamb and fennel salad with a creamy Spanish-style hazelnut garlic dressing, endive, spinach, and crumbled goat cheese. An elegant salad with Mediterranean soul.

Microwave eggplant with chopped tomatoes, green chilies, cumin, oregano, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. A low-calorie Mexican-inspired vegetable side dish.

Easy fish bisque built on canned cream of cheddar and tomato bisque soups, then simmered with milk, dry sherry, dill and flaky whitefish. A creamy seafood soup ready in under 10 minutes.

Creamed broccoli with parmesan blanches florets and stems, then mashes them into a nutmeg-spiked cream reduction. A rustic vegetable side that reads like a dressed-up purée.

Butternut squash with carrots and onions glazed in a white miso and orange juice sauce. A vegan side dish with deep umami sweetness, no butter or oil required.

Sesame spinach salad dressed with walnut oil, sesame oil, and reduced-sodium soy sauce, topped with sliced mushrooms and toasted sesame seeds. A light, nutty Asian-style side.

Smashed spiced sweet potatoes are oven-roasted whole, then smashed rustic-chunky with butter, maple syrup, chili powder, cumin, and ginger. A warm-spiced holiday side that beats marshmallow casseroles.

Twice-baked creamy stuffed potatoes loaded with crispy bacon, sour cream, Parmesan, scallions, and paprika. Steakhouse side-dish classic at home.