Best Side Dishes for Brisket

What to Serve with Brisket – Here Are the Top 30 Side Dishes for 2024

Brisket is a sophisticated classic and homey comfort food. It’s excellent as a centerpiece element at a holiday dinner or as a weekday supper. Looking for some ideas on the side dishes to serve? Whether you are going for traditional, family, or casual with side dishes, you’ll learn all there is to know about what to serve with brisket.

What to Serve with Brisket

When serving side dishes with beef brisket pairs, there are several options to choose from. This is important when planning for a big company event when you are serving brisket, how much brisket per person, and what entree and sides to serve. The most popular and simple side dish is creamy potato salad. This is because it’s easy to make, tastes great, and can be served warm or cold. Other familiar side dishes include Asian avocado peanut coleslaw, macaroni salad, baked beans, cornbread, and more. Since there are hundreds of them, we classified them into mixed vegetables, potatoes, and easy-to-prepare side dishes, then numbered them down to the tastiest and most popular ones.

What Vegetables to Serve as a Side with Brisket

1) Smoked Brussel Sprouts

Brussel sprouts are divisive, to say the least. This dish is for all of the sprout lovers out there, but it’s also for people who haven’t yet discovered a favorite taste. It differs from your standard salted or balsamic vinegar-roasted vegetables. Place them in the smoker and see what happens. It transforms the soft texture and natural flavors of your Brussel sprouts entirely.

2) Baby Carrots with Dill

Baby carrots have been around since the early 1900s. They were originally used as a way to keep kids away from sweets. Today, they’re grown specifically for their sweet, crunchy texture. They’re delicious raw, roasted, sautéed, steamed, grilled, boiled, fried, and even pickled. You can use these baby carrots with any kind of Protein really – see our recipe for glazed carrots.

3) Simple Green Beans

Green beans are an inexpensive vegetable that goes well with many foods. They are best cooked until tender but still crisp. Try adding bacon bits, garlic, lemon zest, and fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano if you want to get fancy. See how many Green Beans You Need To Serve For Lots Of People At Thanksgiving.

4) Steamed Squash

Squash has long been considered a spring vegetable side dish. But it’s actually available year-round. It’s high in fiber, low in calories, and packed with vitamins A and C. Try this favorite recipe: stream the squash until just tender, drain, and toss with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and fresh dill.

Squash Pairs Well With Brisket
Squash Pairs Well With Brisket

5) Parsnip Latkes

Parsnips are another root vegetable that’s often overlooked. These roots are sweeter than turnips and rutabagas. They’re also smaller, so they cook faster. That means less time spent waiting for them to become tender.

6) Sweet Potato Healthy Baked Fries

Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite vegetables. I love how versatile they are. They’re perfect for baking, roasting, grilling, frying, boiling, and making mashed potatoes. Plus, they’re loaded with nutrients like vitamin A and potassium. For Brisket I like to cut them into strips and bake them in the oven so they turn into crisp sweet potato healthy baked fries.

You can serve these with beef or pork brisket.

7) Roast Vegetable Melody

Roast vegetables are always a crowd-pleaser. If you don’t have much time, try using frozen vegetables. Frozen veggies will take a little longer to roast.

8) Minted Garden Peas

Mint peas are a great accompaniment to any meal. They’re easy to prepare and will add color and flavor to your dish. If you want to try something new, I recommend serving them alongside the brisket.  If you do not have fresh peas, choose baby peas from the freezer in your local supermarket. You can mix your peas up with chopped brisket the taste combination is amazing.

9) Collard Greens With Bacon

The collard greens are deliciously served alongside the brisket. They’re hearty enough to stand up to the meat but still light enough to not overwhelm it. If you want to add another layer of flavor, try serving them with a creamy mashed potato topping and some bacon bits.

10) Amazing Corn Side Dish Recipes For Your Choice

The best way to enjoy corn is by roasting it. Roasted corn has a sweeter flavor than boiled corn. To roast corn, cut off the kernels from the cob, then toss them into a hot oven. Bake for 10 minutes per pound (about 400 degrees Fahrenheit) or until tender. Cool before serving.

