A side dish is an essential part of any meal. It can be used to complement the main course, or it can be a meal in itself. Either way, you should always have a few side dishes on hand so you can add variety to your meals and keep your family happy.
We’ve put together some of our favorite side dishes for pork chops that we hope you enjoy!
24 Best Side Dishes For Pork Chops
1. Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a tangy side dish that usually goes great with pork. It has strong flavors that will compliment the flavor of your pork chop without overpowering it.
2. Baked Beans
Baked beans are one of those classic American dishes, but they’re still delicious! If you’re looking for something sweet and savory at the same time then baked beans could be just what you need to round out your meal.
3. Applesauce
This dish is easy to prepare and makes a great side for pork chops. You can find many different recipes online, but the basic ingredients are just applesauce and pork chops. Cook the applesauce in an oven-safe dish until it’s soft and warm (about 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit). Add salt and pepper to taste before serving. Some people like to add cinnamon or other spices in addition to salt and pepper, but this is optional.
4. Roasted Vegetables
This recipe uses roasted vegetables as well as pork chops. Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness, so they go well with the savory flavor of pork chops—making this dish one of our favorites! Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then add olive oil or butter to a roasting pan before adding bell peppers, red onions, garlic cloves (whole or minced), zucchini squash (sliced into half-moons), mushrooms (quartered), yellow squash (sliced into half-moons), and asparagus (trimmed of the stem). Roast for about 45 minutes, or until vegetables are soft.
5. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic mashed potatoes are an easy way to make your pork chops taste amazing. Add garlic powder or fresh garlic cloves to the mashed potatoes for extra flavor. You can even add bacon bits if you want to give your dish some extra protein!
6. Green Beans
Green beans are a great side dish for pork chops because they can be cooked in the same pan as the pork. Simply add some olive oil and salt to a large skillet over medium heat until it becomes hot enough to cook both items at once (about 7 minutes). Once they’re done cooking, serve immediately!
7. Baked Potato with Sour Cream and Chives
Wash the potato well, then wrap it in foil, place on a baking sheet, and bake at 400 for 1 hour or until fork-tender. Remove from oven, unwrap, and slice open. Scoop out the inside of the potato using a spoon, then replace it with sour cream, chives (if desired), salt, and pepper to taste. Replace the top of the potato and serve hot!
8. Broccoli Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish or spray with cooking spray; set aside. Cook broccoli florets according to package directions; drain well on paper towels; set aside. In a large bowl combine cooked broccoli florets with the remaining ingredients; mix well until combined thoroughly but gently so as not to break up cheese pieces too much (you want them visible). Pour mixture into prepared pan; bake uncovered 45 minutes or until bubbling hot throughout and the top is golden brown around edges.
9. Cheesy Pasta Bake
Saute onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add ground beef, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper; cook until meat is no longer pink. Pour spaghetti sauce over meat mixture. Cook uncovered on low heat for 30 minutes; add cheese and stir to combine. Cook covered on low heat for 15 minutes, or until heated through.
10. Roasted Carrots with Cumin and Lime
These roasted carrots have a little kick from the cumin and lime juice, but they’re still sweet enough that even picky eaters will love them.
11. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries are super easy to make in the oven (no deep fryer needed) and give you an excuse to eat more fries! They’re also packed with nutrients like vitamin C and potassium that can help keep your immune system strong during the cold season (which is coming soon).
12. Fried Apples
Fried apples are a classic side dish for pork chops. They’re easy to make, and they’re delicious. Just chop some apples into bite-sized pieces, dredge them in a batter of flour, egg, and milk and then fry them in oil or butter until they’re golden brown. You can serve fried apples with any kind of pork, but they go particularly well with maple-glazed pork chops.
13. Cranberry Pecan Salad
Cranberry pecan salad is another classic pairing for pork chops. This salad is made by combining chopped celery, pecans, and cranberries with mayonnaise or sour cream. You can also add dill pickles or green onions if you like. This makes a great side dish to serve with grilled pork chops during the summer months when fresh cranberries are available at farmers’ markets.
14. Glazed Carrots
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound of baby carrots and cook until they begin to brown, about 6 minutes. Add 3/4 cup of orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon agave nectar. Cover and cook until the carrots are tender, about 8 minutes longer. Serves 6.
15. Vegetable Fried Rice
Cook 1 sliced red bell pepper in a large nonstick skillet with 2 teaspoons vegetable oil over medium-high heat until tender, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate. Cook 1 sliced onion in remaining oil until translucent, about 5 minutes; transfer to plate with red pepper. Cook 3 cups cooked rice (from 2 cups raw) in the same pan with 2 tablespoons soy sauce until warmed through, about 3 minutes; stir in bell peppers and onions. Top with 2 cups shredded cooked chicken and serve warm or at room temperature.
16. Green Beans with Sausage and Tomatoes
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Cook 1 sliced onion, 1 sliced green bell pepper, and 2 cloves minced garlic until tender, about 8 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add 3/4 pound of sliced cooked sausages and cook 5 minutes longer. Stir in 3 diced canned tomatoes, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, and salt to taste. Serve over cooked green beans.
17. Deviled Eggs
This classic Southern treat is a crowd-pleaser any time of year. Smooth, creamy egg yolk mingle with a bit of mustard and just enough mayo to make them rich and flavorful without being overpowering. But don’t forget the paprika! It’s what gives the deviled eggs their signature color and adds that extra zing of spice that makes them so addictive.
18. Corn Pudding
This is another Southern favorite that just can’t be beaten. Sweet corn kernels are combined with eggs and cream cheese to create an amazing texture that’s almost like eating a warm, gooey cake batter—but somehow even better! Try serving this alongside some mashed potatoes or creamy grits as well, and you’ll have yourself one heck of a feast!
19. Dinner Rolls
These can be made ahead of time so they’re ready when you need them. Just let them rise overnight in the refrigerator and bake them up before guests arrive! They’re also easy to make with children—just have them roll out the dough into sheets and cut out circles using large cookie cutters (we recommend using a rolling pin). You can find all kinds of fillings and glazes online; we like this one!
20. Cornbread
This is another one that’s great for kids because they can help make it. Just follow this recipe, but substitute honey instead of sugar. If there’s not enough batter leftover from making the cornbread squares, try throwing some into the oven while you’re cooking other parts of dinner—it’ll cook up fast!
21. Butternut Squash Soup
This warm, creamy soup is the perfect complement to a rich pork chop. It’s also great for serving at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner—just leave out the bacon!
22. Mac and Cheese
This classic side dish is sure to please everyone at your table, and it’s easy to make in advance so you don’t have to worry about it when you’re busy cooking your main course.
23. French Onion Soup
This classic is a crowd-pleaser no matter where you order it, and it’s easy enough to make at home. All you need is a pot, some butter, onion, and broth—and one of those handy dandy immersion blenders. It’s probably not the healthiest option on this list (but hey, we’re not judging), but it sure does taste good!
24. Scalloped Potatoes
The best part about scalloped potatoes? They’re easy to make! You just cut up some potatoes into thin slices and bake them in a casserole dish with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until they’re soft enough to mash up with a fork. Pop them in the fridge overnight so all that goodness can soak into every little nook and cranny before heating them up again before serving!
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article about side dishes for pork chops. We know that pork chops are a great option for any meal, and now you can make them even better with some delicious side dishes!
If you have any questions or comments about this article, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
