American Side Dishes

Originating from the Dutch term koolsla, meaning cabbage salad, coleslaw is nowadays a true American staple and a side dish that's often served with barbecued meat or fried chicken. Originally, it was brought over to New York sta... READ MORE

Onion rings are a popular American side dish item that is usually served alongside burgers or other fast food varieties, and they are usually accompanied by ketchup, mayonnaise, or some other dipping sauce. These crispy rings are commonly found in... READ MORE

There is no food more American than the classic cornbread. The soft, but firm baked bread made with cornmeal is easily the most important memorabilia of the American past, which is especially associated with the American South. Corn has been a sta... READ MORE

First prepared by the Native American centuries ago, grits are tiny broken grains of corn that are boiled and served with other flavorings, usually as a breakfast dish, when they are accompanied by bacon, eggs, and toast on the side. The dish is p... READ MORE

Belonging to the Brassica oleracea family, collard greens are a type of green leafy vegetable that is characterized by thick leaves with tough stems and a slightly bitter flavor that is eliminated through cooking. This vegetable has long ... READ MORE

This simple fast food dish is made by topping french fries with melted cheese. Depending on the varieties of the dish, the cheese is sometimes enriched with the addition of various vegetables, meats, and spices. Although not much is known about th... READ MORE

Home fries is a popular American side dish made by frying larger chunks of potatoes in butter or oil until they are crispy and golden in color. The potatoes might sometimes be unpeeled, and they are often shortly boiled or steamed before frying. H... READ MORE

Chili cheese fries is an American dish with elusive origins. The dish consists of french fries that are topped with chili and grated cheese. There are many origin stories connected with chili cheese fries, although none of them can be 100% confirm... READ MORE

A popular side dish called fried okra is a must-have at any Southern festivity, and almost every Southern cook has a favorite recipe. Okra is usually coated with cornmeal or flour and shallow-fried in oil. It is sometimes served with ranch dressin... READ MORE

These starchy baked beans are enriched with syrups similar to molasses in order to tenderize and sweeten them. An iconic side dish from Boston (also known as Beantown), it started its way to stardom in the 17th century when the Natives taught the ... READ MORE

Popover is a traditional variation on English Yorkshire pudding. It's usually associated with the cuisine of New England. The popovers are a type of bread or muffin made with a combination of milk, flour, eggs, and butter. The flour, milk, and egg... READ MORE

Louisiana's comfort food is nicely represented in red beans and rice, a dish that is traditionally prepared on Mondays, with the aroma of red beans drifting through the neighborhoods. The dish originates from the New Orleans Creole kitchens of the... READ MORE

Although the name might suggest otherwise, this Southern classic is prepared with shredded cabbage that is sautéed and braised in butter until tender. It is usually accompanied by bacon, onions, and occasionally sliced apples. Fried cabbage... READ MORE

Dirty rice is a Cajun dish consisting of rice, chicken liver and gizzard, onions, bell peppers, and celery. The dish got its name from its color, imparted by the liver and broth. In the past, it was consumed as a main dish, but nowadays it is ofte... READ MORE

A staple of Southern fried food in the United States, hushpuppies are an extremely popular snack consisting of deep-fried cornmeal batter. The batter is sometimes enriched by the addition of onions, garlic, corn, and peppers. Regarding the origins... READ MORE

Succotash is a flavorful side dish consisting of vegetables such as corn and lima beans, served in a creamy sauce made with milk, cream, or butter. The name of this tasty side is derived from the word msakwitash, meaning broken corn k... READ MORE

Fried green tomatoes are a staple of Southern United States. The dish is made with firm, unripe, and tangy green tomatoes that are sliced, dipped in seasoned cornmeal, then deep-fried. Ideally, the tomatoes should have a crunchy crust and a succul... READ MORE

Despite its name, creamed corn isn't exactly heavy on the cream. It is typically made by mashing the corn kernels into a pulp, collecting the milky residue, and cooking the whole thing in that same residue along with water, sugar, salt, and starch... READ MORE

Contrary to its name, funeral potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, a cheesy au gratin potato casserole that is synonymous with the state of Utah and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It consists of cubed potatoes, cheese... READ MORE

Spoonbread is a dish that is popular throughout the American South, usually consisting of ground cornmeal, milk, butter, and eggs. The whole thing is flavored with salt and sugar, then baked in an oven like a pudding. It is often served as a side ... READ MORE

Southern-style green beans is a traditional dish originating from the southern parts of the country. The dish is characterized by its slow (4 or more hours) cooking and a salty, smoky flavor. The dish is usually made with a combination of green be... READ MORE

Cowboy beans or chuckwagon beans is a traditional dish with unknown origins. However, it is especially popular in the American Southwest and a staple of Texan cuisine. The dish is usually made with a combination of pinto beans (alternatively: red ... READ MORE

Salt potatoes are an iconic side dish coming from the city of Syracuse, New York. The dish is usually served in the summer, when the young potatoes are freshly harvested. The story of salt potatoes starts in the late 1800s, when salt was distilled... READ MORE

Maque choux is a Creole dish originating from Louisiana. It is typically prepared with a combination of corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions, and some recipes also call for the addition of celery and garlic. The ingredients are braised until t... READ MORE

Disco fries is an American side dish consisting of thick cut steak fries that are layered with brown gravy and mozzarella cheese, which can sometimes be replaced with grated American cheese. It is believed that this tasty side dish was inspired by... READ MORE

Lomi-lomi salmon is a traditional dish originating from Hawaii. The dish is prepared with salmon and tomatoes as the main ingredients. It was originally introduced to Hawaii by early Western sailors. The salmon is rubbed with salt, then combined w... READ MORE

Chicken long rice is a Hawaiian dish with the influence of Chinese cuisine. The dish is made with a combination of vermicelli noodles, ginger, green onions, and chicken thighs in a clear chicken broth. Some say that it's a version of chicken soup,... READ MORE

Red slaw is a regional version of coleslaw, originating from North Carolina. Also known as barbecue slaw, it's traditionally made with a combination of shredded green cabbage, water, vinegar, sugar, and ketchup, which gives the salad a reddish hue... READ MORE

Potatoes O'Brien is an American dish consisting of pan-fried potatoes, green bell peppers, and red bell peppers. There is a variation of the dish with crispy bacon added into it for extra flavor and texture. The dish is traditionally served hot as... READ MORE

Crawfish boudin is a specialty of Cajun cuisine, a sausage that is traditionally prepared with freshly chopped crawfish meat and sautéed finely cut vegetables such as onions, celery, green onion tops, bell peppers, garlic, and parsley. The ... READ MORE

Harvard beets is a classic American dish that's believed to have origins in Cambridge, Massachusetts due to its deep crimson color, which is also Harvard University's officially designated color since 1910. The dish is made with sliced beets that ... READ MORE

Jo Jo potatoes is a traditional dish that's a staple in roadside eateries across the Pacific Northwest. Although there are many variatons, the dish is usually made with a combination of potatoes, breadcrumbs, salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, t... READ MORE

Maine baked beans is a traditional dish originating from the state of Maine. It is made with a combination of Maine dry beans (usually of the Yellow Eye variety), salt pork, sugar, molasses, mustard, onion, salt, and pepper. The beans are soaked o... READ MORE

Kelaguen is a group of Chamorro dishes that are traditionally served either as a main course, an appetizer, or a side dish. Seafood, fish, or meat are typically marinated in a combination of lemon juice, salt, and hot peppers, which were introduce... READ MORE

Soufflé potatoes is an interesting French creation that is made by double-frying potato slices in very hot oil. The potatoes are thinly sliced into uniform slices, then thoroughly dried before being fried. Once fried, the potato slices are ... READ MORE

Caramel tomatoes is a Prohibition-era side dish that's especially popular in Maryland and other parts of the American South. The dish is usually made with a combination of large peeled and cored tomatoes, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and butte... READ MORE

Potato stuffing is a traditional side dish originating from the Caribbean and it's especially popular in the Virgin Islands. The stuffing is usually made with a combination of white sweet potatoes, onions, bell peppers, olive oil, bay leaves, rais... READ MORE

The Chamorro version of tamales is made with corn meal and corn flour (masa harina). Each half of the tamales is colored differently – one side is orange, colored with annatto seeds, and the other half is white. The orange half is traditiona... READ MORE

Consisting of potatoes, ground beef, onions, pimento (cherry) peppers, olives, raisins, milk, butter, and seasonings, riyenu is a delicious Chamorro side dish that is traditionally served at festivities, celebrations, and holidays. It is often use... READ MORE

This refreshing Chamorro salad is best when prepared in hot and humid weather. It is also a staple at most Chamorro festivities and consists of only a few ingredients – sliced cucumbers, onions, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and salt. The sala... READ MORE