Side dish facts for kids
A side dish is a food item that comes with the main part of your meal. Think of it like a helpful friend that joins your main course (the biggest part of your meal, like a burger or a piece of chicken) to make the meal complete. People also call them "side orders" or just "sides."
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What Are Common Side Dishes?
Side dishes like salads, potatoes, and bread are very common with main meals in many parts of the world, especially in Western countries. Foods like rice and couscous have also become popular, especially at special events or dinner parties, often with Middle Eastern dishes.
When you hear someone say "side salad" or "side of fries," it usually means a smaller portion. For example, a "side salad" is a small bowl of salad that goes with your main meal, not a huge salad that is the whole meal itself.
In America, a typical meal with meat might have one vegetable side, like a salad, and one starch side. Starches can be things like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, or French fries.
Popular Side Dishes You Might Know
Here are some common side dishes:
- Asparagus
- Baked beans
- Baked potatoes
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Coleslaw
- Dinner rolls or other breads
- French fries or steak fries
- Green beans
- Greens
- Macaroni salad
- Macaroni and cheese
- Mashed potatoes
- Mushrooms
- Pasta salad
- Potato salad
- Salad (often a "side" salad)
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Squash
- Tater tots
Some restaurants include a few side dishes with the price of your main meal. Other times, you have to order side dishes separately from an a la carte menu, which means each item has its own price.
French fries are a very common side dish at fast-food restaurants and other places that serve American cuisine. Because French fries can have a lot of fat and calories, some fast-food places now offer other choices, like salads, instead of fries with their meals.
What Does "On the Side" Mean?
The phrase on the side can mean the same thing as "side dish," like asking for "French fries on the side." But it can also mean a sauce or condiment (like ketchup or mayonnaise) that is served in a separate small dish. For example, you might ask for your salad dressing "on the side" so you can add as much or as little as you want.
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See also
In Spanish: Guarnición (comida) para niños
