15 Crowd-Pleasing Side Dishes That Go With Anything

These side dishes are the unsung heroes of every meal. Whether you’re planning a casual cookout, weeknight dinner, or holiday feast, these recipes deliver serious backup. They’re easy to make, full of comfort, and ready to pair with just about anything.

1. Salt Potatoes

This upstate New York classic delivers perfectly tender, creamy potatoes with a salty crust. Boiled in heavily salted water, these are rich, simple, and completely addictive. Make them with Them Bites

2. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Loaded with cheese, baked to golden perfection, and seasoned like it came straight from your grandma’s kitchen. This version doesn’t hold back. Recipe via Chenee Today

3. Jalapeño Popper Cornbread

It’s got cheese, jalapeños, and that soft, crumbly texture cornbread lovers crave. Spicy, sweet, and way more exciting than the boxed stuff. Grab the recipe at Them Bites

4. Garlic Butter Green Beans

A quick sauté in butter and garlic makes these green beans bright, buttery, and just the right amount of crisp. Full recipe from CopyKat

5. Beet and Potato Salad

This vibrant, earthy salad combines beets and potatoes in a tangy dressing that feels familiar but a little more fun. Try it with Them Bites

6. Green Bean Casserole

It’s creamy, crispy, and nostalgic in the best way — no holiday table is complete without it. Recipe from Cheerful Cook

7. Homemade Au Gratin Potatoes

Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s indulgent, golden, and just the kind of dish that never leaves leftovers. Full recipe from Them Bites

8. Hawaiian Baked Beans

Pineapple, bacon, and brown sugar take baked beans to another level. Sweet, smoky, and super satisfying. Recipe from Trop Rockin

9. Succotash

Lima beans, corn, and peppers come together in a buttery, old-school side that deserves a comeback. Make it with Them Bites

10. Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These are roasted until tender with caramelized edges — a perfect mix of savory and sweet. Great for fall or year-round. Try them at Cheerful Cook

11. Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans (Copycat)

This remake of a Central New York favorite is hearty and rich, with deep brown sugar and molasses notes. Get it from Them Bites

12. Melon Cucumber Ribbon Salad

A chilled salad that’s light and fresh, with crisp cucumber and juicy melon tossed in a homemade vinaigrette. Try it via Eat Fresh Glow

13. Purple Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

It’s roasted, creamy, and dramatic on the plate — a modern take on a simple veggie side. Get it from Them Bites

14. Bacon Stuffing Rolls

These fluffy, bacon-studded rolls turn stuffing into something you can hold in your hand and eat three of. Make them with Cheerful Cook

15. English Pea Salad

Creamy, crunchy, and loaded with sweet peas — this Southern classic is back in style and perfect chilled. End the list with Them Bites