My Favorite Easy Side Dishes bring flavor, simplicity, and the perfect seasonal touch to every summer meal. When it comes to side dishes, I’m a little obsessed—and for good reason! Whether it’s easy recipes that come together quickly or easy side dishes that pair perfectly with everything from BBQ to weeknight dinners, there’s always something new to try.
Side dishes are where creativity shines. The main course usually gets all the attention, but let’s be real—it’s the sides that complete the meal.
They add texture, color, and flavor, and they’re often the part people remember most.
I love experimenting with different ingredients and seasonal produce to create sides that are both crowd-pleasers and personal favorites.
Saturday Chitchat with Janine – Volume 219
Perfect Pairings for Every Summer Meal
During the summer months, I always find myself gravitating toward side dishes that are fresh, light, and colorful.
Whether we’re grilling outside or putting together a quick family dinner, I always have a go-to list of summer sides that make everything feel just a little more festive.
I keep a mix of chilled dishes and warm options on hand so there’s always something that fits the vibe of the meal.
Simple Ingredients
One of the best things about side dishes is that they don’t need to be complicated.
Sometimes, the simplest ingredients turn into the most flavorful plates. I’ve shared a ton of easy ideas on the blog that highlight just how satisfying minimal ingredients can be.
Great for Gatherings and Cookouts
If you’re hosting this summer or attending any backyard BBQs, you know how vital good sides are.
They bring everything together and often get the most compliments. I love putting together side dishes that are easy to transport, serve, and, of course, enjoy.
Bonus points if they can be made ahead of time!
Quick Weeknight Wins
Not every side dish has to be for a big occasion. Many of my favorite sides are ones I throw together on a busy weeknight.
Having a few go-to sides in your back pocket makes dinner feel more complete without adding extra stress.
And yes, you’ll find a few of those lifesavers on the blog too!
A Personal Note from Janine
Lately, I’ve been trying to give a little more love to dinner recipes—which is why you may have noticed dessert has taken a back seat in my recent posts. For the longest time, I was all about the sweets and kind of neglected sharing our go-to dinners. But thanks to my husband (and his gentle nudging), I’m finally rounding out my recipe collection with more savory favorites.
He’s actually a big help in the kitchen and has come up with quite a few of the recipes we enjoy. One of our most popular ones—Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes—is all his! We tag-team dinners around here, and he’s definitely someone who appreciates a good meal just as much as I do.
So if you’re looking for inspiration, I hope some of these side dishes spark an idea for your weeknight dinners. From our kitchen to yours—happy cooking!
Cheers,
PS: We are celebrating our Anniversary next week, and I’m posting a photo of one from a while back!
This Week’s Inspiration – My Favorite Side Dishes
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
If you need a quick and easy side dish, these Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes are the answer. Made with just four simple ingredients—potatoes, garlic, butter, and herbs—this recipe delivers creamy, flavorful results in just ten minutes. Best of all, there’s no milk needed to get that smooth, buttery texture!
Sweet Pickled Daikon Takuan is the best combination of sweet, salty, and tangy! You may know these Japanese-style pickles as takuan pickles. It’s a quick pickle to make, add vinegar and sea salt sugar and allow it to sit at room temperature for a bit, and it’s ready to eat. The pickled daikon can be eaten alone or along with some sushi rolls. No food coloring is needed; the turmeric powder provides a beautiful yellow color.
These Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts take 7 minutes to make! This recipe makes crispy, tender, flavorful sprouts that are quick and easy to make. The apple cider, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and brown sugar create a tasty blend of ingredients.
Japanese Cucumber Salad Recipe
My mom has made this Japanese Cucumber Salad Recipe for years, and I love the tang from the vinegar and the sweetness and saltiness. This is the salad served in Japanese restaurants that is usually a delicious side dish in your bento box.
This Yams Baked in Orange Sauce is a refreshing recipe that goes perfectly with most dinners. We love it for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner parties. It is so cool that it can be made ahead of time which helps when you are hosting a big crowd for dinner. Also, I feel that the taste gets richer with each passing day.
