Russian Food

21 Budget Side Dishes That Don’t Add Much to the Grocery Bill

21 Budget Side Dishes That Don’t Add Much to the Grocery Bill

Side dishes can quietly blow up your grocery bill if you’re not careful. These are the kinds of dependable add-ons that make dinner feel complete without needing pricey ingredients. I love having options like this because they stretch simple produce and pantry staples into something everyone actually wants to eat. Here are 21 budget-friendly sides that keep the total reasonable and the table full.

21 Budget Side Dishes That Don’t Add Much to the Grocery Bill
Squash Casserole with Stuffing. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta

Side view of white bean salad in bowl with tongs.
Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta is a filling side that feels fresh while still relying on simple pantry staples. It takes about 15 minutes, so it’s easy to make while the main dish finishes cooking. The main ingredients include white beans, feta, tomatoes, and olive oil with herbs. It tastes tangy, savory, and satisfying with a creamy bite from the beans and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks On Spicy Sweet Potato Puree

A dish with roasted cauliflower slices on a bed of reddish-brown puree, garnished with thyme and pumpkin seeds. A fork and knife are placed beside the cauliflower. A small bowl with coarse salt sits on a wooden surface nearby.
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks On Spicy Sweet Potato Puree. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks On Spicy Sweet Potato Puree turns inexpensive vegetables into a dinner-worthy side with real flavor. It takes about 40 minutes, and most of that time is hands-off while everything roasts and softens. The main ingredients include cauliflower, sweet potatoes, spices, and a simple puree base. It tastes savory, lightly spicy, and naturally sweet with a soft creamy finish underneath.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Steaks On Spicy Sweet Potato Puree

Middle Eastern Roasted Carrots

Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, goat cheese, salad topper and harissa-preserved lemon dressing.
Middle Eastern Roasted Carrots. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Middle Eastern Roasted Carrots bring bold flavor with a simple vegetable that’s usually one of the cheapest in the cart. It takes about 30 minutes, making it an easy side for weeknights or meal prep. The main ingredients include carrots, olive oil, warm spices, and herbs. It tastes slightly sweet, savory, and warmly spiced with caramelized roasted edges.
Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Roasted Carrots

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

Overhead view of cucumber salad.
Ukrainian Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad is a crisp, refreshing side that stretches basic ingredients into something you’ll keep making. It takes about 10 minutes, so it’s perfect when you need a fast plate-filler. The main ingredients include cucumbers, dill, sour cream or yogurt, and a little seasoning. It tastes cool, tangy, and fresh with a clean crunch that balances heavier meals.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

Gluten-Free Carrot Soufflé

A slice of sweet potato casserole with a dusting of powdered sugar is served on a black and white plate. A gold spoon rests beside it. In the background is a casserole dish with more of the dessert and a white and blue towel.
Gluten-Free Carrot Soufflé. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Gluten-Free Carrot Soufflé gives you a soft, lightly sweet side that feels special even though it starts with affordable carrots. It takes about 50 minutes, and it bakes into a fluffy texture that’s easy to serve. The main ingredients include carrots, eggs, butter, and a lightly sweet batter base. It tastes sweet, creamy, and comforting with a smooth, casserole-like bite.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Carrot Soufflé

Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

Close up on beet cucumber salad with dill.
Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad brings tangy crunch and bright color to the table without needing fancy ingredients. It takes about 15 minutes, making it quick enough for weekday dinners. The main ingredients include beets, cucumbers, vinegar, and seasonings. It tastes tangy, slightly sweet, and crisp with a punchy pickled finish.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

Sweet Potato And Beet Salad

A white plate with sweet potatoes and greens on it.
Sweet Potato And Beet Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Sweet Potato And Beet Salad is a hearty side that uses inexpensive vegetables but still feels colorful and filling. It takes about 45 minutes, mostly for roasting, so it’s easy to prep while you handle the rest of dinner. The main ingredients include sweet potatoes, beets, olive oil, and a simple dressing. It tastes earthy, slightly sweet, and satisfying with tender roasted texture.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato And Beet Salad

Easy Oven Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl.
Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Oven Asparagus is a simple side that feels fresh and clean while keeping the ingredient list short. It takes about 15 minutes, so it’s great for nights when everything needs to move fast. The main ingredients include asparagus, olive oil or butter, and basic seasonings. It tastes savory, lightly crisp, and bright with a roasted edge that keeps it interesting.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike.
Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions brings big flavor and crunch to a classic budget-friendly vegetable. It takes about 20 minutes, making it quick enough for weeknight dinners and easy holiday add-ons. The main ingredients include green beans, garlic, butter or oil, and crispy fried onions. It tastes savory, garlicky, and crunchy with a rich finish that makes green beans feel exciting.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers

Roasted vegetables and lemon slices on a baking sheet, with a spoon and small bowls on the side.
Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers makes a full, filling side using low-cost vegetables that roast beautifully together. It takes about 40 minutes, and it’s easy to double when you need more on the table. The main ingredients include potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, and lemon with olive oil. It tastes bright, savory, and lightly tangy with crispy edges and tender centers.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Roasted balsamic glazed brussels sprouts in a black bowl.
Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts roast into a savory side with a sweet-tangy finish that tastes more expensive than it is. It takes about 30 minutes, making it easy to fit into a normal dinner schedule. The main ingredients include Brussels sprouts, balsamic vinegar, and oil with simple seasoning. It tastes slightly sweet, tangy, and savory with crispy roasted edges.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Homemade Corn Casserole

19 acompanhamentos simples que você encontraria em uma mesa de jantar na igreja
Homemade Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Homemade Corn Casserole is a budget-friendly comfort side that bakes up creamy and scoopable. It takes about 50 minutes, and it’s easy to serve for family dinners or potlucks. The main ingredients include corn, eggs, butter, and a simple batter base. It tastes slightly sweet, rich, and comforting with that classic casserole softness.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Casserole

Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini

A roasted cabbage steak is served on a pink plate. It is topped with a creamy sauce, pumpkin seeds, and chopped green onions. The cabbage is browned and slightly charred at the edges.
Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini turns one of the cheapest vegetables into a flavorful side with great texture. It takes about 20 minutes, so it’s fast enough for weeknights without much effort. The main ingredients include cabbage, tahini, spices, and oil for crisping. It tastes savory, lightly spicy, and nutty with crisp edges and tender centers.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini

Spinach Colcannon Recipe

A bowl of colcannon, a traditional Irish dish and a good choice for sides, features mashed potatoes mixed with green leafy vegetables and topped with chopped scallions. Perfect to share at any gathering.
Spinach Colcannon Recipe. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Spinach Colcannon Recipe is a filling potato-based side that stretches a small amount of greens into a whole bowl of comfort. It takes about 35 minutes, and it’s perfect when you want something hearty without spending more. The main ingredients include potatoes, spinach, butter, and milk or cream. It tastes creamy, buttery, and savory with soft texture and a little freshness from the greens.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Colcannon Recipe

Paprika Potatoes And Mushrooms

Overhead view of plate of potatoes and mushrooms.
Paprika Potatoes And Mushrooms. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Paprika Potatoes And Mushrooms makes a hearty side built on affordable ingredients that cook into something deeply satisfying. It takes about 40 minutes, and it works as a side or a simple meatless dinner add-on. The main ingredients include potatoes, mushrooms, paprika, and onions with oil. It tastes savory, earthy, and warmly spiced with tender potatoes and rich mushroom flavor.
Get the Recipe: Paprika Potatoes And Mushrooms

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Roasted sweet potato slices are elegantly arranged on a black slate serving board, ideal for Thanksgiving sides. A silver spoon rests nearby, ready to serve and impress your in-laws. The setup is completed with a wooden tray and a touch of gray napkin peeking through.
Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices give you a sweet-savory side using a low-cost vegetable that bakes up beautifully. It takes about 35 minutes, so it’s easy to add to weeknight dinners or holiday meals. The main ingredients include sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, and seasoning. It tastes sweet, warm, and comforting with caramelized edges and soft centers.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Crispy Cucumber Rice Salad

A close-up of a dish featuring rice, sliced cucumbers, herbs, and pieces of a pink ingredient, possibly grapefruit. A spoon is lifting a portion from the plate. The background shows a small bowl with a yellow interior.
Crispy Cucumber Rice Salad. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Crispy Cucumber Rice Salad is a budget-friendly side that uses leftover rice and fresh crunch for an easy win. It takes about 15 minutes, making it great for quick meals and low-effort lunches. The main ingredients include cooked rice, cucumbers, seasonings, and a simple dressing. It tastes fresh, lightly tangy, and crisp with a satisfying bite from the rice.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Cucumber Rice Salad

Lime, Chili And Ginger-Dressed Broccoli

A bowl of broccoli in a white bowl.
Lime, Chili And Ginger-Dressed Broccoli. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Lime, Chili And Ginger-Dressed Broccoli brings bold flavor to a cheap, dependable vegetable that’s easy to keep in rotation. It takes about 20 minutes, and it holds up well for leftovers. The main ingredients include broccoli, lime, ginger, and chili seasoning. It tastes bright, lightly spicy, and fresh with a punchy dressing that wakes everything up.
Get the Recipe: Lime, Chili And Ginger-Dressed Broccoli

Green Bean Casserole

A casserole dish filled with cooked green beans and thin, crispy French fries, with a spoon lifting a portion of the mixture. Some fries and beans are coated in a dark sauce.
Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Green Bean Casserole is a classic budget side that feels familiar and filling with minimal ingredients. It takes about 40 minutes, making it easy to bake while you work on the main dish. The main ingredients include green beans, creamy sauce, and crispy onions. It tastes savory, rich, and comforting with a crunchy topping that makes every bite better.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Roasted Potatoes with Broccoli Recipe

A baking tray with roasted vegetables including broccoli, potatoes, bell peppers, and lemon slices on a wooden table. Nearby, there are containers of spices and a spoon resting on the tray.
Roasted Potatoes with Broccoli Recipe. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Roasted Potatoes with Broccoli Recipe gives you a simple, filling side that stretches affordable ingredients into a full pan. It takes about 40 minutes, and it’s easy to season based on what you already have. The main ingredients include potatoes, broccoli, oil, and basic spices. It tastes savory, hearty, and satisfying with crisp edges and tender roasted texture.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potatoes with Broccoli Recipe

Squash Casserole with Stuffing

21 Budget Side Dishes That Don’t Add Much to the Grocery Bill
Squash Casserole with Stuffing. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Squash Casserole with Stuffing bakes into a comforting side that feels hearty even though it’s made with simple ingredients. It takes about 50 minutes, making it great for family dinners when you want something warm and filling. The main ingredients include squash, stuffing mix, butter, and a creamy binder like eggs or sour cream. It tastes savory, buttery, and cozy with a soft center and a crisp topping.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole with Stuffing

Related Posts

Post Comment

You May Have Missed