Side dishes do not exist to behave themselves on New Yearโ€™s Day. They are the trays people circle back to, the bowls that go empty before the meat is touched. These 19 sides bring smoke, crunch, cream, and real attitude to the table. If dinner is the headline, these are the stories everyone keeps reading.

Roasted multicolored carrots topped with chopped hazelnuts and fresh herbs arranged on a white plate.
Roasted Carrots With Hazelnuts. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

BBQ Glazed Smoked Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Smoked Brussels sprouts glazed in BBQ sauce with crispy bacon pieces.
BBQ Glazed Smoked Brussels Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

BBQ Glazed Smoked Brussels Sprouts with Bacon cook in about 1 hour with smoky sprouts, crispy bacon, and sticky glaze. We never see leftovers from this one.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Glazed Smoked Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Creamed Leeks

Creamed leeks cooked until soft in a rich, velvety sauce.
Creamed Leeks. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Creamed Leeks come together in about 40 minutes with butter, cream, and soft-cooked leeks. They feel rich without stealing the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Leeks

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon with charred edges and juicy centers.
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus finishes in about 25 minutes with fresh asparagus and smoky bacon. The edges get crisp while the centers stay tender.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Grilled Asparagus in Foil

Grilled asparagus in foil cooked until tender with lightly charred tips.
Grilled Asparagus in Foil. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Grilled Asparagus in Foil cooks in about 20 minutes with olive oil, garlic, and salt. It keeps things clean when the grill is crowded.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus in Foil

Purple Cabbage and Pickled Mushroom Salad

Red cabbage salad on a plate with a fork.
Purple Cabbage and Pickled Mushroom Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Purple Cabbage and Pickled Mushroom Salad takes about 30 minutes with crunchy cabbage, vinegar, and earthy mushrooms. We like the bite it brings to a heavy plate.
Get the Recipe: Purple Cabbage and Pickled Mushroom Salad

Roasted Butternut Squash

Roasted butternut squash cooked until the edges caramelize and the inside turns tender.
Roasted Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Roasted Butternut Squash bakes in about 45 minutes with olive oil and warm spices. The pieces turn soft with caramelized edges.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash

Smoked Potato Salad

Smoked potato salad with tender potatoes coated in a smoky, savory dressing.
Smoked Potato Salad. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Smoked Potato Salad takes about 1 hour with potatoes, mayo, mustard, and smoke. It hits familiar but louder.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Potato Salad

Keto Green Bean Casserole

Creamy keto green bean casserole with a golden, bubbly topping.
Keto Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Keto Green Bean Casserole bakes in about 45 minutes with green beans, cream, and mushrooms. It keeps the comfort without the crash.
Get the Recipe: Keto Green Bean Casserole

Roasted Green Beans

Roasted green beans with browned edges and a crisp bite.
Roasted Green Beans. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Roasted Green Beans cook in about 25 minutes with garlic and olive oil. The tips stay snappy instead of soggy.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Green Beans

Easy Grilled Corn Salad

Grilled corn salad with smoky kernels tossed in a fresh, simple mix.
Easy Grilled Corn Salad. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Easy Grilled Corn Salad comes together in about 30 minutes with corn, lime, and herbs. We always add extra because it disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Corn Salad

Smoked Corn on the Cob

Smoked corn on the cob with charred kernels and a rich smoky aroma.
Smoked Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Smoked Corn on the Cob cooks in about 1 hour with butter and simple seasoning. The kernels pick up just enough smoke.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Corn on the Cob

Campfire Potatoes

Campfire potatoes cooked in foil until the slices are soft with crisped edges.
Campfire Potatoes. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Campfire Potatoes take about 45 minutes with sliced potatoes, onions, and foil-packet heat. They feel built for big crowds.
Get the Recipe: Campfire Potatoes

Domino Potatoes

Domino potatoes roasted until each slice is crisp on the edges and soft inside.
Domino Potatoes. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Domino Potatoes bake in about 1 hour with thin potato stacks and butter. The tops go crisp while the centers stay soft.
Get the Recipe: Domino Potatoes

Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese

Dutch oven mac and cheese with a browned top and creamy noodles.
Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese cooks in about 50 minutes with sharp cheddar, cream, and elbow pasta. We serve this when we want silence at the table.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese

Roasted Carrots with Hazelnuts

A plate of roasted carrots in various colors, topped with chopped hazelnuts and sprigs of fresh thyme. The dish is presented on a white plate.
Roasted Carrots with Hazelnuts. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Roasted Carrots with Hazelnuts bake in about 40 minutes with sweet carrots and toasted nuts. The crunch changes everything.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Carrots with Hazelnuts

Smoked Cabbage

Smoked cabbage cooked low and slow until the leaves are tender and smoky.
Smoked Cabbage. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Smoked Cabbage takes about 1 hour with butter, salt, and smoke. It turns a simple veg into something people ask about.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cabbage

Umami Smoked Mushrooms

Smoked mushrooms with deep umami flavor and browned edges.
Umami Smoked Mushrooms. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Umami Smoked Mushrooms cook in about 45 minutes with soy, garlic, and mixed mushrooms. The flavor lands deep and savory.
Get the Recipe: Umami Smoked Mushrooms

Double Smoked Chicken Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese smoked with chicken added throughout.
Double Smoked Chicken Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Double Smoked Chicken Mac and Cheese takes about 1 hour with shredded chicken, cheese sauce, and layered smoke. It eats like a side but feels like a meal.
Get the Recipe: Double Smoked Chicken Mac and Cheese

Easy Smoked Baked Potato

Smoked baked potato cut open showing fluffy smoky interior with butter.
Easy Smoked Baked Potato. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Easy Smoked Baked Potato cooks in about 1 hour with russet potatoes and butter. We load them up and let people go wild.
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Baked Potato

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About the Author

Kita Roberts is the meat maven and award-winning recipe developer behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, with 15+ years of grilling, smoking, and cooking experience. Her recipes are tested on everything from backyard grills to professional smokers – and always built for real home cooks.
As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

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