Quick Side Dishes | 20 To The Table Series

When you’re trying to get supper on the table in twenty minutes, it might seem like there’s not enough time to produce a variety of side dishes. I’m here to tell you – it can be done! Here are a few of my favorite side dishes that can be ready in 10 minutes.

Garlic Green Beans

I share this recipe all the time because we really love these green beans! They are so flavorful and they look so pretty on your plate! Click through the recipe link to see the kind of frozen green beans you’ll need for this recipe – I get mine at Aldi.

Oomphed Up Instant Mashed Potatoes 

I love mashed potatoes, but I rarely want to take the time to make them from scratch. I’m not saying this method is as good as if they were made from scratch, but they are still really good when you want them ready quickly. Here are my tips:

• find a brand of instant mashed potatoes that you really like (they are not created equal). I like the Idahoan Baby Reds and always stock up on them when they’re $1 each at the grocery store.
• use a wisk to mix the liquid and the potato flakes. Most packages say to use a fork, but a wisk makes them much creamier.
• follow the package directions, and then wisk a few tablespoons of sour cream or cream cheese into the potatoes before serving. This makes all the difference!
• top them with crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and green onions to make them even better!

Lemon Garlic Broccoli

This is one of my favorites, too! It has the flavor and the pop of color I love, and you can make it with fresh or frozen broccoli. My Mom served it with the addition of slivered almonds recently, and I loved the crunch that they add!

Buttered Parsley Potatoes

These are so good – and incredibly cheap to make! Click through the recipe link to discover the easiest potato recipe you’ve ever seen.

Summer Avocado, Tomato and Onion Salad

This is one of my go-to summer sides! All you do is chop up fairly equal portions of cherry tomatoes, avocado and red onion. Toss them in a bowl and season with salt. Add a few drizzles of your favorite balsamic vinaigrette and you’re done!

I like to let my salad sit on the counter for about five minutes before serving to allow the dressing to break down the veggies a bit, but it is not necessary.

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

I shared this method last month, but it’s worth mentioning again! This is the best way to have baked potatoes ready when you walk in the door – and it keeps your kitchen nice and cool. Don’t forget that you can do this with sweet potatoes, too. Carolina Charm has lots of great crock pot recipes that go well with baked sweet potatoes.

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I’m also a big fan of adding fresh fruit or veggies, all by themselves, as quick side dishes! There’s nothing wrong with serving fresh peaches, watermelon or sliced tomatoes along with your main dish. It keeps the kitchen cool and adds a nice pop of color to your plate!

If you have some great 20 minute meals, I ‘d love to hear about them! Use the hashtag #20tothetable on Instagram and I’ll share your ideas here next month. Let’s eat! 🙂