Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 20 Easy Party Sides That Work For Any Occasion By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Instagram Twitter Website Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer and recipe developer. She's a regular contributor to The New York Times, Time Out New York, Forbes, and many more publications. She also writes the food newsletter, Specialty. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 9, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: GREG DUPREE Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue or a lavish birthday gathering, you're going to need plenty of party sides to round out the celebration. Sure, the main dishes are important too, but as any good host knows, stellar sides can really elevate an event. Plus, they're a great way to ensure that guests with any dietary restrictions have enough to eat. In this gallery you'll find classic party sides like deviled eggs and potato salad, as well as easy side dishes that are vegan, dairy-free, and vegetarian. No matter what you're celebrating, we've got you covered with a bevy of party side dishes that can be enjoyed all year round! 35 Quick and Easy Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight 01 of 20 Spicy Deviled Eggs Philip Friedman; Styling by Colleen Riley Pimientos give these deviled eggs a bit of a kick, and they're sure to keep guests munching and talking throughout the event. Keep an extra batch in the fridge to replenish your plate when they inevitably disappear. get the recipe 02 of 20 Lemony Cucumber-and-Herb Pasta Salad Greg DuPree This refreshing and stunning pasta salad could be a meal in itself, but it's a stellar side at any cookout, picnic, or pot luck. Be generous with the fresh herbs, and reserve a feta-free portion for any vegan guests. get the recipe 03 of 20 Orange Chili Shrimp Cocktail David Prince Shrimp cocktail turns a simple gathering into a party, and you can make it so easily! This shrimp cocktail can be served with chips or toothpicks, and offers a tingly acidity that feels oh-so-sophisticated. get the recipe 04 of 20 Garlic and Herb Potato Salad Greg DuPree A gooey potato salad may sit sadly on the shared table uneaten, but this gourmet take will be the talk of everyone's plates. Go for new potatoes or baby potatoes to add some fun shape and color to this side dish. get the recipe 05 of 20 Zucchini Tzatziki Slaw Greg DuPree Two sides in one, this salad combines the elements of the classic Greek dip with a more classic American coleslaw. It's healthy, it's crunchy, and it goes with everything. get the recipe 06 of 20 Toasted Israeli Couscous with Corn and Herbs Greg DuPree This dish is as delicious as it is flexible—use whatever grain you want (like barley or wild rice), play with the herbs, and decide if you want your veggies cooked or raw. It's great leftover too, so make enough for leftovers. For an elegant meal, plate roast fish or meat right on top and let those juices soak in. get the recipe 07 of 20 Sweet and Tangy Baked Beans Greg DuPree Bacon adds savoriness and pineapple adds sweetness to these beans that are just way too good. Serve them with grilled meat or even on meatloaf night. Everyone will be asking for the recipe. get the recipe 08 of 20 Peach, Mozzarella, and Basil Salad Ngoc Minh Ngo To create a sweeter summer salad, swap out the classic Caprese tomatoes for ripe peaches. This can also be made on kebabs for easy sharing. get the recipe 09 of 20 Crispy Roasted Mushrooms Danny Kim Mushrooms are everywhere in 2022, and for good reason. These crisp mushrooms are restaurant-worthy, and shareable at any type of food-centric function. How to Wash Mushrooms—Including Store-Bought, Cultivated, and Wild-Foraged Fungi get the recipe 10 of 20 Barbecue Meatball Sliders Paul Sirisalee Ditch the standby cheeseburger sliders in favor of tangy meatballs tossed in barbecue sauce and topped with a crunchy slaw. get the recipe 11 of 20 Roasted Eggplant with Miso and Sesame Seeds Antonis Achilleos Prep this dish a day or two before your gathering, and just pop it in the oven before it's time to eat. This eggplant is excellent steaming hot or cold, and any leftovers can be blended with some olive oil into a dip. get the recipe 12 of 20 Cornbread Panzanella Greg DuPree The classic Italian bread salad gets a fun twist, thanks to cornbread croutons! Improvise with your favorite seasonal veggies for a bowl that will make its way around the table more than once. get the recipe 13 of 20 Tortellini Basil Salad Jennifer Causey Cheese-stuffed pasta is always a hit. And this pasta dish technically counts as salad! Double host points. get the recipe 14 of 20 Mini Hasselback Potatoes Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Serving guests an entire baked potato is ambitious (unless it's potato night, which by all means, make it the star). But shrunken-down Hasselback potatoes add that crispy goodness, plus some adorableness to a party. get the recipe 15 of 20 Fried Green Tomatoes Lisa Hubbard Wow everyone with this fried green tomatoes recipe that evokes nostalgia and gets mouths watering. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice. get the recipe 16 of 20 Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole Antonis Achilleos Turn the classic dip into a creamy casserole that everyone can share. The crushed potato chips on top add to the fun. And surprise - this dish is vegan! get the recipe 17 of 20 Spiced Rice with Crispy Chickpeas Caitlin Bensel Keep this recipe in your back pocket for when you need to whip up some extra carbs for a crowd. Made from pantry staples, this flavorful rice is crunchy and satisfying, pairing with pretty much anything else on your plate. get the recipe 18 of 20 White Bean and Farro Salad Jennifer Causey A fiber-packed dish that's as good as it tastes as it is good for you, this refreshing salad is perfect for a luncheon, picnic, or vegetarian meal. 26 Recipes for Canned Beans get the recipe 19 of 20 Tempura Vegetables with Lemon Soy Dipping Sauce Caitlin Bensel We're not saying you need to fry vegetables to get your friends to like you more, but they'll certainly appreciate it. If you have an open kitchen, cook these tempura veggies à la minute to really be impressive. get the recipe 20 of 20 Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Grapes and Feta Greg Dupree Play restaurant with this beautiful platter that will inspire "oohs" and "aahs" as it's passed around to share. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit