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Here are our favorite ideas for what to serve with brisket, along with our top picks, ready-to-eat side dish ideas, and a few golden rules for choosing the perfect side dishes!
Brisket is the ultimate comfort food in my book. After all, it is a juicy and succulent meat that, when perfectly cooked or smoked, just melts in your mouth.
As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also one of the most versatile main dishes ever because it goes well with a wide array of side dishes. Yes, a well-cooked brisket is a whole meal on its own, but there are many side dishes out there that can take the beast to a feast!
Whether you like to pair brisket with corn, bread, potatoes, coleslaw, or veggies, brisket will taste equally divine. So, without further ado, let’s explore some of the world’s favorite brisket side dishes!
- Balance flavors. Choose sides with contrasting flavors, such as tangy, acidic, or refreshing elements, to cut through the rich, smoky taste of the brisket.
- Consider texture. Brisket has a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, so it’s a good idea to have sides that offer crispy, crunchy, or creamy elements.
- Contrast temperatures. Brisket is typically served hot or warm, so consider offering some cold or room temperature sides.
- Complementing vegetables. Opt for vegetables that pair well with the flavors of the brisket, like roasted or grilled asparagus or pineapple, carrots, and Brussels sprouts.
- Starchy accompaniments. Starchy sides, like mashed potatoes, cornbread, or macaroni, can absorb the flavorful juices of brisket.
- Sauces and condiments. Offer a variety of sauces or condiments alongside the brisket to add extra flavor: Guacamole Salsa, Frank’s Red Hot, Taco Bell Taco Sauce, and Asian-style Sriracha Mayo #95 are all some options to bring alongside brisket with the usual BBQ Sauce.
Ready-To-Eat Sides for Brisket
Here are some convenient ready-to-eat sides for brisket that you can easily find at stores, saving you time and effort:
- Pre-made BBQ beans. Look for canned BBQ beans, typically seasoned and ready to heat and serve.
- Deli-style potato salad: Many grocery stores have pre-packaged deli-style potato salad in refrigerated sections.
- Coleslaw. Pre-made coleslaw is often available in the refrigerated section of grocery stores.
- Macaroni salad. Like potato salad, pre-packaged macaroni salad is a convenient option that pairs well with brisket.
- Cornbread mix. Instead of buying pre-made cornbread, you can purchase a cornbread mix from the baking aisle.
- Pickles. Many grocery stores offer various pickles in jars or pre-packaged containers.
- Heat-and-serve rolls. These rolls, found in the bakery section or freezer aisle, are typically pre-made and just require a few minutes in the oven to warm up.
- Pre-made sliders or sandwich rolls. These are convenient options if you want to serve mini brisket sandwiches.
- Vegetable medley. Look for pre-packaged vegetable medleys in the produce section or frozen vegetable aisle.
- Caesar salad kit. These kits typically include pre-washed lettuce, Caesar dressing, croutons, and shredded Parmesan cheese.
If you’re searching for what to serve with brisket, you’ve come to the right place! This list of the best sides for brisket is sure to take your entrée to the next level.
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What To Serve With Brisket
Yes, another potato side dish!
In my defense, I just couldn’t resist adding potato skins to this list of amazing brisket side dishes because they taste just so divine with brisket.
There’s just something so mouthwateringly irresistible about the crispy potato skin and the soft, savory filling!
Plus, potato skins take a while to get the potatoes baked up the first time, but once that’s done, the rest comes together quickly.
Then, fill the crispy skins with your favorite toppings and bake or broil again.
Coleslaw has to be the ultimate lifesaver among all the side dishes to have ever been created.
How so?
Well, it’s just so easy to prepare, is incredibly popular, and adds a nice crunch to many meals.
All you need are chopped veggies such as cabbage, kale, and carrots and a creamy coleslaw dressing.
For this recipe, it calls for thinly sliced, crisp apples for a hint of sweetness, too.
