30+ Easter Side Dishes That Will Go With Any Main Course
Don’t forget the sides!
Greg DuPree
There’s plenty of attention paid to the Easter's main course and desserts, but side dishes don’t get nearly as much love. Until now! Whether you’re serving more traditional lamb or ham or prefer a vegetable-focused menu, we’ve got the Easter side dishes to complete your holiday meal.
You’ll find classic Easter sides like deviled eggs and mashed potatoes, but we also included some interesting options like a farro salad with brown butter vinaigrette and a carrot-apple slaw. If you’re planning your menu, check out this recipe collection before you head to the grocery store.
Caramelized Veggies With Poppy Seed Dressing
In this festive Easter recipe, vibrant beets, rainbow carrots, parsnips, and fennel get an upgrade courtesy of a punchy poppy seed dressing that's made with lemon juice, garlic, tahini, poppy seeds, and olive oil. Don't forget the parsley topping, which adds freshness and a pop of color.
Cacio e Pepe Deviled Eggs
Greg Dupree
These elegant deviled eggs are inspired by that simple yet satisfying pasta dish with the same name. The recipe is similar to classic deviled eggs, but Greek yogurt takes the place of mayonnaise, and fresh ground pepper replaces the usual paprika. Top with chives and some grated pecorino romano.
Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Bake
Greg Dupree
If you're looking for a delicious way to eat more greens this Easter, look no further than this creamy and cheesy Brussels sprouts bake. Even those who don't enjoy the vegetable just might enjoy this casserole. The Brussels sprouts become incredibly tender yet crispy in the parts that stick above the cream mixture.
Grapefruit, Beet, and Radish Salad
This refreshing salad is bound to be the star of your Easter table and takes just 10 minutes to make. The grapefruit and beets offer earthy, tangy notes, while the radishes give a bit of spice. Serve this colorful salad as a side for grilled fish or chicken.
Roasted Asparagus With Flax Seed-Walnut Crumble
Add a touch of green to your Easter spread with this easy asparagus recipe. The spring veggie is roasted and dressed with a flaxseed walnut crumble that’s packed with omega-3s and other key nutrients. The best part about this side dish is that it comes together in just 20 minutes.
Farro Salad With Brown Butter Vinaigrette
Victor Protasio
This is no ordinary grain salad thanks to the inclusion of brown butter, which is whisked into the vinaigrette to add richness and depth. This one-pot wonder pairs hearty farro with chopped asparagus and a big handful of peas and also includes crunchy pistachios, juicy orange segments, and salty feta. Serve it at your Easter brunch or alongside roasted chicken or fish.
Miso Roasted Radishes
Since Easter egg radishes are the star of this dish, it should be a shoo-in for your holiday spread. The root veggies are on display in two ways in this simple sheet-pan recipe: They're roasted alongside shallots, then their edible tops are crisped up to perfection.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta
This uber-savory roasted Brussels sprouts dish will be a hit with your guests. Pancetta is roasted alongside the Brussels sprouts, which are marinated in the meat's juices and cooked to crispy perfection. Cut down your prep time by picking up pre-diced pancetta at the store.
Little Gems and Radishes With Ricotta Salata and Seeds
Easter egg radishes join forces with other radish varieties in this simple spring salad that makes for an ideal side dish. You’ll also find snappy Little Gem lettuce, shaved ricotta salata—a hard and salty cheese—and a medley of crunchy seeds. Serve this 10-minute salad alongside your go-to Easter main.
Creamy One-Pot Mashed Potatoes
Say goodbye to gummy mashed potatoes and use this recipe instead. Here, less-starchy Yukon Golds are cooked with half and half, which means that the spuds absorb the liquid while cooking. Lastly, using a potato ricer makes all the difference in transforming the dense potatoes into fluffy grains. Fold in butter, salt, and sour cream, and you’re done!
Carrot-Apple Slaw
Though very healthy, sauerkraut is too pungent for some. In this simple recipe, the fermented food is paired with apples and carrots, plus sweet pops of raisins, which make the simple side dish less intense. Ginger adds just enough heat and spice without being overpowering, while the sauerkraut liquid works to lightly pickle the raw onion.
Charred Broccolini With Tahini Caesar And Crispy Chickpeas
Jennifer Causey
Salad greens, crispy roasted broccolini, and chickpeas make up the protein-packed base of this salad, which also works well as a side. A rich tahini dressing that also includes Parmesan, garlic, and Dijon mustard ties everything together. Serve it with your protein of choice for lunch or dinner.
Skillet Spanako”pea”ta
Think you need a side of beef to create a show-stopping holiday spread? Think again. This gorgeous skillet spanako"pea"ta is packed with healthy, bright green peas and crumbled feta cheese. It looks mighty impressive—but comes together in a pinch thanks to help from frozen spinach and store-bought phyllo dough.
Spring Pasta Salad
Celebrate spring with this flavorful and quick pasta salad that's filled with peppery radishes and crisp sugar snap peas. The casarecce pasta used here is perfect for soaking up the sauce, which, in this case, is a honey-mustard vinaigrette spiked with shallot and lemon zest. You'll also find mint and salty ricotta salata, which add a bit of freshness and saltiness, respectively.
