What to Serve with Brisket: Elevate Your BBQ with These Delicious Sides

Brisket, the undisputed king of backyard barbecues, is a culinary masterpiece in its own right. Its smoky, juicy, and tender texture is enough to make any BBQ enthusiast’s mouth water. However, even the most magnificent main course benefits from carefully chosen side dishes that complement and enhance its flavors. If you’re wondering What To Serve With Brisket to create a truly memorable meal, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered a list of fantastic recipes, ranging from classic BBQ staples to more adventurous options, that will take your brisket feast to the next level.

While your perfectly smoked brisket rightfully claims center stage, the side dishes are the supporting cast that truly rounds out the dining experience. They provide balance, variety, and an opportunity to explore different flavors and textures. Whether you’re aiming for a traditional BBQ spread or want to introduce some exciting new elements, selecting the right sides is key to a successful and satisfying meal.

So, what are the best side dishes to serve with brisket? The answer depends on your preferences and the overall vibe you’re going for. Are you craving comforting classics, light and refreshing salads, or something a little more indulgent? No matter your taste, our curated collection of brisket side dishes has something for everyone. Explore these mouthwatering options and discover the perfect pairings to complete your BBQ triumph.

Fresh and Flavorful Salads to Complement Brisket

To balance the richness of brisket, consider incorporating fresh and vibrant salads into your menu. These options offer a refreshing contrast and cleanse the palate between bites of smoky meat.

1. Kale and Apple Slaw: This isn’t your average slaw. Kale and Apple Slaw combines the heartiness of kale with the crisp sweetness of apple, creating a delightful textural contrast. A light, creamy dressing, brightened with lemon juice and mustard, ties it all together. This slaw is a fantastic way to add freshness and a touch of acidity to your brisket spread.

2. Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad: A Caprese salad is a timeless classic, and this Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad is particularly well-suited as a brisket side dish. The burst of sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil create a simple yet elegant salad that’s bursting with summer flavors. Its lightness and acidity cut through the richness of the brisket beautifully.

3. Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad: If you enjoy coleslaw but want to try something a little different, Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad is an excellent alternative. Crunchy cucumbers and red onions are tossed in a tangy, creamy sauce featuring sour cream, vinegar, and fresh dill. This salad is light, refreshing, and incredibly easy to make, making it a perfect last-minute addition to your brisket BBQ.

Classic Comfort Sides that Pair Perfectly with Brisket

For a traditional BBQ feel, you can’t go wrong with classic comfort sides. These dishes are familiar, satisfying, and complement the smoky flavor of brisket wonderfully.

4. Healthier Potato Salad: Potato salad is a BBQ staple, and this Healthier Potato Salad offers a lighter twist on the classic. It maintains the creamy, flavorful essence of traditional potato salad while reducing fat with simple ingredient swaps. Your guests will enjoy the familiar taste without even realizing it’s a healthier option, making it a guilt-free side dish for brisket.

5. Southern Coleslaw Recipe: No BBQ is complete without coleslaw, and this Southern Coleslaw Recipe is a must-try. Crunchy cabbage and sweet carrots are coated in a creamy, vinegary dressing that provides a tangy counterpoint to the rich brisket. The coleslaw’s acidity cuts through the fat and smoke of the meat, refreshing your palate with each bite.

6. Loaded Potato Salad: When you’re ready to indulge, Loaded Potato Salad is the way to go. This isn’t your average potato salad; it’s a flavor explosion. Creamy red potatoes are combined with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a homemade ranch dressing. This decadent potato salad is a splurge-worthy side dish that adds extra richness and flavor to your brisket meal.

7. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with Bacon: For a fun and flavorful twist on traditional pasta salad, try Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with Bacon. This easy-to-make salad is creamy, cheesy, and packed with dill pickle flavor, enhanced by the addition of crispy bacon. The tangy dill pickles and savory bacon create a unique and crowd-pleasing side dish that pairs surprisingly well with brisket.

8. Calico Baked Beans: Baked beans are another essential BBQ side, and Calico Baked Beans elevate this classic dish. This recipe features four different types of beans baked in a savory-sweet sauce. For an extra layer of smoky flavor, you can even smoke the beans alongside your brisket. These hearty and flavorful baked beans are a perfect complement to the rich, smoky brisket.

9. Party Potatoes: If you’re looking for a simple yet crowd-pleasing potato dish, Party Potatoes are an excellent choice. These potatoes are cheesy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. They’re a comforting and satisfying side dish that’s sure to be a hit at any BBQ gathering, especially when served with brisket.

10. Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese: Mac and cheese is always a welcome addition to a BBQ, and Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese brings a spicy kick to the classic comfort food. Loaded with a creamy Monterey jack and mozzarella cheese sauce and spicy jalapeños, this mac and cheese offers a flavorful contrast to the smoky brisket. The pepper jack cheese adds a pleasant heat that complements the richness of the meat.

11. Vidalia Onion Casserole: For a slightly unexpected but incredibly delicious side, consider Vidalia Onion Casserole. This creamy and oniony casserole features sautéed Vidalia onions in a cheddar parmesan cheese sauce, topped with crushed Ritz crackers for a satisfying crunch. The sweet Vidalia onions and creamy cheese sauce create a unique and flavorful side that your guests will love alongside brisket.

12. Cornbread: Cornbread is a quintessential Southern side dish, and it’s an absolute must-have when serving brisket. This delicious cornbread recipe is both moist and easy to make, featuring a delicate crumb and a crispy crust achieved by baking it in a cast-iron skillet. The slightly sweet and crumbly cornbread is perfect for soaking up the juices from the brisket, creating a truly satisfying bite.

13. Homemade Biscuits Without Milk: Freshly baked biscuits are another fantastic bread option to serve with brisket. These Homemade Biscuits Without Milk are tender, flaky, and surprisingly easy to make with just five ingredients in under an hour. These buttery biscuits are perfect for enjoying on their own or for sopping up any leftover brisket juices.

Grilled and Smoked Sides to Enhance the BBQ Experience

Since you’re already firing up the smoker or grill for your brisket, why not utilize that heat to create some incredible grilled or smoked side dishes? These options complement the smoky flavor profile of brisket and add to the overall BBQ experience.

14. Smoked Corn On The Cob: Take your corn on the cob to the next level by smoking it! In this Smoked Corn On The Cob recipe, the corn husks are opened, the kernels are slathered with BBQ butter, and then the corn is re-wrapped and smoked to perfection on a pellet grill. Smoking the corn infuses it with a deep smoky flavor that’s simply irresistible and makes it an ideal side for smoked brisket.

15. Smoked Asparagus Bundles: Move over steamed asparagus – Smoked Asparagus Bundles are where it’s at! Asparagus spears are marinated in a lemon garlic marinade and then smoked to perfection on cedar planks. The smoky flavor from the grill combined with the bright lemon and garlic marinade creates a sophisticated and delicious side dish that elevates your brisket meal.

16. Bacon Brussel Sprouts: Continue the outdoor cooking party with Blackstone Brussels Sprouts! These Bacon Brussels Sprouts are blanched and then cooked on a griddle with bacon and shallots until perfectly caramelized and crispy. The slightly bitter Brussels sprouts are balanced by the salty bacon and sweet shallots, creating a flavorful and texturally interesting side dish that even sprout skeptics will enjoy with brisket.

Unique and Flavorful Sides to Spice Things Up

Looking to venture beyond the traditional? These unique and flavorful side dishes will add excitement and variety to your brisket feast.

17. Mexican Street Corn Casserole: This isn’t your grandmother’s corn pudding! Mexican Street Corn Casserole is a show-stopping side dish that’s bursting with flavor. It combines the deliciousness of Mexican street corn with the ease of a casserole, featuring Mexican street corn spices, queso fresco cheese, and cilantro. This vibrant and flavorful casserole is a fantastic way to add a touch of Mexican flair to your brisket BBQ.

18. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes: For perfectly cooked baked potatoes with minimal effort, turn to your air fryer. This Air Fryer Baked Potatoes recipe requires only three ingredients and less than 5 minutes of hands-on time. Air fryer baked potatoes are incredibly fluffy and versatile, making them the perfect canvas for your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheese, bacon, and chives. A loaded baked potato is a quintessential BBQ side that pairs perfectly with brisket.

19. Sous Vide Green Beans: For perfectly tender-crisp green beans every time, try Sous Vide Green Beans. Fresh green beans are cooked sous vide to achieve optimal texture and then sautéed in butter and topped with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The rich and sharp Parmigiano Reggiano is the perfect complement to the tender green beans, creating an elegant and flavorful side dish for brisket.

20. Instant Pot Collard Greens: For a taste of Southern comfort, Instant Pot Collard Greens are an excellent choice. These collard greens have a tender texture and a savory, meaty flavor, achieved quickly and easily in an Instant Pot in just about an hour. Collard greens are a classic Southern side dish that pairs beautifully with rich meats like brisket, offering a flavorful and nutritious counterpoint.

Choosing the right side dishes is essential to creating a balanced and delicious brisket meal. Whether you opt for classic BBQ sides, fresh salads, grilled vegetables, or unique casseroles, the key is to select flavors and textures that complement the richness and smokiness of the brisket. With this diverse list of recipes, you’re well-equipped to create a truly unforgettable BBQ experience. Enjoy your brisket feast!

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