side dish

noun

1. a serving of a portion of food in addition to the principal food, usually on a separate dish.
2. the small additional dish used for such food.

side dish

noun

1. a portion of food served in addition to the main dish

Word History and Origins

Origin of side dish¹

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

The food offered to us for the five days includes “tater tots” - a popular American fried-potato side dish - and American biscuits, similar to British scones.

From BBC

On the culinary side, cucumbers contain a low flavor profile which makes them easy to manipulate in a myriad of recipes, whether it’s a side dish, simple snack or full-fledged meal.

From Salon

After the bid, a previously undefined range of food practices carried out by millions of people was reduced to a single meal which includes a serve of white rice with multiple side dishes.

From Salon

And they have sushi, too, along with more traditional, steakhouse-evocative side dishes, like lobster mac and cheese, sauteed spinach and crispy brussel sprouts.

From Salon

A typical spread at a Memorial Day barbecue might not scream “healthy,” but nutritionists see an opportunity in those gloppy, heavy side dishes.

From Seattle Times