You can easily turn a home-cooked meal from good to great with the addition of just one side dish. But even though a side dish can elevate a main dish from good to great, not all side dishes are created equal. Some can be a touch bland, heavy on calories or tough on the digestive system.
To help you find your go-to side dishes for all the family, we rounded up the best fresh prepared side dishes available at your local grocery store.
Read on to shop the best fresh prepared side dishes.
Our Editor’s Best Fresh Prepared Side Dishes Reviews
- This item is typically available for pickup/delivery between 10am-6pm
- All items from the Whole Foods Market Prepared Foods department are held to high ingredient standards, so you can feel good about what you're buying (and eating). Here's what you can count on with this selection:
- No hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup or added MSG
- This item is typically available for pickup/delivery between 10am-6pm
- All items from the Whole Foods Market Prepared Foods department are held to high ingredient standards, so you can feel good about what you're buying (and eating). Here's what you can count on with this selection:
- No hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup or added MSG
- Held to higher ingredient standards, so you can feel good about what you're buying (and eating)
- No hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup or added MSG
- The ultimate classic. Russet potatoes, butter, milk and cream whipped to perfection.
- Serves 4
- 160 calories per 4-oz serving
- 15-20 min heating time
- This item is only available for delivery or pick-up between 9am and 10pm
- All items from the Whole Foods Market Prepared Foods department are held to high ingredient standards, so you can feel good about what you're buying (and eating). Here's what you can count on with this selection:
- No hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup or added MSG
- Rich, hearty and cheesy, it’s amazing the magic that happens when a creamy cheddar sauce meets perfectly cooked pasta.
- Serves 4
- 30-40 min heating time
- 200-270 calories per 4-oz serving
- Buttery sweet potatoes mashed with warm spices and brown sugar for a balanced sweet and savory side
- Seasonal Recipe
- Family-Sized Feast
- Microwave on high for 9 minutes, or bake in the oven for 40 minutes
- Brought to you by Amazon Kitchen, grab-and-enjoy meal solutions, prepped for what’s next
- Three 32 ounce gourmet side dishes and two 10 inch pies from Freezer to Oven to Table in Just Over an Hour
- Recicpes Containing Premium Farm Fresh Ingredients
- Traditional Family Dishes and Pies Good Enough to Call Your Own
- Pair With Your Favorite Entree and Start Your Own Holiday Family Tradition
- 15G PLANT-BASED PROTEIN, KOSHER, SIMPLE NON-GMO INGREDIENTS: These vegan/vegetarian meals are premade meals & are ready in minutes.. All the grains & lentils are sprouted to increase nutrient availability. Have it as a loaded vegan soup, lentil soup, or just a lentil power bowl to satisfy those hunger pangs!
- VEGAN READY-TO-EAT MEALS AND QUICK MEALS ON-THE-GO MEALS: No refrigeration required & are perfect for a healthy lunch, light meals, or an in-between healthy vegan snack. Just add water, let it stand for 5 mins & your quick lunch is ready in minutes!
- NUT-FREE, DAIRY FREE: Complete protein. All-natural, no artificial flavors or colors, complex carbohydrates. Ideal both for Vegan and Vegetarian diets. The most healthy choice for packaged meals! Unlike microwave meals, these meals ready to eat by just adding hot water!
- CAMPING MEALS, BACKPACKING MEALS OR HEALTHY SNACKS FOR TREKKING: Ideal travel food for road trips, backpacking, or camping food. Also a quick & ready in minutes healthy light lunch or healthy snack for busy moms and dads while working or taking care of loved ones, & ideal dorm food for college students and shelf stable instead of the frozen dinners!
- SIMPLE INGREDIENTS, FREEZE-DRIED, NOT DEHYDRATED: Unlike dehydrated foods, freeze-drying preserves the original taste, nutrients, color, & flavor of the meal. Call it loaded with vegetable vegan soup, lentil soup, or just a vegan power bowl, or a lentil & rice bowl. These prepared meals are a healthy choice & can be had as a delicious but light diet food.
