Rack of lamb is a show-stopping centerpiece, perfect for special occasions or an elegant dinner. Its rich, flavorful meat deserves equally impressive side dishes to create a balanced and memorable meal. Knowing What To Serve With Rack Of Lamb can elevate your dining experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
Lamb’s versatility allows it to pair beautifully with a wide range of flavors, from earthy and bitter to sweet and bright. The key is to choose side dishes that complement, not overpower, the delicate taste of the lamb. To help you create the perfect culinary symphony, we’ve gathered 41 exceptional side dishes, categorized for easy browsing and inspiration.
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Lamb Recipe Inspiration
Before diving into side dishes, consider the style of your rack of lamb. Are you preparing a classic herb-crusted rack, or something more adventurous? Here are a few rack of lamb recipes to inspire your menu:
Pomegranate-Braised Lamb Shanks
Rack of Lamb with Parmesan-Herb Crust
Ottolenghi’s Lamb & Pistachio Patties (Meatballs) With Sumac Yogurt Sauce
Pan-Fried Lamb Chops With Minted Pea Salad
Asparagus Side Dishes for Rack of Lamb
Asparagus, with its delicate flavor and tender texture, is a springtime classic that complements rack of lamb beautifully. Whether roasted, grilled, or shaved raw, asparagus offers a fresh counterpoint to the richness of the lamb.
1. Shaved Asparagus & Arugula Salad
For a light and refreshing start, a Shaved Asparagus & Arugula Salad is an excellent choice. Raw asparagus ribbons offer a crisp texture that contrasts nicely with tender rack of lamb.
Image of Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad, a fresh and vibrant side dish option.
2. Pan-Roasted Asparagus with Brown Butter, Lemon & Eggs Mimosa
Elevate your asparagus with Pan-Roasted Asparagus with Brown Butter, Lemon & Eggs Mimosa. The nutty brown butter and bright lemon enhance the asparagus, while the eggs mimosa add a touch of elegance.
Image of Pan-Roasted Asparagus with Brown Butter, Lemon, and Eggs Mimosa, a rich and flavorful side.
3. Absurdly Addictive Asparagus
For a truly flavorful asparagus side, try Absurdly Addictive Asparagus. Pancetta, leeks, garlic, and pine nuts create a savory and irresistible dish that pairs wonderfully with rack of lamb.
Image of Absurdly Addictive Asparagus, a savory and umami-rich side dish.
4. Shaved Asparagus & Mint Salad
Fresh mint is a classic pairing with lamb. Shaved Asparagus & Mint Salad offers a modern twist, combining the freshness of mint with shaved asparagus, Parmesan, and hazelnuts.
Image of Shaved Asparagus and Mint Salad, a refreshing and herby salad.
5. Crispy Chickpea Fattoush with Asparagus and Radishes
Add Mediterranean flair with Crispy Chickpea Fattoush with Asparagus and Radishes. This vibrant salad combines crispy pita, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing, creating a delightful textural contrast.
Image of Crispy Chickpea Fattoush with Asparagus and Radishes, a vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean salad.
6. Asparagus With Soft-Boiled Eggs & Anchovy Bread Crumbs
For a more substantial asparagus side, consider Asparagus With Soft-Boiled Eggs & Anchovy Bread Crumbs. Oozy eggs, crispy anchovy bread crumbs, and Calabrian chile flakes add layers of flavor and texture to simple blanched asparagus.
Image of Asparagus with Soft-Boiled Eggs and Anchovy Bread Crumbs, a rich and savory side dish.
7. Pea, Asparagus, & Avocado Salad With Burrata
Combine spring’s best with Pea, Asparagus, & Avocado Salad With Burrata. This creamy and fresh salad features butter lettuce, asparagus, peas, a yogurt dressing, and creamy burrata, offering a luxurious touch.
Image of Pea, Asparagus and Avocado Salad with Burrata, a creamy and fresh salad with spring vegetables.
8. Tagliarini with Asparagus and Herbs
For a pasta side dish, Tagliarini with Asparagus and Herbs is an elegant choice. Creamy, herby pasta with asparagus cut to match its thickness creates a delightful textural experience.
Image of Tagliarini with Asparagus and Herbs, a creamy and herby pasta dish.
