Are you wondering what to serve with corned beef and cabbage? From classic options like potatoes or carrots to surprising flavors like pickles or beer, the options are endless!
Whether you’re looking for a new menu item for an old favorite, or just want something a little different to eat alongside corned beef and cabbage, this blog post covers you.
Keep reading for creative recipes of side dishes that will perfectly elevate your classic corned beef and cabbage dinner.
What Are Corned Beef And Cabbage?
Corned beef and cabbage is a classic dish commonly associated with Ireland. It’s a boiled dinner of corned beef, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage in one pot.
The brisket or round-roast beef is cured with salt and spices, creating the distinct flavor of this traditional recipe.
Often served around St. Patrick’s Day, corned beef and cabbage are an economical way to serve a meal to large groups of people.
When cooking corned beef and cabbage, the vegetables are added to the pot after the meat has been cooked for several hours.
The key is to season it with salt, pepper, and other spices, such as bay leaf and mustard seed, to bring out the flavor.
After cooking everything, the dish should be served with a creamy mustard sauce or horseradish for extra flavor.
What To Serve With Corned Beef And Cabbage?
Corned beef and cabbage is a classic Irish dish that can be enjoyed year-round.
If you’re wondering what to serve with corned beef and cabbage, plenty of delicious sides pair perfectly. Here are some ideas:
Homemade Horseradish
Homemade Horseradish is a condiment made from a root vegetable that has a pungent and spicy flavor.
It is often mixed with other ingredients like vinegar, salt, and sugar to create a more flavorful and potent condiment.
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Horseradish is traditionally served with corned beef and cabbage because of its strong flavor.
The horseradish’s pungent taste helps cut through the fat and saltiness of the corned beef, while also bringing out the sweeter taste of the cabbage.
The combination of flavors makes for an incredibly delicious dish! Additionally, horseradish is known to help with digestion and its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce inflammation in the body.
Serving homemade horseradish with corned beef and cabbage is a great way to get all its health benefits while adding flavor to your meal!
Buttered Baked Potatoes
Buttered Baked Potatoes is an Irish dish made from potatoes, butter, salt and pepper.
It’s a simple but tasty side dish that pairs well with corned beef and cabbage.
The creamy buttery potatoes provide a great contrast to the corned beef, and add a nice richness to the meal.
The potatoes also help to soak up the flavorful juices from the corned beef and cabbage.
This classic combination is an Irish favorite and a great way to enjoy these two traditional dishes.
Gnocchi
Gnocchi is an Italian dumpling made from potatoes, eggs and flour. It is slightly chewy and is usually served with sauces or as part of hearty dishes like stews.
The combination of gnocchi, corned beef, and cabbage is a classic Irish-American dish.
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The flavors in this dish work together in harmony; the starchy gnocchi absorbs the salty, savory flavors of the corned beef and is complemented by the crunchy cabbage and creamy butter.
It’s an easy, healthy meal that can be served as a one-dish dinner or as part of a larger spread.
Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Asparagus is a delicious side dish often served with corned beef and cabbage. Roasting asparagus brings out its sweet flavor and gives it a crispy texture.
It is typically seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and other herbs to enhance the flavor.
The combination of tender corned beef, savory cabbage, and flavorful asparagus makes for a delicious and comforting meal.
Roasted Asparagus can also be served with other dishes, such as pork chops or steak.
It is an easy-to-prepare side dish that adds flavor and color to any dinner plate.
Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread is made with flour, water, and a sourdough starter.
It has been used for centuries in Europe and the United States, and it reflects its history in its unique flavor and texture.
Sourdough is known for being slightly tangy with a chewy crust and light, airy crumb.
Sourdough bread is the perfect complement to corned beef and cabbage because its taste helps balance the salty flavor of the meat and bring out the sweetness of the vegetables in the dish.
Additionally, sourdough has a great texture that can hold up well against other ingredients in a meal.
