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
- 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
- Organic Indian Madras Lentils: Soft lentils and red kidney beans slow-cooked in a creamy tomato sauce with onions and a variety of spices; Try as a hearty soup, lentil and bean chili or over a bed of rice
- No Prep, No Mess, Authentic Indian Cuisine in 60 Seconds: Add a little spice to your office lunch or family dinner; Delicious, pre cooked and ready to serve entrees and side dishes using all natural, plant-based ingredients
- All Natural, Vegan, Nothing Artificial: We use the best all natural, plant-based ingredients in our RTE meals; Pre-cooked, Vegan entrée with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives; Ready to eat Indian Cuisine
- Authentic, Awesome, Indian Food: Take your taste buds on a journey to India with our homestyle, tasty and healthy microwaveable meals and side dishes; Full of flavor with Indian spices and sauces
- Every Tasty Bite Tells A Story: For over 25 years, Tasty Bite has made quick, flavorful and all natural Indian and other ethnic foods from the finest ingredients, including entrées, rice dishes and meal inspirations
- 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
- WHAT'S INSIDE: 4.7-ounce box of scalloped potatoes
- WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: Real cheese and creamy, seasoned sauce give these scalloped potatoes the perfect home-cooked flavor. Just add milk and butter.
- ALSO CONTAINS: Milk, Wheat
- HIGH QUALITY, LOW PRICES: Amazon Fresh brand products are all about high-quality food that fits every budget, every day.
- ONLY FROM AMAZON: Look for the Amazon Fresh label to find great deals on a wide selection of grocery essentials.
- IRRESISTIBLE BLEND: Fresh white corn, creamy Asiago cheese, butter, cream, and a touch of maple syrup combine for a tantalizing flavor experience.
- VERSATILE SIDE DISH: Our creamed corn is not just a side dish; it's a versatile addition to any meal. Enjoy it as a standalone delight, pair it with your favorite main course, or use it as a delicious ingredient in creative recipes.
- SATISFYING PORTIONS: With two trays in total and a generous 30 ounces per tray, we ensure everyone gets a taste of our delectable creamed corn, perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or entertaining guests.
- MEAL MADE EASY: Preparing this gourmet delight is a breeze - simply heat and serve for a delicious side dish that's perfect for any occasion.
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: If you're not 100% satisfied with your Creamed Corn purchase from Kansas City Steaks, we’ll make it right. It's that simple. Enjoy a worry-free, delectable dining experience.
- WHAT'S INSIDE: 4.7 ounce box of au gratin potatoes
- WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: Made with 100% real Idaho potatoes and real cheese, these potatoes deliver creamy and delicious home-cooked flavor in minutes.
- ALSO CONTAINS: Milk, Wheat
- HIGH QUALITY, LOW PRICES: Amazon Fresh brand products are all about high-quality food that fits every budget, every day.
- ONLY FROM AMAZON: Look for the Amazon Fresh label to find great deals on a wide selection of grocery essentials.
- Knorr Pasta Sides Alfredo is a pasta side dish that enhances meals with amazing flavor.
- Alfredo Fettuccine Pasta Sides deliciously combines fettuccine with cheesy flavors and a creamy sauce.
- Knorr Pasta Sides contain no artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Knorr Pasta Side Dishes are quick and easy to prepare — this Fettuccine Alfredo cooks in just 7 minutes.
- Use Alfredo pasta as an ingredient in a delicious easy pasta recipe or as a side dish on its own.
- Vegan Mediterranean Plant Protein Bowl: Chickpea and bean medley with couscous, carrots and red bell pepper with a tasty citrus basil vinaigrette and 14g Plant Protein
- No Prep, No Mess, Authentic Indian Cuisine in 90 Seconds: Add a little spice to your office lunch or family dinner; Delicious, pre cooked and ready to serve entrees and side dishes using all natural, plant-based ingredients
- All Natural, Vegan, Nothing Artificial: We use the best all natural ingredients in our RTE meals; Pre-cooked, Vegan entrée with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives; Ready to eat Indian Cuisine
- Authentic, Awesome, Indian Food: Take your taste buds on a journey to India with our homestyle, tasty and healthy microwaveable meals and side dishes; Full of flavor with Indian spices and sauces
- Every Tasty Bite Tells A Story: For over 25 years, Tasty Bite has made quick, flavorful and all natural Indian and other ethnic foods from the finest ingredients, including entrées, rice dishes and meal inspirations
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.