30 Brisket Side Dishes Ideas That Will Be a Hit With Everyone!

October 1, 2024
Written by Kristy J. Norton

It can be easy to get caught up in preparing your brisket but it is important to figure out what to serve alongside this main dish. Luckily for you, this job has gotten a whole lot easier thanks to these brisket side dishes ideas! Select from a few of these to complete your meal! 

brisket side dishes ideas

1. Cilantro Lime Slaw

Coleslaw is a top side for brisket but if you are a little tired of the traditional recipe? In this case, check out this recipe! This slaw is made with a coleslaw mix, cilantro, green onions, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and spices. This is a flavorful and light slaw that adds a bright pop of flavor along your brisket! 

Get the recipe here

Cilantro Lime slaw

2. Buttermilk Cornbread 

Cornbread is another classic side to brisket and this buttermilk cornbread recipe takes things to another level! This cornbread is super moist and fluffy at the center and a little crispy on the edges. The hint of honey helps to balance out the savoriness of the brisket. 

Get the recipe here

Buttermilk Cornbread 

3. Smoked Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a fan favorite and this recipe lets you add even more flavor into the mix! After all, if you are smoking up a brisket, why not smoke your mac and cheese as well! In this recipe, the cooked macaroni is mixed in with a creamy homemade cheese sauce. Mix and top with even more cheese and then smoke to perfection! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Mac and Cheese

4. Baked Beans

Sure, you can use beans straight out of the can but where’s the fun in that? If you really want to add some serious flavor to your brisket side dish, give this recipe a try! Here, you simmer pork and beans with brown sugar, barbecue sauce, cider vinegar, and mustard. Add this to a heatproof bowl, top with cooked bacon, and bake! 

Get the recipe here

Baked Beans

5. French Style Potato Salad

Potato salad is the ultimate side for your brisket but the classic dish can be a little heavy. This  is a lightened up version that is super flavorful and will complement your brisket beautifully! Slice the potatoes and boil before tossing in a mustard, red wine vinegar, garlic, and dill dressing and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

French Style Potato Salad

6. Garlic Mashed Potatoes 

Everyone loves mashed potatoes and they are so easy to make too! All you have to do is boil the potatoes, mash them, and add in your desired seasonings. In this recipe, minced garlic and garlic powder helps to bump up the flavor while milk, sour cream, and butter gives it a nice creamy touch!

Get the recipe here

Garlic Mashed Potatoes 

7. Grilled Vegetables

Since brisket is pretty heavy, it is only natural to want something on the healthier side to balance things out! These grilled veggies are really easy to make – just thread them onto skewers and drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. Then, grill on each side until the veggies are cooked through before serving! 

Get the recipe here

Grilled Vegetables

8. Grilled Corn with Chili Lime

Grilled corn is always a good partner for brisket but what if you could jazz things up a bit? In this recipe, you brush the corn with butter, wrap in foil, and then grill. Make up a mix of butter, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and lime juice and zest. Brush this onto the corn when it is done grilling. 

Get the recipe here

Grilled Corn with Chili Lime

9. Southern Fried Okra

This Southern side is just what you need for a crispy and delicious dish! For this recipe, you dip the okra in egg and milk before dredging in flour. Then, cook in hot oil until nice and golden brown! 

Get the recipe here

Southern Fried Okra

10. Homemade Pickles

Tangy pickles are just the thing you need to cut through the heavy flavors of the brisket! Best of all, these pickles are ready to eat within a couple of hours. Simply slice cucumbers and add to a solution made of water, rice vinegar, salt, sugar, and seasonings. Garlic and dill offer up more flavoring! 

Get the recipe here

Homemade Pickles

11. Hawaiian Rolls

One of the best ways to eat shredded brisket is as a slider. Well, to do this, you need the ultimate rolls and here you have the most incredible recipe for homemade Hawaiian rolls! These delicious rolls, sweetened with pineapple juice offset the savory brisket beautifully! 

Get the recipe here

Hawaiian Rolls

12. Garlic Bread 

Garlic bread is simple, tasty, and a crowd favorite. In this recipe, cut slices in bread and then smother them with a mix of butter, garlic, parmesan, and parsley. Wrap in foil and bake or grill until the butter is melted. If you want to make things a bit more decadent, sprinkle some mozzarella cheese towards the end and heat again until the cheese melts. 

Get the recipe here

Garlic Bread 

13. Green Bean Casserole 

This casserole is creamy and cozy but with enough of a snap to it that it still balanced out the brisket! Mix green beans with cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and crispy onions before baking. Top with more fried onions and bake for a bit longer for a real crispy treat! 

Get the recipe here

Green Bean Casserole 

14. Asian Cucumber Salad

Enjoying a brisket on a warm day? This light Asian cucumber salad is just what you need to cool you down! Cucumbers are seasoned with rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic while the sesame seeds add even more crunch into the mix! 