Bitter Vegetable Side Dishes for Rack of Lamb
Bitter vegetables offer a wonderful contrast to the richness of rack of lamb. Their assertive flavors cut through the fat and cleanse the palate, creating a balanced and sophisticated meal.
9. Charred Radicchio With Arugula, Cherries & Parmesan
Charred Radicchio With Arugula, Cherries & Parmesan balances bitterness with sweetness and spice. Charring radicchio mellows its bitterness, while cherries and balsamic add sweetness, and arugula and black pepper bring a peppery kick.
Image of Charred Radicchio with Arugula, Cherries and Parmesan Salad, a balanced bitter and sweet salad.
10. Broccoli Rabe in Lemon Cream
Transform broccoli rabe with Broccoli Rabe in Lemon Cream. The lemon cream sauce tempers the bitterness of the rabe, creating a surprisingly harmonious side dish.
Image of Broccoli Rabe in Lemon Cream, a creamy and less bitter way to enjoy broccoli rabe.
11. Marinated White Bean & Radicchio Salad
For a hearty and flavorful salad, Marinated White Bean & Radicchio Salad is a great option. Pecorino cheese adds richness to this salad featuring creamy white beans and bitter radicchio.
Image of Marinated White Bean and Radicchio Salad, a hearty and cheesy salad.
12. Broccoli Rabe Goma-ae
Broccoli Rabe Goma-ae offers an Asian-inspired twist on bitter greens. Sesame seeds and soy sauce create a savory and slightly sweet dressing that complements the rabe’s bitterness.
Image of Broccoli Rabe Goma-ae, a sesame-flavored and savory side dish.
13. Berardino’s Crispy Pancotto
Berardino’s Crispy Pancotto is a unique and flavorful side dish utilizing stale bread. Garlic, chiles, and olive oil infuse this crispy bread pudding with savory goodness, and it can incorporate bitter greens for balance.
Image of Berardino’s Crispy Pancotto, a crispy bread pudding side dish.
14. Fall Salad with Lemony Brown Butter Vinaigrette
Despite its name, Fall Salad with Lemony Brown Butter Vinaigrette is delicious year-round. Treviso, lentils, and herbs are tossed in a cumin- and fennel-spiced brown butter vinaigrette for a warm and flavorful salad.
Image of Fall Salad with Lemony Brown Butter Vinaigrette, a warm and spiced salad.
15. Union Square Café’s Hashed Brussels Sprouts with Poppy Seeds & Lemon
Union Square Café’s Hashed Brussels Sprouts with Poppy Seeds & Lemon are a Genius recipe for a reason. Raw and roasted Brussels sprouts are hashed and tossed in a bright, nutty, and fruity dressing, offering complex flavors and textures.
Image of Union Square Café’s Hashed Brussels Sprouts with Poppy Seeds and Lemon, a bright and nutty Brussels sprouts dish.
16. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pears & Pistachios
Balance bitterness with sweetness in Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pears & Pistachios. Roasted Brussels sprouts are combined with sweet pears and crunchy pistachios for a delightful holiday-worthy side dish that works perfectly with rack of lamb.
Image of Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pears and Pistachios, a sweet and savory Brussels sprouts side.
Carrot Side Dishes for Rack of Lamb
Carrots offer sweetness and vibrant color to your rack of lamb meal. Roasted carrots, in particular, develop a caramelized sweetness that complements the savory lamb beautifully.
17. Pomegranate Roasted Carrots
Pomegranate Roasted Carrots are glazed with pomegranate molasses for a tangy and fruity sweetness. This simple glaze elevates roasted carrots to a sophisticated side dish.
Image of Pomegranate Roasted Carrots, a vibrant and tangy carrot side.
18. Sweet Smoky Roasted Carrots
Sweet Smoky Roasted Carrots get their flavor from honey and smoked paprika. This combination of sweet and smoky creates a deeply flavorful and comforting side dish.
Image of Sweet and Smoky Roasted Carrots, a flavorful and comforting carrot dish.
19. Buttery Maple Cumin Carrots
Buttery Maple Cumin Carrots combine warm spices with sweet maple syrup. Cumin and coriander seeds infuse buttery carrots with aromatic warmth, creating a delightful side.
