19 Soups, Salads, And Sides That Will Make You Delete All Your Delivery Apps

Tired of overpaying for soggy delivery salads and lukewarm soups? These soups, salads, and sides are fast, flavorful, and made with real ingredients that actually taste like something you’d want to eat. They make weeknights easier, help you use up what’s in your fridge, and give you favorites so good you’ll forget delivery apps even exist.

Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk drop biscuits are the warm, buttery side you can pull off even when you’re low on patience. No rolling, no cutting, just stir the dough, drop scoops onto a pan, and bake until the tops are golden with crisp edges. Split one open for soup night, breakfast, or a quick snack with jam, they disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

Maple Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Maple Brussels sprouts with bacon are what you make when you want a “wow” side without extra work. Brussels sprouts get wrapped in smoky bacon, drizzled with maple syrup, then roasted until the bacon crisps and the sprouts turn tender. Put them on a weeknight plate or a holiday spread, and people will keep circling back for another one.
Get the Recipe: Maple Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Parmesan roasted green beans turn a freezer bag into a side that tastes totally restaurant-y. Toss frozen green beans with a simple seasoning mix, roast until they’re crisp at the edges, then finish with parmesan so it melts into all the nooks. Serve them next to chicken, pasta, or sandwiches, and suddenly dinner feels way more put-together than delivery.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Broccoli cheddar soup is the cozy bowl that makes staying in feel like the right call, especially when delivery sounds tempting. Broccoli, broth, milk, cheddar, plus aromatics melt together into a creamy soup that tastes rich without being complicated. Ladle it up with crusty bread, a sandwich, or even a baked potato, and you’ve got a dinner that feels comforting and complete.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Cranberry Chicken Salad

Cranberry chicken salad is the quick lunch that feels fresh, filling, and a little fancy. Tender chicken mixes with dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, celery, plus onion in a creamy dressing, and it takes about 10 minutes to pull together. Pile it onto a sandwich, scoop it with crackers, or serve it over greens, leftovers stay good for easy grab-and-go meals.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes are the comfort side that makes any main feel like a real meal. Fluffy potatoes get mashed with butter, milk, plus plenty of garlic for that rich, cozy flavor. Make a big bowl, because leftovers reheat well and turn into the easiest next-day lunch base.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Air fryer sweet potato wedges are the quick side that feels like a treat without the drive-thru. Slice, season with olive oil plus spices, then air fry until the edges crisp and the centers stay soft. Serve with ketchup, ranch, or a simple yogurt dip, and snack time might turn into dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup

Instant Pot carrot ginger soup is the kind of bowl that feels cozy but still bright and fresh. Carrots and ginger cook down fast, then coconut milk makes it creamy without needing a ton of fuss. Blend until smooth, add a squeeze of lime if you like, and you’ve got a 30-minute soup that beats anything delivered.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup

Avocado Salad

Avocado salad is the fast, fresh side that makes any meal feel more put-together. Creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, plus crisp cucumbers get tossed in a simple homemade dressing, so every bite tastes bright and clean. Serve it with grilled chicken, tacos, or even a sandwich, it’s the easy “I didn’t order takeout” move.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salad

Mashed Potato Waffles

Mashed potato waffles are the smartest way to turn leftover mash into something new. Stir your mashed potatoes into a quick batter, then the waffle iron makes them crisp outside with a buttery, tender middle. Top with sour cream, chives, or even a fried egg, and you’ve got a side that steals the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Waffles

Carrot Raisin Salad

Carrot raisin salad is the throwback side that still holds up, especially when you need something quick. Shredded carrots and juicy raisins get coated in a sweet-tangy dressing, giving you crunch, creaminess, plus a little pop of sweetness. Make it in about 10 minutes, then stash it in the fridge so lunch plates and potlucks feel handled.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Slow Cooker Potato and Leek Soup

Slow cooker potato and leek soup is a dinner that cooks itself while you get on with your day. Toss potatoes, leeks, garlic, plus broth into the slow cooker, then come back to a rich, comforting soup that smells like you’ve been working hard. Serve with bread or a simple salad, and you’ll feel very smug about skipping takeout.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Potato and Leek Soup

Rice Pilaf

Rice pilaf is the kind of side that quietly makes dinner feel more complete. Rice gets sautéed with veggies in butter, then simmers in chicken broth until fluffy with those lightly toasted, savory notes. Spoon it next to anything from roasted chicken to salmon; leftovers also reheat like a dream.
Get the Recipe: Rice Pilaf

Potato Fritters

Potato fritters are the breakfast-for-dinner side that gets everyone hovering near the stove. Grated potatoes mix with eggs, onion, plus garlic, then fry into crisp-edged patties with a tender middle that stays soft instead of greasy. Top with yogurt and chives, or add applesauce or hot sauce, then serve them with eggs, sausage, or a simple salad for a full, cozy plate.
Get the Recipe: Potato Fritters

Baked Chicken Wings

Baked chicken wings are the no-drama crowd-pleaser that works for game nights, casual dinners, or “snack for dinner” energy. Parmesan, butter, plus parsley bring a salty, savory flavor, while the oven handles the cooking without any frying mess. Put out napkins, add a dipping sauce like ranch or buffalo, then watch the tray clear out faster than you expected.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Wings

Parmesan Potatoes

Parmesan potatoes are bite-sized spuds with big payoff, especially when you want something better than basic roasted potatoes. Baby potatoes roast until tender, then the parmesan forms a golden crust that crackles when you bite in. Serve them with sour cream, ranch, or a quick garlic dip, leftovers also reheat well in the air fryer for round two.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Black Bean Salad

Black bean salad is the low-effort side that makes lunch feel handled without a ton of prep. Black beans plus colorful veggies get tossed in a bold dressing, so it’s crunchy, fresh, and full of flavor from the first bite. Make a big bowl and keep it in the fridge, then scoop it into tacos, pile it on greens, or eat it straight with chips when you need something fast.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Salad

Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli casserole is how you get everyone to eat broccoli without negotiating. Tender broccoli gets folded into a creamy, cheesy sauce, then it bakes under a buttery cracker topping that turns golden and crisp. Serve it as a side or a meatless main, because it holds its own on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Cilantro Lime Rice

Cilantro lime rice is the quick upgrade that turns plain rice into something you actually look forward to. It cooks up light and fluffy, then gets finished with cilantro and lime, so every forkful tastes bright and fresh. Use it for burrito bowls, pair it with grilled meat or roasted veggies, or portion it out for meal prep so leftovers don’t feel like a chore.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice