Best Texas Side Dishes

Copycat ranch-style beans simmer in a thick chili gravy, bringing a hearty Southern flavor to any meal. This delicious side’s savory, smoky taste pairs well with a meaty main course, like chicken, beef, or pork.

Black eyed pea salad (Texas caviar) is one of the most classic side dishes at summer potlucks, picnics, and BBQs. Every Texan cook has their own take on this black-eyed pea salad. My version is fresh and spicy with a simple lime dressing made from apple cider vinegar and olive oil.

Dr Pepper baked beans is hands-down the best baked beans recipe! It has the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Serve it with burgers, barbecue, and grilled foods all season long!

Enjoy a tangy, crunchy treat with my Quick and Easy refrigerator pickled okra. Fresh okra marinates in a spicy, smoky brine overnight. One bite will convert any okra hater!

Pickled green beans are perfect for snacking or adding a flavorful zing to summer salads, and they’re a great way to preserve fresh green beans during peak season. Plus, there’s only 10 minutes of hands-on time!

Green beans and potatoes is an old-fashioned Southern favorite straight from Grandma’s recipe box. Onions, potatoes, and green beans are sauteed in bacon fat and then simmered to perfection. Sprinkle the crispy bacon on top before serving, and watch it disappear!

Creamy Southern corn pudding is a personal favorite—I can’t get enough of the sweet corn flavor and velvety mouthfeel! It’s a great last-minute side dish for family gatherings or a summer cookout. Top your corn pudding with fresh herbs like chopped green onions!

Easy buttermilk cornbread is a classic recipe made the traditional Southern way— no sugar! It’s the perfect side dish for savory main courses like chilis, hearty soups, and stews. Unsweetened cornbread is so versatile—you can also use it in cornbread casseroles, salads, and stuffings!

No need to sweat over the stove all day with my easy crock pot Southern collard greens recipe! Y’all know everything is better with bacon, and collard greens are no exception! These greens turn out tender and packed with zesty flavor every time.

Is your garden overflowing with ripe tomatoes? Let my mom's scalloped tomatoes recipe come to the rescue! Freshly stewed tomatoes baked with a crunchy, toasted bread topping make this old-fashioned recipe easy and delicious.

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food and one of the best BBQ sides! My Southern baked macaroni and cheese recipe features beer, smoked gouda cheese, smoked paprika, and a crispy breadcrumb topping.

Squash casserole with stuffing is my favorite way to use up yellow squash! Fresh summer squash is coated in a creamy sauce and sandwiched between layers of cornbread stuffing—so tasty!

Classic summer recipes like KFC copycat Southern coleslaw are a must-have at any barbecue or cookout! Crisp, tangy vinegar coleslaw is a great side dish for grilled meats, fried chicken, or pulled pork sandwiches.

Mom's homemade potato salad has the creamy flavor you loved growing up. My secret to creating a luscious Southern-style potato salad is evaporated milk. Then, yellow or dijon mustard gives it that classic tang—and you can’t forget the hard-boiled eggs!

Southern creamed corn is a classic side dish bursting with sweet, rich country flavor. This traditional recipe has graced dinner tables for generations and will make you forget the canned version forever!

If you've never made perfect buttermilk biscuits from scratch, you'll love this Easy buttermilk biscuits recipe. Tall, buttery, and flaky, these homemade biscuits are made with simple ingredients and are a must-have Southern recipe.

This creamy English pea salad is packed with sweet peas, crisp bacon, tangy red onion, and salty sharp cheddar cheese, all in a creamy mayo dressing. It's a classic Southern potluck dish, perfect for family reunions and summer gatherings.

Hearty jalapeno popper corn salad has spicy flavor with fresh corn, peppers, and cheese in a creamy dressing. Fire-roasted corn adds a delicious smoky touch. Enjoy all the flavors of jalapeño poppers with minimal prep—just mix and chill before serving!

Creamy whipped sweet potatoes with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chipotle in adobo create a delicious southwest flavor. The spicy, smoky chipotle pairs great with sweet potatoes, making it a decadent side for any occasion.

This shortcut recipe for classic Southern butter beans with smoky bacon takes just 20 minutes! Thanks to a Southern secret that saves time without sacrificing texture, you'll get hearty, creamy beans everyone will crave.

You'll love my unique Texas-style BBQ macaroni salad—one reader even won a contest with it! This pasta salad is perfect for your next summer cookout with its creamy texture and spicy BBQ sauce.