Image of Buttery Maple and Cumin Carrots, a warm and spiced carrot side.
20. Carrots Cooked Forever
Carrots Cooked Forever transform humble carrots into a silky, melt-in-your-mouth side dish. Slow cooking in olive oil creates an incredibly tender and flavorful carrot experience.
Image of Carrots Cooked Forever, a silky and tender carrot side dish.
21. Golden Carrot Souffle
For a truly special occasion, Golden Carrot Souffle is a show-stopping side. Carrot purée is whipped with egg whites and vanilla to create a sweet and airy soufflé, perfect for a spring lamb dinner.
Image of Golden Carrot Souffle, a light and airy carrot soufflé.
Dinner Rolls for Rack of Lamb
Soft, buttery dinner rolls are a comforting and essential accompaniment to any roast dinner, including rack of lamb. They are perfect for soaking up delicious lamb juices and sauces.
22. Fluffy, Buttery Dinner Rolls
Fluffy, Buttery Dinner Rolls are a classic choice. These soft and buttery rolls are perfect for any meal, and especially wonderful alongside rack of lamb.
Image of Fluffy Buttery Dinner Rolls, classic and soft dinner rolls.
Pea Side Dishes for Rack of Lamb
Peas, with their sweetness and vibrant green color, are another springtime favorite that pairs well with rack of lamb. They offer a fresh and light counterpoint to the richness of the meat.
23. Peas in Mint Cream
Peas in Mint Cream are a simple and classic side. Fresh mint enhances the sweetness of peas in a light cream sauce, creating a refreshing and elegant side dish.
Image of Peas in Mint Cream, a classic and refreshing pea dish.
24. Pea Salad With Parmesan & Mint
Pea Salad With Parmesan & Mint offers a fresh and flavorful salad option. Raw peas are dressed with mint, lemon juice, and shaved Parmesan, creating a simple yet elegant salad.
Image of Pea Salad with Parmesan and Mint, a fresh and elegant pea salad.
25. Creamy Watercress, Pea & Mint Soup
While technically a soup, Creamy Watercress, Pea & Mint Soup can also be served as a light side. This bright and flavorful soup combines watercress, peas, and mint for a refreshing and vibrant dish.
Image of Creamy Watercress, Pea and Mint Soup, a bright and flavorful soup.
26. Radish, Snap Pea & Burrata Salad With Chives & Lemon
Radish, Snap Pea & Burrata Salad With Chives & Lemon combines creamy burrata with crisp vegetables. Snap peas and radishes add crunch and freshness to creamy burrata, creating a delightful salad.
Image of Radish, Snap Pea and Burrata Salad, a creamy and crunchy salad.
Potato Side Dishes for Rack of Lamb
Potatoes are a classic and satisfying side dish for rack of lamb. From roasted to mashed, potatoes offer a comforting and versatile accompaniment.
27. Garlicky Roasted Potato Salad
Garlicky Roasted Potato Salad takes potato salad to a new level. Roasting potatoes instead of boiling them intensifies their flavor, and plenty of garlic adds a savory punch.
Image of Garlicky Roasted Potato Salad, a flavorful and roasted potato salad.
28. Squashed Potatoes
Squashed Potatoes are all about crispy edges. Squashing potatoes before roasting maximizes their surface area, resulting in exceptionally crispy and flavorful potatoes.
Image of Squashed Potatoes, extra crispy roasted potatoes.
29. Medley of Roasted Potatoes With Homemade Za’atar & Aleppo Pepper
Medley of Roasted Potatoes With Homemade Za’atar & Aleppo Pepper adds Middle Eastern spice to roasted potatoes. Za’atar and Aleppo pepper create a fragrant and warm spice blend that elevates simple roasted potatoes.
Image of Medley of Roasted Potatoes with Za’atar and Aleppo Pepper, a spiced and flavorful potato dish.
30. Potatoes a la Lyonnaise
Potatoes a la Lyonnaise are a simple yet elegant French potato dish. Potatoes are thinly sliced and sautéed with caramelized onions, creating a flavorful and versatile side.
Image of Potatoes à la Lyonnaise, a classic French potato side dish.
31. Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions are a decadent and comforting side dish. Caramelized onions add sweetness and depth to creamy scalloped potatoes, making them a truly special treat.