The tangy flavor of the bread also pairs well with the savory flavors of corned beef and cabbage, making it a great addition to any meal.
Green Salad
Green Salad is a type of salad that incorporates green vegetables, usually consisting of lettuce and other leafy vegetables like spinach or kale.
It’s often dressed with an oil-based vinaigrette dressing.
Green Salads are great for adding color and texture to meals and making them more enjoyable.
In addition to the traditional green salad ingredients, plenty of variations include different types of fruits and vegetables.
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Serving Green Salad with corned beef and cabbage is an excellent way to add a light, refreshing flavor to the traditional meal.
The crunchy texture of the salad also compliments the softness of the corned beef nicely.
Additionally, the freshness of the salad cuts through the heartiness of the cabbage and beef, making for a delicious meal.
The combination also helps to provide a balance of nutrition and flavor.
Lastly, green salads are often very low in calories, so they can be enjoyed guilt-free!
Apple Sauce
Apple sauce is a condiment often served with corned beef and cabbage. It’s a sweet and tart accompaniment to the savory dish.
Apple sauce combines cooked apples, sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices.
The apples are boiled until they become soft and then mashed or puréed until they reach a smooth consistency.
The sugar and spices are added to the mixture for flavor and sweetness.
When served with corned beef, the apple sauce adds an extra layer of flavor to the meal that is both sweet and savory.
It also helps to balance out the intense flavors of the dish and make it more enjoyable.
Apple sauce pairs well with the food because it helps to cut through the richness of the beef and cabbage, allowing each flavor to shine.
The sweet and tart notes of the apple sauce also provide a contrast that helps make the dish more palatable.
Gravy
Gravy is a thick, creamy sauce typically made from pan drippings of roasted meats or vegetables.
It’s often served with corned beef and cabbage because it helps to moisten the meat and vegetables while adding flavor.
The addition of gravy also makes for a more flavorful meal, as its richness helps bring out all the other flavors in the dish.
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Furthermore, gravy can be made from the seasonings and vegetables used in the corned beef and cabbage dish, creating an even more flavorful experience.
In addition to its flavor-enhancing abilities, gravy also helps to blend all of the ingredients together into one cohesive meal.
By adding just a few spoonfuls of gravy over your corned beef and cabbage, you’ll end up with a flavorful, warm and comforting meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
FAQs
What Desserts To Serve With Corned Beef And Cabbage?
There are a variety of desserts that go well with corned beef and cabbage.
You could make a traditional Irish dessert like apple tart or barmbrack. Other popular options include fruit cobblers, layer cakes, ice cream sundaes, and crème brulee.
What Vegetables To Serve With Corned Beef And Cabbage?
The classic accompaniment to a corned beef and cabbage dish is potatoes, carrots, and onions.
These vegetables can be boiled or roasted in the oven with the corned beef for added flavor.
Other vegetables that go well with this dish include Brussels sprouts, parsnips, turnips, squash, and celery.
Why Are Corned Beef And Cabbage Popular Among Americans?
The combination of corned beef and cabbage has been popular in the US since the early 1800s.
At that time, Irish immigrants brought their recipes to America, and the dish quickly became a staple among American households.
Its popularity is due to its delicious flavor and affordability.
Is Corned Beef And Cabbage Good For Your Health?
Yes, corned beef and cabbage can be a nutritious meal.
Combining lean meats with fiber-rich vegetables like cabbage is a great choice if you’re looking for healthy options.
Just remember to practice portion control, as too much red meat can raise your cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
Now you should know what to serve with corned beef and cabbage. Many delicious dishes are served alongside corned beef and cabbage to make a flavorful, nutritious and filling meal.
Sourdough bread is perfect for adding a light tang to the dish, while green salad provides a refreshing balance of flavors.
Apple sauce brings sweetness and tartness to the mix, while gravy helps bring all the flavors together into one cohesive meal.
By combining these dishes with corned beef and cabbage, you’ll be able to create a delicious and enjoyable meal that will please everyone at the table.