- Slow-roasted beef and creamy mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots, sweet potatoes, celery and mushrooms
- Ready in Minutes
- Microwave for 3.5 minutes
- Brought to you by Amazon Kitchen, grab-and-enjoy meal solutions, prepped for what’s next
- To ensure freshness, enjoy within a couple of days of arrival
Best Fresh Prepared Side Dishes Buying Guide
Before choosing the best fresh prepared side dishes you should consider following options:
1. Frozen Vegetables: If you’re looking for convenience and affordability, then frozen vegetables are a great option. They’re easy to prepare and are often less expensive than fresh.
The two main categories of frozen vegetables are frozen greens and frozen mixed vegetables. Frozen greens are a great source of nutrients and vitamins. Examples include frozen spinach and frozen kale.
Frozen mixed vegetables are a good alternative for fresh vegetables. You can often get a variety pack that includes carrots, peas, corn, green beans and possibly more.
2. Canned Vegetables: Canned vegetables are often more affordable than fresh or frozen. However, they’re not as fresh and sometimes lack in flavor.
You can buy canned vegetables by the individual variety or can also get a mixed variety that contains a variety of different vegetables.
3. Pickled Vegetables: Pickled vegetables are a great way to add flavor and crunch to a meal. Although they’re often more expensive than fresh or frozen, they can be a great, convenient option.
You can get a variety of pickled vegetables, including carrots, cauliflower, onions and more. You can also get pickled vegetables in a variety pack.
4. Vegetable Chips: If you’re looking for a crunchy addition to a meal, then vegetable chips are a great option. You can get them in a variety of flavors, including tomato, onion and corn.
Vegetable chips are often more affordable than fresh or frozen, but they’re not as healthy.
5. Frozen Greens: You can also get frozen greens in a mixed variety pack. They’re a good alternative for fresh greens, but they do lack in flavor.
6. Vegetable Rice: Vegetable rice is a great way to add flavor and texture to a meal. It’s often more affordable than fresh or frozen.
You can get vegetable rice in a variety of flavors, including mixed, Indian and Chinese.
7. Dried Vegetables: Dried vegetables are a great way to add flavor and crunch to a meal. They’re often more affordable than fresh or frozen.
8. Vegetable Pasta: Vegetable pasta is another great way to add flavor and texture to a meal. You can get it dried or frozen.
9. Vegetable Chips: You can get vegetable chips in a variety of flavors, including tomato, onion and corn. If you’re looking for a crunchy addition to a meal, then vegetable chips are a great option.
10. Vegetable Medley: Vegetable medleys are a good alternative for fresh vegetables, but they do lack in flavor.
11. Vegetable Soup: Vegetable soup is the perfect addition to a meal on a cold day. It’s often more affordable than fresh or frozen.
12. Vegetable Casseroles: Casseroles are a great way to add flavor, texture and convenience to a meal. You can often get a variety pack that includes a variety of different casseroles.
13. Vegetable Pasta: Vegetable pasta is another great way to add flavor and texture to a meal. You can get it dried or frozen.
14. Vegetable Rice: Vegetable rice is a great way to add flavor and texture to a meal. It’s often more affordable than fresh or frozen.
15. Vegetable Chips: You can get vegetable chips in a variety of flavors
What else you should know about fresh prepared side dishes
1. What are some popular fresh prepared side dishes?
Some popular fresh prepared side dishes include roasted vegetables, quinoa salad, and roasted potatoes.
2. How do you make a fresh prepared side dish?
There are many ways to make a fresh prepared side dish. Some popular methods include roasting, sauteing, grilling, and baking.
3. What are some tips for making fresh prepared side dishes?
Some tips for making fresh prepared side dishes are to use quality ingredients, cook the food properly, and season the food to taste.
4. What are some common mistakes people make when making fresh prepared side dishes?
Some common mistakes people make when making fresh prepared side dishes are not properly cooking the food, not using fresh ingredients, and not following directions.
5. How can you make a fresh prepared side dish more healthy?
You could make a fresh prepared side dish more healthy by adding less salt, using leaner meats, and avoiding high-fat ingredients.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best fresh prepared side dishes. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best fresh prepared side dishes will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.