Russian Food

23 Side Dishes to Save You From Serving the Same Old Thing

23 Side Dishes to Save You From Serving the Same Old Thing

Side dishes get repetitive fast, especially when you’re cooking on autopilot and just trying to get dinner on the table. These 23 side dishes bring fresh flavor, crunchy salads, cozy casseroles, and warm roasted favorites that make the whole meal feel less predictable. Everything here adds something different, whether you need more color, more texture, or something that feels a little more special. When the main dish is already decided, the right side can still save the night.

23 Side Dishes to Save You From Serving the Same Old Thing
Cherry Chicken Salad Recipe (with Leftover Rotisserie Chicken). Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Aruk, Iraqi Style Latkes

A plate of golden-brown fritters topped with creamy dip and chopped green onions, with more dip in the background.
Aruk, Iraqi Style Latkes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Aruk, Iraqi Style Latkes are crisp on the outside with a soft, savory center that feels filling and satisfying. They take about 30 minutes, using potatoes, herbs, spices, and simple pantry ingredients for a warm flavor. The taste is savory and lightly spiced, with golden edges that make every bite feel comforting. They’re a great side when you want something different from the usual dinner rolls.
Get the Recipe: Aruk, Iraqi Style Latkes

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 is crisp, tangy, and refreshing with bright flavor that wakes up any plate. It takes about 20 minutes, using beets, cucumbers, vinegar, and seasonings for a sharp, clean taste. The texture stays crunchy while the pickled flavor adds a bold bite that feels different from everyday salads. It’s perfect when you want a side dish that feels fresh without being boring.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

The Perfect Rice Pilaf

Rice pilaf in copper saucepan.
The Perfect Rice Pilaf. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

The Perfect Rice Pilaf is fluffy, savory, and satisfying with simple flavors that feel comforting and dependable. It takes about 45 minutes, using rice, onions, carrots, and seasonings for a warm, hearty taste. The texture is light but filling, with each grain staying tender and flavorful. It’s a great alternative to plain rice when you want dinner to feel more put together.
Get the Recipe: The Perfect Rice Pilaf

Jerusalem Kugel

A round baking dish with a brown baked dessert, partially served, sits on a marble countertop. A hand holds the dish with an orange cloth napkin nearby. A fork rests on a patterned plate with crumbs. Cinnamon sticks are scattered around, hinting at the delicious recipe for Jerusalem Kugel.
Jerusalem Kugel. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Jerusalem Kugel is sweet, peppery, and baked until chewy with a texture that feels totally different from typical sides. It takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, using noodles, eggs, sugar, oil, and black pepper for a bold flavor. The taste is sweet with a warm peppery kick that keeps it interesting and memorable. It’s a fun side dish when you want something unusual that still feels comforting.
Get the Recipe: Jerusalem Kugel

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

A cheesy green bean casserole being served from a white baking dish with a spoon.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans is creamy, savory, and baked until bubbling with a rich cheesy flavor. It takes about 50 minutes, using fresh green beans, cheese, milk or cream, and seasonings for a cozy taste. The texture is tender with plenty of creamy sauce, making each bite feel filling and comforting. It’s a great upgrade from plain green beans when dinner needs something more exciting.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

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 crunchy, refreshing, and filling enough to feel like more than just a quick salad. It takes about 25 minutes, using cucumbers, rice, herbs, and a simple dressing for a bright flavor. The taste is crisp and clean with a savory finish that pairs well with almost any main dish. It’s a great side when you want something cool and different from roasted veggies.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Cucumber Rice Salad

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

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

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad is cool, crisp, and lightly creamy with a fresh flavor that balances heavier meals. It takes about 15 minutes, using cucumbers, herbs, and a creamy dressing for a simple, savory taste. The texture stays crunchy while the flavor feels clean and refreshing without being bland. It’s a perfect side dish when you want something quick that still feels like a real upgrade.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

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 are crisp-edged and tender inside with bold flavor that feels exciting. They take about 25 minutes, using cabbage, spices, tahini, and simple seasonings for a savory, nutty taste. The texture is satisfying, with charred edges and creamy tahini bringing everything together. It’s a great side when you’re tired of the same steamed vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini

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 hearty, fresh, and packed with savory flavor that makes it feel filling. It takes about 15 minutes, using white beans, feta, vegetables, and herbs for a salty, bright taste. The texture is creamy from the beans with crunch from the fresh ingredients. It’s a great side when you want something quick that still feels like it belongs on a dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta

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 are roasted until tender with a sweet tangy finish that makes them hard to stop eating. They take about 35 minutes, using Brussels sprouts, balsamic vinegar, oil, and seasonings for a savory-sweet taste. The flavor is rich and slightly sweet with a sharp glaze that balances the roasted edges. It’s a great side dish when you want vegetables that don’t feel like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

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 are bright, savory, and roasted until golden with plenty of flavor. They take about 45 minutes, using potatoes, broccoli, peppers, lemon, and olive oil for a fresh taste. The texture is crispy on the edges with tender vegetables that still hold their bite. It’s a great sheet-pan side when you want dinner to feel more colorful and interesting.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers

