Whether it’s a casual weeknight meal or a special occasion, a delicious brisket is often the star of the show. But what really brings it all together are the perfect side dishes. With so many options out there, it can be tough to decide which ones to serve alongside your beefy main course.
That’s why we’ve rounded up 53 mouth-watering brisket side dishes that are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. And the best part? Many of these options offer a healthier twist on traditional favorites, so you can feel good about what you’re serving too.
Potato Latkes
While matzo meal is a staple in this recipe, you can easily substitute it with other fillers like breadcrumbs or all-purpose flour to achieve a similar texture. The key is to find something that will provide the right balance of structure and flavor. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and spices to give your latkes a unique twist. However, do make sure not to omit the egg – this ingredient plays a crucial role in helping the mixture hold its shape and preventing it from becoming crumbly.
Green Beans & Potatoes
Elevate your brisket meat experience by pairing it with a timeless combination of creamy potatoes and tender green beans. The harmonious blend of rich, savory flavors and satisfying textures is sure to please even the most discerning palate. This comforting side dish, infused with the deep, smoky essence of fatty bacon, adds a delightful crunch that complements a variety of main courses, from classic brisket to Polish sausages.
Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Elevate the humble mashed potato into an indulgent treat that pairs exquisitely with slow-cooked brisket. The simple addition of garlic and shredded mozzarella cheese injects a depth of flavor, making this classic side dish a standout accompaniment to hearty meals like pork chops.
Instant Pot Potato Salad
What sets this recipe apart is its ability to cook eggs and potatoes simultaneously in just one pot. This streamlined approach eliminates the need for extra steps or dishes, making it a convenient option for any meal. Once pressure cooked, the ingredients can be easily diced up and combined with a tangy dressing featuring mayo, onions, and spices. The best part? It’s ready to serve immediately. For added versatility, this recipe also pairs well as a side dish for ribs.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Indulge in the delightful union of crispy potato boats and creamy mashed potatoes. The added texture and flavor from shredded cheese, diced onions, and crumbled bacon bring a sophisticated twist to this humble ingredient. This delectable combination is sure to elevate your table setting. For further inspiration, you may want to explore these side dishes that perfectly complement meatloaf.
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
This indulgent sugary and cinnamon-infused butter dip is more than just a tasty accompaniment to baked potatoes – its sweet and silky texture also beautifully complements the rich flavors of slow-cooked brisket, elevating the dish to new heights. Feel free to get creative and pair this delightful dip with your favorite leftover brisket recipes for a truly satisfying meal.
Crispy Salt & Vinegar Potatoes
Indulge in the delightful combination of crispy, buttery exteriors and fluffy interiors that these bite-sized potato nuggets bring to the table. A game-changer for those seeking a fresh spin on traditional baked potatoes, this recipe is sure to please. Moreover, it makes an excellent accompaniment to savory delights like chicken wings, elevating any meal into a satisfying and flavorful experience.
Garlic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
While seemingly ordinary, these mashed potatoes are a testament to the power of elevating simplicity with rich flavors. The sweetness of caramelized onions, pungency of roasted garlic, and nutty depth of parmesan come together in perfect harmony, defying expectations and delivering a scrumptious taste experience. For those who appreciate dairy, I recommend substituting buttermilk for milk to amplify the creamy goodness.
Roasted Potatoes & Veggies
For those who can’t get enough of roasted delights, baked potatoes with peppers and onions are a match made in heaven – especially when paired with a slow-cooked brisket. The harmonious blend of vibrant colors, pungent aromas from the herbs and garlic, and warm comfort will transport you to a cozy culinary haven. But don’t stop there; these veggies also complement a perfectly grilled steak beautifully, making them an all-around crowd-pleaser.
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
The sweet potato cubes, when combined with celery, green onions, and crispy bacon, take on a new dimension when drizzled with a rich mayo and Dijon dressing. To achieve the perfect texture, cook the bacon until it reaches a satisfying crunch, avoiding any tendency to become crumbly. For a vegetarian twist, consider swapping out the bacon for tempeh, which will add a similar smoky depth to the dish.
Broccoli Cheddar Instant Pot Mac & Cheese
This decadent creamy dish is not only a scrumptious accompaniment to your slow-cooked brisket, but it can easily be transformed into a satisfying standalone meal. The best part? It’s incredibly straightforward to prepare using an Instant Pot, where you can simultaneously cook the pasta and broccoli before combining everything with the rich and tangy sauce.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
The quintessential fall side dish just got a creamy twist – a mac and cheese featuring butternut squash as the star. This comforting recipe is begging to be served at your October gatherings, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. Feel free to add some extra flavor with herbs like thyme, which pairs beautifully with the sweet and nutty squash.
Macaroni Salad
Looking for a creamy side dish that’s sure to please? Look no further than this scrumptious macaroni salad! With its harmonious blend of hard-boiled eggs, crunchy gherkins, crisp celery, sweet peppers, and savory onions, this recipe is a true delight. But the real magic happens when you add the tangy mayo cream dressing, bringing all the flavors together in perfect harmony. And did you know that elbow macaroni is the ideal choice for this salad? Its practicality makes it a cinch to serve at your next gathering or family dinner.
