Slowing down and enjoying a home-cooked meal is one of life’s greatest pleasures. A classic pot roast is the perfect comfort food for a chilly fall evening, packed with essential nutrients from its rich meat and accompanying vegetables. While the dish itself is incredibly satisfying, it can be elevated to new heights by serving it alongside some complementary sides.
Whether you’re looking for something classic or adventurous, we’ve curated 15 mouth-watering options that will complement your pot roast perfectly, ensuring a filling and well-rounded meal.
Mashed Potato
Helping to round out a hearty pot roast dinner are classic mashed potatoes, a staple side dish that is both comforting and delicious. With its smooth texture and rich flavor, mashed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to soak up the savory juices and gravy of the pot roast. The best part? Mashed potatoes are incredibly easy to prepare, whether you’re using a microwave or following our tried-and-true recipe, which can be found above.
Popovers
Zest up your mealtime with a deliciously easy side dish – popovers! These light and crispy treats are perfect for mopping up the remaining gravy and juices from your pot roast, adding an extra layer of flavor to each bite. Plus, their delicate texture provides a lovely contrast to the tender meat and soft veggies that make up the rest of your meal.
Scalloped Potatoes
Looking closely at the versatility of potatoes, it’s clear that this single ingredient can be used to create an assortment of side dishes. If mashed potatoes don’t align with your tastes, then scalloped potatoes might just become your new favorite alternative. Scalloped potatoes boast a rich and creamy sauce, which pairs remarkably well with tender beef like in a pot roast.
Furthermore, the addition of seasoning and extra ingredients such as onions and cheese elevates this dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Brussel Sprouts
Rooted in tradition, many home cooks prepare their vegetables alongside their pot roast beef. However, not all vegetables can withstand the intense heat and long cooking time required for slow-cooked meats. A notable exception is Brussels sprouts, which require separate preparation to maintain their delicate flavor and texture.
Roasted Onions
Just as the main course is often the star of the show, it’s easy to overlook the supporting actors – like the humble onion. But why settle for a plain old pot roast when you can add some excitement to your meal with a flavorful and filling side dish? By halving your onions and roasting them separately from the pot roast, you’ll unlock a whole new world of flavor possibilities.
Simply season them with your favorite spices and drizzle with balsamic vinegar for a taste sensation that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. And who says side dishes have to be boring?
Sweet Potato Fries
Often associated with comfort food, pot roasts pair perfectly with sweet potato fries, making them an ideal side dish combination. The rich flavors of the pot roast’s gravy and savory notes are beautifully balanced by the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes, creating a harmonious flavor profile that complements each bite. Additionally, the crispy texture of the sweet potato fries provides a delightful contrast to the tender beef, elevating the overall dining experience.
While traditional fries can also be served with pot roast, sweet potato fries offer a more suitable match due to their inherent sweetness and crunchy texture. They are particularly well-suited for fall and winter meals, and add a pop of color to your plate, making them an excellent choice for special occasions like Thanksgiving.
Asparagus
Besides being a versatile ingredient, asparagus is an excellent choice for accompanying various dishes. The recipe outlined below provides a foolproof method for roasting asparagus to perfection, making it an ideal side dish to serve alongside your favorite pot roast. By incorporating this recipe into your meal prep, you’ll be able to create well-rounded and nutritious meals that cater to all your dietary needs.
Potato Salad
Adding an extra layer of flavor to your summer pot roast is easier than you think. While many people associate this dish with colder weather, it can still be enjoyed during the warmer months. One way to make your pot roast more suitable for a summer gathering is by pairing it with a classic side dish that embodies the spirit of the season. And what better choice than potato salad?
This refreshing and flavorful side dish is a staple of summer barbecues and picnics, and its light and creamy texture makes it the perfect accompaniment to a hearty pot roast. Whether you’re looking for a simple yet satisfying option or something with a bit more pizzazz, a well-crafted potato salad is sure to hit the spot.
