30 Southern Sides Grandma Swore Were Better Than the Main Dish

Hardly anything brought people running to the table faster than those southern sides Grandma made, the ones she always insisted were better than whatever main dish was cooking. I still remember her swearing up and down that the sides held all the real love and flavor. Thinking about it now, every bite felt like a little reminder of why she guarded those recipes so fiercely. It’s wild how a simple scoop of something homemade can take you right back to her kitchen.

Grandma’s Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

 

These velvety mashed potatoes taste like the kind Grandma made when she wanted the sides to steal the show. They stay rich and creamy even when made ahead.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

Southern Wild Rice & Grapes

This old-school wild rice mix brings a sweet-savory depth Grandma loved serving with big Sunday plates. It’s hearty enough to outshine any main dish.
Get the Recipe: Southern Wild Rice & Grapes

Bacon Cheddar Southern Pasta Salad

Loaded with the creamy ranch flavors Grandma swore made any side irresistible, this pasta salad always disappears first. Every bite has bacon, cheddar, and pure Southern comfort.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Southern Pasta Salad

Crispy Southern Smashed Potatoes

These crunchy, buttery potatoes taste like the skillet version Grandma made to upstage any meat on the table. They’re simple, crisp, and downright addictive.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Southern Smashed Potatoes

Grandma’s Cheddar Pea Salad

This creamy classic was one of Grandma’s go-to sides because it always outshined the roast. Sharp cheddar and sweet peas make it a Southern favorite.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Cheddar Pea Salad

Southern Honey Broccoli Salad

This crunchy sweet-tangy salad is the kind Grandma made to balance a rich meal—but somehow it always became the star. Fresh, cool, and Southern to the core.
Get the Recipe: Southern Honey Broccoli Salad

Warm Southern Bacon Potato Salad

This hearty warm potato salad brings big bacon flavor Grandma loved pairing with everything. No mayo—just bold, savory Southern goodness.
Get the Recipe: Warm Southern Bacon Potato Salad

Grandma’s Crispy Roast Potatoes

Golden and crunchy, these are the kind of potatoes Grandma made when she wanted the sides to outshine the main. They deliver pure Southern comfort.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Crispy Roast Potatoes

Grandma’s Citrus Carrot Salad

Bright, crisp, and full of citrus, this was Grandma’s trick for adding freshness to heavy Southern meals—and everyone always went back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Citrus Carrot Salad

Grandma’s Classic 7-Layer Salad

This retro Southern favorite layers crunch, creaminess, and color just like Grandma used to make. It’s always the dish folks ask for twice.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Classic 7-Layer Salad

Buttermilk Southern Cabbage Slaw

Creamy, tangy, and colorful, this slaw has that Southern buttermilk touch Grandma swore made any plate better. It brings crunch to every meal.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Southern Cabbage Slaw

Southern Cheddar Macaroni Salad

This creamy macaroni salad is the kind Grandma brought to every gathering because it always vanished first. Cheddar and a classic dressing make it unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cheddar Macaroni Salad

Green Bean & Potato Southern Salad

Fresh, crisp, and lightly dressed, this was Grandma’s answer to balancing a heavy Southern spread. It’s simple but always outshines the main plate.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean & Potato Southern Salad

Southern-Style Greek Wedge Salad

Crunchy and briny with a bold feta kick, this wedge salad has the kind of flavor Grandma loved sneaking onto the table to upstage the entrée.
Get the Recipe: Southern-Style Greek Wedge Salad

Grandma’s Creamy Skillet Corn

Rich, buttery, and ready fast, this skillet corn tastes just like Grandma’s—and everyone always loaded their plate with it before anything else.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Creamy Skillet Corn

Grandma’s Creamy Ranch Bacon Potatoes

A creamy, ranch-dressed potato salad packed with smoky bacon—just the kind of crowd-pleasing Southern side Grandma swore could outshine any main dish.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon

Sweet Potatoes & Pears Like Grandma Made

Caramelized sweet potatoes paired with tender pears deliver that Southern holiday sweetness Grandma always insisted was better than the main course.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pears

Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes Grandma Loved

These gorgeous honey-glazed Hasselbacks bring that nostalgic Southern sweetness Grandma always claimed could steal the whole meal.
Get the Recipe: Honey Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Grandma’s Cheesy Loaded Potato Bake

This rich, cheesy, twice-baked-style casserole is the kind of Southern comfort Grandma insisted could outshine any entrée on the table.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Casserole

Old-School Southern Corn Pudding

Buttery, custardy, and deeply Southern, this classic corn pudding is exactly the kind of holiday side Grandma swore could beat any main dish hands down.
Get the Recipe: Southern Corn Pudding

Slow-Cooked Mac Like Grandma Made

Ultra-creamy and foolproof, this slow-cooker mac delivers that nostalgic Southern richness Grandma always said was better than any main dish.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Grandma’s Quick & Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Fast, fluffy, and loaded with buttery flavor, these mashed potatoes taste just like the kind Grandma whipped up—always the star of the table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Microwave Mashed Potatoes

Grandma’s Cheesy Cornbread Favorite

Half cornbread, half pudding, and all cozy Southern comfort—just the kind of golden side Grandma swore outshone every main dish.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cornbread Pudding

Baked Mac Grandma Said Beat the Entrée

Golden, bubbly, and impossibly creamy, this baked mac tastes like the family-favorite version Grandma always insisted was better than the roast.
Get the Recipe: Baked Southern Mac and Cheese

Grandma’s Summery Corn & Blueberry Salad

Smoky grilled corn and sweet berries make a refreshing side Grandma loved to serve—bright, Southern, and unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Blueberry Salad

Cheesy Cauliflower Bake Grandma Loved

This bubbly, cheesy casserole brings that nostalgic Southern comfort Grandma swore could beat any main dish on the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Grandma’s Fresh Parsley Pesto Pasta

Bright, herby, and surprisingly simple, this pasta salad has that fresh-from-the-garden flavor Grandma loved serving at warm-weather gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

Grandma’s Bright Lemon Orzo & Shrimp

Light, citrusy, and refreshing, this lemon-kissed orzo with shrimp has the kind of bright flavor that always impressed guests at Grandma’s table.
Get the Recipe: Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

Cucumber Onion Salad Grandma Trusted

Cool, crisp, and lightly sweet, this old-fashioned cucumber salad is the same refreshing side Grandma relied on for every potluck and picnic.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Cucumber Onion Salad

Grandma’s Classic Cornbread Dressing

Buttery, herby, and holiday-ready, this classic cornbread dressing is the Southern staple Grandma always said deserved the spotlight over the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Cornbread Dressing

27 Thanksgiving Dishes Everyone Wishes They Had Thought Of First

Every year, when Thanksgiving rolls around, someone shows up with a dish so good it makes everyone at the table wonder why they didn’t come up with it first. From creative twists on classics to brand-new flavor mashups, these dishes have a way of stealing the spotlight.
Grab it here: 27 Thanksgiving Dishes Everyone Wishes They Had Thought Of First