Some of us have very fond memories of family dinners where the dining table was laid out with a delicious meal of pot roast. It was probably during the holiday season or just a weekend family dinner and everyone in the house gathered to fill their stomachs with a warm and hearty pot of roast beef.
A pot roast probably brings up a lot of such good memories! A savory pot roast is indeed the most comforting meal. It is made by slowly cooking a cut of beef, like a chuck roast or a round roast, in heat and moisture. Commonly, a bunch of flavorful veggies is added into the pot and left to cook and imbibe all the rich flavors. Popular vegetables used are carrots, beans, or potatoes.
1. Enhancing Your Pot Roast Experience
Are you tired of using the same side dishes to serve with pot roast and want to level things up? Or are you preparing pot roast for the first time and want to pick the best side that will make your meal a success? Either way, if you are wondering about eating pot roast, here is a list of the best pot roast sides that will make your comfort food even more appetizing and satisfying.
There are endless options for a roast beef side dish recipe. You could use a variety of textures and combinations according to your preference. You could use potatoes if you love them or any good old vegetables as a side. Anything that complements the savory pot roast, works very well. Let us look at some of the best side dishes to serve with pot roast:
2. Potato Dishes
By popular opinion, potato side dishes are the ones that go best with a good roast beef. Who doesn’t love potatoes? Potatoes are very versatile. You could bake, mash, or fry them, but it makes your mouth water every time you serve it with a roast beef dinner.
Here is a curated list of all kinds of potato side dishes that one can serve with a good pot roast dinner. Choose the one that best suits your preferences, try it, and enjoy!
2.1. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are simple and very easy to make, undoubtedly a classic dish that has adorned many tables alongside a pot roast diner. The creamy and soft texture of mashed potatoes pair perfectly with a savory meat dish.
You can prepare plain mashed potatoes with some salt and cream. You can even add some peas for the crunch. Sour cream is also a good addition to mashed potatoes, which makes it creamier and tastier. You can add rosemary or even garlic and switch things up and make garlic mashed potatoes!
2.2. Fried Potatoes
The French fries dish is a very popular one to have along with pot roast. It is so simple to put together, but so enjoyable. It is one of the quickest sides to make. Just cut up some regular or sweet potatoes and fry them until crisp and golden brown. Use the air fryer if you want to avoid the oil and grease.
After you get the crispy sweet potato fries out of the air fryer, add any kind of seasoning or spice that you want. Paprika, herbs, thyme, parsley, any of these when sprinkled over the crispy fries, will elevate the perfect pot roast. Serve it with ketchup, mayonnaise, a cheese dip, or a green coriander sauce!
2.3. Baked Potatoes
You can prepare baked potatoes in the oven, in the pot, or in the air fryer. Whichever way you prepare it, baked potatoes never disappoint. Soft on the inside and crispy and smoky on the outside, this delicious side dish is a forever favorite.
2.4. Roasted Potatoes
Yes, you can pair roast beef dishes with roasted potatoes. You can prepare a classic Spanish potato roast as well. Start by cutting chunks of potatoes and laying them out on a large dish. Drizzle them with olive oil and add salt and garlic. Pop them into the oven and enjoy when done! Fingerling potatoes or even sweet potatoes work well for these roasted potato recipes.
2.5. Scalloped Potatoes
You must have heard of this dish at some point in your life. Why not try it out with a pot roast? Scalloped potatoes can be prepared with very basic and obtainable ingredients. The thin and soft layer of potatoes along with the abundance of cheese, will make everyone’s mouth water!
3. Vegetable Side Dishes
3.1. Boiled Broccoli or Roasted Broccoli
As a very healthy option among the pot roast sides, broccoli can be prepared by roasting it or plain boiling it in water. You can choose other vegetables of your liking to steam. Broccoli when steamed and seasoned with salt, pepper, lemon juice, or olive oil serves as a delicious side for any meat recipe.
Alternatively, you can cut up broccoli and roast using an air fryer. This simple and easy side dish might be a good way to introduce nutritious vegetables to kids in an appetizing manner!
3.2. Asparagus
There are a multitude of ways in which you could prepare asparagus. Air fryer asparagus roast, oven-roasted asparagus, steamed asparagus, cheese-baked asparagus, grilled asparagus – the list goes on. You can even sauté it along with mushrooms and other vegetables in butter.
While serving with pot roast, sprinkle some fresh herbs on top, or top it with some cheese. Asparagus fries or crispy baked asparagus go especially well with parmesan cheese. If you are looking for something very easy to put together but does not disappoint in taste, an easy asparagus dish is what you should go for!
3.3. Brussels Sprouts
Another popular vegetable which is very popular with pot roast, is Brussels sprouts. When prepared well, it is mouth-watering and very snackable. Roasted Brussels sprouts can be prepared in the oven or the air fryer with salt, black pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice added to it.
Some kind of dressing is always used with Brussels sprouts to give it a smoky taste. You can use red wine vinaigrette. Some also prefer the combination of Balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. A simple pan-fried Brussels sprouts can also be a delicious side dish option!
3.4. Carrots
Yes, carrots are generally added in the pot roast to be cooked along with the meat, nevertheless, this vegetable can be used to make many delectable side dishes that will instantly make your roast beef dinner better.
Some options are honey garlic roasted carrots, plain roasted carrots with herb garnishing, and pan-cooked carrots. Another dish is that of sautéed carrots with beef and maple syrup. Maple carrot is quite a popular side dish. The rich flavor of the meat contrasts with the sweet, caramelized carrots to create a burst of taste in your mouth!
3.5. Corn on the Cob
Probably the easiest dish to prepare among the ones on this list boiled corn on the cob is sweet and simple. The sweet and juicy flavor of boiled corn is very complementary to the rich pot roast.
