Budget-Friendly Sides

Updated October 22, 2008

Serve a spread that's good for the taste buds and the wallet. Pick from our list of 7-ingredient-or-less mouthwatering sides that won't break the bank.

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Roasted Butternut Squash, Apples, and Figs with Sage Brown Butter

Credit: Sara Tane

Roasted Butternut Squash, Apples, and Figs with Sage Brown Butter Recipe

If you only want to use one sheet pan and make 4 servings, divide this recipe in half, and save the extra half of your par-cooked butternut squash for a soup, roast, or stuffing.

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Charred Okra with Tomatoes

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Charred Okra with Tomatoes Recipe

A serrated peeler works like magic to peel plum tomatoes, sparing you the hassle of blanching and shocking in ice water to get the skins off.

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Quinoa-Stuffed Poblano Chiles

Quinoa-Stuffed Poblano Chiles Recipe

Cheddar cheese and protein-packed quinoa help beat the heat of poblano chiles in this stuffed pepper dish.

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Everyday Roast Vegetables

Everyday Roast Vegetables Recipe

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Coconut-Cilantro Rice

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Coconut-Cilantro Rice Recipe

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Roasted Cauliflower with Olive Vinaigrette

Credit: John Kernick; Stylist: Amy Wilson

Roasted Cauliflower with Olive Vinaigrette Recipe

Mix up your dinner sides by coating roasted cauliflower with a lemony olive vinaigrette.

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Easy, Inexpensive Sides

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Easy, Inexpensive Sides Recipe

Cutting back on costs for holiday meals doesn't mean you have to cut back on flavor. Users raved about this budget-friendly dish. Baby carrots get a savory treatment with a dynamic pan sauce made with fresh ginger, cilantro, lime rind, lime juice, and a little salt. The result is a delicious side dish that brings bright color and flavor to the table.

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Broccoli with Cheddar Sauce

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

Broccoli with Cheddar Sauce Recipe

Spare your oven a casserole and serve steamed broccoli with an over-the-top pan sauce made with ingredients you likely already have on hand. The white sauce, made with milk and cheese, gets a punch of flavor from spicy Dijon mustard and fresh thyme.

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Chili-glazed Sweet Potatoes

Credit: James Carrier

Chili-glazed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Bringing bold flavor to the holiday table doesn't have to mean using expensive gourmet ingredients or a lot of time. Keep the day-of preparation of this recipe to a minimum by baking the sweet potatoes up to a day ahead. Then simply reheat and top with a red pepper jelly sauce flavored with red wine vinegar. Bring out the rich flavor of the sweet-and-spicy sauce with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a drizzle of lime juice, added just before serving.

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Spinach with Lemon and Currants

Credit: James Carrier

Spinach with Lemon and Currants Recipe

Skip the salad course and bring the greens to the main menu. Wilt spinach, then drizzle with a lemon and butter sauce flavored with dried currants, sugar, and ground nutmeg. It's the perfect complement to a savory turkey and gravy main dish.

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Rustic Applesauce

Credit: Karry Hosford

Rustic Applesauce Recipe

The height of simple side dishes, this mashed apple recipe calls for about 10 minutes of prep time, plus a little more after they bake for mashing. Use a potato masher for coarse texture or a blender for a smoother sauce. If you forget to pop these in the oven in time for dinner, don't worry—they taste just as delicious as a dessert.

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Corn and Parsnip Cakes

Credit: Karry Hosford

Corn and Parsnip Cakes Recipe

Serve a flaky pancake reminiscent of a corn fritter made from corn and parsnips, a root vegetable. Boil the parsnips, then combine with corn, flour, milk, sugar, and eggs in a food processor and pulse until combined. Cook the batter on a hot skillet and serve warm for a crispy on the outside, soft on the inside veggie treat.

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Lemony Green Beans

Credit: Karry Hosford

Lemony Green Beans Recipe

If green bean casserole isn't on your menu, incorporate the tasty veggies in a different way with this top-rated recipe. Steam the beans, then toss with lemon juice and olive oil to give them a rich, tasty flavor guaranteed to set these beans apart.

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Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes Tout

Mashed potatoes are always a great budget-friendly option, but they don't have to taste like it. Lavish the spuds with a hearty dressing of buttermilk, milk, salt, and pepper and serve piping hot. If you'd rather make the dish ahead of time, follow our simple instructions and chill the dish for up to two days. Then simply bake and serve.

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Sautéed Green Beans and Pears

Credit: William Dickey; Lisa Powell Bailey

Sautéed Green Beans and Pears Recipe

Skip the usual peas-and-carrots dish and serve a delicious tart-and-sweet recipe instead. Combine steamed green beans with pears sautéed in butter, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar. The result is a sweet-and-savory dish sure to be picked as a repeat for next year's holiday table.

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Lemon Rice

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Cari South

Lemon Rice Recipe

Dress up a simple rice side dish by adding garlic and lemon rind for a bright punch of flavor. Cook the rice in chicken broth to add rich flavor and upgrade this side from standard to sensational.

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Fried Cabbage

Fried Cabbage Recipe

Our users raved about this top-rated recipe that calls for only two ingredients, plus a little salt and pepper to taste. Fry cabbage in bacon drippings, then top with crumbled bacon and serve. Make it your own by adding a favorite seasoning, like cayenne pepper or garlic salt.

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