50 Easy Side Dishes to Keep in Your Back Pocket

We’re just going to come out and say it: Sometimes the sides are the best part of the meal. Vegetable sides are bright and colorful, healthy sides fill us up with fiber and whole grains—and comforting sides like potatoes and rice are always crowd-pleasers. Whether you’re looking for a leafy green salad, something to make with all that quinoa in your pantry or ideas for a special occasion (did someone say, ‘Thanksgiving sides’?) you’ll find plenty of delicious options right here—starting with this chewy farro pilaf. It comes together with just a handful of common ingredients but has incredible flavor thanks to a little shallot and fresh chopped parsley. Toasting the pasta and farro in oil before cooking also adds a nice, nutty nuance.

The combination of maple syrup, horseradish and butter in these slightly sweet and sharp spuds—perfect for your next holiday dinner—is a home run.

Cauliflower can shine in many forms. This recipe shows how simple it is to turn the florets into a healthy, low-carb side dish—our version has only about one-quarter of the carbohydrates in rice.

This side dish has the perfect balance of citrus and spice. We love using baby kale—it's quicker than regular kale on prep and cooking time but still packed full of vitamins K and C and the nutrient lutein (reportedly good for eye health).