Are you looking for some side dishes to go with your sausage dinner? Sausage is a hearty and satisfying food that can be used in a lot of different ways, from quick and easy grilling recipes and stews to healthy meals that use Italian sausage to save time.
Because it is high in protein, a good sausage will give you vitamin B-12, iron, and healthy fats that you need. It’s fun to make sausage dinners, especially with these cheap, easy, and quick sausage sides.
Sausages are a favorite comfort food for many. Their rich, savory flavor pairs well with a variety of sides that complement and enhance the taste. If you’re wondering what to eat with sausage, you have plenty of options!
In this article, we’ll suggest 10 irresistible side dishes that are sure to make your sausage meals more appetizing. From classics like baked beans to unexpected pairings like polenta, read on for sausage side inspiration!
Overview of Popular Sausage Side Dishes
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular and delicious sides to serve with sausages:
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Sautéed peppers and onions – A classic pairing, sautéed peppers and onions accentuate the sausage flavor.
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Baked beans or cassoulet – These bean dishes provide a sweet, smoky flavor that complements sausage
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Coleslaw or potato salad – Cool, creamy salads balance the richness
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Roast potatoes or fries – Crispy potatoes soak up meaty sauces and juices.
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Mac and cheese – Comforting and indulgent, the cheesy pasta pairs perfectly.
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Fresh greens – Leafy salads or sautéed greens lighten up the meal.
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Grilled veggies – From zucchini to eggplant, grilled veggies add great flavor.
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Applesauce – Surprisingly delightful, the sweet sauce counters smoky meat.
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Polenta – Creamy soft polenta beautifully soaks up sausage juices.
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Potato pancakes – Crispy pancakes are an ideal breakfast sausage side.
Now let’s explore some of these tasty sides in more detail!
1. Sautéed Peppers and Onions
A medley of sautéed bell peppers and onions is a classic partner for sausages off the grill. Their subtly sweet flavor accentuates the smokiness of the meat.
To make this easy vegetable side, simply sauté sliced onions and bell peppers in olive oil over medium-high heat until softened. Season with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs like thyme or rosemary.
The sautéed veggies pair great with any type of sausage – breakfast, Italian, chorizo, brats, and more. Try serving them atop bratwurst or alongside hot links.
2. Baked Beans
What sausage meal is complete without baked beans? Their sticky-sweet tomatoey flavor is a perfect match.
To make homemade baked beans, simmer navy beans with bacon, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onions, and spices.
You can’t go wrong pairing baked beans with classic American cookout sausages like hot dogs, smoked kielbasa, and Italian sausage. The bean’s sweetness balances the smokiness.
3. Coleslaw
Cool and crisp coleslaw is a fantastic light and tangy counterpart to fatty sausages. The cabbage also aids digestion.
Make a classic coleslaw by tossing shredded cabbage with a creamy dressing of mayo, vinegar, sugar, and spices. Customize it by adding carrots, onions, apples, and different seasonings.
Coleslaw pairs wonderfully with grilled bratwurst, smoked Polish sausage, or spicy chorizo links for a balanced meal.
4. Roasted Potatoes
What could be better than piping hot roasted potatoes alongside your sausages? They soak up all the meaty juices and flavors.
Roast halved new potatoes or potato wedges tossed in oil, garlic, and rosemary until crispy and golden brown. Season well with salt and pepper.
Crispy roast potatoes go great with any type of sausage. They’re especially good with German-style bratwurst, kielbasa, or spicy andouille sausage.
5. Mac and Cheese
Rich, cheesy mac and cheese is an indulgent side that complements sausage flavors perfectly. The creamy pasta is pure comfort food.
Make mac and cheese from scratch or dress up a boxed version. Try adding spices like cayenne or paprika and mix in other ingredients like ham, bacon, or sautéed veggies.
Pair mac and cheese with milder sausages like breakfast links, Italian sausage, brats, or hot dogs. The cheesy carb overload is so worth it!
6. Leafy Greens
Don’t forget your greens! Fresh salads and sautéed greens balance sausage’s rich fattiness. They also add texture, color, and nutrients.
Make a green salad with mixed lettuces, spinach, kale, or other greens. Top with veggies and a light dressing. Or, sauté greens like kale, Swiss chard, or spinach with garlic and olive oil.
