Summer sides are what take any meal from good to great, especially when the weather's warm and you're eating outside. These are the kinds of dishes people actually go back for—fresh, full of flavor, and easy to pull together without much stress. Whether you're grilling, picnicking, or just keeping it low-key, the right sides can steal the show. This list is packed with recipes that hit that sweet spot between simple and seriously worth making.
Mushroom Tartlets
These mushroom tartlets feature flaky puff pastry, creamy cheese, and mushrooms, all baked to golden in about 35 minutes. They’re an easy side when you want something simple that still looks impressive.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Tartlets
Mango Avocado Salad
Juicy mango and creamy avocado come together with a light lemon vinaigrette in this simple salad. It’s a great side for outdoor meals and comes together in just 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad
Pasta e Piselli
Pasta e piselli, made with peas and Pecorino, is quick to prepare and keeps things simple. It's a strong side for weeknight meals when time is short but comfort is needed.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Piselli
Korean Pickled Radish
Korean or Daikon radish gets a quick pickling treatment in this crisp and tangy dish. It’s a refreshing side that works with tacos, sandwiches, or Korean mains.
Get the Recipe: Korean Pickled Radish
Creamed Spinach
Inspired by a Tennessee favorite, this creamed spinach uses three cheeses and comes together in 30 minutes. It’s a flavorful side that pairs nicely with grilled or roasted mains.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach
Air Fryer Mushrooms
Air-fried mushrooms coated in a garlic soy mixture are ready in just 20 minutes. This quick side pairs well with a range of mains and doesn’t need much hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mushrooms
Easy Mango Salsa
Fresh mango, onion, and herbs come together quickly in this salsa that needs only a bowl and a few minutes. It makes a flavorful side for tacos, grilled meats, or fish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mango Salsa
Zesty Butter Beans
Creamy butter beans can be served on their own or over grains for extra heartiness. They make a warm and filling side that’s ready with little prep.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Butter Beans
Mushroom Focaccia Bread
Made with mushrooms, wine, and parmesan, this mushroom focaccia smells incredible as it bakes. It’s a comforting side that pairs well with soups or roasted vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Focaccia Bread
Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans
Air fryer frozen green beans are crisp, simple, and brightened with a touch of lemon. They’re a quick side for busy days or hands-off cooking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans
Din Tai Fung Green Beans
These garlic green beans use just four ingredients and come together quickly. Inspired by a popular restaurant dish, they’re a strong side for almost any main.
Get the Recipe: Din Tai Fung Green Beans
Mango Salad
This mango salad comes together fast and features a bold, homemade dressing. It’s a light and reliable side for hot days or quick lunches.
Get the Recipe: Mango Salad
Creamy Mushroom Risotto
This mushroom risotto has deep flavor and a creamy texture without being complicated to make. It serves well as a side when you want something hearty but still manageable.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Risotto
Sautéed Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms are quick to cook and bring a lot of flavor to the table. They’re a practical side when you want something that works with almost anything.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Mushrooms
Roasted Radishes with Rosemary and Honey
Roasted radishes mellow in flavor when cooked with rosemary and honey. This side is a simple way to bring a new take to familiar ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Radishes with Rosemary and Honey
Spring Pasta with Peas and Oyster Mushrooms
A spring pasta made with pea shoot pesto and roasted oyster mushrooms, this dish takes just 30 minutes to make. It serves well as a side for grilled proteins or lighter meals.
Get the Recipe: Spring Pasta with Peas and Oyster Mushrooms
Espinacas con Garbanzos
Espinacas con Garbanzos uses chickpeas, greens, and spices to build a rich, savory dish. It’s a solid side that fits easily into many meals.
Get the Recipe: Espinacas con Garbanzos
Dandelion Greens and Beans Skillet
Dandelion greens sautéed with beans create a hearty and quick plant-based dish. It’s a smart side when you want to bring more greens to the plate in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Dandelion Greens and Beans Skillet
Pineapple Mango Salsa
Sweet mango and pineapple combine with jalapeño and lime for a quick salsa that pairs well with chips, tacos, or grilled dishes. Its bright, balanced flavor makes it a dependable side when you need something fresh and easy.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Mango Salsa
Crispy Roasted Turnips with Chive Butter Sauce
Crispy roasted turnips with melted butter and chives are a smart alternative to potatoes. They make a straightforward side with good texture and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Turnips with Chive Butter Sauce
Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
These vegetarian stuffed mushrooms use walnuts, cranberries, and cheese to create a nice mix of texture and flavor. They work well as a side when you want something quick that also feels a bit special.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
Garlic Herb Bread Wreath
Garlic herb bread wreath is simple to make and perfect for holiday meals. It's a go-to side when you want something to complement hearty or festive dishes.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Bread Wreath
Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut
Stir-fried green beans with coconut and Indian spices are done in 30 minutes. This flavorful side works well with rice or flatbreads.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut
Spinach and Arugula Salad
Spinach and arugula create a crisp and flavorful salad that pairs well with many meals. It’s a simple side that brings freshness to heavier dishes.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Arugula Salad
Mediterranean Black Bean Salad
Black bean salad with cilantro lime dressing takes only 10 minutes to prepare. It’s a useful side for rounding out meals or adding something fresh to the table.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean Salad
Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
Spinach artichoke stuffed mushrooms are easy to prepare and look great served for any type of gathering. Their creamy filling makes them a dependable side with bold flavor.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
Fresh Radish Cucumber Salsa
With radish, cucumber, and bell pepper, this tomato-free salsa is crunchy and bright. It’s a fresh side that works well with grilled mains or as part of a summer spread.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Radish Cucumber Salsa
Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili
This white bean chili is ready in 30 minutes and built from pantry staples. It’s a reliable side that’s hearty and easy to put together on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili
Wax Beans with Garlic & Basil
Yellow wax beans sautéed with garlic and basil are a great way to use summer produce. This easy side dish brings fresh flavor without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Wax Beans with Garlic & Basil
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