Side Dish Recipes

Brussels sprouts glazed with red wine, honey, and soy sauce. Simmered until tender then finished with a glossy cornstarch glaze. A savory-sweet holiday side dish.

Spiced zucchini and peas simmered in tomato sauce with turmeric, cumin, and cayenne. A quick Indian-inspired vegetarian side dish ready in 30 minutes.

Melon salsa with ripe cantaloupe, fresh ginger, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime. A sweet-spicy no-cook fruit salsa for grilled fish, chicken, or chips.

Fresh wilted spinach tossed with caramelized onions, nutmeg, and thyme for a low-calorie side dish ready in 30 minutes. Diabetic-friendly and naturally light at just 55 calories per serving.

Microwave-steamed globe artichokes with a zesty mustard dipping sauce made with brown mustard, Italian dressing mix, Worcestershire, and hot sauce.

Asparagus with mushrooms and fresh coriander is a 10-minute sauté of buttery browned mushrooms tossed with crisp diagonal-cut asparagus, shallots, and a finishing handful of cilantro. Bright, herbal side dish for spring.

Strawberry mozzarella salad with romaine, balsamic vinaigrette, and fresh basil ribbons. A summery riff on caprese that trades tomatoes for ripe berries and comes together in 10 minutes.

Panzanella panini presses fresh tomato, basil, and mozzarella with a splash of balsamic into a crisp, golden grilled sandwich. A warm, melty take on the classic Italian bread-and-tomato flavors.

Baked winter squash and fruit roasts butternut, yam, apple, pear, and banana with cider and warm spices. A naturally sweet, oil-free Thanksgiving side dish.

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 acorn squash rings make a stunning fall side dish: tender squash hoops threaded with asparagus spears, finished with a buttery walnut sauce sharp with lemon, cider vinegar, and apple cider. Holiday-table showpiece.