Simply mix everything and serve this delightfully crunchy and decadent dish alongside your freshly cooked brisket.
If you’re looking for brisket side dishes that qualify as the ultimate comfort foods, then look no further than Corn Pudding.
Although corn pudding is typically sweet, you can give the dish a secret twist by adding a savory taste to it so it goes well with your brisket.
Simply add some onions and thyme to the regular corn pudding recipe for a sweet corn dish that will win your family over.
If you are trying to figure out something unique to serve with brisket, then this is the ideal dish.
Grilled Peaches are unique and will forever be your favorite way to serve peaches.
The first time that I served this at a dinner party, I didn’t get the plate to the table before everyone had eaten them.
My advice is to cook more than you think that people will eat.
A cold and creamy pasta salad is a refreshing side dish to serve with brisket.
This recipe uses ranch seasoning, so it is a little extra kick of flavor that pairs with brisket.
If you can get your hands on fresh dill for this salad, we highly recommend it.
It isn’t crucial but it just adds something special.
No matter how you cook corn on the cob, it will be fantastic.It is just one of those foods that people enjoy eating.
The fact that as adults we get to pick up this food and eat with our hands makes it more fun! We even had a corn-on-the-cob party and tested out 4 different ways to grill cor
You can also cook corn on the cob in several other ways. We often boil corn on the cob and slather it with butter, pepper, and salt.
You can serve it right off the cob or let it cool slightly, then remove the kernels before serving, but that’s an extra step that I usually don’t have the patience for.
No matter how you season and serve your corn on the cob, it will be an ideal side for brisket.
This Creamy Broccoli Salad is an ideal side dish for brisket because it adds a crunchy texture to the meal.
This side dish is a great way to sneak in a vegetable or two.
The creaminess of the salad will complement the broccoli and make even the most reluctant vegetable eater go back for seconds.
This refreshing Tomato Cucumber Salad features juicy and ripe tomatoes, fresh and succulent cucumbers, and crisp red onions.
The ingredients are dressed in a sweet yet tangy red wine vinaigrette, and every bite is bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
This Arugula Salad with tart lemon balsamic dressing is a flexible recipe that goes really well with anything.
It is customizable: Add cherry tomatoes, arugula, carrot ribbons, and Parmesan makes it beautiful enough to be worthy of the weekend.
These Garlic Mashed Potatoes are loaded with gooey cheddar cheese and minced garlic.
The mashed potatoes are creamy and will undoubtedly be a crowd favorite.
You can serve this side dish for the holidays or when you’re having brisket for dinner to make it more special.
Macaroni Salad is a popular and filling dish you’ve probably grown up eating.
This creamy salad can be made the night before and is often present at picnics, potlucks, and special occasions.
With its vibrant colors and enticing aroma, our Yukon Gold Potato Salad is a feast for the eyes and the senses. Feel free to get creative and add your personal touch.
Ingredients include: Yukon gold potatoes, white onion, celery, dill pickles, and egg.
The key to making the perfect German Cucumber Salad is to use thin cucumber slices and marinate the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to meld the flavors. Adding dill gives a fresh, herbal taste that rounds out the dish.
Ingredients include: Cucumber, red onion, sour cream, sugar, and parsley.
These Greek Salad Skewers, made with fresh ingredients, are a tasty way to enjoy the flavors of Greece. Ensure to marinate the feta cheese as this helps soften it and give it more taste.
Ingredients include: Cucumber, feta cheese, tomatoes, black olives, and olive oil.
This simple salad is all your need for your brisket. The watermelon is refreshing and juicy, while the feta adds a tangy taste. The vinaigrette dressing ties it all together and adds a touch of acidity.
Ingredients include: Watermelon, feta cheese, arugula, grapeseed oil, and honey.
Bacon is the star of the show in these deviled eggs. It lends a smoky taste that pairs well with the creamy filling. The cheddar cheese also adds a bit of tangy, rich flavor.
