18 Last-Minute Sides That Get More Love Than the Mains
A great Memorial Day feast isn’t just about what’s on the grill—it’s the sides that truly complete the spread. From creamy classics and crispy favorites to fresh, seasonal additions, these delicious side dishes are guaranteed to take your cookout to the next level. Whether you’re aiming for comfort food, bright flavors, or a little bit of both, this collection has something for every plate and palate. Get ready to serve up the perfect compliments to your holiday celebration.
Patriotic Jello Mold
Add a burst of red, white, and blue to your summer holiday celebrations with a delicious and patriotic Jello salad! This colorful and refreshing treat is the perfect addition to your Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day festivities, and it’s sure to impress your guests with its vibrant layers and sweet flavors. Get the Recipe: Jello Mold.
Foil Packet Grilled Potatoes
Foil-packet grilled potatoes pack a punch of crispy edges and tender middles, all wrapped up with herbs and spices that steal the show. Throw them on the grill for an easy, no-mess side dish everyone will love. Get the recipe: Foil Packet Grilled Potatoes.
Southwestern Salad
The Southwestern Salad, featuring garbanzos and a zesty chipotle, lime, and roasted garlic dressing, brings a touch of heat from the chipotle. Toss in plenty of fresh veggies, and you have a colorful, tasty salad perfect for summer! Get the recipe: Southwestern Salad.
Smoked Corn on the Cob
Smoked corn on the cob is sweet, smokey, and a little peppery. It’s an easy way to add a lot of excitement to your meal or BBQ. This is perfect for sweet corn lovers. Get the recipe: Smoked Corn on the Cob.
Smoked Baked Beans
Today, we’re elevating the classic flavors of baked beans with a smoky twist. Smoked baked beans will elevate these flavors to new heights. Smoking these delicious four-bean baked beans adds a whole new dimension of flavor. Get the Recipe: Smoked Baked Beans.
Broccoli Salad with Raisins
If you love veggies, try this easy broccoli salad. It combines crisp broccoli with sweet raisins and a creamy dressing for an amazing side dish. It’s quick to toss together and sure to be a hit! Get the recipe: Broccoli Salad with Raisins.
Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw
This Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw is a quick and easy side dish packed with flavor. Learn how to make it in just a few simple steps.
Get The Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw – The Cookin Chicks.
Easy Napa Cabbage Slaw Recipe
This napa cabbage slaw has been a favorite for decades! Crunchy, flavorful, and easy to prep, this is the best summer side dish.
Get The Recipe: Napa Cabbage Slaw.
Dill Pasta Salad
This dill pasta salad is a breeze to make and perfect for potlucks and picnics. This fresh salad is packed with tons of fresh flavor.
Get The Recipe: Dill Pasta Salad.
Corn Salad
Creamy corn salad with crisp-tender sweet corn combined with a creamy dressing is super easy to make and perfect for picnics and BBQs.
Get The Recipe: Creamy Corn Salad.
Grandma Hunts Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad
Classic Cucumber Tomato Salad with a sweet and tangy dressing made with simple pantry ingredients. Super easy recipe made in under 10 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad.
Potatoes Green Beans
Roasted green beans and baby potatoes make the perfect side dish for any meal. One pan, minimal cleanup, and full of flavor!
Get The Recipe: Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans.
Black Bean And Corn Salad
Black Bean and Corn Salad is the ultimate healthy summer side dish—packed with fresh corn, black beans, and cherry tomatoes and dressed with a
Get The Recipe: Black Bean and Corn Salad.
Israeli Couscous With Grilled Vegetables
This Israeli couscous salad with grilled vegetables makes a great side or light vegetarian meal. Easy to make, adapt & can be made ahead. Great for summer.
Get The Recipe: Israeli couscous salad with grilled vegetables – Caroline’s Cooking.
Cucumber Salad
This cool and creamy Cucumber Salad is a light and refreshing side dish made with fresh dill, sour cream, and crisp cucumbers. The red onions add a little bite, while the tangy dressing pulls everything
Get The Recipe: Cucumber Salad.
Kimchi Potato Salad
Spicy kimchi and creamy potato salad come together in this 20-minute, fusion side dish. The Korean flavors really make the salad pop!
Get The Recipe: Kimchi Potato Salad – In the Kitch.
Marinated Zucchini Summer Squash
Whether you eat them straight away, or pack them for a picnic, these lemon and basil marinated zucchini and summer squash make a delicious, easy side dish.
Get The Recipe: Marinated grilled zucchini – Caroline’s Cooking.
Grilled Asparagus
The 12 Best 9×13 Cakes for When You Need Dessert Without the Fuss
A 9×13 cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion, offering a simple way to feed a crowd without the hassle. These cakes are easy to make and packed with flavor, making them a go-to for family gatherings, potlucks, or just because. With a variety of recipes to choose from, each one is designed to impress and satisfy every sweet craving. Get ready to enjoy the ultimate 9×13 cakes that are as delicious as they are simple.
Get the Recipes: 9×13 Cakes.
These Layer Cakes Taste Like Sunshine and Long Weekends
Layer cakes aren’t just dessert—they’re a full-blown event. Tall, dramatic, and packed with flavor, these cakes bring serious wow without needing bakery skills. Each slice shows off thick layers, rich fillings, and just the right amount of frosting. They’re the kind of cakes people can’t stop staring at, then ask for seconds before they finish their first bite. These recipes don’t play it safe, and that’s exactly why everyone’s obsessed.
Get the Recipes: Layer Cakes.
Dinner in 30 Minutes That Aren’t Chicken or Boring
When time is tight and you’re looking for something quick, these 30-minute meals are the answer. Packed with flavor and made without chicken, these recipes offer a delicious variety of options to keep your meals exciting. Perfect for busy nights, these dishes will have you fed in no time without sacrificing taste. Enjoy simple yet satisfying meals that everyone will love!
Get the Recipes: 30-Minute Dinners That Aren’t Chicken.
14 Spring-Flavored Desserts That Aren’t Carrot Cake
Carrot cake had its moment—but Easter desserts don’t have to stop there. This lineup brings color, crunch, chocolate, and a little drama to your spring spread. Think cool pies, fluffy bars, creamy layers, and treats that actually get people excited. These are the desserts that disappear fast, get talked about even faster, and don’t leave you stuck grating carrots.
Get the Recipes: Desserts Aren’t Carrot Cake.