Salmon Salad With Bagel

Overhead of smoked salmon and bagel salad.
Salmon Salad With Bagel. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Salmon Salad With Bagel is creamy, savory, and filling with a flavor that feels like brunch became a side dish. It takes about 20 minutes, using smoked salmon, bagel pieces, creamy ingredients, and seasonings for a rich taste. The texture is smooth with soft bites of salmon and a little chew from the bagel. It’s a great choice when you want something different that still feels comforting.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Salad With Bagel

Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins

A slice of bread pudding on a decorative plate with a fork, topped with whipped cream. A baking dish with more bread pudding and a small bowl of cream with a spoon are in the background. A brown cloth is partially visible on the side.
Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins is baked, soft, and sweet with a rich flavor that feels nostalgic. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, using noodles, eggs, dairy, raisins, and warm flavor notes for a comforting taste. The texture is custardy and filling, with sweet raisins tucked into each bite. It’s a great side when you want something unexpected that still feels cozy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins

My Grandma’s Recipe for Russian Cured Salmon

A slice of brown bread topped with three pieces of cured fish and three small white onions on a round, dark plate. The plate is placed on a wooden surface.
My Grandma’s Recipe for Russian Cured Salmon. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

My Grandma’s Recipe for Russian Cured Salmon is silky, savory, and packed with flavor that feels special on the plate. It takes about 24 hours, using salmon, salt, sugar, and seasonings for a clean, rich taste. The texture is tender and smooth, with a salty bite that pairs well with potatoes or bread. It’s a great side option when you want something that feels fancy without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: My Grandma’s Recipe for Russian Cured Salmon

Quinoa Cucumber Salad

A white plate with a serving of quinoa salad mixed with diced cucumbers, chopped herbs, red onions, nuts, and feta cheese. A gold fork is resting on the plate. The background is a light, textured surface.
Quinoa Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Quinoa Cucumber Salad is fresh, light, and filling with a clean flavor that works with almost any dinner. It takes about 25 minutes, using quinoa, cucumbers, herbs, and a simple dressing for a savory taste. The texture is fluffy with crunchy cucumber, making it feel refreshing and satisfying. It’s a great side when you want something healthy that still tastes like real food.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Cucumber Salad

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 are savory, crisp-tender, and topped with a crunchy finish that makes them stand out. They take about 20 minutes, using green beans, garlic, butter or oil, and fried onions for a rich taste. The flavor is bold and salty with garlic in every bite and crunch on top. It’s a great swap when you want green beans that feel like something people actually notice.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon.
Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices are tender, sweet, and roasted until caramelized around the edges. They take about 40 minutes, using sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter or oil, and seasonings for a warm flavor. The taste is sweet and buttery with a soft texture that feels comforting. They’re a great side when you want something cozy that isn’t the usual mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

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 are hearty, savory, and plated in a way that feels more interesting than plain vegetables. They take about 50 minutes, using cauliflower, sweet potatoes, spices, and seasonings for a bold taste. The cauliflower turns tender with roasted edges, while the puree adds smooth warmth underneath. It’s a great side dish when you want something that feels like it belongs at a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Steaks On Spicy Sweet Potato Puree

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 soft, buttery, and baked until golden with a rich comforting flavor. It takes about 50 minutes, using corn, eggs, dairy, and simple baking ingredients for a warm taste. The texture is spoonable and filling, making it feel like a side dish that can carry dinner. It’s perfect when you want something cozy that always disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Casserole

Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze

A stack of crepes topped with crumbled feta cheese and drizzled with balsamic glaze, served on a white plate.
Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze are crisp-edged and creamy with bold flavor in every bite. They take about 25 minutes, using cabbage, goat cheese, balsamic glaze, and seasonings for a savory tangy taste. The texture is tender with charred edges, plus creamy cheese that melts into the top. It’s a great side when you want vegetables that don’t feel repetitive.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze

Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

A bowl of kale salad on a wooden table.
Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing is crunchy, fresh, and lightly sweet with a creamy finish. It takes about 15 minutes, using kale, apples, poppy seed dressing, and simple add-ins for a balanced taste. The texture is crisp and sturdy, making it hold up well next to warm mains. It’s a great side when you want salad that feels different from the usual lettuce bowl.
Get the Recipe: Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Overhead view of olivier salad with two egg halves.
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad) is creamy, filling, and loaded with savory flavor that feels like comfort food. It takes about 40 minutes, using potatoes, carrots, peas, and a creamy dressing for a rich taste. The texture is soft and satisfying, with plenty of hearty bites in every spoonful. It’s a great side when you want something familiar but not the same old potato salad.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Cherry Chicken Salad Recipe (with Leftover Rotisserie Chicken)

23 Side Dishes to Save You From Serving the Same Old Thing
Cherry Chicken Salad Recipe (with Leftover Rotisserie Chicken). Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cherry Chicken Salad Recipe (with Leftover Rotisserie Chicken) is creamy, slightly sweet, and savory with a texture that feels hearty. It takes about 15 minutes, using chicken, cherries, creamy dressing ingredients, and seasonings for a balanced taste. The flavor is rich with little sweet pops from the cherries, making it feel different from typical chicken salad. It’s a great side when you want something easy that still feels fresh and new.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Chicken Salad Recipe (with Leftover Rotisserie Chicken)

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