Last Updated on 20th August 2021 by
Beef brisket is known for its juicy tenderness and its exceptional flavour. Not many other beef dishes compare when it comes to tastiness and succulence, and it would be a shame to ruin such a lovely dish. That is why it is so important that you choose the right side to go with it.
Brisket is typically flavoured with carrots, onions, and barbecue sauce, helping to bring out its bold flavour even more. What to serve with a brisket dinner is just as vital as what you season the brisket with. We have compiled a handy list of side dishes to consider as you think about the next chance you’ll have to enjoy a savoury brisket. These are the sides that will pair so nicely they will seem like a natural fit.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Traditionally, corn on the cob is steamed or boiled, making it tender and easy to digest. We like the idea of grilling it, because that gives it a smoky flavour that is indicative of a cookout. If you can
Coleslaw
When picking out side dishes to go with the main course, one of the things we look at is how it will add to the flavour and texture variety of the meal. If we have a bunch of meats, they will all taste good, but you need some variety to spice things up and to give your palette a chance to recover. If you are eating all the same kinds of foods for your meal, then your palette stays in the same zone, and each bite tastes blander than the rest.
Coleslaw makes for a wonderful palette cleanser when you are eating a savoury meat like beef brisket. The cold, chopped veggies and wet, crunchy texture are in contrast to the brisket, so, when we are stuck on what to serve with smoked beef brisket, coleslaw is an easy choice for us.
You can keep things simple by making it with some chopped carrots, cabbage, mayo, and seasonings, or you can add some flair to it with raisins, onions, and other less common ingredients. This quintessential summer dish is always a good pairing with grilled meat. We recommend preparing it a few hours ahead of time to let all the flavours soak in and to ensure it is properly chilled.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Can a comfort food work well with another comfort food? When that comfort food is mashed potatoes, we think the answer is a resounding “yes”. There is probably no side dish that goes better with meat of almost any kind than mashed potatoes. We like how the garlic in this version of mashed potatoes pairs with brisket, bringing out some extra flavour in the meat.
Our recommendation for how to prepare the mashed potatoes to complement the brisket best would be to make them very creamy rather than chunky. Ensure the skins are peeled entirely to make it extra smooth. To help your mashed potatoes come out creamy, add plenty of milk and butter.
Red Kidney Beans
What to serve with Texas brisket to make for a healthier meal? Beans of any kind will pair well with it, but if you use red kidney beans, you get a nice compromise between flavourful and healthy. We love preparing our kidney beans in a simple way- warm them on the stove over low heat in a pot and add salt, brown sugar, and ketchup. You’ll should have a slightly runny sauce and it will give you lots of great flavour that even kids should enjoy.
Baked Potato
Another classic potato dish that is a good answer to the question of what to serve with smoked brisket is the baked potato. It may take a while to cook, but it’s a simple dish that you can load up as much as possible so that it’s practically bursting with flavour. If you want to cook it in the microwave in just a few minutes, then be sure to poke some holes in your potato with a fork.
Once the potato is finished, you can split it open from the top and add in butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, chives, and bacon bits to load it up. Consider basting your potato skin in a sauce, like barbecue, garlic butter or hot sauce to give it some extra pizzaz.
Macaroni and Cheese
What to serve with corned beef brisket that will please kids and adults alike? Creamy macaroni and cheese is an obvious answer for us. It’s rewarding to make this home style rather than out of the box and then add plenty of cheese for flavour and some extra milk to make it really creamy.
You can make your own cheese sauce from a roux and then just add shredded cheese slowly to a simmering
Rosemary Bread
We like the idea of having a seasoned bread with the already flavourful beef brisket, as it provides some contrasting flavours that work really well together. What to serve with smoked beef brisket that will class it up? Rosemary bread is a great choice because of its delicate flavour and the comforting carbs it provides. You can serve rosemary bread with small wine glasses filled with olive oil for dipping. Your guests will love how upscale this looks, and the taste is to die for.
Fetta and Spinach Salad
If you are looking for a healthy option for what to serve with brisket, then we want to steer you toward a truly charming salad. When you are tired of lettuce and Roma tomato salads, try this nice variation.
You start with a base of spinach leaves and cherry tomatoes. Then add some crumbled feta cheese and a light vinaigrette on top, and you have a simple but delightfully different salad. The tart flavours of the salad offer a nice contrast to the brisket, and with a salad as part of your meal you don’t have to feel so guilty about how unhealthy the menu is. Plus, you won’t be boring everyone again with a salad made from romaine leaves.
I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!