Image of Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions, a rich and decadent potato gratin.
32. Instant Pot Buttermilk & Leek Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Buttermilk & Leek Mashed Potatoes offer a modern twist on classic mashed potatoes. Buttermilk and leeks add tanginess and subtle onion flavor to creamy mashed potatoes, easily made in an Instant Pot.
Image of Instant Pot Buttermilk and Leek Mashed Potatoes, creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes.
33. Sweet Potatoes Roasted in Coconut Oil
Sweet Potatoes Roasted in Coconut Oil offer a sweeter potato option. Coconut oil enhances the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and adds a subtle tropical note, creating a unique and flavorful side.
Image of Sweet Potatoes Roasted in Coconut Oil, a sweet and tropical flavored potato side.
Radish Side Dishes for Rack of Lamb
Radishes, with their peppery bite and crisp texture, offer a refreshing and palate-cleansing side dish for rack of lamb. They can be enjoyed raw or cooked.
34. Radish Salad With Anchovy Sauce
Radish Salad With Anchovy Sauce adds savory depth to radishes. Anchovies underscore lamb’s savoriness and complement the peppery radishes in this simple and flavorful salad.
Image of Radish Salad with Anchovy Sauce, a savory and peppery radish salad.
35. Pan-Braised Radishes & Greens
Pan-Braised Radishes & Greens utilize the often-discarded radish greens. Braising radishes and their greens with butter and tarragon creates a flavorful and resourceful side dish.
Image of Pan-Braised Radishes and Greens, a resourceful and flavorful radish dish.
36. Roasted Radishes With Almond Salsa Verde
Roasted Radishes With Almond Salsa Verde mellows the radish’s bite and adds a vibrant salsa. Roasting radishes caramelizes them, and almond salsa verde adds herbaceous and nutty notes.
Image of Roasted Radishes with Almond Salsa Verde, caramelized radishes with a vibrant salsa.
37. Radish & Pecan Grain Salad
Radish & Pecan Grain Salad offers a textural and nutty salad option. Mixed grains, radishes, and pecans create a chewy and crunchy salad with earthy and peppery notes.
Image of Radish and Pecan Grain Salad, a textural and nutty grain salad.
Salads with Feta for Rack of Lamb
Feta cheese adds a salty and tangy element to salads that pairs beautifully with rack of lamb. These salads offer freshness and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
38. Herb Salad With Chickpeas & Feta
Herb Salad With Chickpeas & Feta is a vibrant and flavorful salad. A medley of fresh herbs, chickpeas, and salty feta create a light yet satisfying salad.
Image of Herb Salad with Chickpeas and Feta, a vibrant and fresh herb salad.
39. Wilted Escarole With Feta, Walnuts & Honey
Wilted Escarole With Feta, Walnuts & Honey balances bitter escarole with sweet and savory elements. Feta, walnuts, and honey tame the bitterness of escarole, creating a complex and flavorful salad.
Image of Wilted Escarole with Feta, Walnuts, and Honey, a balanced bitter, sweet, and savory salad.
40. Lemony Green Bean Salad With Feta, Red Onion & Marjoram
Lemony Green Bean Salad With Feta, Red Onion & Marjoram is a bright and zesty salad. Lemon, feta, red onion, and marjoram create a classic Mediterranean flavor profile that complements lamb perfectly.
Image of Lemony Green Bean Salad with Feta, Red Onion, and Marjoram, a bright and zesty salad.
41. Shaved Broccoli Stalk Salad With Soft Feta & Golden Raisins
Shaved Broccoli Stalk Salad With Soft Feta & Golden Raisins is a creative and flavorful salad that utilizes broccoli stalks. Shaved broccoli stalks, feta, and golden raisins create a surprising combination of textures and flavors, offering a unique side dish.
Image of Shaved Broccoli Stalk Salad with Feta and Golden Raisins, a creative and unique salad.
Choosing the perfect side dish to serve with rack of lamb is essential for a complete and satisfying meal. With these 41 delicious options, you’re sure to find the perfect pairings to elevate your rack of lamb to culinary perfection. Whether you prefer fresh and vibrant salads, comforting potatoes, or flavorful vegetables, there’s a side dish here to complement every taste and occasion.
