Get to Know Alex Snodgrass of SideDish (+ Her Family’s Favorite Build-Your-Own-Bowl Recipe)

If you thought healthy food lacked flavor, that you might never see your kids enjoy eating a vegetable, or that making nutritious meals was its own full-time job… then you’ve never met Alex Snodgrass. Thanks to her love of big, bold flavors featuring nourishing ingredients, the mom of two and proud Texan has gained a loyal following, from starting out developing recipes as The Defined Dish, to writing three New York Times bestselling cookbooks, to founding her own food brand, SideDish. 

Almost two years ago, Alex launched her brand of do-it-all-sauces made with avocado oil and without refined sugar. They’re just as good as salad dressings as they are for dips and marinades, and Alex’s lineup of easy recipes featuring SideDish products proves there’s nothing they can’t do. 

We talked with Alex about her journey from food lover to brand founder, how she manages meals in her busy household, and what makes for a classic Alex recipe — including one of her famous grain bowl meals that she shared with us.  

Get To Know Alex Snodgrass of SideDish

Can you tell us a little about your journey from recipe developer and cookbook author to founder of your own brand?

“I started my blog in 2016 initially as a hobby to share my passion for food. It quickly became clear how much joy I found in sharing my recipes with others, which led me to shift my focus toward building a business. From there, my Defined Dish brand steadily grew, eventually leading to my first book deal in 2019. I’m incredibly grateful to now be the author of three New York Times bestselling cookbooks.

Through years of developing recipes for both my blog and my books, I noticed that many people crave convenient options, like sauces and salad dressings, especially on busy days when cooking from scratch isn’t an option. However, many store-bought items contain ingredients I don’t personally align with, such as seed oils, preservatives, and unpronounceable additives. I wanted to create a product that people could rely on for quick, healthy meals; whether it’s whipping up a simple salad for lunch or drizzling something flavorful over a sheet pan meal. That’s exactly what SideDish offers: straightforward, no-nonsense ingredients, avocado oil as our base, and flavors that are simply delicious!”

What makes for a classic Alex recipe?

“I love a grain bowl! Rice as a base, maybe some grilled chicken or salmon on top with some roasted broccoli and a drizzle of SideDish Creamy Sesame and chili oil for a kick! Basically, a good balance of grains, veggies, and protein plus lots of flavor. I love this because I can easily change out the veggie and protein and it just never gets old!”

As a busy mom of two, what do weeknight meals look like in your house?

“As I mentioned, I love a grain bowl! That way everyone can build their own bowl exactly how they like it. But I also love a simple skillet dinner or a sheet pan meal! While I love a meal that cooks on the stovetop all day long, I find myself turning to quick and easy 20 to 30-minute meals during busy weeknights!”

Do you have any cooking tips for busy parents?

“Absolutely! As a parent, I know how hectic life can get, especially when juggling work, school, and all the activities in between. Here are a few cooking tips that have made a big difference for me and might help other busy parents too. 

• One-Pan Wonders: Opt for sheet pan or one-pot meals that require minimal cleanup. You can roast a variety of veggies and proteins together, drizzle with your SideDish as a sauce or dressing, and dinner is done!
• Keep Staples on Hand: Stock your pantry and fridge with versatile ingredients like whole grains, canned beans, frozen veggies, and good-quality sauces. These can be lifesavers when you need to whip up something quickly.
• Use Flavorful, Healthy Shortcuts: Having go-to items like SideDish sauces, your favorite hot sauce, enchilada sauces, and things like buffalo or BBQ sauce on hand can make all the difference. They can elevate a simple meal with minimal effort, allowing you to serve something delicious and wholesome without spending hours in the kitchen.”

Alex’s Creamy Sesame Baked Salmon Sushi Bowls

“My family loves this recipe! It’s ideal for a build-your-own-bowl dinner. While the salmon roasts, I prep all the other ingredients and set everything out family-style. This way, everyone can customize their bowls just the way they like, drizzle on some SideDish, and dig in!” —Alex Snodgrass

Yield: 4 servings
Active time: 5 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes

Ingredients: 

For the salmon: 
1 ½ pounds center-cut salmon
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons coconut aminos
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

For the bowls:
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 large avocado, peeled and sliced
2 Persian (mini) cucumbers, thinly sliced on the diagonal
2 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
One 4.5 gram package of premium roasted seaweed or nori wraps, thinly sliced
SideDish Creamy Sesame
No-sugar sriracha, optional for serving
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:  

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Pat the salmon dry and place it in a small oval baking dish. Drizzle evenly with the oil and coconut aminos. Season evenly with salt and pepper. Transfer to the oven and bake until the salmon flakes easily with a fork, 25 to 30 minutes.

Once salmon is cooked through, flake with a fork into large pieces. Serve over rice and garnish your bowls as desired with avocado, cucumber, green onions, and roasted seaweed.

Drizzle with desired amount of SideDish Creamy Sesame and sriracha, if using. Top with toasted sesame seeds.

Make More Easy Meals With SideDish at Thrive Market: 

SideDish Honey Dijon
SideDish Miso Caesar
SideDish Chipotle Ranch