Green Bean Salad With Crispy Bread Crumbs
A roster of umami-rich ingredients and perfectly toasted breadcrumbs adorn green beans in this simple salad, which also works as a great Easter side. To build layers of flavor, toast fresh breadcrumbs with anchovy filets, then stir together a garlicky, lemony dressing that's souped up with a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
Toasted Israeli Couscous With Corn and Herbs
This Easter dish has a toasted Israeli couscous base, along with juicy corn kernels paired with a showering of fresh herbs—basil, chives, and dill—plus some caramelized onions for good measure. Serve this sweet and savory side alongside grilled fish, roasted chicken, or a seared steak for a balanced meal.
Lemony Chopped Salad With Pita
This fresh salad showcases crispy roasted chickpeas, toasted pita bread croutons, and a jamboree of crunchy ingredients. Spicy radishes are among those crunchy superstars, as are refreshing cucumber slices. A zesty yet sweet lemon-honey dressing ties the whole thing together.
Spiced Carrot Salad
If you enjoy Moroccan carrot salad, give this side dish a whirl. It features sweet, citrus-plumped raisins and is seasoned with a warm, garlicky, cumin-spiced oil with a spicy kick. Serve it alongside spiced lamb or chicken for a complete Easter feast.
Orzo Tomato Salad
This crowd-pleasing dish makes the most of colorful, juicy tomatoes. Roast them low and slow to concentrate their flavor, and go ahead and serve this side with any lean meat or fish.
Melting Potatoes
These potatoes go with anything and require just 10 minutes of hands-on work. The key is using Yukon Gold spuds and cooking them in chicken stock and garlic cloves until all of the stock is absorbed.
Rosemary-Roasted Golden Beets and Carrots
You can’t go wrong with a roasted veggie side on Easter, and this dish stars some of the season’s best produce. Here, you’ll toss the beets and carrots with red wine vinegar, olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper, and roast until tender. Easy enough, right?
Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette
Zhuzh up a plate of green beans with an easy-to-make bacon vinaigrette that’s salty, spicy, and a little punchy. Whether you’re serving ham, lamb, or chicken this Easter, this side dish gets the job done.
Beet-Radicchio Salad
Christopher Testani
This vibrant salad includes peppery leaves of arugula, firm, bitter leaves of radicchio, bold blood orange pieces, and deep red beets. Grated Parmesan cheese and lightly salted pistachios add some savory crunch, while a maple dressing spiked with miso ties the whole thing together. Your guests will thank you for this versatile side.
Garlic-and-Herb Potato Salad
Unlike traditional potato salads, this garlicky version calls for tangy vinegar, spicy grainy mustard, and freshly chopped parsley and basil. Break out your best-oversized serving bowl and display this gorgeous, herby potato salad at your Easter brunch or lunch.
Herby Rice Salad With Chickpeas and Pistachios
This rice is fluffy, crunchy, and packed with protein. Since it works well as a side to any main and takes just 30 minutes to make, it’s ideal for your Easter spread.
Asparagus Pasta Salad With Lemon
Penne pasta and asparagus are tossed in olive oil, Parmesan, and citrusy lemon juice and zest for a bright and light pasta salad that pairs well with just about any main. Ready in just 20 minutes, this easy side dish is the perfect addition to your Easter table.
Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives
Cucumbers get extremely crispy when they are smashed, salted, and drained in this 25-minute salad recipe. Crumbly feta cheese is spiced with red pepper flakes and black pepper before being submerged for ten minutes in oil, which allows the seasonings to soak in. When it's all tossed together with olives, this Easter side becomes the perfect tasty medley of flavors.
Brussels Sprouts Salad
Brussels sprouts, radicchio, pecans, and dried cranberries are tossed in a zesty dressing with freshly shaved Parmesan cheese in this holiday salad. While this side comes together in just 20 minutes, you can prepare it ahead of time to save every last second for the main dish or spending time with your guests on Easter Sunday.
Grilled Mediterranean Salad
If you’re hosting an Easter brunch or lunch, consider serving this veggie-filled pasta salad. Campanelle pasta is slicked with a balsamic dressing and studded with crispy cubes of halloumi, grilled vegetables, and fragrant fresh oregano. The veggies in question include zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion, but any vegetable mix will do.
Every-Citrus Salad With Almonds and Manchego
This delicious citrus-packed salad is the perfect choice for a beautiful Easter side dish that may accidentally get mistaken for the main event because of how bright and colorful it is. Naval oranges, blood oranges, and grapefruit are mixed with radicchio and a tangy dressing made up of Dijon mustard, orange juice, shallots, and maple syrup. Fresh parsley, almond slices, and Manchego cheese top it all off.
Spicy Deviled Eggs
It’s not Easter without a platter of deviled eggs, and this version of the holiday classic is packed with plenty of flavor. After you hard-boil and halve your eggs, mash the yolks with jarred pimentos, grated sharp Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Then, spoon the mixture back into the egg whites and dust the top with cayenne pepper.
Spanakopita Creamed Spinach
If you like spanakopita but don’t feel like dealing with the pie part, try this clever creamed spinach recipe. Here, the greens are joined by onions and garlic and then paired with some heavy cream and feta to create a silky and rich side. Serve this dish alongside broiled lamb chops, roasted chicken, or baked white fish, and you’re good to go!
Related: The Most Popular Easter Traditions, Explained
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