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    Home » Side dishes

    21 Show-Stopping Side Dishes That Steal the Spotlight

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated January 28, 2026 · Published January 31, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Side dishes can really make a meal memorable, and these 21 options are sure to impress your guests. From vibrant salads to hearty casseroles, each dish brings something special to the table. Whether you're hosting a big gathering or just looking to spice up a weeknight dinner, these sides will have everyone talking.

    Air Fryer Potato Wedges

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These potato wedges are quick and easy to prepare in just 15 minutes. Seasoned with salt and olive oil, these crispy wedges offer a healthier alternative that everyone will enjoy.

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    Air Fryer Carrot Fries

    Carrot fries on a blue plate with a dip sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Carrot Fries are quick and easy to prepare. These crispy and flavorful fries are a great choice for a healthy snack or a side dish, especially when served with your favorite dipping sauce.

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    Smashed Potatoes

    smashed potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Smashed Potatoes are a fantastic side dish for dinner. They're easy to prepare with just a few ingredients, and they turn out crispy, cheesy, and really delicious.

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    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad brings together sweet, salty, and tangy flavors, making it a great addition to any meal. It pairs well with proteins like salmon or steak, enhancing your dining experience.

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    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue cheese coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw is a quick and easy side that you can whip up in under 15 minutes. With its rich blue cheese flavor and great seasoning, this coleslaw is sure to become a favorite alongside your steak, barbecue, or buffalo dishes.

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    Avocado Mango Salad

    Avocado mango salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad pairs well with salmon tacos and goes great with any protein, especially grilled dishes. It's a versatile side that adds freshness to your meal.

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    Mashed Potato Casserole

    Mashed Potato Casserole
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This mashed potato casserole is creamy and cheesy, perfect for using up leftovers. It's easy to prepare ahead of time, making it a great side dish for any meal.

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    Air Fryer Bell Peppers

    Air fryer bell peppers.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Bell Peppers are quick and easy to prepare in under 10 minutes. With a flavorful mix of garlic and thyme, they make a great side dish for any meal.

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    Thai Crispy Rice

    Thai Crispy Rice
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Thai crispy rice is incredibly delicious and hard to resist. It gets nice and crunchy in the pan, giving a fun twist to fried rice with great flavor.

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    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These creamy mashed potatoes are quick to make in just 35 minutes and are packed with two types of cheese for a rich flavor. They're a satisfying side that will be a hit at family dinners or whenever you want something comforting.

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    Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

    Smahed potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Smashed Potatoes are quick and easy to make in your air fryer. With a tasty garlic flavor and a crispy Parmesan topping, these potatoes will be a hit at any dinner.

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    Air Fryer Steak Fries

    Air Fryer Steak Fries.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Steak Fries are quick and easy to make in under half an hour. With a crispy outside and a soft inside, they pair perfectly with any meal.

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    Country Potatoes

    Country potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These potatoes are a favorite and go well with any meal, even breakfast. They're easy to make using leftover potatoes.

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    Garlic Roasted Broccoli

    Garlic roasted brococli.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic roasted broccoli is a vegetable side that can easily become a favorite with its delicious flavor. This dish highlights its best qualities and will have you wanting to enjoy broccoli more often.

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    Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

    Air fryer hasselback potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are a quick and easy take on the classic Swedish side dish, ready in just 30 minutes. Topped with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese, this dish is a favorite that you'll want to make again and again.

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    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

    Baby potatoes in a bowl.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Crispy potatoes are a fantastic side dish that pairs well with any meat. Seasoned with salt and inspired by Canarian Papas Arrugadas, they add a delicious touch to your meal.

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    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick ranch coleslaw is perfect for your next BBQ. With store-bought mayo and ranch dressing, it's easy to prepare and full of flavor.

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    French Potato Salad

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This potato salad is a creamy and tasty side dish that skips the mayo, eggs, and dairy. With a Dijon mustard dressing, it adds a nice French touch to any meal.

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    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These mashed potatoes are creamy and rich, made with just butter for a simple yet tasty side. They come together in under 30 minutes, and you might find yourself wanting to keep them all to yourself!

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    Creamy Rice

    Creamy rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy rice dish is full of flavor from butter and chicken stock, making it a side that everyone will love. It's a great addition to any meal and sure to impress your guests.

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    Mexican Roasted Potatoes

    MExican. potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Crispy Mexican Potatoes are a quick and tasty side dish that you can make in under an hour. With their zesty seasoning and fresh lime and cilantro, they go great with a dip or sour cream and are sure to impress anyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Brie mac and cheese.
      Brie Mac and Cheese
    • Garlic roasted broccoli.
      The Veggie Sides That Always Finish First at Thanksgiving at My House
    • Buffalo mac and cheese.
      Buffalo Mac and Cheese
    • Sour cream mashed potatoes.
      Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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