10 Side Dishes That Round Out Any Family Supper

The right side dish can transform a meal. These dependable recipes complement a variety of main courses and help create a well-balanced plate.

Southern Style Green Beans

A pan filled with cooked green beans. — Image Credit: Lana’s Cooking

My low and slow method for cooking Old Fashioned Southern Style Green Beans with its beautiful, smoky ham hock broth for flavoring will take you straight to the country, no matter where you live!

A white plate stacked with golden roasted potatoes, seasoned with herbs, on a wooden table.

Learn more and get the recipe: Southern Style Green Beans

Vintage Broccoli Salad

A serving of broccoli salad in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Lana’s Cooking

This vintage Broccoli Salad recipe is total comfort food and the perfect year-round side dish. You’ll combine fresh, lightly blanched broccoli with crispy bacon, roasted sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries in a tangy mayo dressing for an easy recipe that your family and friends will ask for again and again.

Learn more and get the recipe: Vintage Broccoli Salad

Melting Potatoes

Close-up of golden, roasted potato rounds stacked and seasoned with herbs. — Image Credit: Lana’s Cooking

These Melting Potatoes are everything you could want in a side dish. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and full of flavor thanks to a good dose of butter, broth, and garlic.

Learn more and get the recipe: Melting Potatoes

Easy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with slices of butter and a sprinkle of herbs. — Image Credit: Lana’s Cooking

You don’t need fancy tools or complicated techniques to make these Easy Mashed Potatoes. This simple recipe gives you creamy, mouth-watering flavor with just a few ingredients and a little hands-on mashing.

Learn more and get the recipe: Easy Mashed Potatoes

Slow Cooked Southern Butter Beans

Fresh or Frozen Southern Butter Beans cooked to melt in your mouth tender in the slow cooker. Serve with fried chicken, fried okra, and cornbread for a very traditional southern dinner.

Learn more and get the recipe: Slow Cooked Southern Butter Beans

Copycat KFC Coleslaw

A glass serving bowl filled with coleslaw. — Image Credit: Lana’s Cooking

This quick and easy Copycat KFC Coleslaw recipe brings back the flavor we all remember from the side dish that used to come with every KFC meal. Now that it is no longer on the menu, the best way to enjoy it is by making it at home and keeping the tradition going.

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Learn more and get the recipe: Copycat KFC Coleslaw

Classic Macaroni and Cheese

This Classic Macaroni and Cheese is creamy, rich, and baked to golden perfection. It’s the kind of reliable, from-scratch recipe that delivers exactly what you expect: real comfort food without shortcuts.

Learn more and get the recipe: Classic Macaroni and Cheese

Southern Fried Okra

Fried okra on a white plate with a portion in a metal slotted scoop. — Image Credit: Lana’s Cooking

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to prepare fresh okra, look no further! This 4-ingredient Southern Fried Okra is the best you’ll ever taste. It’s crispy, crunchy, and downright delicious. Plus, it’s so easy to make that anyone can do it. If you’re a fan of Southern cuisine, then this recipe is for you!

Learn more and get the recipe: Southern Fried Okra

Stick of Butter Rice

A spoon filled with rice. — Image Credit: Lana’s Cooking

My Stick of Butter Rice is a recipe that even your pickiest eater will love! It’s a luscious combination of buttery, beefy rice that makes a great side dish for almost any occasion. It’s just as perfect for Christmas dinner as it is for Fourth of July or just any old Tuesday night.

Learn more and get the recipe: Stick of Butter Rice

Southern Stewed Okra and Tomatoes

Stewed okra and tomatoes in a black cast iron skillet. — Image Credit: Lana’s Cooking

Southern Stewed Okra and Tomatoes is a classic pairing of two delicious vegetables that makes the perfect side dish for almost any traditional Southern meal. And you can have it on the table in under 30 minutes!

Learn more and get the recipe: Southern Stewed Okra and Tomatoes

My Southern Table Cookbook

If you like these recipes, you’ll love my cookbook! It’s 348 pages filled with 246 recipes, each with a full-color photo. Visit Lana’s Cooking for more information.