Side dishes are an important part of any menu. They enhance the main course, add nutritional value, provide variety, and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the meal. During the Nine Days, when fish and dairy seem to make too many appearances, flavorful and interesting side dishes become even more essential in creating satisfying meals. 

For instance, baked ziti and salmon are great and all, but when you add sides like Pistachio Parmesan Asparagus with Blistered Herbed Tomatoes, Truffle Risotto or Everything But the Bagel Salad you’ve got one spectacular meal.

So, explore “The Best Nine Day Side Dish Recipe and Ideas (2024)” and uncover new favorite sides that will surely elevate your meals.

Check out this 9 Days recipe roundup for even more delicious recipes!

1. Sweet Potato Fries with Cheese Sauce by Estee Kafra

A wonderful snack or part of a light dinner.

2. Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Latkes by Miriam Szokovski

While synonymous with Chanukah, latkes are a hefty side you’ll enjoy even in the summer. They’re perfectly packable, for a picnic or afternoon out at the park or pool.

3. Summer Gems and Goat Cheese Salad by Rorie Weisberg

These delicious kisses of sunshine bring the flavors of summer to your salad bowl. Enjoy for breakfast, lunch, snack, or as a side to a dairy dinner. The optional add-ins provide fiber, protein, nutrients, and crunch. Double or triple for a crowd!

4. Latke-Coated Mozzarella Sticks by Kosher.com Staff

Watch these come to life here!

5. Warm Cauliflower and Potato Salad by Kathy Kordalis

So many gorgeous ingredients together on one platter! This is delicious eaten cold, but is best just warm with the feta, lemon and dill.

6. Truffle Risotto by Adina Schlass

7. Standing Potato Gratin by The Peppermill

Crispy edges and deep flavor; this will become your favorite potato dish!

8. Cauliflower and Butternut Squash “Risotto” (Gluten-Free) by Vera Newman

9. Best Broccoli Pasta by Faigy Grossman

This simple and tasty dish was created by my newlywed daughter and proclaimed “a meal fit for a king!” Although it’s quite easy to prepare (who doesn’t mind that?!), the ingredients really do come together just so and it’s truly delicious! Add more mozzarella to suit your taste.

10. Roasted Broccoli Lemon Pasta by Sima Kazarnovsky

This pasta salad is perfectly munchable straight from the fridge, filling yet light with a lemony dressing.

11. Classic Caesar Salad With Garlic Cheese Croutons by Malky and Yossi Levine

Revive your salad game with our Classic Caesar Salad, enhanced with Garlic Cheese Croutons for an unforgettable crunch.

12. Everything But the Bagel Salad by Sima Kazarnovsky

So here’s what we’ve got: roasted eggplant for the chew, crumbly cheese for the creaminess, pickles for that bite, and Everything bagel spice for that zesty bagel flavor. Really, are you even missing the bagel? Of course you are. Toast it generously and have it on the side of this delicious salad.

13. Meal-in-One Potato Casserole by Brynie Greisman

Utterly simple and always satisfying. Potato kugel at its very best! Serve with fresh vegetable sticks and a light dressing, and a scoop of cottage cheese, if desired.

14. When Greek Meets Caesar Salad by Victoria Dwek

Salad dressings are supposed to add flavor, but this one also adds nutritional content. Most of us can eat a Caesar-style salad any day with any dairy meal. Now, with no mayo or egg yolks and very minimal oil, it’s actually a healthful side. This dressing is also a great option for those who are allergic to eggs. Now that I’m using Greek on my Caesar, I ought to try using Greek on my Greek.

15. Cheesy Broccoli and Potato Blintz Bake by Yehudis Mann

What I love about this dish is that it uses mostly ready-made ingredients without compromising on taste. It’s a delicious, mouthwatering dish that takes just a few minutes to throw together.

16. Three-Cheese-and- Veggie-Topped Focaccia by Brynie Greisman

You probably know by now that I love working with yeast. I find it magical. There is nothing as glorious as the aroma of homemade bread baking in the oven! I included a fabulous topping for the focaccia, with a medley of veggies and cheeses, to make a beautiful presentation.

17. Kani Platter by Brynie Greisman

I have a confession to make: I’ve never used kani before as it wasn’t available in Israel until recently. Well, I’m hooked. Simple and so versatile to use in a salad. No cooking necessary. Here I used a variety of veggies to give texture and crunch, and added a simple mayo-lemon juice dressing. Feel free to vary quantities of kani and vegetables to your liking. Thanks to G.A. for the idea.

18. Mediterranean-Style Halibut with Tomatoes, Olives, and Fennel by Sara and Yossi Goldstein

Halibut is mild and sweet tasting, which pairs beautifully with these bold classic Mediterranean flavors. You can substitute the halibut for sea bass if you prefer.

19. 3-Ingredient Tuna Patties by Rikki Samuels

This is my shvigger’s tuna patty recipe and solves the what’s for dinner dilemma with so little drama that you’ll have plenty of time for everything else on your to-do list.

20. Sheet Pan Tuscan Gnocchi and Vegetables by Ally Mawhirter

Did you know you don’t have to boil gnocchi? Roasting gnocchi in the oven gives them a deliciously crisp edge and a tantalizing golden-brown color. Sheet pan meals are a busy weeknight’s best friend, and Tuscanini Cauliflower Gnocchi pairs so well with fresh summer vegetables and lots of greens. Feel free to substitute your favorite vegetables but be sure to cut everything to a similar size so they cook evenly. I added mushrooms for that “meaty” texture we all crave during the 9 Days.