45 Savory Side Dishes For Pot Roast

Southern Living Glazed Carrots on a serving platter with a serving fork beside
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Pot roast is a dinnertime staple. You probably have your go-to recipe memorized at this point. But what to serve with pot roast is a whole another debate. Mashed potatoes are often the default, but we've collected a few of other favorite sides that go wonderfully with this hearty main dish. From homemade dinner rolls, to quick and easy salads, there's something for everyone and every skill level.

01 of 45

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Southern Living Homemade Mashed Potatoes in a bowl to serve

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

There's perhaps nothing more classic than serving freshly made mashed potatoes under pot roast. They absorb all the juicy goodness from the roast.

02 of 45

Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Think of this recipe as the basic template for cooking a delicious plate of broccoli, and from there you can take it any direction you like. Add ranch or everything bagel seasoning for a flavorful kick, or serve simply with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

03 of 45

Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Easy Cauliflower Casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Cheddar cheese and sour cream make this dish ultra creamy and gooey. So much so, even the pickiest of eaters will leave behind only clean plates.

04 of 45

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

garlic parmesan green beans
Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Parmesan and bacon are two flavor-packed ingredients that take humble green beans to new heights.

05 of 45

Broccoli-Cheese Casserole

broccoli-cheese casserole

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This classic casserole goes with a variety of main dishes, from roast chicken to, yes, pot roast.

06 of 45

Southern-Style Green Beans

southern-style green beans on a green plate - Southern Living

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

These beans are not for those that like their veggies served with a snap. But what they lack in crunch they more than make up for with deep, rich flavor.

07 of 45

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

When asparagus season rolls around in the spring this is one of the first dishes we turn to. The simple preparation is not only weeknight-friendly, but let's the vegetable shine.

08 of 45

Roasted Potatoes

Southern Living Roasted Potatoes in a bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sometimes simple is best and these potatoes prove just that. They get beautifully crisp on the outside, but stay fluffy on the inside.

09 of 45

Air Fryer Asparagus

air fryer asparagus with crumbled cheese and seasoning
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We love using the air fryer to quickly make a tasty side dish. Although you could truly top this asparagus with whatever you like, we're partial to the magical combination of goat cheese and everything bagel seasoning in this recipe.

10 of 45

Scalloped Potatoes

scalloped potatoes - southern living

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Rich doesn't even begin to describe this decadent casserole. Tender slices of potato are cooked in a béchamel sauce for a hearty side dish bound to please everyone at the table.

11 of 45

Super Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Southern Living Smashed Potatoes on a platter to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

You've tried mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, and baked potatoes, but have ever smashed your potatoes? This technique creates more surface area on the spuds, which in turn means more crispy bits.

12 of 45

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Southern Living Roasted Sweet Potatoes on a plate to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Mix things up and swap regular russets for sweet potatoes alongside pot roast. This simple recipe is easy to customize with your favorite seasoning blends.

13 of 45

Easy Creamed Spinach

Creamed Spinach
Antonis Achilleos

In this recipe, fresh spinach is enveloped in cream, Parmesan cheese, and butter. It's one of the easiest ways to eat your veggies, if you ask us.

14 of 45

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Think of this recipe as our version of a traditional caesar. We've swapped romaine for kale and croutons for breadcrumbs, but the creamy dressing hits all the same classic caesar dressing notes.

15 of 45

Asparagus Gratin

Asparagus Gratin
Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

Although we love a simple asparagus preparation, sometimes you want to go the extra mile, and this recipe is one way to do so. Baked in cream, Fontina, and Parmesan, this asparagus cooks up golden brown and bubbly.

16 of 45

Harvest Salad

Harvest Salad
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

This salad is anything but boring. Loaded with tons of texture from the pecans and crunchy apples, and contrasting flavors from the bitter kale and sweet squash, it has everything you could want in a side salad.

17 of 45

Maple-Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Southern Living Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts in the bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A touch of maple syrup in this recipe helps caramelize and lightly sweeten Brussels sprouts, while salty bacon helps lend the dish a bit of fat for balance.

18 of 45

Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans

Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans
Greg DuPree

Who says slaw has to have cabbage? Thinly slicing Brussels sprouts creates a similar texture to shredded cabbage but with a little more crunch.

19 of 45

Cajun Potatoes

Southern Living Cajun Roasted Potatoes in a bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you like a touch of heat in your side dishes, try these potatoes. Cajun seasoning provides the savory and spicy kick that sets this potato side dish apart from all others.

20 of 45

Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A light smashing helps Brussels sprouts become extra crispy and irresistible in this recipe.

21 of 45

Glazed Carrots

Southern Living Glazed Carrots on a serving platter with a serving fork beside

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Multicolor carrots are completely optional, but if you can find them, we think they're well worth it as they make this side dish a little extra pretty.

22 of 45

Ginger Carrots

Southern Living Ginger Carrots

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Fresh orange juice and freshly grated ginger add tons of brightness and zing to this simple carrot side dish.

23 of 45

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Although designed for carrots and parsnips, this recipe is ultra flexible and can be made with sweet potatoes and turnips too.

24 of 45

Sugar Snap Pea Salad

Southern Living Sugar Snap Pea Salad on a platter to serve

Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley 

This salad is almost too pretty to eat. The key word being almost. Edible flowers are entirely optional, but create an extra pretty presentation.

