Nothing says BBQ like a slow-cooked brisket that’s been on the grill all day long.
Besides grilling, you can also cook brisket in a few different ways. For example, we’ve been cooking our briskets in the oven for years. Another great way to cook brisket is in a slow cooker if you have one of the extra-large ones. Nothing is better than some classic brisket side dishes.
With so much effort being put into one cut of meat, you want to make sure your brisket sides are just as flavorful. With every bite of your brisket melting in your mouth, you want your sides to do the same.
The art of slow-cooking a tender, flavorful brisket is an impressive culinary achievement. But a great brisket alone does not make a memorable meal. Choosing the ideal sides to accompany this succulent meat can elevate the dining experience to a whole new level. In this article, we will explore some delightful side dishes that perfectly complement a perfectly cooked brisket.
The key to selecting the perfect brisket side is finding a balance of flavors and textures. Sides should not overpower the taste of the slow-cooked meat but rather complement its richness and inherent smokiness. From hearty comfort food to refreshing salads, the possibilities are seemingly endless when it comes to pairing a delectable side with brisket.
As we venture into the world of brisket accompaniments, it’s crucial to consider how each side dish contributes to the overall palate and presentation of the meal. With the right selection, guests will be raving about not just the brisket, but the entire dining experience.
But if you want to savor the flavor and leave some for the next day, you will want to muster up a side deserving of the same plate space as your chopped brisket.
Here are 15 different side dishes for brisket that will make your mouth water and provide the perfect complement to your savory brisket.
Source: vindulge.com
11. Blackbean Salad
Instead of having a side that only has a few ingredients, try out this black bean salad that mixes together fresh veggies and greens that pair perfectly with your brisket.
Not only is this salad packed full of ingredients that are good for you, but it also tastes delicious on its own or with some brisket thrown on top.
Source: cookingclassy.com
2. Coleslaw
This is one of the best sides for a brisket recipe because it balances out all the flavors perfectly.
On one hand, you have the savory and juicy brisket that will overload your palette with one bite. On the other hand, you have a healthy and clean tasting coleslaw that couldn’t be more different, yet couldn’t go together any better.
What makes the coleslaw even better is it takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Once you throw your brisket on the grill you won’t have to spend a bunch of time trying to prepare a big side.
Coleslaw is pretty adaptable too so you can mix up the recipe in any way you want and still come out with an excellent pair to your brisket.
You just want to make sure you’re prepping the coleslaw well in advance because it will take some time for the cabbage and veggies to soak up the flavors. You also want to give it plenty of time to chill so it can be the cold compliment to your hot smoked beef brisket.
Source: aspicyperspective.com
3. Jalapeno Hushpuppies
Hushpuppies are great with a number of dishes and a great backyard BBQ is no different.
The only twist on this classic staple is adding a little bit of jalapenos to the mix to give it a touch of spice.
The spice goes perfectly with your brisket and these hushpuppies are easy to make.
Making a side of remoulade sauce isn’t a bad idea when putting them on the table.
Source: afamilyfeast.com
4. Corn Pudding
In the south, a good corn pudding is all you need when serving up a big plate of barbeque.
It’s usually served sweet but you can always change up the recipe slightly to add a more savory taste.
Take a little thyme and onions and throw it in with your corn pudding and you’ll feel real fancy with your elevated corn pudding.
You don’t want to serve your corn pudding if it isn’t quite done cooking, so you can poke the center with a fork and if nothing sticks to the fork, you’re ready to serve.
Source: simmplymaderecipes.com
5. Creamed Corn
This sweet and delectable treat goes well with a nice and juicy barbecue brisket because the flavors balance themselves out.
Just make enough for everyone because people tend to take a couple of extra spoonfuls with their BBQ.
Source: allrecipes.com
6. Baked Beans
Wondering what to serve with brisket? Baked beans are a classic that never goes out of style because they are sweet and even a little bit smoky, just like your barbecued brisket.
Canned beans are quick to make, but if you want your guests talking about your meal for weeks to come, you need to start from scratch.
Use a sweet and thick bbq sauce like the ones with cider molasses and throw any other ingredients you love, like cheese, onions, bacon, and more.