Ingredients include: Eggs, vinegar, mayonnaise, sour cream, and bacon slices.
These smashed red potatoes are cooked in an air fryer, making them a healthier and more convenient alternative to traditional baked potatoes. Serve with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, chives, or bacon.
Ingredients include: Red potatoes, salt, lemon pepper, olive oil, and garlic.
These No-Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers are another way to add more veggies to your family’s meal. The riced cauliflower gives bulk and texture to the peppers, and the mozzarella makes them extra cheesy.
Ingredients include: Olive oil, bell peppers, tomato sauce, polenta, and onion.
These simple Oven-Roasted Radishes offer a refreshing take on this often neglected vegetable. The recipe explains how the heat from the oven caramelizes the radishes’ natural sugars, resulting in a sweet and slightly smoky flavor.
Ingredients include: Radish, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and rosemary.
Spaghetti Squash is a light, mildly sweet veggie that can be made quickly in the microwave–it only takes 10 minutes. The cooked flesh pulls into long strands, much like spaghetti, which gives the squash its name.
Ingredients include: Spaghetti squash, and water.
This Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe stands out as it has the perfect mix of creamy and cheesy flavors. The recipe strongly recommends drying the spinach well for the right texture and using full-fat cream cheese and sour cream to bring out the best taste.
Ingredients include: Cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
No-Mayo Carolina Coleslaw
A tangy, vinegar-based slaw with no mayo in sight. It cuts right through rich, smoky beef.
Red Cabbage Slaw
Crunchy red cabbage in a bright dressing. Adds color and crunch to a brisket plate.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes piled with cheese, bacon, and green onion. As hearty as the brisket next to them.
Texas Roadhouse Green Beans (Copycat)
The steakhouse green beans with bacon and a touch of sweetness. Made at home in one pot.
Mexican Street Corn
Corn slathered in crema, cotija, and chile. Smoky meat and street corn are a natural pair.
Skillet Fried Corn
Four ingredients and one skillet for smoky, buttery corn. Barbecue plate material.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy-edged sweet potato fries from the oven. A sweet-salty match for smoky brisket.
Air Fryer Loaded Cheese Fries
Fries buried in melted cheese and bacon, straight from the air fryer. Pile leftover brisket on top.
Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles (Copycat)
Crispy fried pickles with a creamy dip. The acidic crunch a brisket spread needs.
Cheddar Bay Biscuits (Red Lobster Copycat)
Soft garlic-cheddar biscuits like the restaurant ones. Good for mopping up brisket juices.
Butter Dip Biscuits
Biscuits baked right in a pool of butter. No rolling, no cutting, no leftovers.
The bottom line
When it comes to serving brisket, you have a plethora of scrumptious options to complement its flavors.
You can pair it with Crockpot Creamed Corn, which adds a sweet note to balance the savory meat. For a fresh and vibrant element, a Caesar Salad is a classic choice.
To add a wholesome component, serve a flavorful Wild Rice Pilaf with its nutty texture and earthy notes. And for a unique twist, try Spaghetti Squash, which serves as a healthy alternative to pasta.
With these brilliant recipes from around the web for what to serve with brisket, your feast will be a gut-bustin’ tribute to the chef!
So many great sides. So many people are making meals out of sides these days.
Thanks for the fresh ideas!
love everything here. thank you
Gonna try the potato skins
Yes!
That will be FAB combo for sure.
I will be trying a few of these recipes. They all look pretty good.
Grilled peaches, corn pudding, fried green tomatoes, and creamy broccoli salad! Yes please!
Thank you for the tips and information.
thanks for the tips
There are so many great side dish recipes! And they all look so good I will have a hard time deciding.
Everything looks delicious!
Love briskets.
Thank you for sharing.
I love to make homemade potato salad and baked beans with my brisket!
Will surely be trying this great idea soon!!!! Already planning the date!
Awesome ideas, thanks!! We normally do scalloped potatoes.