side dish Recipes
168 delicious side dish recipes from around the world
Petits Pois à la Française (French Braised Peas)
A classic French spring side dish where sweet peas are gently braised with tender lettuce, sweet pearl onions, and butter, creating a delicate and flavorful vegetable medley. The lettuce wilts down to form a light sauce.
Pimientos Asados (Roasted Red Peppers)
Fire-roasted red bell peppers, peeled and marinated in a simple dressing of garlic, olive oil, and sherry vinegar. This classic Spanish tapa is best served at room temperature and is even better the next day.
Pisto Manchego
Pisto Manchego is a rustic Spanish vegetable stew, often referred to as La Mancha's answer to ratatouille. It features a medley of tender, slow-cooked vegetables, primarily tomatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini, simmered to a rich, flavorful consistency. It's traditionally served as a main course or a side dish, often crowned with a perfectly fried egg.
Placki Ziemniaczane (Polish Potato Pancakes)
Authentic Polish potato pancakes, known as Placki Ziemniaczane, are a beloved comfort food. These pancakes are pan-fried until wonderfully crispy and golden brown on the outside, with a tender interior. They are a versatile dish, perfect as a simple snack or a hearty side.
Prasorizo (Greek Leek Rice)
A simple, creamy, and comforting vegetarian Greek rice dish featuring tender leeks, fragrant dill, and bright lemon. Perfect as a light main or a side.
Rakott Krumpli (Hungarian Layered Potatoes)
A hearty and comforting Hungarian classic, Rakott Krumpli features thinly sliced potatoes layered with hard-boiled eggs and flavorful Hungarian sausage, all bound together with a creamy sour cream sauce and baked until golden brown and bubbly.
Ratatouille
A classic Provençal summer vegetable stew featuring tender eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes slow-cooked with aromatic herbs de Provence. This version emphasizes cooking each vegetable separately to preserve its unique texture and flavor before combining them into a harmonious dish.
Reibekuchen (German Potato Pancakes)
Authentic German Reibekuchen are crispy, golden-brown shredded potato pancakes, a beloved street food often enjoyed during festive occasions like Christmas markets. They are simple to make but require careful preparation for the best texture.
Rösti
A classic Swiss potato pancake, Rösti, is made from grated potatoes fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a tender, fluffy interior. It's a hearty and delicious dish, often served for breakfast or as a side.
Rotkohl (German Braised Red Cabbage)
A classic German side dish of red cabbage braised with apples, onions, and warm spices, offering a delightful sweet and sour flavor profile. It's a quintessential accompaniment to holiday meals, especially Christmas.
Rotmos (Swedish Root Vegetable Mash)
A comforting and rustic Swedish root vegetable mash, traditionally featuring rutabaga, potatoes, and carrots. Perfect as a hearty side dish.
Russian Beet and Bean Vinaigrette Salad (Vinegret)
A vibrant and hearty Russian salad featuring tender cooked root vegetables, protein-rich white beans, and tangy pickled cucumbers, all brought together with a simple oil dressing. This variation of the classic Vinegret is both visually appealing and satisfying.
Samfaina (Catalan Vegetable Stew)
A rustic and flavorful Catalan vegetable stew, similar to ratatouille, featuring tender, slow-cooked vegetables in a rich tomato base. It's a versatile side dish perfect with grilled meats, fish, or even as a light main course.
Semmelknödel (German Bread Dumplings)
Classic German bread dumplings (Semmelknödel) made from stale bread rolls, milk, eggs, and aromatics. These soft and flavorful dumplings are a perfect side dish, especially when served with rich gravies and roasts.
Spätzle
Authentic German egg noodles, known as Spätzle, are soft, chewy dumplings originating from the Swabia region. A beloved comfort food, perfect as a side dish or a light meal.
Thüringer Klöße (Thuringian Potato Dumplings)
Authentic Thüringer Klöße, a traditional German potato dumpling made from a unique combination of raw and cooked potatoes, often featuring a savory bread cube center. A regional specialty from Thuringia.
Tian Provençal
A vibrant and elegant Provençal vegetable gratin, featuring thinly sliced summer vegetables layered artfully and baked with fragrant olive oil and herbs. A true taste of the garden.
Tumbet
A classic Mallorcan layered vegetable dish featuring thinly sliced and fried eggplant, potatoes, and roasted red peppers, all bound together with a rich tomato sauce. It's a delightful and hearty vegetarian main or side.
Vinegret (Russian Beet Salad)
A vibrant and classic Russian beet salad, Vinegret is a colorful medley of root vegetables, pickles, and a simple oil dressing. It's healthy, satisfying, and its flavors meld beautifully over time, making it even better the next day.
Türk Pilavı
Turkish pilaf - buttery rice cooked to perfection. Accompaniment to everything.
Türk Pilavı
Turkish rice pilaf - perfectly fluffy butter rice. The foundation of Turkish cuisine.
Aloo Gobi
A classic North Indian dry curry featuring tender cauliflower florets and golden potato cubes simmered in a fragrant blend of turmeric, cumin, and other aromatic spices. This vegetarian staple is known for its vibrant color and comforting flavors.
Arnabeet Mekli (Lebanese Fried Cauliflower with Tahini)
A classic Lebanese mezze dish featuring crispy, golden-brown fried cauliflower florets drizzled with a tangy tahini-lemon sauce. Simple, satisfying, and perfect for sharing.
Baechu Kimchi (Spicy Fermented Napa Cabbage)
A staple of Korean cuisine, this spicy, tangy, and funky fermented napa cabbage kimchi is a complex condiment and side dish that develops incredible flavor over time. This recipe focuses on the traditional method of salting and seasoning the cabbage before allowing it to ferment.