Side Dishes That Aren’t Potatoes
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Enjoy some side dishes that break free from the traditional potato. These sides add an exciting twist to any meal, From vegetables creatively prepared to rice and legumes cooked to perfection. Whether hosting a dinner party or cooking for the family, these non-potato side dishes will impress and satisfy everyone around your table.
Butter Rice

I’ve got a fantastic butter rice recipe that you can’t miss. It’s super tasty and goes great with any meal. And the best part? You only need 4 ingredients, a few minutes to prep, and an hour of hands-off oven time. Everyone’s going to love it, and they’ll definitely want to know your secret. This is about to become a new favorite in your house! Get the Recipe: Butter Rice
Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds

Have you ever tried a Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds? It’s super easy to make and perfect for any meal. You can even prepare it earlier and have it ready when needed. This salad has all the good stuff – crunchy broccoli, sweet dried cranberries, and tasty sunflower seeds. Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad
Green Bean Salad

Salads usually mean a heap of lettuce or a ton of spinach. Well, let’s shake things up with green beans! In this Green Bean Salad, we’re taking fresh, crunchy green beans, adding some tasty cheese crumbles, and throwing in a bit of sharp red onion. It’s a super easy light meal that tastes amazing. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll see salads in a new light! Get the Recipe: Green Bean Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad

You’ve got to try this Classic Cucumber Tomato Salad. It’s zesty and a little sweet. The dressing is made from simple ingredients you already have in your pantry. The best part? You can prepare it in just about 5 minutes! This salad is a summer favorite for picnics and BBQs but is also great for potlucks and holiday gatherings. And since it doesn’t need refrigeration and it’s vegan, it’s a dish everyone can enjoy. Once you try it, you’ll be making it all summer long! Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad
Spanish Yellow Rice

Have you tried Spanish Yellow Rice? It’s a versatile side dish that pairs well with many main courses. It’s packed with flavor from saffron but isn’t too spicy, which makes it perfect for kids. You can use it anywhere you would use Mexican rice; it’ll pair perfectly. But don’t just save it for Mexican night – it goes great with all kinds of meals that need a pop of color and flavor. Get the Recipe: Spanish Yellow Rice
No-Roux Mac and Cheese

Everyone loves Macaroni and Cheese! It’s the ultimate feel-good food! This simple recipe can be made right on your stovetop – no roux or flour needed. All you need are four basic ingredients: macaroni, cheese, milk, and butter. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a super creamy Mac and Cheese that’s homemade and absolutely delicious. With this easy recipe, comfort food has never been so simple or satisfying! Get the Recipe: Mac & Cheese
Broccoli Rice Casserole

Oh man, you won’t believe how simple and tasty this cheesy broccoli rice casserole is! It’s the ultimate side dish for any meal; my family can’t get enough. I make it all the time, especially during holidays – it’s become a total tradition! You need some broccoli, rice, condensed soup, and Cheez Whiz, and you’re good to go. No fancy stuff, just good ol’ comfort food. It’s easy to make, if not a little bit indulgent. Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole
Texas Toast

Making your own Texas Toast is a piece of cake. It’s the perfect sidekick for pasta dishes, BBQ, or even your morning breakfast. It makes some awesome steak toast points, too! All you need is bread, butter, and a way to toast it – an oven, griddle, skillet, or grill. Homemade always beats store-bought. Not only does it taste better, but it’s also way more affordable and quicker than grabbing a frozen box from the supermarket. Get the Recipe: Texas Toast
Stovetop Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Carrots are not only sweet and packed with nutrients but also incredibly versatile. My Brown Sugar Carrots dish is a perfect example. It’s so special that it’s a favorite for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Yet, it’s simple enough to be served with any weeknight meal throughout the year. I particularly enjoy pairing these sweet, buttery carrots with a juicy steak or lean chicken – the flavors complement each other beautifully. Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Carrots
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

You might fall in love with Brussels sprouts when using this easy Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts recipe! Fresh sprouts are baked to perfection in sweet maple syrup, then topped with crispy, savory bacon pieces. Not only are they incredibly healthy, but they’re also delicious when prepared this way. Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Green Beans

Feel nostalgic with this simple recipe for slow-cooked green beans, old-fashioned style. Starting with some savory bacon and canned green beans, this dish transforms into something that feels like it came straight from Grandma’s kitchen. You can easily swap fresh green beans for a more homegrown feel. Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Bacon
Butter Beans

You can make butter beans right at home, and it’s not hard at all! These beans are super creamy and taste like comfort food. They’re always a hit whether you want them as the main dish or on the side. All you need are some dry large lima beans – yep, that’s what we use for Southern butter beans! Get the Recipe: Butter Beans
Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A classic taste of the South is just 30 minutes away with this super quick and easy Southern-Fried Cabbage recipe. It’s not only a hearty side dish but can also be a simple and economical meal. With just 4 ingredients, you’ll have a quick and tasty dish that’s light on your wallet and big on flavor. Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage
Corn Salad

Creamy Corn Salad has a delightful crunch of sweet corn paired with a smooth, creamy dressing. It’s incredibly easy to whip up and makes the perfect accompaniment for your picnics and barbecues. This is a true Southern-style recipe you can find at nearly every barbecue stand in Mississippi. Get the Recipe: Corn Salad
One Pot Refried Beans

This easy-to-make refried beans recipe starts with dried pinto beans, cooked in a flavorful spicy broth, then mashed into a creamy delight. And don’t let the name fool you – refried beans are neither fried nor refried. The only oil we use is to give the beans that irresistible creamy texture. Skip the canned beans altogether so you can infuse them with flavors from the start. Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Comfort Foods

Comfort foods have something special about them. They’re like a warm hug on a cold day and the type of food that makes you feel all cozy inside and stirs up those good old memories. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a regular day or a time for celebration; these comforting recipes will put a smile on your face.
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller is a food journalist, CEO of Pear Tree Kitchen, and co-creator of Food Blogger Help. She also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a registered nurse licensed in the State of Oklahoma. When she has free time between writing, blogging, and cooking, she can be found volunteering as an RN with the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps.

Help! I have a husband that has diet restrictions. I need recipes for side dishes that do not have potato, rice or grains.
Hi Linda!
Most of our sides are on your husband’s restricted list. We do have a few we use as sides, but many might consider them veggies. broccoli salad, creamy corn salad, blackened corn, cucumber tomato salad, refried beans, Southern butter beans, copycat KFC coleslaw, and baked beans. I’m not sure of sweet potatoes are on the list of no potatoes, if they aren’t we have mashed sweet potatoes too.
Hope this helps!