25 Side Dishes To Serve With BBQ Brisket

Southern Living Corn and Tomato Salad in a serving bowl to serve
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you know you'll be serving brisket for dinner, but you have no clue what to make to go with it, you've come to the right place. We have ideas for all kinds of brisket sides, from light and refreshing salads to comforting fried sides like Corn Fritters. We have recipes for classic Southern dishes like coleslaw and corn on the cob, but also fresh takes on familiar favorites, like a new spin on a tomato salad. Read on to see 25 tasty sides for brisket.

01 of 25

Classic Coleslaw

Classic Coleslaw
Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Tangy and refreshing, a homemade coleslaw cuts through the fatty richness of brisket for a balanced meal.

02 of 25

Best Homemade Macaroni And Cheese

baked Best Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Mac and cheese is our favorite side to go with practically anything, but especially smoky brisket.

03 of 25

Homemade Baked Beans

Southern Living Homemade Baked Beans in the dish after baking ready to serve

Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Never turn to store-bought baked beans again. This homemade version couldn't be easier and tastes 10 times better.

04 of 25

Oven-Roasted Corn On The Cob

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob
PHOTOGRAPHER: FRED HARDY II, FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL, PROPS STYLIST: CHRISTINA BROCKMAN

No matter the time of year, this oven-roasted corn hits the spot, especially when served alongside brisket and other classic barbecue sides.

05 of 25

Creamy Broccoli Slaw

Creamy Broccoli Slaw

Will Dickey; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

This easy slaw starts with a mix, but is dressed up with toasted pecans, golden raisins, and cider vinegar for nutty, sweet, and tangy flavor throughout.

06 of 25

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Creamy Cucumber Salad With Dill
Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living

The combination of sour cream, mayonnaise, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet Vidalias makes for a super simple but flavorful side dish that goes perfectly with brisket.

07 of 25

Marinated Cucumber, Tomato, And Onion Salad

Marinated Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad

HANNAH ZIMMERMAN/SOUTHERN LIVING

Sherry vinegar lightly pickles the onions, cucumber, and tomatoes in this zingy side salad that has the perfect fresh flavor to contrast and complement brisket.

08 of 25

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Southern Living Heirloom Tomato Salad sprinkling with basil

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When heirloom tomatoes are at their best, you must make this salad. Simply dressed in a honey-Dijon vinaigrette, this salad lets the beautiful summer tomatoes shine.

09 of 25

Corn And Tomato Salad

Southern Living Corn and Tomato Salad in a serving bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing spiked with tart lime juice coats the fresh corn kernels and cherry tomatoes in this salad. It's the ideal refreshing side for serving with any type of hearty protein, like brisket.

10 of 25

Smashed Oven-Fried Okra

Southern Living Smashed Oven-Fried Okra on a platter to serve with dipping sauce

Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely 

Crispy fried okra can double as an appetizer or side. No matter how you serve it, the Speedy Creole Comeback Sauce must be included for dipping.

11 of 25

Cucumber-Tomato-Avocado Salad

Southern Living Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad in a bowl to serve topped with feta

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Creamy avocado and salty feta put a fresh spin on a classic cucumber and tomato salad that happens to go wonderfully with brisket.

12 of 25

Southern Skillet Cornbread

Southern Living Skillet Cornbread sliced to serve with butter

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

A good pan of cornbread really goes with anything, but we love serving a steaming hot skillet of it alongside brisket.

13 of 25

Broccoli Salad

Southern Living Broccoli Salad

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Broccoli salad shows up at most Southern potlucks and picnics, and for a good reason. The all-purpose side dish offers just the right amount of crunch and tang to cut through rich dishes, including brisket.

14 of 25

Zesty Corn-And-Squash Salad

Southern Living Zesty Corn-and-Squash Salad

Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

This just might be our favorite way to use up a bunch of extra summer squash. It requires no cooking and only takes 20 minutes of active hands-on work.

15 of 25

Southern-Style Potato Salad

Southern Living Southern Style Potato Salad in a bowl to serve with two glasses of sweet tea behind

Dotdash Meredith

Tangy, creamy, crunchy, and rich, this potato salad has it all. It's the perfect complement to smoky brisket.

16 of 25

7-Layer Salad

Southern Living 7-Layer Salad in a bowl to serve with serving spoons beside

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Don't let the 7 layers intimidate you. It only takes 25 minutes to assemble this super simple salad. So grab your trifle dish, and start building!

17 of 25

Grilled Corn Ribs

Grilled Corn Ribs

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Daley

For a fun new way to enjoy corn on the cob, try these Grilled Corn Ribs. Although they don't contain any meat, their curled shape makes them an ideal finger food reminiscent of baby back ribs.

18 of 25

Cowboy Pasta Salad

Cowboy Pasta Salad

VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DAILEY

We think a loaded Cowboy Pasta Salad seems like a natural fit for brisket (especially when prepared Texas-style). It has a little bit of everything it, and includes a nice spicy kick.

19 of 25

Texas-Style Baked Beans

Texas-Style Baked Beans
Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

What makes Texas baked beans different than your average baked beans? Well, it comes down to a little bit (or a lotta bit) of heat and using pinto beans rather than navy beans.

20 of 25

Three-Pickle Potato Salad

Southern Living Three Pickle Potato Salad

Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

Although some people don't even like a little bit of pickle relish in their potato salad, we have not only double, but tripled down on the pickle in this potato salad recipe. This version contains relish, chopped dill pickles, and spicy pickled okra too.

21 of 25

Corn Fritters

Southern Living Corn Fritters on a platter to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Serve these fritters hot and with a few dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, and barbecue.

22 of 25

Tomato-And-Watermelon Salad

Southern Living Watermelon Tomato Salad in a bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Two of the South's favorite summer fruits unite in this refreshing salad perfect for lightening up a heavy plate loaded with brisket.

23 of 25

Cowboy Fried Corn

Southern Living Cowboy Fried Corn in the skillet to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Smoked paprika, a poblano pepper, and the heat of chili powder make this a zesty side dish perfect for serving with fatty brisket.

24 of 25

Roasted Pepper-Tomato Salad With Crispy Black-Eyed Peas

Southern Living Roasted Pepper-Tomato Salad With Crispy Black-Eyed Peas

Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

You've likely made plenty of tomato salads in your life, but we bet none like this. Topped with crispy black-eyed peas, this new spin on a familiar format is a light and bright side dish perfect for enjoying with brisket.

25 of 25

Classic Macaroni Salad With Ham

macaroni salad with ham

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to chill. Make it ahead of time and leave it in the fridge until the brisket is ready to serve.

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