13 Spring Sides That Taste as Good as They Look
Spring is the season for fresh flavors and colorful plates, and these beautiful side dishes deliver on both. These spring sides are packed with seasonal produce and vibrant flavors that steal the spotlight. From crisp salads and roasted veggies to light grains and herby finishes, each dish is as pretty as it is delicious—no complicated prep required.
Chopped Greek Salad
This Greek salad is a simple yet flavorful side that brings fresh and bright Mediterranean flavors to your table. Made with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, salty olives, and creamy feta cheese the salad is incredibly balanced, delicious, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Greek Cucumber Salad.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
You’ll love this classic cucumber salad! Thinly sliced cucumbers are tossed with onions and a simple sour cream dressing, this gets better as it sits in the fridge. It’s easy to prep and made with simple ingredients, it’s a staple at our house, especially when the garden cucumbers are flowing.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Salad.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
You can’t have a holiday meal without a potato side dish and you are going to love these easy cheesy potatoes! This simple side dish is like a classic potato casserole, but with a little extra flavor added in. They are delicious and super easy if you are looking for something other than mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potato Casserole.
Quinoa Black Bean Salad
This black bean quinoa salad recipe should be on the top of your recipes-to-make list! It’s light and bright, satisfying and nutritious, and loaded with plant-based protein and fiber, all with tons of layered flavor. Because it can be made ahead, it’s a great salad for everything from picnics to summer cookouts to healthy meal prep salads to get you through the week.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Quinoa Salad.
Easy Haricots Verts
If you are looking for a simple but elegant Thanksgiving side dish then these haricots verts (French green beans) are for you! These thin and tender green beans have a mild flavor and are a welcome side dish among heavier and richer options.
Get the Recipe: Easy Haricots Verts.
Burrata with Tomatoes and Pesto
Creamy burrata cheese served with juicy tomatoes and fresh pesto for a bright and flavorful dish that’s perfect for sharing.
Get The Recipe: Burrata with Tomatoes and Pesto.
Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin
This ham and potatoes au gratin works as a side for Thanksgiving or a good use of your leftovers if ham is on the menu. Either way, it’s a dish you want to make! Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with smoky ham and creamy gruyere cheese, and everything is soaked in a cream and fresh thyme mixture. It’s as delicious as it sounds!
Get the Recipe: Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin.
Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad
When you’re in the mood for a salad that’s incredibly delicious, fun to eat, and super nutritious, this garbanzo bean salad is what you’re going to want to make! Made with crunchy and fresh veggies, satisfying garbanzo beans, and a homemade vinaigrette, this salad can be prepped ahead for quick and healthy lunches or served as a side dish to your favorite protein.
Get the Recipe: Garbanzo Bean Salad.
Lemon Kale Salad
This easy lemon kale salad recipe is made with crunchy lacinato kale, a bright lemon dressing, and extra flavor from crunchy panko and shredded Parmesan cheese. After my cousin brought this kale salad to Thanksgiving one year, it was requested year after year – it’s that good! You can make this delicious salad ahead of time so that you aren’t adding extra work to your meal. Just keep the dressing to the side and mix it in right before serving.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad.
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
This crockpot cheesy potatoes recipe is loaded with layers of flavors and makes the perfect side for holiday mains. And it’s all made simple in the slow cooker! Made with the same ingredients as my potato casserole, but everything cooks in the slow cooker which can be helpful if you have a full oven on Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes.
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
Not only is this honey-glazed carrot recipe incredibly simple to make, but it has delicious natural sweet flavors that work with so many main dishes. The carrots are tossed in a honey, butter, and thyme mixture and roasted until tender-crisp. Yum!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots.
Easy Napa Cabbage Slaw
This crunchy napa cabbage slaw is the coleslaw you’ll make ALL summer long! But, if I’m being honest while it is a star of summer, I make it year-round. It is the perfect side for picnics, grilled dinners, and potlucks. The shredded cabbage is tossed with a apple cider vinaigrette dressing and blue cheese crumbles – each bite has major fresh flavor!
Get the Recipe: Napa Cabbage Slaw.
Italian Chopped Salad
Quite possibly my all-time favorite salad and maybe yours, too, this is our go-to house salad and the side to so many dinners. This is the perfect chopped salad – crunchy, well-balanced, and tossed in a flavorful homemade red wine vinaigrette. Each bite is packed with bold Italian flavors.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad.
