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
- 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.
- 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.
- Knorr Rice Sides Herb & Butter is a rice and pasta blend side dish that enhances meals with amazing flavor
- Herb & Butter Rice Sides expertly combines oregano, rosemary, basil and thyme with a delicate butter sauce
- Knorr Rice Sides are quick and easy to prepare — they cook in just 7 minutes
- Knorr Rice Sides Herb & Butter contains no artificial flavors, no preservatives, and no added MSG, except those naturally occurring glutamates
- Our Herb & Butter rice can be part of a delicious Knorr recipe, or can be enjoyed as a rice side dish on its own
- The Fan Favorite - Ready in Minutes
- Twin Pack: Makes 8 total servings
- Partner with Box Tops for Education
- FRESH, HEALTHY, and READY-TO-EAT. Our fresh salads are prepared to order, and cold-shipped fresh to your door. You don't have to sacrifice fresh for convenient anymore.
- LETTUCE DO THE WORK! We’ll do the shopping, washing, and chopping so you don’t have to. One-click your way to convenient, freshness-sealed salad meals; then spend your time doing what’s most important to you!
- ENJOY A VARIETY OF OUR PROTEIN-POWERED SALADS, including (4) jars of Southwest Chicken, (3) jars of Chicken Cobb, (3) Jars of Chicken Applegreen, (3) Jars of Mediterranean Veggie, and (3) Jars of Chicken Caesar.
- ONLY THE FINEST NATURAL INGREDIENTS. Our fresh salads are made with locally farmed, hand-selected, natural produce; along with high quality meats and cheeses.
- DON’T FORGET TO PICK UP ONE AS A GIFT FOR YOUR FAVORITE STUDENT OR BUSY PROFESSIONAL!
- Knorr Rice Sides Taco Rice is a rice and pasta blend side dish that enhances meals with amazing flavor
- Rice Sides Taco Rice expertly combines the flavors of tomatoes and real cheddar cheese with a taco flavored sauce
- Knorr Rice Sides are quick and easy to prepare this dish cooks in just 7 minutes
- Knorr Rice Sides Taco Rice contains no artificial flavors, no preservatives, and no added MSG, except those naturally occurring glutamates
- Our Taco Rice can be part of a delicious Knorr recipe, or can be enjoyed as a rice side dish on its own
- ADVENTURE: Craving something different? Try Mina’s slow-simmered Harira soup family recipe, made to fit your fast-moving lifestyle. Just heat, love and repeat.
- HEAT & EAT: No additional cooking required. Simply warm in microwave or on stove-top and enjoy!
- GREAT TASTE: You might be surprised by how much flavor can fit on a single spoonful of soup as you indulge in this satisfying soup recipe of premium ingredients and traditional Moroccan seasonings.
- CONVENIENT: Ready to eat, pair Mina harira soup with rice or with your favorite bread for an easy vegan and vegetarian snack, side dish or on-the-go meal.
- WHOLESOME: 100% plant-based protein from lentils and chickpeas, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Gluten-Free, No Sugar Added and BPA Free
- OUR VEGAN MEALS ARE PROTEIN BOWLS & KOSHER CERTIFIED: These packaged vegetarian meals are premade meals. These just add water meals are ready in minutes. These Indian healthy meals are created with a global influence to suit your taste. Stock your pantry with these whole foods and make this vegetarian food part of your pantry!
- GLUTEN-FREE, NON-GMO, PLANT-BASED, HIGH PROTEIN, NUT-FREE, AND NO SUGAR ADDED: Complete protein with all 22 amino acids, and all essential vitamins and minerals. No artificial flavors and colors, low glycemic index because of complex carbohydrates. Ideal both for Vegan and Vegetarian diets
- SIMPLE INGREDIENTS, HEALTHY MEALS READY TO EAT: These vegan ready to eat meals are perfect for light meals or an in-between healthy vegan snack. Just add water, let it stand for 5 - 7 mins and lunch is ready. They are all shelf-stable unlike the frozen meals. Packed with proteins, complex carbohydrates and digestible fiber from real vegetables
- PERFECT TO-GO MEALS FOR TRAVEL: Ideal for your road-trips, backpacking or camping food. A quick and ready-to-eat healthy light lunch or healthy snack for moms and dads while working or taking care of loved ones. You can choose to add a little extra water and have it as a filling soup bowl too!
- IDEAL VEGAN GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON OR ANY TIME OF THE YEAR TOO: Each cup contains 15 grams of plant-based vegan protein. These ready-in-minutes healthy meals are an ideal pre or post workout high protein foods. Make a healthy choice and gift your loved ones the gift of healthy meals!
- VELVEETA SKILLETS: One 11.6 oz box of Velveeta Skillets Creamy Beef Stroganoff Dinner Kit with cheese sauce, pasta and seasonings
- CREAMY TEXTURE: Velveeta melts the creamiest
- CALM YOUR CRAVINGS: Satisfy your cravings with unrestrained pleasure
- CHEESY & MELTY: Unapologetically go all-in for the cheesy, melty goodness you love best
- INSTANT CHEESY GRATIFICATION: An outrageously delicious taste experience
- One 6 oz box of Stove Top Savory Herbs Stuffing Mix
- Ready in just 5 minutes, Stove Top is ideal for a quick Thanksgiving side dish
- Made with real herbs and spices, our stuffing mix is the perfect choice to serve alongside a protein or stuffed mushrooms
- With a peppery buttery flavor, you can keep your family happy throughout the holidays
- A versatile pantry staple, serve Stove Top by itself as a side dish or use as an ingredient to elevate recipes
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.