11) Corn on the Cob

If you like corn on the cob, The best way to cook corn on the cob is to boil it first. Remove the husk and silk from the corn kernels. Then boil them until they change color.

If you don’t want to boil the corn, you can grill it instead. Grilling will give you slightly charred corn, but not as tender as boiled corn.

What Side Dishes of Potatoes to Serve with Brisket

12) Scalloped Potatoes

Potatoes are versatile. They go well with almost everything. Scalloped potatoes are a delicious side dish that’s perfect for holidays and special occasions. They’re made by mixing cubed potatoes with milk, cream, cheese, and seasonings. Then they’re topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden brown.

Potatoes Are A Top Brisket Side Dish
Potatoes Are a Top Brisket Side Dish in Fact More than 80 Percent of Brisket Is Served with A Potato Side Dish

13) Grilled Potato Skins

Grilling potatoes gives them a crispy exterior and soft interior. Plus, they’re already seasoned before cooking. So you don’t need much else on top. Just grill up some thick slices of Idaho potatoes, let them cool, remove the skins, and serve.

14) Oven Roasted Potatoes

Baking potatoes is one of my favorite ways to eat them. They come out perfectly every time. And they’re a breeze to prepare. Simply cut the potatoes lengthwise, place them in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake potatoes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

15) Au Gratin Potatoes

Au gratin potatoes are French-style mashed potatoes that are sprinkled with cheese and then baked potatoes until bubbly and golden brown. They’re traditionally served alongside beef dishes, but they’re great with other meats too.

16) Parmesan Roasted Mashed Potatoes

Mashed roasted potato is almost everyone’s comfort food. After a big meal, there’s nothing better than a warm bowl of creamy goodness with parmesan cheese. The key to making good mashed potatoes is using the right type of potato. Yukon Golds are firmer and sturdier than Russet potatoes. This makes them ideal for mashing because they hold their shape when cooked. See here how much mashed potato you need for a crowd.

17) French Fries

No list of potato sides would be complete without including french fries. They go with brisket and can even be covered in a rich brisket gravy for extra taste.

18) Pub Style Wedges

Taking Yukon gold potatoes, cutting them into wedges and parboiling them will let you cook these quickly for your guests on the big day. I would sprinkle with a little cayene pepper or similar if you want to turn them into spicy wedges.

What Other Side Dishes to Serve with Brisket

19) Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a refreshing accompaniment to beef smoky brisket. In addition to being crunchy, coleslaw is full of vitamin C. It’s also loaded with complex flavor. Try serving your slaw with pulled pork or tender brisket, making it the perfect side dish for any occasion.

20) Baked Beans

Beans are hearty enough to stand alone as a main course. But they’re even more delicious when paired with savory brisket. I love these baked beans from Smoky Mountain Smokehouse. They have a sweet-tangy sauce that complements the smokiness of smoked meats.

21) Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is an old-fashioned American classic. It’s usually made with elbow macaroni, which is shaped like a small tube. It’s perfect for scooping up with brisket sandwiches and Texan brisket. If you want to make a vegetarian version, try this dish.

22) French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a hearty stew that’s perfect for cold winter days. It can be made vegetarian by substituting vegetable stock for chicken broth. This is a better option if you want to go for a vegan option for a delicious side dish.

French Onion Soup Pairs Well With Brisket
French Onion Soup Pairs Well With Brisket

23) Dinner Rolls

Brisket is a delicious and spicy dish, so you’ll want to serve it with something that can absorb all of the rich sauce. What could be a better match than some soft and buttery dinner rolls? Not only are they ideal for absorbing excess sauce off your plate, but they’re also hearty enough to fill you up. With this barbecue and bread combination, you’ll be sure to leave the dinner table full and satisfied.

24) Fresh Baguette

Who does not like making their own homemade brisket sub themselves. This is always a winner, plus if you have some rich beef gravy to pour on the top then you can really put almost anything on your Brisket Baguette.

25) Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is also one of my favorites. It’s super easy to prepare and it tastes great! Not only that you can make it in advance if you are having a big group over for a BBQ. My grandma used to make this dish often during the holidays, but she would always add bacon and ham to give it a little extra flavor. I love adding those ingredients to mine too.

26) Corn Bread

Fresh Cornbread is moist and flavorful. I like it best with butter, but it would also go well with maple syrup to sweeten up the brisket. This is one of the best sides to serve with brisket if you are serving it for breakfast. Cornbread can also be served with sticky beef brisket and Texan brisket.

27) Garden Salad

Garden salads are always fresh and healthy. You can pair it with brisket and other meat dishes to get a complete meal. A garden salad is a good choice because it has many different vegetables and fruits. It’s also a versatile dish because you can change the dressing according to your taste. See our guide on how to choose a salad for your BBQ

28) Asparagus Enhances the Taste of Brisket

I love asparagus and the unique flavor it has. This flavor goes so well with brisket and leaves a blended aftertaste which is quite different. Mind, you need to like asparagus of course.

Toss some fresh asparagus in olive oil and cover in your favorite seasonings. Then char it over the coals on the BBQ right before you ate about to eat.

29) Pinto Beans

Beans really are a great go-to dish when served with brisket. I prefer pinto beans, but you can equally use other styles of beans.

Here’s is what you do. Dry the canned pinto beans, add in some finely diced onion and beans seasoning of your choice. You can stir them quickly on the grill and they become a great dish in their own right. 

For the bean, for seasoning use salt, pepper, red pepper powder along with some garlic powder. Add more herbs if you want further flavor.

Question: What does everyone here serve with brisket

30)  Kimchi

Kimchi, I have left till last, because you either hate it or love it. If you do love it then most people will agree it goes well with brisket.

What are the Tips in Serving Brisket With Side Dishes in a Gathering

To help you stay sane while serving huge amounts of food for a dinner party, here are some tips to follow if you want to get organized and hassle-free. 

1) Set Up Your Food and Brisket Ahead of Time

It’s best to set up your food ahead of time so you can get everything ready before your guests arrive. You’ll want to start preparing your meat early. This will allow you to cook it slowly over low heat without drying out the meat.

2) Make Sure Everyone Has Enough Space at your Brisket BBQ

Don’t crowd your guests at the buffet table. Instead, divide Brisket and food into individual bowls or plates and place them on the table. That way, people won’t feel crowded while eating.

3) Have Plenty of Plates

Most people will put the sides and brisket on one plate. You don’t need a lot of dishes to feed a large group. Just keep plenty of plates available so everyone has one.

4) Keep Everything Fresh and You Brisket Warm

Keep your vegetables crisp and fresh by keeping them covered in plastic wrap until you’re ready to use them. Don’t let them sit around for too long. And remember to remove any condiments from the refrigerator before serving.

5) Add More Side Dishes To Make the Brisket go Further

If there isn’t enough variety on the table, add more side dishes. For example, if you’re serving potato salad, you might consider adding cornbread, green beans, or carrots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Serve with Brisket on A Bun?

The most common sides served with brisket are coleslaw, potato salad, and macaroni salad. These are all great options because they complement the natural flavor of the brisket.

What is a brisket serving per person – see our brisket serving guide.

How Do You Serve Smoked Brisket?

Smoked brisket is traditionally served with mashed potatoes, cornbread, and coleslaw. The key to making suitable side dishes is choosing ones that go well together. Try pairing the different flavors of brisket with each other.

What Are the Appetizers for Brisket Dinner?

Appetizers are often served alongside a big meal, such as brisket. They are meant to whet your appetite and give you a little bit of energy before the main course. Popular appetizers include fried pickles, cheese balls, deviled eggs, and potato chips.

What Is Traditionally Served with Brisket?

The most popular food to traditionally served with brisket is mashed potato followed by homemade coleslaw, french fries, and corn.

What Are the Best Salads to Go with Brisket?

 One of the most popular is a garden salad.

See our easy guide how to choose the best salad for you party, and what are the top salads in America.