Serving the perfect meal means deciding on the best main course and a mouth-watering side to complement it. One of the best things about serving sausage is the wide variety of foods you can make alongside it for the perfect meal. Cook up something delicious by making one of the best side dishes to serve with sausage!
Decide On a Sausage Type
Before getting too excited about all these wonderful options, it's best to decide what type of sausage you want to serve. Bratwurst and chorizo have different flavors due to the way makers season them. Noting this is important since different sides pair best with each type of sausage, so the foods you'd serve alongside that bratwurst may not taste great with chorizo.
To keep things easy, below are the five most common types of sausage:
- Andouille: A French sausage also enjoyed in Louisiana.
- Italian sausage: A popular sausage that many enjoy throwing on the grill.
- Chorizo: A sausage originating in Spain; also popular in Mexico and Argentina.
- Bratwurst: Another popular sausage type that's from Germany.
- Kielbasa: The word for "sausage" in Polish; there are different types.
Taste each type of sausage so you can decide on which one you want to eat the next time you have a craving for this delicious meat. And once you decide on the sausage you want to serve, you can begin narrowing down your options for how you'll make it.
Buy Delicious Sausage
Logan's Sausage has many types of smoked sausage for sale, including kielbasa, Italian sausage, and bratwurst, to name a few. Whether you want smoky and spicy chorizo or some smoked, sweet Italian sausage, you'll find it all in our online shop.
The 10 Best Sides for Sausage
Picking a side becomes easier once you know what type of sausage you want to serve. Some flavors pair nicely while others can clash, so finding the ideal item to enjoy with your sausage is key. Below, we've listed the 10 most popular options.
Mac and Cheese
Who doesn't love a creamy bowl of mac and cheese? This is the ideal side for sausage because it's delicious and complements every type.
If you serve it with some spicy chorizo, add a bit of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper to your cheese sauce. On the other hand, if you plan to cook up some macaroni to enjoy with Italian sausage, consider adding a splash of garlic to draw out those authentic flavors.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw brings together a blend of flavors and textures, which goes perfectly with various sausage types, especially bratwurst. The tangy taste and crunchy texture are enough to get your mouth watering just thinking about it.
Spaghetti
If you need a great side dish for some sweet or spicy Italian sausage, search no further! Spaghetti is a perfect choice, and the tangy flavors of the red sauce will be a dream come true for your tastebuds. Consider serving your sausage alongside this type of pasta—a bun isn't necessary for this dish—or cut up the link and place it on top.
Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the best sides because they're so versatile. Many people rave about baked potatoes topped with cheese and bacon alongside a bratwurst. Other yummy options include:
- French fries
- Roasted potatoes
- Mashed potatoes
- Homemade chips
- Potato salad
- Fried potatoes
All these options taste amazing, and you can tailor the way you cook your potato around the type of sausage you serve to best complement those flavors.
Applesauce
Applesauce is another great option and adds a bit of sweetness to your meal. This is perfect whether you want to add it to a sweet sausage or balance some spicy flavors. Applesauce pairs especially great with grilled sausage. The sausage has a smoky flavor that the applesauce seems to enhance further.
Baked Beans
This option is popular because it's easy and often a crowd favorite. Baked beans go great with grilled sausage if you plan on hosting a barbecue or outdoor dinner party. Many also love cooking baked beans to pair with their sausage because they're easy to make no matter how you flavor them.
Sautéed Onions
Many sausage lovers enjoy a good grilled sausage paired with sauteed onions and peppers. These sides work for almost every type of sausage. Plus, this is an authentic side for kielbasa if you want to make a tasty Polish dinner.
Tasty Tip
If you want to make a simple upgrade to your side of onions, swap out those sautéed onions for onion rings! Cut your onion then batter it before frying it in some oil. Alternatively, you could place it into the air fryer.
Cornbread
Just like applesauce, cornbread adds a bit of sweetness to your dish and works with just about every type of sausage. If you need a good recipe to have with some chorizo, cornbread stuffed with jalapenos and cheese is unbeatable.
Breakfast Favorites
You're not limited by lunch and dinner options, as many people enjoy sausage for a hardy breakfast! Best yet, you can enjoy any sausage with several breakfast option, but popular items include scrambled eggs, an omelet, or waffles.
Tasty Tip
Some people even mix their sausage into the recipe to cook up a savory quiche with andouille or a spicy breakfast burrito stuffed with chorizo.
Grilled Vegetables
As you throw your sausages on the grill, consider throwing on some vegetables, too! This way, you can cook up a tasty side and do so efficiently. Looking for some ideas? Onions, bell pepper, eggplant, and squash usually pair best. Plus, those grilled veggies will have a smoky flavor, just like the meat on your plate.
Deciding on the Best Side
Deciding on the perfect side differs from person to person. Some people may love the creaminess of mac and cheese alongside a spicy sausage, but others prefer sweet apple sauce. The most important part of picking the best side is deciding what you think tastes best.
When you host a dinner party, offer a variety of the best side dishes to serve with sausage so each of your guests can enjoy their favorite option. Satisfy your tastebuds with a meal packed with your favorite flavors.
