side dish

noun

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

Origin of side dish

First recorded in 1715–25

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for side-dish

Historical Examples of side-dish

Put the artichokes in the sauce this second time to heat them and serve especially as a side-dish for boiled meat.
The Italian Cook Book
Maria Gentile
This, which can also be served as a side-dish, is made especially when you have boiled fish of good quality left over.
The Italian Cook Book
Maria Gentile
They are not partial to long introductory soups, and totally disregard all side-dish references and quotations.
The Catholic World. Volume III; Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
E. Rameur
In addition to the meat and potatoes there was one vegetable in a side-dish and as dessert four prunes.
The Oakdale Affair
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Some put it into the soup; but the best way is to send it up on a plate, as a side-dish.
The Cook's Oracle; and Housekeeper's Manual
William Kitchiner

British Dictionary definitions for side-dish

side dish

noun

a portion of food served in addition to the main dish

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for side-dish

1725, from side (adj.) + dish (n.). Restaurant phrase on the side "apart from the main dish" is attested from 1884, American English.