You might recognize it as a St. Patrick’s Day staple, but this dish is so delicious that it’s become a favorite at any dinner table, any time of the year. Even though it takes a lot of work to make at home, any cook will tell you that all the effort is worth it when you slice it up to reveal a tender, juicy, and extremely tasty corned beef. Of course, the right side dishes turn corned beef into a feast fit for a king. Here are 14 of the most irresistible sides to serve with your corned beef.
1. Asian Cabbage Salad
Cabbage in any form is a classic corned beef partner, but why not give it a little twist by making a cabbage salad? I love a fresh salad with shredded cabbage, some green peppers, and chopped onion with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice dressing.
2. Potato Gratin
Potato gratin is a tasty and filling option if you’re extra hungry and craving a big meal! I love its rich and creamy flavors, which go perfectly with cooked corned beef. It takes a little bit of time to make, but pairing this with corned beef is sure to make a tasty and filling beast of a meal!
3. Roasted Red Potatoes
If the gratin is a little too much work for you, roasted red potatoes are also delicious with corned beef! Compared to regular potatoes, these smaller red ones are higher in moisture and low in starch, so they’ll hold their shape well when cooked. Dice them up and roast with some butter, garlic, and parsley. It’s a great side dish to serve with your corned beef.
4. Classic Glazed Carrots
Glazed carrots offer a little bit of sweetness to cut through the salty and sour flavors of the corned beef. Carrots are already slightly sweet on their own, but adding a glaze will make them even sweeter to compliment the strong flavor of the meat. This side dish is simple, easy, and excellent!
5. Blanched Green Beans
Perfectly blanched green beans are super healthy and have the perfect texture of soft and crispy. This is why they pair so well with many types of meat, including corned beef. My absolute favorite way to have green beans is with some lemon juice, butter, and chopped almonds. Yes, I know chopped almonds aren’t something we normally have with beans, but trust me, you’ll love the extra crunch to go with the beef!
6. Soft Dinner Rolls
There’s nothing like soft, buttery dinner rolls fresh from the oven and ready to serve with your juicy corned beef. If you go this route, you’re in for a truly hearty meal! Anything baked will take some extra time, so prepare your dough in advance. You can even make it a day before to give it more time to rise and get extra puffy and soft in the oven.
7. Sauerkraut
Here’s another excellent way to enjoy cabbage with corned beef. Sauerkraut is a German word that literally means sour vegetable, but cabbage sauerkraut is so much more than that! It’s equal parts sweet, salty, and sour, and has a balanced flavor that goes perfectly with corned beef. The best part about it is that it’s fermented and will last you months. If you already have this in your fridge, it needs no extra prep. Get ready to dig in!
8. Marinated Artichoke Hearts
I absolutely LOVE artichoke hearts. They has a mild and slightly milky flavor that pairs so well with something as savory as corned beef. You can always cook your own artichokes, but I prefer to get canned artichoke hearts at the store that are soaked in oil or water. If they’re soaked in oil, all you have to do is heat them up, and they’re ready to be served with your corned beef. If you have artichoke hearts in water, you can season them to your preference with a little salt and pepper before popping them in the oven for a few minutes.
9. Deviled Eggs
What do I love most about eggs? They’re so versatile, and there are so many ways to get creative with them! Deviled eggs are super fun to make, and I love experimenting with different fillings. For corned beef, I love to go with the classic mustard and white vinegar recipe with a little paprika to garnish. They’re the perfect side dish with corned beef!
10. Fried Eggs, Potatoes, and Peas
Speaking of eggs, why not make a corned beef hash breakfast? Shred or chop your tender corned beef, and fry it in with some diced boiled potatoes and some peas to add color. Top it off with a runny sunny side up egg or a poached egg. This is great if you have some leftover corned beef, too.
11. Rye Bread and Cheese
Here’s a little a history lesson: Corned beef was actually brought to America by the Irish, so it’s no surprise that a corned beef on rye bread sandwich is super popular in the US today, especially on the east coast. Try making your very own baby version of the Reuben sandwich at home with a mild cheese like Swiss cheese. It’s a great way to enjoy your corned beef on the go!
12. Horseradish Sauce
Now for some sauces to pair with your corned beef! Horseradish is super popular with other beef dishes, and corned beef is no exception. To complement the strong flavors of corned beef, I like to make a dip that’s slightly creamy and not overpowering. Instead of sour cream, I use simple cream with mayo, a little lemon juice, black pepper, chives, and of course, drained horseradish. Watch out, this one is so delicious, you’ll need an extra serving!
13. Honey Mustard
Honey mustard is another tasty sauce to add to your corned beef. Okay, it’s not the fanciest sauce out there but hear me out. Imagine your salty, savory corned beef with a little bit of sweetness and tanginess. Sounds delicious, right? All a classic honey mustard dip requires is some pepper, mayo, honey, and mustard. Voila! The perfect sauce for your corned beef!
14. Reuben Sauce
I’m a sucker for the classics, so of course, I had to include the Reuben on this list… but with a little spin! A traditional Reuben sandwich consists of rye bread, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and dressing, but I thought, why not make it a sauce? To a mixture of mayo and thousand island dressing, add in dried sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese with some rye croutons. It’s a fun little twist on the classic that’s just as delicious! Click on a star to rate it!
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