The 45 Best Sides for Pork Chops (original) (raw)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
We’re all about one-pot meals, sheet pan dinners and recipes that tell us to throw everything in a Crockpot and call it a night. Nevertheless, there’s something satisfying about a classic square meal—a protein, carb and vegetable, just like your mom used to serve. Pork chops are a safe bet, since they’re easy to prepare, relatively lean and always delicious. But what should you serve with them? Here are 45 of the best sides for pork chops, from fancy baked potatoes to homemade applesauce.
Eva Kolenko/Bread Toast Crumbs
1. Spicy Broccoli Sauté
Switch it up from your usual roasted situation with the help of garlic, breadcrumbs and crushed red pepper flakes.
Christopher Testani/Instant Family Meals
Linda Pugliese/Help Yourself
3. Melted Onions
They’re gorgeous, unexpected and supremely easy to make.
Quentin Bacon/Modern Comfort Food
Ola Smit/Dinner's In the Bag
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
9. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Like applesauce, the sweetness in these fries brings out the flavor of the pork chop. The vitamins and minerals are just a bonus.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
11. Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes
The secret weapon in these velvety, make-ahead potatoes is cream cheese (but shh, don’t tell anyone).
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
18. Green Goddess Lettuce Wraps
Presenting our favorite way to eat salad. Serve them with plenty of homemade green goddess dip on the side.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
19. Light And Tangy Coleslaw
Made with a tangy vinegar base instead of mayo, this side is especially tasty with pork chops.
Erin McDowell
20. Coconut Creamed Spinach
Thanks to coconut milk, your go-to dinner side is now dairy-free (and just a tad healthier).
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
21. Baked Potatoes
Top them with creamy mushrooms, spicy Brussels sprouts or balsamic caramelized onions (or sour cream and chives—we won’t judge).
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Katherine Gillen
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Floating Kitchen
25. Cranberry Apple Salad
We love this crisp starter with apples, macerated cranberries, walnuts and mustard vinaigrette.
Gimme Some Oven
The Full Helping
Two Peas and Their Pod
28. Magic Broccoli
Garlic, lemon and a little salt and pepper are all you need to create an awesome, 25-minute side.
The Clean Eating Couple
Gimme Some Oven
30. Caesar Salad
Need something to stand up to your pork chops? Use hearty kale in your usual Caesar instead of lettuce.
Foodie Crush
The Clean Eating Couple
32. Green Beans Almondine
PureWow Coterie member Liz Falcigno gives us a keto-friendly, Whole30-approved take on the traditional butter-soaked dish.
Ambitious Kitchen
Floating Kitchen
Two Peas and Their Pod
35. Parmesan-pesto Roasted Potatoes
Pork chops and potatoes are always a delicious pairing, but when the taters are slathered in basil pesto, it's just plain epic.
Katherine Gillen
36. Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Hot take: Brussels sprouts are the new potatoes. You're only six ingredients away from their tastiest iteration yet.
Kristen Kilpatrick/The Comfortable Kitchen
Mark Weinberg/I Dream of Dinner
Katherine Gillen
39. Crunchy Broccoli Salad
Don't knock raw broccoli 'til you've tried it. This 20-minute side boasts roasted sunflower seeds, dried cranberries and cheddar cheese.
Kelly Marshall/Sunday Best
41. Green Cabbage Gratin
Because *everything* is better with cheese, butter, wine and breadcrumbs—even humble, underrated cabbage.
Katherine Gillen
42. Ranch Potato Salad
Just the creamy, herby, tangy update this picnic side needed. We wouldn't blame you for drizzling the dressing over your pork chop.
Robert Bredvad/The Secret Ingredient Cookbook
43. Caesar Pasta Salad
Never choose between tender, creamy pasta and crisp, leafy greens again. (The dressing doubles as a zingy party dip, BTW.)
Nicole Franzen/To The Last Bite
44. White Wine Braised Leeks
So tender, they practically melt in your mouth. Their garlicky, herby flavor is just the pairing for an expertly seared pork chop.
Jenny Huang/Korean American