20 Best Fall Side Dish Recipes
Because the real star of the Thanksgiving dinner might just be that sweet potato casserole.
Discover 20 best fall side dish recipes featuring fall vegetables, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and comfort food classics like mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts. These easy sides are packed with flavor and are perfect for your fall dinner recipes or special occasions.
When fall rolls in with its crunchy leaves, seasonal ingredients, and sweater weather vibes, our ovens practically beg to be filled with golden brown roasted veggies and decadent casseroles. Side dishes aren’t just backup dancers—they’re often the best part of the meal. Whether you’re prepping for a Thanksgiving dinner, a Sunday roast, or a weeknight meal next to some juicy pork chops, these fall easy sides are the perfect way to round out your plate.
As a chef and nutrition consultant, I love helping people discover that fall side dishes can be both nourishing and indulgent. With ingredients like tender sweet potatoes, earthy mushrooms, and garlic cloves, you can create dishes full of fall flavors that are rich in nutrients and layered with complexity. These dishes prove that you don’t need processed food to enjoy real comfort food—just good ingredients, some olive oil, and a few favorite ways to cook with love.
Let’s dive into the fall side dish recipes that will have your guests skipping the main course and piling their plates high with seconds.
🥕 20 Fall Side Dishes to Serve This Season
1. Authentic German Potato Salad
Served warm with a tangy vinaigrette made from olive oil and white miso, this savory side dish hits every note. It’s the perfect side dish for sausages or pork chops.
2. Mashed Potatoes
A classic that never goes out of style, creamy and buttery and perfect for gravy lakes. It also happens to be a great use for leftover mashed potatoes. Just add cheese and bake them.
3. Sweet Mashed Potatoes
This sweet potato recipe is whipped with coconut milk, a touch of maple syrup, and topped with a pinch of garlic powder for that salty-sweet magic. An easy recipe that’s fancy enough for any special occasion.
4. Creamy Parsnip Soup
Creamy, smooth, and subtly sweet, this one’s a warm hug in a bowl. It’s one of those fall dinner recipes that doubles beautifully as a starter or a creamy side dish.
5. Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Use your air fryer to make these tender sweet potatoes crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Sprinkle it with sea salt and you’ve got a new favorite way to satisfy your fry cravings.
6. Easy Delicata Squash Chips
One of the easiest ways to use fall vegetables, delicata squash becomes golden brown and addictively crunchy. Just slice, toss in olive oil, and roast until crispy on a baking sheet.
7. Fall Harvest Salad with Figs and Pecans
This salad recipe combines juicy figs, toasty pecans, and colorful vegetables for an elevated hearty side. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and enjoy it as the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
8. Fall Roasted Vegetables
Roasted root vegetables tossed in olive oil, garlic cloves, and herbs are a comfort food staple. Bonus: use a single sheet pan and it basically cooks itself.
9. Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad
A raw, crunchy fall side dish with shaved Brussels and kale, dressed in lemon juice and Dijon. It’s light but full of fall flavors, making it a great balance to any main dish.
10. Pomegranate Kale Salad
Bright pops of pomegranate bring a juicy tang to this fall salad recipe. Topped with tangy goat cheese, it’s one of those dishes that feels festive but takes almost no effort.
11. Purple Sweet Potato Soup
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Rich in antioxidants and even richer in flavor, this colorful bowl is a showstopper. Creamy, earthy, and a total vibe for the time of year.
12. Roasted Beet Hummus
This jewel-toned hummus is loaded with fall vegetables and perfect as a dip or colorful side. Blend it with garlic cloves, tahini, and roasted beets for a punchy spread.
13. Roasted Beet and Fennel Salad
A great idea for a refreshing break from creamy side dishes. This fall side dish brings out the natural sweetness of both beets and fennel with a splash of balsamic vinegar.
14. Cabbage and Potato Stew
Hearty and humble, this dish is comforting in a bowl. It’s an excellent savory side dish that pairs beautifully with pork chops or roast chicken.
15. Lemon Greek Potatoes
Crispy, zesty, and roasted to golden brown perfection, these baby potatoes are tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano. They’re the perfect way to shake up your dinner table.
16. Celery Root Purée
Creamy and slightly nutty, this purée is an elegant alternative to mashed potatoes. It’s a fall side dish that feels fancy without the fuss.
17. Polish Cabbage and Potato
A traditional dish featuring slow-cooked cabbage and buttery potatoes. It’s pure comfort food—and a favorite way to warm up after a chilly walk.
18. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranates
One of the best Brussels sprouts recipes out there. The sweet crunch of pomegranate seeds with roasted Brussels is truly a perfect combination.
19. Polish Red Braised Cabbage
This sweet and sour side is simmered with apples and vinegar. The deep red color and fall flavors make it ideal for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
20. Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Pillowy little dumplings made from tender sweet potatoes, finished in brown butter and sage. This is a savory side dish that might steal the show from the main course.
These fall side dishes are the perfect side dish options to complement your main dish. Using seasonal ingredients like acorn squash, butternut squash, and late season eggplant, these recipes offer both comfort food satisfaction and nutritious goodness.
So warm up the oven, turn on those cookies settings (just kidding—but do check your privacy choices), and let the sides shine like never before. Because when it comes to fall cooking, the whole thing just wouldn’t be the same without that unforgettable side dish.
Bon Appétit, and happy fall feasting! 🍂
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