I’m sure you have a lot of small appliances in your kitchen, and hopefully, you own a Crock-Pot. Because today we are talking about my Crock-Pot Easy Chili Recipe!
This baked Artichoke Dip Recipe is zesty and creamy all rolled into one great tasting appetizer. This easy recipe combines artichoke hearts with parmesan cheese and green chiles. If you like a delicious appetizer that is super easy to make, then this dip recipe is for you.
It is a six-ingredient recipe that you bake for 25 minutes, and out comes a creamy dip to pile on a crispy pita chip or thinly sliced bread.
Amy’s Special Cornbread Recipe
This Special Cornbread recipe comes from my mom, Amy’s recipe collection. It has only six ingredients that make it so simple to make. You’ll want to enjoy it with a bowl of soup or a warm bowl of chili.
Stuffed Italian Pizza Bread Recipe
This Italian Pizza Bread is yummy and so easy to make. It is similar to a pizza bread loaf, or roll. Once baked, serve it up by pulling the bread apart into individual servings.
My brother and I are obsessed with making bread. There are so many bread recipes, but today, we will focus on the New York Times No-Knead Bread recipe. This recipe appears to be a popular one, and I wanted to see what the hype is all about. My brother is so devoted to bread making that he makes his bread in a beautiful Emile Henry Dutch Oven.
Easy Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This Easy Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Soup is packed with onions, potatoes, carrots, and broccoli. It’s similar to the famous Panera recipe but better. It’s creamy and thick and has a rich flavor that makes it a great soup. And it’s a soup that simmers for only 30 minutes!
Here’s a delicious Curried Couscous Salad Recipe that perfectly combines sweetness and heat! This recipe blends Pearl Israeli Couscous, roasted carrots, cauliflower, curry, cumin, cilantro, lime, and a bit of cayenne for the heat. This recipe is from a California restaurant chain, Mendocino Farms.
More Dishes From My Friends
The Easy Vegetable Quiche recipe from Thistlewood Farms offers a delightful and approachable way to enjoy a savory, veggie-packed dish that’s perfect for any meal of the day. This quiche combines the richness of eggs and cheese with the freshness of assorted vegetables, all nestled in a flaky pie crust.
Baked Brie with Jam
The Baked Brie with Jam recipe from My 100 Year Old Home offers an elegant and straightforward appetizer that’s perfect for entertaining or enjoying a cozy night in. This dish combines the creamy richness of warm brie cheese with the sweet and tangy flavors of fruit jam, creating a delightful contrast that’s sure to please any palate.
Honey Garlic Parmesan Biscuits
Tieghan Gerard’s Honey Garlic Parmesan Biscuits from Half Baked Harvest offer a delightful twist on classic biscuits, blending sweet, savory, and cheesy flavors into a flaky, buttery treat. These biscuits are perfect for various occasions, from summer BBQs and picnics to cozy fall dinners!
Latest Obsession – Super Greens with Sweet Pea Leaves
I love making fresh salads, and this mix of greens is my absolute favorite—it’s so unique and full of flavor! Want to know the surprise ingredient? Sweet pea leaves! 🌱 They add the most amazing, slightly sweet crunch. I just had a plate piled high with this blend, and honestly, I could eat it every day. So good!
This Week’s Tip – The Best Potato Masher
I absolutely love all my kitchen tools from Williams Sonoma, and this potato masher is one of my favorites! Its rounded design not only helps mash every last bit of potato, but it also doubles as a scoop, making it super easy to serve those fluffy mashed potatoes straight from the pot. Two jobs, one tool—so smart!
My Amazon Finds – Side Dish Tools
Hello there!
Happy summer! If you’re looking for inspiration, be sure to explore the blog—I’ve got tons of easy summer recipes waiting for you.
Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, there’s always a new side dish to love.
See you on the blog!
- My Favorite Side Dishes - May 31, 2025
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Josee
I am DEFINITELY trying some of these. Thank you and God bless!