Get the recipe here

Asian Cucumber Salad

15. Grilled Green Beans

If you are looking for a simple side, then look no further than these grilled green beans! All you have to do is toss the beans in olive oil and then season. Grill until lightly charred and then squeeze some lemon juice over the top! 

Get the recipe here

Grilled Green Beans

16. Southern Collard Greens

Silky and savory, this is just what you need when you are feeling like a heartier side dish for your brisket! Start by cooking up a ham hock until it is nearly tender. Then, add in the collard greens and cook until the leaves are soft and have absorbed that savory goodness! 

Get the recipe here

Southern Collard Greens

17. Garlic Potato Wedges

These potato wedges are so incredibly flavorful! The potato wedges are tossed in oil, salt, garlic, onion powder, paprika, and pepper. They are then arranged on a baking sheet and sprinkled with parmesan. Bake until golden brown and then sprinkle on more parmesan before serving! 

Get the recipe here

Garlic Potato Wedges

18. Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Why not take these two classic dishes and roll them into one? Start by boiling the potatoes and the eggs. Then, scoop out the yolks and mix with mayo, mustard, vinegar, and dill relish to form a paste. Mix in chopped potatoes and egg whites and stir! 

Get the recipe here

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

19. Southern Hush Puppies

Ooh, these hush puppies are just incredible! Crunchy but soft and so full of flavor! Cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and seasonings are mixed in with egg, butter, and buttermilk to form a batter. Then, scoops of the batter are dropped in hot oil and fried until golden brown! 

Get the recipe here

Southern Hush Puppies

20. Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is such a good side dish – it has carbs and veggies but still manages to be fairly light and bright! This salad is an Italian inspired one with pasta, veggies, cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini, parmesan, and mozzarella. Olives add a nice bit of flavor too! 

Get the recipe here

Pasta Salad

21. Cheese Grits

This recipe works for anyone looking for a more Southern inspired side dish! The grits are cooked in a hearty mix of heavy cream and butter until they are tender. Then, stir in more butter and cheese as well as a bit of tabasco sauce for flavoring! 

Get the recipe here

Cheese Grits

22. Jalapeno Poppers

This is certainly a fun dish! Halve jalapenos and scoop them out. Fill the middle with a mix of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, seasoning, and chives. Sprinkle on panko mixed with melted butter. Then, bake until golden brown! 

Get the recipe here

Jalapeno Poppers

23. Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad is light enough to be served alongside the hearty brisket but still flavorful enough to be a good side for a barbecue! Here, lettuce is coated in a zesty and delicious homemade dressing. This is topped off with delicious croutons for some crunch! 

Get the recipe here

Caesar Salad

24. Creamy Corn Pudding

This corn pudding is a cozy side for your brisket – perfect for something that can go head to head with the meat. The corn pudding is made up of cream style corn, corn kernels, eggs, milk, cream, and flavorings. The result is a creamy, slightly wobbly side! 

Get the recipe here

Creamy Corn Pudding

25. Broccoli Salad

A broccoli salad is a good option for keeping things healthy while also adding some crispness to the mix! In this recipe, the broccoli is mixed with cranberries, bacon, sunflower seeds, red onion, and cheese. It is then drizzled over with a simple, creamy dressing! 

Get the recipe here

Broccoli Salad

26. Twice Baked Potatoes

These potatoes are so good and filled with so much flavor! Start by baking whole potatoes. Once tender, halve the potatoes and scoop out the centers. Mash this potato and mix with cheese, cream, and seasonings. Add this back into the potato skins, top with cheese, and bake until golden brown! 

Get the recipe here

Twice Baked Potatoes

27. Roasted Brussel Sprouts 

Yes, roasted brussel sprouts can be a great side for brisket. The milder flavors ensure that the brisket will be the star of the show! Halve the brussel sprouts and then toss in oil, garlic, parmesan, and seasonings. Then, bake until tender! 

Get the recipe here

Roasted Brussel Sprouts 

28. Grilled Romaine Salad

Grilling romaine leaves is a great way to add flavor to a salad and really take it to the next level! Once grilled, the romaine is added with other veggies and then drizzled with a creamy ranch dressing. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles, and enjoy!

Get the recipe here

Grilled Romaine Salad

29. Watermelon Feta Salad 

This summer worthy salad works well with brisket when serving at a barbecue. The watermelon and cucumber add some light crunch while the feta is creamy and salty. The mint adds a hint of sweetness, rounding everything out! 

Get the recipe here

Watermelon Feta Salad 

30. Grilled Flatbread 

Want a lighter version of bread for your brisket? Opt for grilled flatbread instead! It is fluffy and delicious but not quite as heavy as bread. Once you make up the flatbread, season with garlic and herbs for that extra touch of flavor. The smokiness of the grill will really complement the brisket! 

Get the recipe here

Grilled Flatbread

There are a lot of brisket sides to enjoy – from veggies and breads to fun little dishes that kids will love! You can stick to a single side or try out a few different ones for a full blown meal. So, what are you waiting for – try these recipes before your next barbecue to see which one fits your brisket dish! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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