Corned beef is often the go-to comfort food when it comes to satisfying hearty cravings. Its harmonious blend of spices, saltiness, meaty flavor and subtle tanginess makes it a staple in many households. But what really sets corned beef apart is its incredible versatility. With so many ways to serve it, deciding on the perfect side dish can be overwhelming. From classic pairings to innovative twists, there are countless options to explore.
To simplify your meal planning and spark some inspiration, we’ve curated a comprehensive list of our favorite corned beef side dishes. Get ready to dive into 17 mouth-watering recipes that will take your cooking game to the next level.
Honey Mustard Sauce
A sauce can elevate an ordinary meal into an extraordinary one, with the right balance of flavors making all the difference. When it comes to pairing a sauce with corned beef, having a flavorful and bold accompaniment is crucial. This honey mustard sauce recipe delivers just that, thanks to its unique blend of mayonnaise, honey, two types of mustard, apple cider vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, and salt.
To prepare the sauce, simply combine these ingredients until they reach a smooth and velvety consistency.
Roasted Cabbage Steaks
To elevate your cabbage side dish game when serving with corned beef, consider roasting it instead. By seasoning the cabbage and then roasting it, you’ll unlock a deeper flavor profile and a satisfying texture. We’ve developed a custom seasoning blend for this recipe that combines paprika, garlic powder, and salt to create a slightly spicy taste experience that complements corned beef nicely.
What’s more, this recipe takes just 35 minutes to prepare, making it an excellent option for those seeking a quick and easy solution. As an added bonus, this vegan-friendly recipe is suitable for all plant-based enthusiasts.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes have a way of becoming a trusted companion in the kitchen. Their versatility and reliability make them a staple for many, and this garlic mashed potatoes recipe from Food Network is no exception. With its silky texture, bold flavors, and effortless preparation, it’s little wonder why this dish has earned a spot as one of our all-time favorites. The harmonious balance between the creamy mashed potatoes and the savory corned beef is a match made in heaven.
The smoothness of the mash provides a perfect contrast to the meaty undertones of the corned beef, creating a delightful combination that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Parmesan Roasted Mashed Potatoes
Looking for a flavorful alternative to traditional garlic mashed potatoes? This parmesan roasted mashed potatoes recipe adds a delightful crunch with its parmesan-rich breadcrumb topping, giving you a delicious and texturally interesting side dish. The golden-brown exterior provides a satisfying crispy element, while the inside remains soft and fluffy. With the added boost of savory garlic butter, these mashed potatoes are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Fried Pickles
Indulge in the delightfully crispy and flavorful world of fried pickles! This mouthwatering recipe yields crunchy, deep-fried morsels that are sure to impress. While they might not be the healthiest option, their irresistible taste makes them a popular choice for any gathering. With just 7 simple ingredients and 25 minutes on your hands, you can whip up a batch of golden-brown goodness perfect for sharing at a dinner party or enjoying all to yourself.
Soft Dinner Rolls
Simplistic yet effective, this soft dinner roll recipe exemplifies the concept. It’s challenging to improve upon a hot, fluffy, and buttery roll, especially when paired with succulent corned beef. The ease of reusing or freezing unused rolls is another significant advantage of this side dish. In fact, you can simply thaw and serve them whenever you need a quick corned beef accompaniment.
Horseradish Sauce
Another culinary delight is our homemade fresh horseradish sauce recipe, perfectly pairing with corned beef. The bold flavors of the latter are beautifully complemented by the creamy texture and subtle tanginess of the former. To create this harmonious union, you’ll need a few simple ingredients: sour cream, lemon juice, chives, black pepper, and naturally, drained horseradish.
CrockPot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Start with a simple yet flavorful side dish that requires minimal effort but yields great results. This spinach artichoke dip is a perfect accompaniment to corned beef, its creaminess complementing the savory flavors of the main course. With preparation time under an hour, you can easily fit this recipe into your busy schedule. Simply combine artichoke hearts, cheese, spinach, sour cream, and a blend of seasonings in your CrockPot, then stir the mixture and let it cook for 60 minutes.
