Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 30 Easy Party Side Dishes That Work For Any Occasion Ensure guests who prefer meat-free, dairy-free, or gluten-free dishes will find tasty nourishment at your party. By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner 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 July 05, 2024 Close Photo: GREG DUPREE Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue or a lavish birthday gathering, you need plenty of party side dishes to round out the menu. Sure, the main dishes are important but, as any good host knows, stellar sides can elevate an event. Plus, they're a great way to ensure that guests with dietary restrictions have plenty to eat. Our gallery includes classic party side dishes like deviled eggs, nachos, and potato salad, as well as easy side dishes that are vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free. No matter what you're celebrating, we offer up a bevy of party side dishes that can be enjoyed year-round! 01 of 30 Spicy Deviled Eggs Philip Friedman; Styling by Colleen Riley Pimientos give these deviled eggs 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 30 Lemony Pasta Salad With Cucumber 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 potluck. Be generous with the fresh herbs, and reserve a feta-free portion for vegan guests. get the recipe 03 of 30 Orange-Chili Shrimp Cocktail David Prince Shrimp cocktail turns any simple gathering into a party, and you can make it so easily! Served with chips or toothpicks, it offers a tingly acidity that feels oh-so-sophisticated. get the recipe 04 of 30 Garlic-and-Herb Potato Salad Greg DuPree A gooey potato salad may sit sadly on the table uneaten, but this gourmet take will be the talk of everyone's plates. Go for new or baby potatoes to add fun shapes and color to this side dish. get the recipe 05 of 30 Zucchini Tzatziki Slaw Greg DuPree Two sides in one, this salad combines the elements of the classic Greek dip with a traditional American coleslaw. It's healthy, crunchy, and goes with everything. get the recipe 06 of 30 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 the next day, too, so make enough for leftovers. For an elegant meal, plate roasted fish or meat right on top and let their juices soak in. get the recipe 07 of 30 Sweet and Tangy Baked Beans Greg DuPree Bacon adds the savory and pineapple adds the sweet 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 30 Peach, Mozzarella, and Basil Salad Ngoc Minh Ngo To create a sweet summer salad, swap out the classic Caprese tomatoes for ripe peaches. This can also be made on kebabs for a dramatic presentation and easy sharing. get the recipe 09 of 30 Crispy Roasted Mushrooms Danny Kim Mushrooms are everywhere these days, and for good reason: They're versatile, nutritious, and loaded with umami. These crisp mushrooms are restaurant-worthy, shareable, and perfect for any food-centric function. get the recipe 10 of 30 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. Take it easy on yourself by using store-bought or made-ahead meatballs. get the recipe 11 of 30 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. It's excellent steaming hot or cold, and any leftovers can be blended with some olive oil into a dip. get the recipe 12 of 30 Cornbread Panzanella Greg DuPree A classic Italian bread salad gets a fun twist with 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 30 Tortellini Basil Salad Jennifer Causey Cheese-stuffed pasta is always a hit, and this pasta dish technically counts as salad. Besides earning double host points, you'll benefit from the recipe's shortcut by using store-bought cheese tortellini. get the recipe 14 of 30 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 adorableness to a party. get the recipe 15 of 30 Fried Green Tomatoes Lisa Hubbard Wow everyone with this nostalgic recipe that'll get party-goers' mouths watering. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice. get the recipe 16 of 30 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 30 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 dish is crunchy and satisfying, pairing with pretty much anything else on your menu. get the recipe 18 of 30 White Bean and Farro Salad Jennifer Causey This fiber-packed dish tastes as good as it is nutritious. It's a refreshing, hearty salad that's perfect for a luncheon, picnic, or vegetarian meal. get the recipe 19 of 30 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 for a truly impressive presentation. get the recipe 20 of 30 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 make it vegan, swap out the feta with plant-based sausage and you have a complete meal. get the recipe 21 of 30 Green Bean and Celery Salad Greg Dupree Is it a salad or a side dish? With apple slices, ginger-honey-mustard dressing, and sesame seed topping, suffice it to say it's a crunchy, fresh, delicious addition to any party menu at any time of year. get the recipe 22 of 30 Summer Nachos Greg DuPree Nachos is such a party classic, but your guests will appreciate an innovative twist that makes this dish anything but ordinary. Loaded with fresh summer produce—corn, zucchini, and cabbage—it's topped with an avocado crema that party guests will love. get the recipe 23 of 30 Refried Bean and Cheese Melts Jennifer Causey Its Mexican moniker is mollete, which is much more exotic-sounding yet not nearly as descriptive as our title. Nevertheless, this baguette-based finger food is quick and easy to make, and it's quite the crowd-pleaser. get the recipe 24 of 30 Instant Pot Risotto With Peas & Crispy Salami Greg DuPree Don't let your Instant Pot sit idle during party prep! This one-pot dish is easy to prep and makes cleanup a breeze. get the recipe 25 of 30 Make-Ahead Holiday Salad Greg DuPree Did we have you at "make-ahead"? We thought so. Make this Brussels sprouts-and-kale-based salad the day before and refrigerate it overnight to lighten your day-of-party duties. get the recipe 26 of 30 Pork and Spinach Dumplings Greg DuPree While they're only bite-sized, these pork and baby spinach dumplings pack a punch of flavor. Toasted sesame oil and oyster sauce, combined with fresh ginger, finely minced garlic, salt, and sliced scallions, add to the flavor profile of these dumplings. While they're delicate to make, you don't need to be so delicate in downing them. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 30 Kimchi Potato Salad Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart Kimchi, a fermented Korean staple made from cabbage, radishes, carrots, and turnips, brings just the right heat to this play on a potato salad. Paired with gochujang and chili garlic sauce mixed in with the mayonnaise, the Asian flavors truly shine. Short on time? The sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to three days. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 30 Loaded Baked Potato Salad Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart This may be the end all, be all of potato salads—especially if you're a loaded baked potato lover. Chock full of smoky bacon, spicy red onion, fresh chives, and a creamy mayo and sour cream dressing, this dish is sure to have everyone coming back for seconds. You may want to set some aside at home to be sure you get some! GET THE RECIPE 29 of 30 Broccoli Slaw With Creamy Ranch Dressing Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart This broccoli slaw recipe is ideal for parties—it's delicious, comes together in under 10 minutes, and can be assembled up to two days ahead of time. Pre-packaged broccoli slaw, made from the stems, is the main ingredient of the dish. The flavor comes from the spicy scallions, salty sunflower seeds, and creamy-dreamy Ranch sauce. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 30 Kale Slaw With Lemon-Tahini Dressing Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart This superfood slaw is delicious, nutritious, and pairs well with any protein. Bright lemon juice and nutty tahini meld together to make the dressing, then oil infused with crushed coriander and cumin gets drizzled on top for an aromatic finish. You can also prep this salad in advance if you're short on time—the kale will tenderize even more if given a day to marinate! GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit