Our Best Side Dish Recipes - Cooking Light

Randy Mayor

Nineteen superior side dishes earned our readers' highest rating.

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Brussels Sprouts with Pecans

Slicing the Brussels sprouts horizontally makes for quick cooking, and the addition of toasted pecans add an unexpected crunch and buttery richness to this stunning side.

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Pecans

Slicing the Brussels sprouts horizontally makes for quick cooking, and the addition of toasted pecans add an unexpected crunch and buttery richness to this stunning side.

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Carrot Soufflé

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Carrot Soufflé

The original version of this delicious holiday favorite was weighed down by a stick of butter and a cup of sugar. Our lightened version eliminates 8.5g fat and 102 calories by accenting the natural sweetness of carrots, and adding a punch with the addition of sour cream.

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Steamed Carrots with Garlic-Ginger Butter

View Recipe: Steamed Carrots with Garlic-Ginger Butter

Steaming vegetables helps to retain all of the healthful water-soluble vitamins, and these carrots are no exception. The addition of the garlic-ginger butter gives an exotic flair to an otherwise classic dish.

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Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Feta Vinaigrette

Photo: Lee Harrelson

View Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Feta Vinaigrette

Orzo pasta is a versatile base for dishes, and this one is chock-full of zesty ingredients. Red onions add crunch and the combination of artichoke hearts, feta cheese, and kalamata olives all add fresh brininess to the salad.

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Winter Squash Risotto with Radicchio

Golden winter squash adds color to this rich risotto. The bitterness of radicchio is offset by the sweetness of the squash, and a shaving of earthy Parmesan cheese rounds out this festive side.

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Winter Squash Risotto with Radicchio

Golden winter squash adds color to this rich risotto. The bitterness of radicchio is offset by the sweetness of the squash, and a shaving of earthy Parmesan cheese rounds out this festive side.

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Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

Hearty pumpkin and creamy sweet potatoes steal the show in this winter-weather pilaf. It’s an ideal way to add fiber to your diet and a beautiful showcase for some underused winter vegetables.

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Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter

Randy Mayor and Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter

Caroline's praise doesn't pull any punches: "Best ever recipe for asparagus. Follow directions to a perfect side dish!" This recipe uses all ingredients you probably have on hand now, and its salty-sweet-sour balance is ideal.

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Baked Apples

View Recipe: Baked Apples

Served as an accompaniment to pork or poultry, these baked apples are a sure way to take advantage of the season’s bounty while adding flair to your meal. Leftovers? These apples can be served over oatmeal or slices of breakfast bread the next morning.

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Kale with Garlic and Peppers

Although you can find kale in supermarkets year-round, this leafy green is at its peak flavor in cool-weather months. The jalapeno pepper adds a spicy kick to this side, and the red peppers grant some aromatic sweetness.

View Recipe: Kale with Garlic and Peppers

Although you can find kale in supermarkets year-round, this leafy green is at its peak flavor in cool-weather months. The jalapeño pepper adds a spicy kick to this side, and the red peppers grant some aromatic sweetness.

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Creamy Polenta with Warm Tomato Compote

Perfect with lamb or roast chicken, this cheesy polenta serves as a well-balanced accoutrement to a hearty meal. The warm tomato topping provides sweetness, sharpness, and color to the side dish.

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Creamy Polenta with Warm Tomato Compote

Perfect with lamb or roast chicken, this cheesy polenta serves as a well-balanced accompaniment to a hearty meal. The warm tomato topping provides sweetness, sharpness, and color to the side dish.

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Pecan White and Brown Rice Pilaf

Incorporating whole grains into a meal is easy when complemented by sweet-tart dried cranberries and rich toasted pecans. Simmering the rice in chicken broth instead of water gives rice a flavor boost.

Photo: Jan Smith

View Recipe: Pecan White and Brown Rice Pilaf

Incorporating whole grains into a meal is easy when complemented by sweet-tart dried cranberries and rich toasted pecans. Simmering the rice in chicken broth instead of water gives rice a flavor boost.

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Oven-Dried Tomatoes

Summer tomatoes may need little help, but the oven-drying process greatly improves the quality of winter tomatoes. The concentrated flavor that results from cooking tomatoes at a low temperature for a long time provides instant richness and depth to a me

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Oven-Dried Tomatoes

Summer tomatoes may need little help, but the oven-drying process greatly improves the quality of winter tomatoes. The concentrated flavor that results from cooking tomatoes at a low temperature for a long time provides instant richness and depth to a meal.

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Asiago, Potato, and Bacon Gratin

This side is a sure hit, boasting the three ingredients almost everyone loves: cheese, bacon, and potatoes. Combining Parmesan and Asiago cheeses provides depth and creaminess, while the buttery Yukon Gold potato stands in for the additional fat and calo

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Asiago, Potato, and Bacon Gratin

This side is a sure hit, featuring the three ingredients almost everyone loves: cheese, bacon, and potatoes. Combining Parmesan and Asiago cheeses provides depth and creaminess, while the buttery Yukon Gold potato stands in for the additional fat and calories.

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Corn and Parsnip Cakes

Reminiscent of corn fritters, this skillet-cooked side dish features the additional sweetness of parsnips. A golden brown crust adds crunch and makes this side a crowd pleaser.

Photo: Karry Hosford

View Recipe: Corn and Parsnip Cakes

Reminiscent of corn fritters, this skillet-cooked side dish features the additional sweetness of parsnips. A golden brown crust adds crunch and makes this side a crowd pleaser.

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Creamed Corn with Bacon and Leeks

View Recipe: Creamed Corn with Bacon and Leeks

This combination of sweet corn and smoky bacon gives this uncomplicated dish sublime flavor. It’s a delicious way to put early-fall corn to use.

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Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole

Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole

A streusel crust on this classic sweet potato side makes the dish extra special. Creamy sweet potatoes and crunchy pecans serve as perfect companions in this no-fuss favorite.

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Mom’s Pennsylvania Dutch Beans

This lightened version of a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty is kicked up with a tangy-sweet sour cream sauce. Even the most cynical dinner guest will become a lima bean believer upon diving into this comforting side dish.

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Mom's Pennsylvania Dutch Beans

This lightened version of a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty is kicked up with a tangy-sweet sour cream sauce. Even the most cynical dinner guest will become a lima bean believer upon diving into this comforting side dish.

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Green Bean Salad Amandine

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Green Bean Salad Amandine

The classic side dish gets a fresh makeover with the addition of a sherry-Dijon mustard vinaigrette. Haricots verts are the traditional bean, but regular green beans work just as well.

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Curried Couscous with Broccoli and Feta

Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Curried Couscous with Broccoli and Feta

Couscous cooks quickly, making this side dish a go-to for rushed weeknights. The crunchy carrots and broccoli paired with the filling protein of garbanzo beans not only makes this well-rounded side a welcome and healthful addition to the dinner table, but makes a great lunch the next day as well.

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Top-Rated Sides

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Brussels Sprouts with Pecans

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Carrot Soufflé

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Steamed Carrots with Garlic-Ginger Butter

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Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Feta Vinaigrette

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Winter Squash Risotto with Radicchio

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Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

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Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter

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Baked Apples

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Kale with Garlic and Peppers

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Creamy Polenta with Warm Tomato Compote

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Pecan White and Brown Rice Pilaf

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Oven-Dried Tomatoes

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Asiago, Potato, and Bacon Gratin

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Corn and Parsnip Cakes

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Creamed Corn with Bacon and Leeks

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Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole

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Mom’s Pennsylvania Dutch Beans

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Green Bean Salad Amandine

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Curried Couscous with Broccoli and Feta

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