Creamy Pasta Salad
As you take a bite of this delectable salad, the absence of eggs is forgotten due to the rich flavors contributed by cheddar and pepperoni. The added crunch from the nutritious veggies provides a delightful textural contrast. The velvety smoothness is elevated by a creamy mayo dressing that bursts with an herbaceous aroma, making it difficult to imagine anything you wouldn’t love about this satisfying salad.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Indulge in a culinary masterpiece with only three essential components: tangy mayo, crunchy pickles, and pungent dill. This harmonious blend will transport your taste buds to a world of delightful simplicity, where ordinary ingredients are elevated to extraordinary heights. Feel free to add some savory ham or crispy bacon if you desire, but honestly, the magic lies in the synergy of these three primary flavors.
Roasted Carrots
Indulge in the simplicity and sweetness of carrots, transformed into a delectable main course or scrumptious side dish for pasta. The recipe’s charm lies in its minimalism, relying solely on salt, pepper, and dill to bring out the natural flavors. Feel free to add your personal touch with additional seasonings if that’s your style. These softly cooked carrot pieces are a perfect blend of healthiness, flavor, and ease, making them an excellent choice for a quick yet satisfying meal.
Spicy Cilantro Lime Summer Slaw
A unique Mexican-inspired twist is added to this coleslaw recipe, incorporating onions, corn, red peppers, jalapenos, cheese, and cilantro. The absence of rich and fatty mayonnaise allows for a refreshing, zesty, and light flavor profile. This is further enhanced by the use of a lime and olive oil dressing. For optimal results, it’s recommended to allow the slaw to marinate in the refrigerator overnight, allowing the flavors to meld together harmoniously.
Sauteed Asparagus & Mushrooms
When it comes to side dishes, simplicity can be a beautiful thing. This asparagus and mushroom sauté is a perfect example, requiring only a few ingredients to deliver big on flavor. The key is in the cooking method – by sautéing the vegetables in garlicky oil, you infuse them with a deep, savory taste that permeates each bite. This dish pairs beautifully with a hearty brisket dinner, but it’s also equally at home alongside a classic lasagna.
Cider Roasted Parsnips
Indulge in the delightful combination of roasted parsnips with a boozy twist – apple cider! The sweetness is amplified by a maple and cider glaze, while a hint of tanginess from cider vinegar provides perfect balance. This recipe offers a harmonious blend of flavors that will leave you craving more.
Chopped Veggie Salad
This salad bursts with freshness courtesy of its crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, vibrant bell peppers, and pungent onions. It’s an ideal accompaniment to any type of meat, offering a revitalizing bite that’s perfect for sizzling summer evenings. The tangy feta cheese and herby oregano-infused dressing lend a distinctly Greek flair, making it a delightful addition to your next outdoor gathering. For added depth and surprise, consider substituting the feta with creamy goat cheese.
Cucumber Salad with Dill
This refreshing salad is an excellent accompaniment to any protein-based main course. To allow its flavors to meld together harmoniously, refrigerate it for at least a few hours before serving cold. For added depth and complexity, experiment with combining both sweet and red onions – the former will impart a subtle sweetness, while the latter will introduce a tangy, pungent note.
Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
The natural sweetness of carrots is amplified to new heights when roasted using this method. The combination of herbs like parsley, garlic, and rosemary, along with a drizzle of honey, Dijon mustard, and olive oil, elevates the flavor profile to an unparalleled level of delightfulness.
Roasted Broccoli with Garlic Cheese Sauce
Indulge your taste buds in a delightful broccoli dish where tender florets are smothered in a rich, garlicky cheese sauce and garnished with the satisfying crunch of toasted almond slices. For added sophistication, this recipe employs a gourmet cheese spread – but feel free to substitute it with any meltable cheese to suit your taste. If almonds aren’t your thing, consider swapping them out for roasted pumpkin seeds or walnuts for a delightful textural contrast.
Instant Pot Cajun Corn on the Cob
In a mere 5 minutes, you can effortlessly prepare this scrumptious dish in the Instant Pot, making it an ideal choice for those seeking convenience and time-saving meal prep. With its silky texture, buttery flavor, and subtle Cajun spice notes that harmonize perfectly with red meat, particularly brisket, this side dish is sure to become a staple on your dinner table.
Carrot Cucumber Salad
Savory, sweet, and tangy, this classic side dish is a masterclass in balance. A medley of cucumber, carrots, and onion, all united by a drizzle of vinegar, creates a harmonious trio that complements any meal. The recipe’s subtle use of sugar adds depth without overpowering the other flavors, making it an essential addition to your culinary repertoire.
