Best Potato Side Dishes

Ah, the humble potato. In France, they call the potato a pomme de terre, or "an apple of the earth." They are ubiquitous, cheap, and can be used in an amazing variety of different ways. You can eat them at any time of day, as long as you prepare them in an appropriate manner.

People eat potatoes as part of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most commonly, potatoes are used as side dishes to bigger meals — primarily because they can be pretty filling, and they can be matched with almost any meal easily.

Ever wonder what the best potato side dishes are? We asked foodies, and they had a number of different replies for us...

Mashed Potatoes

Does it get any more classic than having a plate filled with whipped, fluffy mashed potatoes sitting alongside dinner? It really doesn't. Regular old mashed potatoes pair great with almost every single classic American meal out there. In terms of being able to work with flavors, mashed potatoes are easily one of the best potato side dishes you can prepare.

Perhaps the best part about mashed potatoes is the fact that they can be prepared in a huge variety of different ways. Though mashed potatoes are traditionally made using butter and a hint of cream, some choose to spice them up with some pepper. Others modernized mashed potatoes by adding chili and cheese on top.

Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are a classic, and they are phenomenally easy to prepare — at least, on a basic level. All you really have to do is cover them in foil, pop them in the oven, and let them bake for a while. For beginners in the kitchen, baked potatoes are one of the best potato side dishes to try.

Despite how easy they are to make, they remain incredibly popular. In fact, many chain restaurants and fast food joints serve them because they work well with hearty meals, or can even be a meal in and of itself.

Over the years, people have gotten creative with baked potatoes. We've topped them with sour cream, melted butter, and even created recipes for cannabis-infused baked potatoes. If you enjoy potatoes, there's probably a baked potato recipe for you out there.

Fries

Fries are considered to be one of the most popular as well as one of the best potato side dishes ever made. Whether you serve them in spirals, in "french fry" shapes, or even in a waffle shape, the results are still the same. People love fries, and that's why everyone around the world eats them.

Their crispy yet satisfying texture, the way they seem to work well with almost any food, and the inexplicably comforting taste they impart when dipped in ketchup is what makes them a favorite around the world. Sure, some folks might sprinkle them with spices to boost their flavor, but let's just be real here — you can't improve upon perfection.

Potato Latkes

This traditional Channukah food has all the crispiness of french fries with the tender inside texture of a butter-soaked baked potato. Potato latkes, also known as potato pancakes, are incredibly crispy — more so than fries tend to be. They also are surprisingly savory, considering that they don't have other ingredients bolstering them.

In terms of holiday food, this is one of the best potato side dishes ever made. That being said, potato latkes don't always pair with other foods as well as they should. So, if you do make these, make sure to pair them with another food that is equally hearty.

Potato Salad

Potato salad walks the fine line between an actual salad and mashed potatoes. While recipes may differ on what's added, there's generally a little bit of mayonnaise and vegetables added to boiled and cut potatoes as part of the recipe.

Everyone knows that potato salad is one of the best potato side dishes for picnics and parties — as well as barbecue foods. However, the popularity of this dish tends to wane during the winter. After all, most people tend to want to enjoy foods that are warm during that time.

Despite the lack of interest during the winter, this is still an amazing year-round treat... even if it is a little retro.