Side Dishes

From a simple salad to oven roasted vegetables and a great variety of legumes, rice, pasta and other tasty grains, side dishes are small plates of food to accompany a main meal and make it a complete dish. Correct pairing of a side dish with a main meal is important to complement the textures and colours on the plate as well as to bring harmony and balance to the various flavours.

Browse Side Dish Recipes

Grilled Italian flat green beans

Grilled Italian flat green beans

This grilled Italian flat green beans recipe is simple yet bursting with flavour. Blanched Italian green beans are tossed with olive oil and grilled to perfection until crisp on the outside but still tender and juicy on the inside. Deliciously sweet with a mild nutty...

Belgian endive salad with egg

Belgian endive salad with egg

This Belgian endive salad with egg is a crisp and vibrant side dish that boasts a soft, unique taste profile. The gentle bitterness of the endives is combined with the rich and creamy taste of eggs coated with a sweet and tangy honey mustard dressing. A fresh and...

Peperonata – Italian stewed peppers

Peperonata – Italian stewed peppers

Peperonata is a vibrant Italian dish made with colourful bell peppers, slowly simmered to perfection along with onions, tomatoes, garlic and herbs. Even though it is made with just a few simple ingredients, this rustic Italian pepper stew is a fragrant dish bursting...

Sautéed green beans and tomatoes

Sautéed green beans and tomatoes

This sautéed green beans and tomatoes recipe is a quick and easy side dish to prepare. Crisp, tender green beans are sautéed in olive oil and tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet onions and fresh thyme. Ready in only 20 minutes, this green beans side dish pairs...

Greek lemon rice recipe

Greek lemon rice recipe

This bright and zesty Greek lemon rice recipe will tantalize your taste buds. Loaded with sautéed onions, garlic, fresh herbs and lemon, this Greek rice pilaf is jam-packed with delicious Mediterranean flavours. Serve this Greek rice as a side dish with other Greek or...

Beet tartare with apple and feta

Beet tartare with apple and feta

This beet tartare recipe combines earthy beetroot with sweet apple, pickled cucumber and salty feta cheese into a vibrant and delicious appetizer. Feta and beetroot tartare is a vegetarian recipe full of textures and colours that can be served as a side dish for a...

Mashed sweet potatoes with feta cheese

Mashed sweet potatoes with feta cheese

Mashed sweet potatoes with feta cheese combines sweet and salty into a delightful and tasty side dish. It is a hearty and comforting meal which is very easy to make for a weeknight dinner, but is also elegant enough to serve as a festive side dish. Sweet potatoes are...

Spanish garlic mushrooms – Champiñones al ajillo

Spanish garlic mushrooms – Champiñones al ajillo

Champiñones al ajillo or Spanish garlic mushrooms is a classic Spanish tapas dish served all over Spain. It's a simple recipe to make but is packed with flavour. White button mushrooms are sautéed in olive oil and garlic and further flavoured with glazed onions,...

Spicy grilled pineapple spears

Spicy grilled pineapple spears

This spicy grilled pineapple recipe can be served as an easy appetizer or as a refreshing BBQ side dish. Fresh pineapple spears are coated with a curry and chilli spice mix making them a sweet, spicy and juicy delight. It only takes 15 minutes to prepare and can be...

Traditional ratatouille recipe

Traditional ratatouille recipe

Ratatouille is a French vegetable stew made with fresh summer vegetables and flavoured with Mediterranean herbs. This traditional ratatouille recipe is a bright and colourful dish, packed with flavour and which immediately makes you think of the south of France. Side...

Shaved fennel salad with honey mustard dressing

Shaved fennel salad with honey mustard dressing

This shaved fennel salad, dressed with a sweet and zingy honey mustard vinaigrette is a delicious and refreshing summer dish. This crunchy side salad shines wonderfully alongside grilled chicken, pork, fish and seafood dishes. It is such a pleasure to cook with...

South African chakalaka recipe

South African chakalaka recipe

Chakalaka is a traditional South African vegetable relish consisting of root vegetables combined with tomatoes and spices. Bursting with delicious flavours, this versatile dish can be eaten as a side, relish or condiment. What is Chakalaka The origins of the recipe...

South African yellow rice

South African yellow rice

South African yellow rice is a delicious fragrant rice. While traditionally served with South African bobotie, this rice recipe can also be served as a side dish to any other curry. The rice gets its yellow colour from turmeric spice and its sweetness from the...

Tomato and onion salad

Tomato and onion salad

This tomato and onion salad recipe combines simple ingredients with big flavours in to a delicious side salad. The addition of earthy cumin, fresh cilantro and zesty lemon makes this a refreshing side dish accompaniment for any curry, dahl or summer grill meal. With...

Roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash

Roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash

This oven roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash recipe is a healthy and flavourful side dish, easy to make and ready in no time. A delicious vegetable recipe perfect to serve during the holiday season, like Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year or as a winter...

Easy dill pickle potato salad

Easy dill pickle potato salad

Dill pickle potato salad: This easy potato salad recipe is filled with crunchy dill pickles and pearl onions. A creamy mayonnaise and mustard dressing brings this salad together as the perfect side dish for a whole range of main courses in both winter and summertime....

Little Gem lettuce with anchovy and bell pepper salsa

Little Gem lettuce with anchovy and bell pepper salsa

The crispy leaves of the Little Gem lettuce in combination with the salty anchovy and fresh bell pepper salsa makes this a vibrant and crunchy side salad. What is Little Gem lettuce? Little Gem lettuce are a smaller version of Romaine lettuce. They are not really...

Homemade mango salsa

Homemade mango salsa

Homemade mango salsa is so quick and easy to make with just a few healthy ingredients. It combines sweet, sour and spicy flavours into a delicious and colourful salsa full of freshness. It can be served as a dip, salad or side dish with various proteins. Mango is a...

Hi there, I'm Sabine, passionate foodie and avid traveller. Over the years I have combined my love for food, travel and photography and this is what The Tasty Chilli is all about. So please browse around and enjoy my recipes and cooking inspiration.

Follow me