Picnics conjure up thoughts of warm summer days, loved ones, and cozy shade to snuggle under. Having a picnic is about memories being made but it’s also about great food.

People all around the world picnic as a form of rest and relaxation. From parks to campgrounds to your backyard, picnics come in all shapes and sizes.

If you are planning one, you will need to first decide the type of picnic you are looking to have. Some are more casual than others and you’ll enjoy choosing the right picnic side dishes to suit your needs. read more

Gumbo is a popular stew dish made famous in New Orleans, Louisiana. It consists of andouille sausage, cooked rice, strong beef stock, and Creole / Cajun spices and ingredients, like onions, bell peppers, and celery. Gumbo can also be made with chicken, shrimp and seafood, and even duck.

Gumbo has been around since the 18th century, as accounts show mention to similar dishes. In the 1970s, people in Louisiana fell in love with the plate and made it the states’ official dish.

Ever since then, its popularity has grown to worldwide status. If you’d like to learn what side dishes to pair with gumbo, read on. read more

Chicken Tortilla Soup is a classic staple of Mexican Cuisine. It’s packed with slow-roasted chicken breast, cilantro, beans, corn, and of course, crunchy tortilla strips.

Like many other dishes, chicken tortilla soup uses tomatoes as a base and onion, garlic, and chiles.

Though its exact origin isn’t known, Mexico City has made it so popular that people claim its origin. While the soup by itself will satiate, these 17 side dishes will complete the meal.

17 Side Dishes To Serve With Chicken Tortilla Soup

1. Chips & Guacamole

Any Mexican cook knows that guacamole is a staple side dish for any Mexican dish. Guacamole is mashed avocados, tomatoes, and onions with tortilla chips for dipping. read more

The humble chickpea is to thank for the delicious and nutritious spread we call hummus. Whether you’re a fan or just trying hummus for the first time, you will appreciate this unique creamy dip as an appetizer, side dish, or condiment.

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans are ground up and blended with olive oil to create this whipped delight. Similar to the texture of peanut butter, hummus is lighter and more refreshing than most heavy cream based dips.

Hummus lovers will agree there is no shortage of ways to eat hummus, you can put it on everything! But if you’re looking for a creative way to use your hummus keep reading. read more

This “salad” made of boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, celery, and herbs, is quintessential fare in both America, Europe as well as parts of Asia where potato salad can be had both savory and sweet!

Potatoes are naturally packed with fiber, vitamin c, and potassium. When made into a potato salad, they add a layer of goodness that’s chock full of flavor.

Potato salad, eaten all over the world, is a homely side dish that goes well with a variety of mains as well as on its own.

17 Side Dishes To Serve With Potato Salad

Besides being a great side to many proteins like meat, potato salad goes surprisingly well with fish and as a vegetarian entrée. Potato salad can also be prepared in unique ways that get your palate really excited. read more

Hamburgers are an all-American staple consisting of a beef patty housed between two hamburger buns.  Over the years, burgers have evolved, with restaurants and recipes offering new and innovative ways to cook them.

But regardless of the type of burger you’re serving-whether slathered in melted cheese or stacked with bacon, lettuce and tomato-the perfect side dish can take your burger up a notch.

Let’s dig in to 17 perfect side dishes to serve with burgers.  From classic staples to a few surprises, you’ll love trying all the options on this list. read more