Brisket is usually flavored with barbecue sauce, onions, and carrots, and smoked or slow-braised to perfection. No matter which method you choose, the key is to give the meat ample time to cook to achieve that signature soft, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness every good brisket has. I have to admit, I can easily devour brisket all on its own. But if you’re going to serve this dish to guests, you’ll want to give them a few sides to eat with this delectable dish. Here are 14 savory side dishes that will transform your brisket into a savory feast. From creamy coleslaw and baked beans, to corn pudding and scalloped potatoes, we’ve got you covered.
1. Coleslaw
Hosting a party can sometimes get overwhelming. To make your life easier, why not serve a super simple side dish to go with brisket? Coleslaw only takes 5 minutes to prepare, and it’s incredibly delicious! The combination of sweet and tangy flavors, plus the crunchiness of the cabbage and carrots balances out the richness and tenderness of the brisket, making them the perfect pair. And because coleslaw is such a popular dish, you’ll know it will never disappoint. Whether you use the traditional creamy mayo dressing or the refreshing apple cider vinaigrette, a colorful coleslaw will always be a crowd-pleaser. Pro-tip: prepare your coleslaw at least 4 hours before serving that way, the veggies have enough time to soak up all the flavors of your chosen dressing. Plus, it’s always extra good when served chilled.
2. Corn Pudding
Corn pudding is a classic comfort dish that will perfectly complete your brisket meal. It’s usually a sweet dish, but you can give it a more interesting twist with a savory flavor. This little switch up will make corn pudding a better fit for your brisket. If you want to try it, all you need is to infuse your regular corn pudding recipe with some thyme and onions. For the best corn pudding, be sure to check for doneness by poking the center with a knife. The pudding should be a little jiggly, but the knife should come out clean.
3. Baked Beans
Just like brisket, baked beans have a sweet and smoky flavor, which is why they are wonderful together. You can always serve your guests some canned beans, but why settle for that when you can make them a nice homemade dish instead? Flavor your beans with cider-molasses barbecue sauce and infuse them with bacon, peppers, and onions for a savory feast your guests will never forget.
4. Scalloped Potatoes
Who doesn’t love potatoes, am I right? Truthfully, no matter how you cook spuds, they’re a sure-fire hit with any crowd. But you know what tastes the most amazing with brisket? Scalloped potatoes! Aside from the thinly sliced potatoes, what makes them a cut above the rest is its creamy, cheesy, buttery, and smokey flavor. To get that signature potato cut, you’ll need to slice them into 1/8-inch thin rounds. While you can do this manually, it’s much better if you have a chopping gadget, like a mandolin, to ensure uniform-shaped cuts.
5. Mac & Cheese
Mac & cheese is a fool-proof way to make any meal even more irresistible. Think about it – sweet, savory, and smoky brisket served with a bowl of starchy, rich, and cheesy macaroni and cheese. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a great idea to me! You know what will make it even better? Top it with some crispy bacon crumbs! The smokiness of the bacon perfectly matches the flavor of the brisket. Alternately, you could also make mac & cheese Southern-style by giving it a hearty and crunchy breadcrumb topping. This tastes fantastic with brisket as well.
6. Brussels Sprouts
I’m sure you’ll skip this section, but please don’t! Guys, please give Brussels sprouts a chance. Because when you cook them the right way, they taste amazing… especially with brisket. The key to making delicious Brussels sprouts is timing. Over-cooking them is what gives them that bitter taste and foul smell. Depending on your desired consistency, roast your Brussels sprouts at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes. All you need is a little olive oil, kosher salt, and ground pepper. This results in crispy, caramelized little bites of heaven.
7. Grilled Potato Skins
Apart from scalloped potatoes, grilled potato skins are also a family favorite. It’s especially perfect because you’ve already got that grill fired up for the brisket, so you might as well maximize it. To make potato skins, slice potatoes in half and hollow them out with a spoon. Microwave the potatoes for 6-7 minutes to pre-cook them. Slather them with butter and grill them for 5 minutes with the skin side up. Flip the spuds and cook for another 3 minutes. Top the potatoes with sour cream, onion, and bacon, and serve. Yum!
8. Corn on the Cob
Whether you boil, grill, or microwave it, corn on the cob is always a crowd-favorite. It’s sweet, juicy, and it’s fun to eat! Corn on the cob doesn’t need much to turn it from good to great – just slather it in butter. You can’t go wrong with topping it with some bacon bits and crumbled cheese, either! But, you know what will make things even more interesting? If you turn the simple corn on the cob into elote, a classic Mexican street food. To make, slather it with mayonnaise and top with cilantro, cotija cheese, chili powder, and drizzle it with freshly squeezed lime juice. So delicious!
9. Dinner Rolls
Brisket is a scrumptious and saucy dish, so you’ll want to pair it with a dish that can soak up all of that insanely delicious sauce. What better fit than some soft and buttery dinner rolls? Not only are they a great candidate for sopping up the excess sauce off your plate, but dinner rolls are also hearty. With this brisket and bread combo, you and your guests are sure to leave the dinner table full and happy.
10. Steamed Asparagus
Brisket is already so rich and delectable, you might want a simple dish to balance things out. This easy microwaved asparagus side might be exactly what you need. You can serve them flavored with lemon and pepper, or topped with browned butter. Whichever way you choose, the asparagus will surely give a light contrast to the heavy brisket.
11. Carrots
Carrots are more commonly used as a support ingredient, and rarely ever the star dish. But this simple crop has such a beautiful sweet flavor, it deserves to get the spotlight from time to time. At your next brisket feast, why not cook up some spring carrots flavored with broth, vinegar, and brown sugar? I guarantee you; it is irresistibly good, and will surely be eaten up in minutes.
12. Brazilian Tomato Slaw
This dish may not be the most common side dish, but I promise it tastes good with brisket. Give your dinner an interesting twist by serving a side of Brazilian tomato slaw. Simply combine tomatoes, onions, red bell peppers, cucumber, green onions, cilantro, parsley, lime juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Prepare 3 hours in advance to allow the flavors to marry. This dish tastes particularly great with brisket flavored with chili powder, paprika, and cumin.
13. Creamed Corn
Corn really forms a wonderful partnership with brisket, and that’s why I’m adding another corn dish to the list. Creamed corn has a beautiful balance of sweet and savory, which makes it irresistible and addictive. The only problem that might arise is the creamed corn disappearing too fast! But that’s certainly not a bad problem to have.
14. Beer Batter Hushpuppies
Last on our list is a North Carolina staple. Hushpuppies are golden and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and simply irresistible. They’re also incredibly easy to make, so if you’re looking for a fool-proof way to impress your guests, you can never go wrong with beer batter hushpuppies. Want to add more flavor to these deep-fried balls of cornmeal batter? Infuse them with jalapeno peppers and onion and taste the difference. Click on a star to rate it!
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