Rich brisket with its quintessential smoky flavor in one of the highlights of the barbecue world. And if you’re wondering what to serve with brisket, we’ve got you covered! Stick to classics like corn pudding, potato salad, and baked beans or try something different like scalloped potatoes, charro beans, or butternut squash! From sit-down dinners to backyard BBQs, this list has all the best brisket sides to try.

 

When it’s prepared the right way, there’s nothing quite like rich and savory beef brisket. And if you’re wondering what to serve with brisket, this list has the best side dishes to complement that irresistible smoky flavor!

To start, you can’t go wrong with classic barbecue sides. Slaw, potato salad, baked beans, and mac and cheese never go out of style. If you want to elevate your meal or just try something new, try a brussels sprouts salad, butternut squash, pea salad, or charro beans. There are so many options!

One thing’s for sure: with this collection of the best brisket side dishes, you’re sure to find a dish or four that catch your eye. The hardest part will be deciding which ones to make first!

1. Corn Pudding

Simplify classic corn pudding by using Jiffy mix for a side dish the whole family will love! This recipe is delicious enough to make for a special occasion but easy enough to make on a busy weeknight.

2. Coleslaw

For a refreshing crunch that pairs beautifully with beef brisket, it’s hard to beat red cabbage slaw with carrots, green onions, and sunflower seeds! This coleslaw recipe is full of color and tossed in a creamy dressing for the finishing touch.

3. Potato Salad

The key to making the best potato salad is knowing how long to boil the potatoes so they reach that perfect texture! Toss in a combination of mayo, mustard, vinegar, seasonings, and green onion and enjoy. A great addition to your brisket meal.

4. Pea Salad

Who can resist a combination of tender crisp peas, savory bacon crumbles, sharp shredded cheddar, and flavorful red onion with a sweet and salty dressing? This is one you’ll want to make again and again!

5. French Fries

French fries are the perfect side dish for just about anything. These copycat Wingstop fries are coated in a mouthwatering seasoning blend with just a pinch of sugar to give them a smokey, salty, sweet taste. You can choose to make them on the stove or in the air fryer.

6. Baked Beans

The secret behind the best baked beans ever is one special secret ingredient. This recipe includes bacon, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar for all the classic flavors plus an extra seasoning that takes the taste to the next level!

7. Baked Sweet Potatoes

Craving sweet potatoes that are crispy on the outside and super soft and fluffy on the inside? Baking the perfect sweet potato requires minimal ingredients and is easy when you have the right temperature! 

8. Potato Skins

Go from freezer to table in 10 minutes or less! Thanks to the magic of the air fryer, you can turn your favorite brand of frozen potato skins into a mouth watering brisket side dish in record time.

9. German Potato Salad

For a one-pot side that’s bursting with flavor and pairs beautifully with hearty beef brisket, German potato salad checks all the boxes. The vinegar based dressing makes this side a nice alternative to traditional potato salad.

10. Mac And Cheese

You can never, ever go wrong with baked Velveeta mac and cheese! This classic side dish is a no-fail recipe uses a sprinkle of nutmeg to add a bit of warmth to the béchamel sauce that serves as the base of the mac and cheese.

11. Corn On The Cob

Once you try making corn on the cob in the air fryer, you may never want to boil or grill it again! With the air fryer, this side can be ready to serve in 15 minutes flat. Add a little melted butter and dig in!

12. Cucumber Salad

Summer is the best time for light and refreshing sides like this cucumber salad. The simple creamy dressing is made with sour cream, lemon juice, dried dill, and a pinch of sugar to really bring out the salad’s flavors.

13. Corn Salad

This beautiful combination of corn off the cob, fresh herbs, and plenty of fresh veggies is sure to delight your taste buds! The dressing is purposefully light and simple so the vegetables can really shine.

14. Brussels Sprouts Salad

Raw shaved Brussels sprouts are so crisp and refreshing! Tossed in a maple dressing with apples, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and a little Parmesan cheese, it has just the right balance of textures and flavors.

15. Scalloped Potatoes

Tender, thinly sliced potatoes tossed and baked in a rich and creamy sauce will have you falling in love at first bite! This side gets golden brown on the top while staying soft and delicate on the inside.

16. Dinner Rolls

You won’t believe how easy it is to make light, fluffy, buttery dinner rolls right in your own kitchen! They’re so much better than store bought rolls and use just a few pantry-staple ingredients.

17. Asparagus

The beauty of making asparagus in the air fryer is that they roast to crispy perfection in only half the time it takes to cook this dish in the oven! All you need is fresh asparagus, olive oil, and lemon pepper seasoning.

18. Hush Puppies

Sweet corn hush puppies are a breeze to prep and fried to golden brown for the most satisfying side! They’re super crispy on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside, and downright irresistible.

19. Butternut Squash

Looking for a healthier side that’s bursting with quintessential fall flavors? Roasted butternut squash has a beautiful natural sweetness and a slightly nutty, buttery flavor that will keep you coming back for more.

20. Macaroni Salad

When it comes to summer picnic staples, it’s hard to beat pasta salad. The cool and creamy combination of chilled elbow macaroni, crunchy vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs is the perfect complement for beef brisket.

21. Ambrosia Salad

After all that savory brisket, your sweet tooth will go crazy for this Cool Whip ambrosia salad! Maraschino cherries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, and whipped topping come together for a delicious dish.

22. Strawberry Salad

If you’re looking for something green, earthy spinach with gorgeous sliced strawberries, crunchy pecans, sharp red onion, and tangy feta tossed in a balsamic poppy seed dressing is as beautiful as it is delicious! 

23. Green Beans

Elevate your table with these simple green beans sautéed in garlic butter! You only need 4 simple ingredients and about 10 minutes for this quick and easy side that will have even the pickiest eaters cleaning their plates.

24. Deviled Eggs

This recipe may be simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in flavor! The cooked yolks are combined with mayonnaise, mustard, sweet pickle relish, and a pinch of salt until creamy. Add back to the egg whites and finish with paprika!

25. Charro Beans

If you’ve never heard of this dish before, it refers to pinto beans cooked with bacon, onion, garlic, and spicy tomatoes for a craveworthy side! Best of all, the entire process takes just 30 minutes.

26. Smashed Red Potatoes

The combination of flavorful herbs and chunky salt transforms these smashed red potatoes into the kind of side that will have you licking your fingers when you’re done! Roasting in olive oil adds the perfect crispiness.

27. Simple Green Salad

Fresh ingredients are the key to a simple side that still turns out oh-so-satisfying. Enjoy crunchy lettuce topped with cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, crunchy cucumbers, sliced red onion, and feta in a tangy vinaigrette.

28. Roasted Carrots

Roasting carrots at a high temperature ensures they turn out beautifully caramelized and tender every time! You can choose to prepare them sweet or savory depending on what you’re in the mood for.

29. Mashed Potatoes

The addition of roasted garlic takes creamy and buttery mashed potatoes to a whole new level. They’re so good and so easy to make, you’ll want to make them all through BBQ season and into the holidays!

30. Roasted Vegetables

When you want a simple and healthy side, roasting vegetables is always a winner. Adapt this recipe for any veggies you have on hand and be ready to serve a nutrient-packed dish in just 20 minutes.

If you made any of these brisket sides be sure to let me know in the comments.

More easy side dishes

• Salmon side dishes
• BBQ side dishes