15 superstar sides that go with pretty much everything

A really good side dish does more than just take up space on the plate. It rounds out dinner, works with whatever main you already have going, and sometimes ends up being the thing everyone talks about most. That’s exactly why go-with-everything recipes like these are worth keeping close.

Parmesan Potatoes

Baby potatoes with a crisp parmesan coating are the sort of side dish that disappears fast no matter what else is on the plate. They come out buttery inside, golden outside, and easy to pair with everything from roasted meat to simple sandwiches. Once a side works this well with so many dinners, it tends to stay in regular rotation.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Carrot Raisin Salad

A cold carrot raisin salad can do a lot for a plate that needs something fresh and easy. The creamy dressing, sweet raisins, and crisp shredded carrots make it a nice contrast to richer mains without asking much from you. It’s the kind of simple side that fits in just as well at cookouts as it does at regular family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Black Bean Salad

Black bean salad brings enough color, texture, and flavor to liven up almost any meal. It’s easy to throw together, holds up well, and tastes even better after a little time in the fridge. That kind of flexibility makes it a very useful side to keep around.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Salad

Buttermilk Biscuits

A basket of warm buttermilk biscuits works with just about anything and never really needs much explaining. They’re light, buttery, and easy to make, which makes them just as welcome at breakfast as they are next to soups, stews, or dinner mains. Good biscuits have a way of making the whole meal feel more complete.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

Avocado Salad

Avocado, tomatoes, and cucumber tossed in a simple dressing make this one especially easy to pair with a wide range of meals. It feels fresh and light, but still has enough substance to hold its own on the table. That balance is exactly what makes it such a strong go-with-anything side.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salad

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Frozen green beans get a big upgrade here with roasting, seasoning, and a final sprinkle of parmesan. They come out crisp, cheesy, and garlicky enough to work with everything from weeknight chicken to bigger holiday meals. A side this easy is always nice to have in your back pocket.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Honey Glazed Carrots

A little honey, garlic, and butter turn plain carrots into a side that feels much more inviting. They cook quickly, add color to the plate, and bring just enough sweetness to pair well with all kinds of savory mains. That easy versatility is what makes them such a dependable choice.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots

Mashed Potato Waffles

Leftover mashed potatoes get a smart second life here in crisp, golden waffles that are far more flexible than they sound. They work next to breakfast plates, roasted meats, or anything that could use a buttery, comforting side. Once you try them, it’s easy to see why they fit in all over the menu.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Waffles

Cilantro Lime Rice

A side like cilantro lime rice can brighten up dinner without making things complicated. It stays light, fluffy, and full of fresh flavor, which makes it easy to pair with grilled meats, bowls, tacos, or simple skillet meals. When one side works with that many dinners, it earns its keep fast.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes have a way of fitting in wherever comfort food is welcome, which is almost everywhere. They’re creamy, fluffy, and simple enough for weeknights while still feeling right at home on a holiday table. Few sides pull their weight as well as a good bowl of mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Potato Fritters

Potato fritters bring crispy edges, tender centers, and enough savory flavor to work beyond just breakfast. They make a hearty side for eggs, meats, or lighter mains that need something a little more substantial on the plate. That kind of versatility makes them easy to keep coming back to.
Get the Recipe: Potato Fritters

Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli casserole is one of those sides that can make a meal feel instantly more settled. The creamy cheese sauce and buttery cracker topping bring plenty of comfort, while the broccoli keeps it grounded enough to go with almost anything. It’s a reliable option when the table needs something warm and crowd-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

A chilled fruit salad like this has a way of fitting in wherever the meal needs something cool and easy. The creamy base, sweet fruit, and soft little pasta make it a memorable side that stands out without being hard to make. It works especially well when the table could use something a little different.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

Baked Chicken Wings

Baked chicken wings lean a little more hearty than a classic side, but they still fit right in when the meal calls for something casual and shareable. Parmesan, butter, and parsley keep the flavor simple and crowd-friendly, which makes them easy to set out with all sorts of mains. Sometimes the most useful sides are the ones people are happiest to grab first.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Wings

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic bring enough flavor to hold their own, but they still play nicely with almost any main dish. The crisp edges, smoky bite, and little bit of sweetness make them especially easy to work into regular dinners. A side this dependable makes meal planning a whole lot easier.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts