15 Easy Side Dishes You Can Pull Together on a Busy Weeknight

Check out my collection of 15 easy side dishes that you can quickly pull together on a busy weeknight dinner. These easy recipes use simple ingredients and come together effortlessly without being boring, so they fit around whatever you’re already cooking. Most of them are ready in 30 minutes or less and are perfect for weeknights, holidays, and everything in between.

Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Authentic Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes recipe is a staple in Greek cuisine, known for its tangy lemon flavour and crispy golden edges with soft and creamy inside. It's effortless to make, uses basic ingredients, and pairs wonderfully with a variety of Mediterranean dishes.

To learn more: Authentic Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Lebanese Rice with Vermicelli

Lebanese Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli is an absolute delight from the heart of the Middle East. It is packed with flavour and made with just a handful of pantry staples. Simple, and incredibly easy to prepare, ready in just 25 minutes, and turns out fluffy every single time.

To learn more: Lebanese Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli

Beetroot Hummus

This homemade Beet Hummus recipe is simple, reliable, and honestly comes out nicer than anything from a tub. It is one of those dishes that quietly becomes part of your regular rotation. Once you make it at home, it is hard to go back.

To learn more: Beet Hummus Recipe

Cucumber Dill Salad

This Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad is an easy side that pairs well with grilled meats, simple weeknight dinners, or even tucked into wraps and sandwiches when you want something light and fresh.

To learn more: Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad

Greek Roasted Vegetables

Briam is a hearty Greek casserole dish featuring roasted vegetables cooked in a generous amount of olive oil and seasoned with simple Mediterranean flavors. This delicious Mediterranean roasted vegetable dish is typically served as a main course, often paired with feta cheese, olives, and crusty bread. 

To learn more: Briam - Greek Roasted Vegetables

Barbari Bread

Barbari Bread, also known as Nan-e-Barbari, is a classic Persian flatbread with a long shape, crisp golden crust, and soft, chewy texture. It is simple yet full of flavor, perfect for pairing with anything from cozy soups to delightful dips and mezes and Zeytoon Parvardeh - Persian Marinated Olive.

To learn more: Barbari Bread - Persian Flatbread

Cauliflower Cheese

If you are looking for a simple, quick yet extremely delicious side dish for your Sunday roast, Easter lunch, or Thanksgiving table, this Cauliflower Chees recipe is perfect for you. You can make it 3 days in advance and cook it when needed.

To learn more: Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Ratatouille

This traditional French Ratatouille dish is a delightful marriage of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, infused with aromatic herbs and a hint of garlic. 

You can enjoy it as a side dish alongside grilled chicken or meat, especially lamb, or as a vegetarian or vegan main course served over plain rice, couscous, or simply mixed with pasta.

To learn more: Traditional French Ratatouille Recipe

Potato Salad Without Mayo

If you like simple, tangy, and light salads that work well year-round, Patates Salatası (Turkish Potato Salad without mayo) is a great one to try. It’s made with boiled potatoes, fresh herbs, green onions, and a lemony olive oil dressing.

To learn more: Patates Salatası - Turkish Potato Salad (no mayo)

Batata Harra

Batata Harra is a spicy Lebanese potato dish that’s full of flavor and super easy to throw together. It comes together with just a handful of ingredients: crispy potatoes, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, cilantro, and a good squeeze of lemon. It’s a classic in Lebanese kitchens and adds just the right kick to any spread. Simple, bold, and always a hit.

To learn more: Batata Harra (Lebanese Potatoes)

Turkish Yogurt Dip

Cacik is a delicious and refreshing Turkish Yogurt Dip made with cucumbers, yoghurt, and herbs. It is very easy to prepare, ready in just 10 minutes, and only needs a few fridge ingredients. This wonderful Mediterranean sauce is similar to its Greek cousin, known as "Tzatziki".

To learn more: Cacik (Turkish Yogurt Dip)

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Ready in just 20 minutes, these Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges are a simple and delicious way to add some fun to your meals. They are a delicious, healthy option that’s super easy to make and full of flavor.

To learn more: 20 Minutes Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Crispy Sauté Potatoes

These perfectly Crispy Sauté Potatoes with Garlic are the perfect accompaniment to steak, fish, meatballs, or any creamy dish. It takes less than half an hour to make and is full of flavor thanks to garlic and rosemary.

You can serve them as a side dish or have them as a snack and the leftovers are perfect for making an egg casserole for breakfast.

To learn more: Crispy Sauté Potatoes with Garlic

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

These Air Fryer butternut squash cubes are a simple and tasty way to bring a bit of colour and warmth to any meal. With just a drizzle of oil and a few pantry spices, you get cubes that are lightly crisp and naturally sweet. They work well as a quick side dish, tossed into salads, or mixed into grain bowls.

To learn more: Air Fryer Butternut Squash Cubes

Turkish White Bean Salad

Fasulye Piyaz (Turkish White Bean Salad) is a healthy and nutritious side dish and a perfect accompaniment to your meals. It is made of beans, onions, tomatoes, and parsley, then dressed with tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil.

To learn more: Piyaz - Turkish White Bean Salad