Corn on the Cob
Bringing an extra burst of flavor to your summer meals, corn on the cob is another fantastic side dish that pairs perfectly with pot roast. This recipe will guide you through making traditional Mexican-style grilled corn on the cob, allowing you to complement the rich flavors of your pot roast with a sweet and cheesy twist.
The combination of the creamy cheese, sweetness from the corn, and a touch of spice will elevate your meal, providing a delightful balance of flavors that will leave you wanting more! Plus, this side dish brings a refreshing element to your plate, adding depth and variety to each bite.
Black Bread
Savoring the flavors of a classic pot roast often involves indulging in a rich, savory gravy that’s as much a part of the dish as the meat itself. Similarly, a good accompaniment to help soak up this delicious sauce is essential, which is where black bread comes into play. This hearty, dense type of bread is a staple in many cultures and is perfectly suited for sopping up the juices and gravy that accompany pot roast.
Its rich flavor profile and satisfying texture make it an ideal match for the dish, elevating the overall dining experience with each bite.
Lemon Lettuce Salad
Fortunately, when dealing with spicy pot roasts, there’s an effective way to temper the heat. Serving a lemon lettuce salad alongside your dish is one such solution that offers multiple benefits. Not only does the refreshing coolness of the salad provide instant relief from the spiciness, but the citrus notes in the lemon also harmonize perfectly with the bold flavors of peppers in your pot roast.
The contrasting textures between the crunchy salad and tender beef add another layer of excitement to the meal. However, it’s worth noting that this particular side dish is best paired with spicy pot roasts, as its sharp, sour flavors are designed to cut through the richness of hot peppers.
Roasted Vegetable Mix
Flavoursome as a traditional pot roast is, there’s no reason why it can’t be accompanied by a vibrant mix of roasted vegetables. In fact, serving up extra veggies on the side is a great way to add some variety and nutrition to your meal. This recipe for a colourful roasted vegetable mix does just that, using a combination of broccoli, peppers, squash, zucchini, and mushrooms to bring depth and vibrancy to your plate.
Cauliflower Cheese
Often considered a staple in British cuisine, cauliflower cheese has been a long-standing favorite among locals and visitors alike. Typically served alongside a hearty roast dinner, this comforting side dish is sure to become a new addition to any meal plan. As its name suggests, cauliflower cheese is exactly what it sounds like – a generous serving of rich, creamy cheese sauce smothered over tender cauliflower florets.
This delightful combination is commonly paired with potatoes, meat, and other vegetables, making it an excellent accompaniment to a classic pot roast dinner.
Rice Medley
Versatile sides are often overlooked when it comes to pairing with a hearty dish like pot roast, but serving a type of carbohydrate can really help round out the meal. This will provide a boost of energy to keep you going throughout the day. A popular option that achieves this is rice, which pairs well with the rich flavors of the main course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most importantly, when it comes to pairing bread with a delicious pot roast, there are some clear winners. For a traditional pot roast, hearty and thick breads like popovers, Russian black bread, or brown bread are perfect choices. These types of bread are ideal because they can absorb the rich juices of the pot roast, making it easy to clean your plate without leaving any mess behind.
However, if you’re serving a Mississippi pot roast, which is known for its spicy kick courtesy of pepperoncini peppers, you’ll want to opt for something that will help cool down the palate. Mashed potatoes or cheesy garlic bread are great options, as they provide a nice contrast in texture and flavor. Alternatively, a refreshing lemon salad with citrusy notes can also help balance out the heat.
Moving on to the matter of serving pot roast, it’s worth noting that this type of beef is typically quite tough when raw but becomes tender and falls apart easily after cooking. This makes slicing it a bit tricky, so many people end up shredding it instead. Either way, as long as it’s cooked to perfection, you can’t go wrong! The key is to let the meat rest for a bit before serving, allowing the juices to redistribute and making it easier to slice or shred with minimal effort.
Directions
We’ve made it easy for you to get cooking with our recipes! Simply choose one that catches your eye, click on its link to take you directly to its corresponding website, gather all the necessary ingredients, and then start cooking. Once you’re done, be sure to savor the flavors and don’t forget to leave a review to share your experience with others.