Source: relish.com
7. Brazilian Tomato Slaw
You’ve probably never even heard of Brazilian tomato slaw, but it’s one of the best brisket sides.
Extremely fresh and herbaceous, this side is a great balancer for your savory brisket.
The dish is easy to make too. Gather up the tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, cilantro, parsley, and other ingredients into a big bowl and let them sit for a few hours.
You want all the flavors to come together before serving. If you have the patience, you’ll love the end result.
Source: gimmesomeoven.com
8. Scalloped Potatoes
Potatoes are great with any dish and there’s no exception with a healthy plate of sliced brisket.
Scalloped potatoes are a twist on the classic baked potato but they have all the same great flavors.
Mix some cheese, cream, butter, or chives with your potatoes to make them really pop.
The trick with scalloped potatoes is getting them the right size. You’ll need to slice them very carefully or use a machine like a mandolin or hand held chopper.
Source: bunnyswarmoven.com
9. Carrots
You might be used to chopping some carrots up and using them as a filler in some other dish, but you can actually dress carrots up to be the star of the meal.
Roast them in the oven with some olive oil, salt, and pepper and you’ll be kicking yourself that you haven’t tried them earlier.
For a real treat, get some different colored carrots to make your meal fun and colorful.
Source: recipetineats.com
10. Mac & Cheese
Mac and cheese are one of the best sides for brisket and there are more ways to make delicious mac and cheese than you would think.
This recipe leaves a nice crunchy crust on the top layer but still leaves the gooey, cheesy middle.
Combing the savory and smoky flavors of your brisket with the rich and creamy mac and cheese will surely put everyone to bed after a good portion.
You can even add some bacon or truffle oil to your mac and cheese, but be careful, you might not be able to stop eating it!
Source: pickyeaterblog.com
11. Steamed Asparagus
The savory and smoky flavor of your brisket can be overwhelming if it isn’t balanced with a cleaner and healthier side.
That’s what makes asparagus so good with your brisket and steaming, it makes your side even healthier.
Add a little lemon juice on top and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to round out your asparagus.
Source: thecabindiary.com
12. Brussels Sprouts
A lot of people don’t appreciate the complexities of Brussels sprouts, but when you pair them with a satiating plate of brisket, it goes perfectly!
Roasting them in the oven is the better option to bring out the flavors Brussels has to offer but you want to cook them at the right temp.
You should see some of the leaves start to peel away from the center and a slight burn on some of the edges when they are ready.
This side dish is extremely easy to make too, because you only need some salt and pepper to season.
Source: creationsbykara.com
13. Dinner Rolls
There’s no better way to soak up all that delicious brisket juice than with some fluffy and golden brown dinner rolls.
This is also a great way to fill up your guests with bread, so you can have a little more brisket to eat as leftovers throughout the week.
Save your burnt ends and throw them on a roll throughout the week for an excellent snack.
Source: itisakeeper.com
14. Corn on the Cob
Looking for an easy side dish that takes no time to prep? Corn on the cob has been paired with smoked brisket for generations and it’s never going to stop.
You can prepare corn in a number of ways, but since you already have the grill going, why not make the most of it?
Slather some butter on top and throw a little seasoning of any kind before putting it on the grill.
For a more advanced side, you could even cut the corn off the cob to create your own elote. Add in some tomatoes, cilantro, chili powder, and cheese and guests will be asking you to make it at their next event.
Source: pauladeen.com
15. Grilled Potato Skins
Grilled potato skins on their own are good enough to serve with some beef brisket, but adding on some extra toppings really makes this side stand out.
Since you already have your grill going, it takes no extra effort to pop in some potato skins to get them grilled.
You’ll want to slice your potatoes in half and hollow them out so you can start adding your toppings.
You can add bacon, chives, sour cream, or butter to your spuds, but you can also use any ingredients you love with potatoes.
15 Brisket Sides For Your Next Cookout (+Carrots)
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots peeled and sliced
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- Pepper
- 1 tsp. thyme
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Whisk the oil and spices together in a bowl.
- Put the seasoned carrots on a rimmed baking pan.
- Roast for 20 minutes.
Notes
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.
Nutrition
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