Just make sure to not add salt to the water while boiling it, or else it will toughen. Keep it soft and juicy and while serving add salt, pepper, and lemon juice. It will taste heavenly! If you want to opt for corn kernels, you can do that too! Prepare a creamy dish with sweet corn kernels, or even a tangy or buttery one, and enjoy!
3.6. Green Beans
Holiday pot roast dinners are incomplete without some green beans. Sautéed green beans in butter, with some nuts like almond, walnut, or peanut, is a great holiday side dish.
Make creamy green beans in German style. Or toss it in a pan with nuts, lemon, and garlic to make a buttery garlic-y delicacy. It tastes amazing! You can combine it with boiled potatoes and some sauce and devour it. If you go for something slightly fancier, you can prepare a green bean casserole with a rich layer of cheese on top.
4. Fried Rice
If you love Asian cuisine, you will love to try a fried rice recipe with pot roast. To prepare fried rice, you need all the tasty and flavorful veggies and cooked white rice. Stir fry the rice and vegetables in a wok or pan.
You can add peas, chopped carrots, bell pepper, onion and garlic. Meat, eggs, or seafood like shrimp go very well in a fried rice recipe. Add a sauce of your choice for flavor -you can use oyster sauce, fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or soy sauce. Garnish with celery or green onion.
5. Salads
Salads are the champion of all side dishes. Healthy as well as filling, salads can be easily paired with pot roast. You can make your go-to salad recipe or even try out any kind of new salad! Here are some of the best salads that go with pot roast. Add some greens to the plate by choosing any of the following salads to make!
5.1. Green Goddess Salad
The green goddess dressing has regained popularity in recent years. The dressing is made of ingredients like parsley, sour cream, chives, anchovies, and lemon juice. Prepare a green salad with it and serve it as a side dish!
To make the salad even greener, chop up and add green vegetables like cucumber, cabbage, lettuce, kale, and basil. You can garnish it with chopped nuts or berries.
5.2. Potato Salad
We have already seen the potato side dishes that pair well with pot roast. You should also try the classic potato salad. Creamy and delicious, a potato salad can be prepared with any kind of potatoes you like.
Chopped boiled eggs and potatoes are added to a mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, celery, and herbs to create this delicacy.
5.3. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is probably the most popular salad option. It has a base of finely shredded cabbage with a mayonnaise or vinaigrette dressing. It is a very well-loved side dish, popular all over the world. It will bring the freshness and the crunch to a pot roast dinner.
A dressing of Greek Yoghurt gives the salad a creamy texture that contrasts with the crunchy cabbage. It is worth trying out!
5.4. Romaine Salad
The main ingredient in Romaine salad is Romaine lettuce. The salad comprises chopped Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, parmesan cheese, and, most importantly, an olive oil dressing. If you love Lettuce salads, this is the one you should try as a side dish.
5.5. Avocado Salad
Avocado salad is a delightful mix of rich avocados, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and green onions dressed in lime juice and fresh herbs. Add in some flavorful quinoa to make it even better!
Refreshing and creamy, an avocado and quinoa salad is a perfect and hearty dish to serve with pot roast. A Spinach salad or a Kale salad are also recipes worth trying!
6. Bread Options
You can never go wrong with serving bread as a side dish to pot roast. It is a classic, and even very useful for eating the last drops of the delicious gravy of pot roasts!
6.1. Bread Rolls
Although freshly made homemade bread rolls can be considered superior by many, store-bought dinner rolls work well for a side dish. Bread rolls are soft and fluffy, and have the right amount of buttery that will get anyone drooling. All kinds of bread have traditionally been used as side dishes with pot roast. Feel free to bring an assortment of your favorite kinds of bread to the table! Some more are:
- Breadsticks
- Rye Bread
- Almond bread
7. Noodles and Pasta:
7.1. Mac and Cheese
Nothing can beat the classic Mac and Cheese. A creamy mac and cheese heals the soul. Macaroni and cheese can be made in an instant pot or you make Baked Mac and Cheese in an oven.
The cheeses most popularly used to prepare this classic comfort food are Gouda cheese, Gruyere cheese, or sharp Cheddar cheese. This is the cheesiest and most lip-smacking pasta side dish you will find, and it tastes great with pot roast!
7.2. Gigi Hadid Pasta
We have heard of and seen the Gigi Hadid pasta all over social media. It has gone viral on platforms like TikTok. Why not try it at home and serve it during your roast beef dinner?
It is essentially an Italian Spicy Vodka Pasta. It is creamy, rich, and greatly loaded with different flavors. Although this is a meal on its own, you can serve Gigi Hadid pasta as a side with pot roast.
8. Desserts
Why should you not include some dessert options as a side dish? After the meaty richness of the main dish, people will crave something sweet. The sweet taste will balance all the rich flavors and create a warm, complete meal. So, it is good to be ready with one of these dessert ideas!
8.1. Baked Apples
Delicious and juicy baked apples, caramelized and infused with the taste of cinnamon- what more could one want? With healthy ingredients like raisins, coconut, and brown sugar stuffed in the core of the apple, this delicacy is the perfect way to end a hearty meal of pot roast. Give it a try! Some well-known desserts can accompany a pot roast but need no further elaboration. They are:
- Cheesecake
- Custard pie
- Strawberries and cream
9. Final Words
When there is a pot roast for a meal, it feels like a holiday or some special occasion. Thus, the sides that are served with pot roast should be perfectly chosen, to enhance the essence of the meal.
Side dishes should not be so flavorful that it overpowers the main dish. But it should be an accompaniment that adds the final touch. Hope this list helped you find the perfect side dish for your meal!
Last Updated on by Sathi