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Heirloom tomatoes, renowned for their milder flavor profile compared to regular tomatoes, bring a delightful twist to any salad. When paired with tangy pickled Vadala onions, crumbled feta cheese, and fragrant fresh herbs, they create a harmonious union of flavors. The combination is then elevated by the drizzle of rich Balsamic dressing and a splash of pickling juice, adding depth and complexity to the dish.
Raisin Coleslaw
While it’s true that brisket is often served with coleslaw, have you ever thought about shaking things up by adding a sweet and tangy twist? Raisins might seem like an unusual addition, but when combined with carrots and drizzled in a rich mayo dressing, the result is a game-changer. Trust us, once you take that first bite, you’ll be hooked – your fork won’t leave the plate!
Apple Slaw
Indulge in the harmonious union of crunchy scallion greens, rich mayo, and tangy sour cream dressing. The unexpected addition of apples to a classic coleslaw recipe is a game-changer, as each bite showcases their natural sweetness and textural contrast. For an even more refined experience, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to create a lighter, creamier delight.
Grilled Cauliflower Bacon Mac & Cheese
Cauliflower’s mild flavor makes it an ideal substitute for traditional carbs. Its versatility allows it to harmonize seamlessly with a wide range of seasonings and pairings. Consider combining it with the smoky richness of bacon and the creaminess of cheese, resulting in a decadent low-carb take on macaroni and cheese that’s sure to satisfy.
Beer Butter Mushrooms
Indulge in the rich flavors and aromas of these succulent mushrooms, elevated by a generous four tablespoons of butter and a medley of fresh herbs. The true game-changer, however, is the whole cup of Pilsner beer – any lager-style brew will do. Allow your mushroom mixture to simmer for approximately half an hour, and you’ll be rewarded with caps that are tenderly soft and infused with depth.
Smoked Baked Beans
In the Southern culinary tradition, baked beans are a natural pairing with red meat. The sweet and smoky flavors of this dish come together in perfect harmony when served alongside crispy bacon and a hint of warm cinnamon. It’s a match made in heaven that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. To achieve the full depth of flavor, it’s essential to stick to the recipe’s original ingredients, including molasses, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup – don’t be tempted to substitute them with alternatives.
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Imagine sinking your teeth into a creamy, savory, and indulgent potato casserole that perfectly complements the rich flavors of your slow-cooked brisket. The buttery goodness of this dish is elevated by the crunch of crispy bacon, the pungency of green onions, and the creaminess of melted cheese. Feel empowered to take it up a notch with a pinch of your favorite herbs and spices, and get ready for a match made in heaven.
Blue Cheese Coleslaw
The harmonious union of red cabbage and blue cheese is a match made in heaven! When combined with creamy mayo and tangy sour cream, this trio creates a silky-smooth side dish that’s sure to please. Meanwhile, the bright, citrusy zing from lemon juice and the rich umami flavor from Worcestershire sauce add an extra layer of depth to the recipe. Feel free to get creative with your choice of fresh herbs, incorporating those you enjoy the most for added freshness.
Cowboy Baked Beans
This bean bake is remarkably easy to prepare – simply combine all the ingredients, transfer them to a baking dish, and finish by sprinkling diced bacon on top. Allow it to bake for at least 90 minutes, during which time the rich flavors of tomato sauce, molasses, and crispy bacon will meld together perfectly.
BBQ Braised Cabbage with Bacon
When it comes to slow-cooked red meat, whether beef or pork, any side dish recipe that incorporates the phrase ‘BBQ’ is an ideal match. For instance, braised red cabbage with onions, garlic, bacon, and barbecue sauce is a delectable accompaniment. Its sweet and tangy flavors not only complement your sliced brisket but also elevate it to new heights when served in a sandwich alongside pulled meat.
Risotto with Butternut Squash & Green Beans
While a side of risotto might not be the most conventional choice, it’s definitely an option worth considering – especially when loaded with nutritious ingredients like green beans and butternut squash. The creamy, cheesy goodness of this dish is undeniable, offering a rich tapestry of flavors and textures that’s hard to resist. And the best part? It’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
Homemade Onion Rings
Crafting onion rings from scratch yields a simplicity that’s hard to beat. The secret to achieving those coveted crispy layers lies in allowing them to marinate in buttermilk for at least an hour. This step allows the coating to adhere flawlessly to the onion, resulting in a satisfying crunch that’s essential for a truly great onion ring experience.
Baked Green Bean Fries
Elevate the flavor of your next meal by pairing crispy breaded green beans with a show-stopping entrée like smoky brisket. The combination is sure to impress. For an added touch, consider serving them alongside a side of healthy fries and a creamy herbal dipping sauce that will delight even the most discerning palates.
Mexican Street Corn
The harmonious union of Mexican and brisket is a match made in culinary heaven. The trifecta of flavors and textures takes it to the next level when corn is introduced, ensuring your guests will be raving about your dish long after the plates are empty. To elevate this mouthwatering masterpiece, simply char the ingredients under the broiler, drizzle with a spicy mayo mixture, and sprinkle with the crumbly goodness of cotija cheese for a truly unforgettable dining experience.