This delicious dip is ready to be devoured, making it an excellent choice for any gathering or family meal.
Irish Nachos
This Irish nachos recipe has won our hearts for several compelling reasons. For one, its visually stunning presentation is sure to impress. Next, the harmonious blend of smooth and crunchy textures will delight your taste buds. Finally, the bold flavors mesh perfectly with corned beef, creating a match made in heaven.
The star ingredients are Russet potatoes and crispy bacon, which are then masterfully combined with chives, sharp cheddar cheese, spicy jalapenos, tangy pico de gallo, and a medley of herbs and spices. The result is an unforgettable bowl of sweetness, heat, and savory goodness that will leave you craving more.
Asian Cabbage Salad
There’s something special about the harmonious union of cabbage and corned beef – an unlikely yet perfect pairing that’s hard to explain, but undeniably delicious. This recipe takes the classic combination to new heights by crafting a fragrant Asian-inspired cabbage salad that’s not only a feast for the senses but also incredibly healthy and vibrant. The salad boasts a delightful medley of textures and flavors, courtesy of shredded cabbage, onion, green peppers, and a zesty lemon juice dressing.
What’s more, this recipe is designed to be quick and easy to prepare, making it an ideal solution when time is short.
Potato Gratin
Potato gratin is often described as a comforting and satisfying dish, offering an unbeatable combination of flavors and textures. Its rich, creamy goodness makes it a perfect accompaniment to many main courses, including cooked corned beef. This recipe highlights the ease with which you can create a generously portioned potato gratin that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters – making it an excellent choice for family gatherings or casual dinner parties.
Deviled Eggs
A staple in many cuisines, deviled eggs are a timeless side dish that pairs perfectly with corned beef. Their enduring popularity can be attributed to their delectable taste, relatively healthy profile, and simplicity of preparation.
While some may view boiling and peeling eggs as the most challenging part of this recipe, it’s actually the foundation upon which the rest of the dish is built.
With a few additional seasonings, including paprika, you’ll be on your way to creating a flavorful treat that’s sure to please.
Blanched Green Beans
To complement the savory flavors of corned beef, consider serving it with blanched green beans for a nutritious and filling side dish. Green beans are not only packed with essential vitamins and minerals but also offer a delightful crunch that pairs well with the tender texture of corned beef. This simple recipe allows you to prepare green beans in advance, ensuring they remain crisp and flavorful whenever you need them.
With a mild, starchy flavor profile, these blanched green beans provide a satisfying accompaniment to your meal.
Sauerkraut
While many might find the concept of fermented cabbage unappealing, sauerkraut, when paired with corned beef, can be a surprisingly delightful combination. The Nourished Kitchen’s simple recipe yields a tangy and savory outcome that is easy to replicate in your own kitchen with just two essential ingredients: cabbage and salt. The only challenge lies in the waiting game as you allow the cabbage to ferment, but the end result is well worth the patience.
Southern Fried Okra
Okra lovers, rejoice! Southern Fried Okra is the next delicious side dish on our menu, and it’s an absolute must-try for anyone new to okra. This mouthwatering recipe delivers crispy, tender goodness with a tantalizing kick of spice that will leave you wanting more. Best of all, it’s incredibly quick and easy to make, requiring just 15 minutes of your time to create a dish that’s sure to impress.
Roasted Red Potatoes
For a lighter take on potato dishes, consider this roasted red potato recipe from Dinner At The Zoo. Unlike larger potatoes that can become dense with moisture, these smaller spuds retain their shape and moisture content due to their higher water content and lower starch levels. Enhance the natural sweetness of the potatoes by seasoning them generously with garlic, butter, and parsley.
Not only will this side dish tantalize your taste buds, but it’s also a significantly healthier alternative to traditional potato gratin recipes.
Final Thoughts
With the list of 17 side dishes complete, it’s clear that corned beef can be paired with a diverse range of delicious accompaniments. While we could have continued to add more options, our curated selection showcases the best side dishes to complement this popular dish. Now that you’ve had a chance to explore our recommendations, you should have a solid understanding of what pairs well with corned beef.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.