These fresh options pair well with any sausage variety. Try Italian sausage with an arugula salad or brats with sautéed kale.
7. Grilled Vegetables
If you’re firing up the grill for sausages, take advantage by grilling up some veggies too. They pick up delicious charred flavor.
Almost any vegetable tastes amazing grilled – try zucchini, squash, eggplant, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, peppers, or corn. Toss in olive oil and season before placing on the hot grill.
The smoky grilled veggies complement smoked kielbasa, brats, andouille sausage, or spicy chorizo fantastically. Serve them on the side or atop the sausages.
8. Applesauce
At first glace, applesauce might seem like an odd pairing for sausage. But the sweet and tangy apples beautifully cut through the fattiness.
Look for unsweetened applesauce without added sugar. Or make your own simmering apples with cinnamon and a splash of lemon.
Applesauce pairs wonderfully with breakfast sausage links and patties. It also complements bratwurst and smoked kielbasa.
9. Creamy Polenta
Smooth, creamy polenta makes the ultimate bed for sliced or chopped sausage. It soaks up all the delicious juices and flavors.
Make polenta by simmering cornmeal in broth or milk and water until thickened. Finish with cheese and seasonings.
Pair creamy polenta with Italian-style sausage, smoked andouille sausage, chorizo, or linguica. Spoon sausage and pan juices over individual bowls of polenta.
10. Potato Pancakes
Finally, crispy potato pancakes are an excellent breakfast side for sausage links or patties. Potatoes pair perfectly with sausage.
Grate potatoes, drain excess liquid, and mix with egg, flour, and optional onions. Form into patties and pan fry until browned on both sides.
Serve stacked high with sausage breakfast links or patties, or try them alongside bratwurst or Italian sausage.
Now you have plenty of delicious side dish ideas to serve with your favorite sausages! From coleslaw to roast veggies, these options will make your meals more tasty, balanced and complete.
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Best Sides for Sausages
You can make your sausage dinner more interesting with a number of different side dishes. Some of our favorites include baked beans, creamy parmesan-polenta, sautéed peppers and onions, barbecue fries and traditional coleslaw.
You can also save time and energy with these easy, simple side dish recipes for any sausage-themed dinner:
Mashed Potatoes With Peas and Scallions
To prepare this side dish, you’ll need:
- 2 1/2 pounds red potatoes cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1 cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper
- 1 10-ounce package frozen peas
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 2 scallions, sliced
How to make mashed potatoes with peas and scallions:
- Put potatoes in a big pot with water. Bring it to a boil. Drop the heat to a simmer and add about 2 teaspoons of salt. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until you can poke potatoes with a fork.
- Add peas and cook for 30 more seconds. Drain.
- Return peas and potatoes to the pot.
- Add sour cream, butter, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt to the potatoes. Mash and add scallions. Serve and enjoy!.
Delicious Spicy Rice With Sausage | Gordon Ramsay
FAQ
What pairs well with sausage?
What do people eat sausage with?
What do Italians eat with sausage?
What goes well with sausage?
While the instructions are written for red, you can use green bell peppers if you prefer. Mushrooms go oh so well with sausage, and a bed of them with caramelized onions might just be one of the most delicious side dishes you could serve with your sausages. Cheddar cheese goes well with almost any savory dish.
Is sausage casing healthier option to eat?
Cellulose casings and some natural casings are perfectly fine to eat. Sausage casings are used to hold and shape filling inside so that it can be cooked. There are natural sausage casings and synthetic varieties, and most of them are edible. The healthiest way to cook them is by boiling or baking. Sausages provide high levels of vitamin B12 and iron, both of which are essential for healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin production.
What to eat with chicken sausage?
Chicken sausage makes an awesome one-dish dinner by itself or served with brown rice in a burrito. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah My husband made sausage and veggie kabobs when we didn’t have buns to make classic sausage bombers. Grill ‘em up, then add cheese cubes. —Cindy Hilliard, Kenosha, Wisconsin
What to eat with sausage & potatoes?
Sausage and potatoes make a great pairing as a comfort food side dish. They can be served in a variety of ways, such as in a casserole or as a one-pan meal. For example, roasted sausages and potatoes can be seasoned with herbs and spices, cooked together in the oven, and served as a warm, hearty meal.