Where do the side dish suggestions come from?

From the “Serve it with” pairings on each main dish, chosen to match its cooking style, plus a dessert from our dessert recipes.

Is the dinner builder free?

Yes. It is free, with no account; your choices stay in your browser.

What should I serve with steak?

Classic steakhouse sides: creamed spinach, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus or a Caesar salad, with chimichurri, bearnaise or a compound butter on the steak.

Can I change the suggestions?

Yes. Every side, sauce and dessert has a menu of alternatives, or choose Skip.

Does the dinner go into my shopping list?

Yes. "Add this dinner to my meal plan" puts every dish into the meal planner, which builds one combined shopping list.

Dinner Builder

Updated October 31, 2026

Pick a main dish and we will put together a complete dinner around it: two sides, a sauce where it fits, and dessert. Swap anything you like, then add the whole menu to your meal planner for one shopping list.

How we pair dinners

Sides follow the cooking style of the main dish: steakhouse sides for steaks, rice, beans and salsa for Tex-Mex, banchan for Korean dishes, cookout sides for burgers and sandwiches, and the traditional sides for holiday roasts. Desserts follow the same cuisine where we have one.

How the dinner builder works

Choose a main dish. Any steak, seafood, chicken, pork or vegetarian main on the site.
Get a full dinner. The builder suggests two sides, a sauce where one fits, and a dessert, matched to the style of the main dish.
Swap anything. Each course has a menu of alternatives, or choose Skip.
Plan and shop. Add the whole dinner to the meal planner for one combined shopping list, or print the menu.

Example dinners

Steakhouse night: Cast-Iron Ribeye with creamed spinach, garlic mashed potatoes and key lime pie.
Weeknight salmon: Teriyaki Salmon with roasted asparagus and a Caesar salad.
Filipino supper: Chicken Adobo with garlic fried rice and leche flan.
Indian restaurant night at home: Chicken Tikka Masala with garlic naan and dal tadka.

Frequently asked questions

Is the dinner builder free?: Yes. It is free, with no account; your choices stay in your browser.
Where do the side dish suggestions come from?: From the “Serve it with” pairings on each main dish, chosen to match its cooking style, plus a dessert from our dessert recipes.
What should I serve with steak?: Classic steakhouse sides: creamed spinach, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus or a Caesar salad, with chimichurri, bearnaise or a compound butter on the steak.
Can I change the suggestions?: Yes. Every side, sauce and dessert has a menu of alternatives, or choose Skip.
Does the dinner go into my shopping list?: Yes. "Add this dinner to my meal plan" puts every dish into the meal planner, which builds one combined shopping list.