6 Side Dishes To Serve With Your Corned Beef Besides Cabbage

corned beef side dish

Corn beef and cabbage have become an iconic match on every St. Patrick’s Day.

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But have you ever wondered if corn beef can go well with other side dishes besides cabbage?

It’s time to break the rule and find out new recipes for the best accompaniments for corn beef in this article.

Let’s check it out!

What is corned beef?

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One of the most iconic dishes in Irish cuisine is corned beef.

It has been a staple item on dinner tables since the 1850s, but what exactly is it?

Corned beef is simply brisket (a common cut of beef from the neck section) that has been brined in saltwater with spices like bay leaf, peppercorns, and cloves for flavor, that’s why it is also known as salt beef.

The word “corn” comes from the kind of large-grained rock salt (corns of salt) that is used in the process of making corned beef.

The meat is often thinly sliced, pressed, and sold in tins.

Corned beef can be served immediately from the tin at room temperature, but it can be cooked over low heat until the meat is very soft and warm.

The most common side dish to serve with corned beef is boiled cabbage.

What to consider when choosing a corned beef’s side dish?

Choosing a side dish to serve with corned beef is not that hard, but to choose the right one, there are some things you should keep in mind, as listed below:

Consider the time you have to prepare the side dish for corned beef

There are many side dish options that go well with corned beef and each is made in different ways.

Therefore, consider the time you have to prepare your corned beef’s side dish to have the most suitable choice.

If you are in a hurry, some kind of sauce to enhance the flavor of corned beef is just enough.

Otherwise, make something more hearty and complicated to wow your guests.

A vegetable-based dish is best to serve with meat

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing an accompaniment for corned beef is to opt for a vegetable-based side dish.

There must be some reasons why cabbage has become the most common choice to serve alongside corned beef.

So other vegetable dishes can work the same way.

The refreshing and light taste from vegetables will offset the salty and meaty corned beef.

Go with a starchy dish if you want to be fuller

The last thing we would suggest is to choose a starchy dish like rice or bread if you want to fill your empty stomach and crave your hunger.

For those who have a habit of having in their diets (especially Asians), having a starchy side dish is just perfect to make the main course taste better and you can eat even more than normal.

6 best side dishes to serve with corned beef besides cabbage

A lot of people just want to follow the tradition and the crowd, so they no doubt choose cabbage as a classic side dish for corned beef.

But if you want to refresh your next St. Patrick’s Day with your corned beef, here are some options of side dishes we would like to recommend:

1.     Dinner rolls

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Dinner rolls are a great side dish option to serve with corned beef if you want to satisfy your hunger.

This is also a common companion for many savory dishes without any exception for corned beef.

The buttery flavor and puffy texture of dinner rolls are a perfect addition to juicy and savory corned beef.

2.     Roasted potatoes and carrots

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Potatoes and carrots are also some classic options to serve with corned beef.

These ingredients are best when roasted, so just sprinkle some salt and pepper over them and put your potatoes and carrots into the oven for a while until they get a nice golden color and are fully cooked.

3.      Green beans

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Do you want to make your meal healthier?

Try blanched green beans.

Green beans are a rich source of vegan proteins as well as other essential nutrients for your health.

The slightly sweet flavor of this kind of vegetable will definitely offset the salty taste of corned beef.

4.     Fried eggs

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Fried eggs are another simple side dish that goes perfect with corned beef.

You can have a quick and nutritious breakfast with these items without any fuss.

5.     Bread and cheese

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Besides being traditionally served with cabbage, corned beef is also a common filling for sandwiches.

Therefore, serve it with bread and some slices of cheese to have the on-the-go sandwich that tastes rich and flavorful.

6.     Mustard sauce

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Mustard goes well with corned beef.

So if you don’t have time to make something too fancy or impressive, some store-bought mustard sauce is enough to make your corned beef taste better.

The bottom line

Now you know that cabbage is not the only side dish to serve with corned beef.

You have a lot more delicious options to go with, and they are all easy to make.

There are several things to keep in mind before choosing a good companion for your corn beef, so keep in mind our tips and suggestions so that you will always have the best meal with corned beef.