25 of 45

Skillet-Roasted Carrots

skillet-roasted carrots in a white skillet

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

The combination of apple cider vinegar and honey creates the perfect glaze on these simply prepared carrots.

26 of 45

Southern Fried Corn

Southern Fried Corn in a skillet
Caitlin Bensel

We love making this recipe when we have fresh corn, but it works year-round with frozen corn too. But our favorite part of this recipe has to be that it uses bacon grease to create a flavorful base for this 15-minute side dish.

27 of 45

Parker House Rolls

Parker House Rolls in a teal dish
Photographer: Alison Miksch / Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn / Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

These rolls require a little patience (and working with yeast) but they blow anything you can pick up premade at the grocery store out of the water.

28 of 45

Honey-Butter Skillet Corn

Southern Living Honey Butter Skillet Corn in the pan ready to serve

Alison Miksch

As you may have guessed from the title of this recipe, this dish dresses up corn in honey, and yes, butter. But the secret ingredient is the 1/4 cup of cream cheese we sneak in there too.

29 of 45

Cloverleaf Rolls

Southern Living Cloverleaf Rolls in a basket to serve

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Perhaps you only make fresh rolls for holiday dinners or entertaining, but this easy recipe might just convince you to make it a regular occurrence, especially because they go so well with pot roast and all its juices.

30 of 45

Southern-Style Collard Greens

Southern-Style Collard Greens - Southern Living

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

There aren't many meals that we wouldn't suggest serving with a side of greens. This is our trusted recipe, and it's complete with smoky flavors from both bacon and smoked ham.

31 of 45

Apple-Cranberry Salad

apple cranberry salad
Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

If you need something lighter on the table to cut through the richness of pot roast, look no further. Tart dried cranberries and crunchy, but sweet apples give this side salad tons of great texture and flavor.

32 of 45

Smoky Creamed Greens

 Smoky creamed greens on white plate

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

You're likely familiar with creamed spinach, but have you tried creaming your greens? It's not the traditional Southern way, but that doesn't mean it's not delicious.

33 of 45

Romaine Salad With Oranges And Radishes

Southern Living Romaine Salad With Oranges and Radishes on serving platter

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

We'll serve this side salad with just about anything. It has the perfect balance of spicy radish and sweet orange segments, which lends brightness to any meal.

34 of 45

Sautéed Squash And Zucchini

Southern Living Sauteed Squash and Zucchini in a serving bowl

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

Sometimes simple is best and this side dish is a perfect example. Ready in less than 20 minutes, and only requiring 5 ingredients (plus salt and pepper), it's exactly the kind of effortless side we turn to on busy weeknights.

35 of 45

Roasted Delicata Squash

southern living roasted delicata squash

Jessica Furniss

With an edible skin and beautiful scalloped shape, Delicata has quickly become one of favorite squashes to prepare. Although we keep this recipe simple, seasoning with just thyme and red pepper flakes, you can easily sub in your favorite spices.

36 of 45

Creamed-Corn Grits

Creamed Corn-Grits in a bowl

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Mashed potatoes might be the traditional starchy side for serving with pot roast, but we think these creamy grits work just as well as spuds.

37 of 45

Easy Squash Casserole

Easy Squash Casserole without a scoop

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Squash casserole, especially this extra easy version, is our year-round go-to for a satisfying and hearty side dish no matter what we're serving.

38 of 45

Roasted Broccolini

roasted broccolini - Southern Living

Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Ditch the broccoli and try its thinner (but just as tasty) cousin broccolini. Here, we prepare it simply with olive oil, Parmesan, and lemon, but you can truly season it however you like.

39 of 45

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Southern Living Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes in a bowl to serve, topped with butter and thyme leaves

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely 

For a lighter take on mashed potatoes, try this cauliflower version instead. They get just as creamy and fluffy!

40 of 45

Microwave Baked Potato

baked potato on a plate

Caitlin Bensel

For a quick side dish, turn to your microwave. It perfectly steams a classic baked potato, which you can top with all your favorite condiments.

41 of 45

Leafy Green Salad With Sunflower Seed Dressing

Southern Living Leafy Green Salad with Sunflower Seed Dressing on a platter to serve

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely 

Sunflower seeds are one of our favorite crunchy toppings for salads. In this recipe they're married with radishes, tender herbs, and spring onions, for a light and refreshing side dish.

42 of 45

Air Fryer Green Beans

Southern Living Air Fryer Green Beans on a platter to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sesame oil, chili crunch, soy sauce, and ginger add tons of depth and flavor to humble green beans in this recipe.

43 of 45

Brown Sugar-Glazed Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Brown Sugar-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
photographs by ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; RECIPE: ANNA THEOKTISTO; FOOD STYLING: RUTH BLACKBURN; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINA DALEY

A little sweet and a little salty, these Brussels sprouts have it all. And with only 7 ingredients required, they couldn't be easier to pull off.

44 of 45

Skillet-Charred Pole Beans With Bacon

Southern Living Skillet-Charred Pole Beans with Bacon in the pan to serve

Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Bacon, garlic, and vinegar are the perfect trio of flavors that dress up simple pole beans in this recipe.

45 of 45

Instant Pot Collard Greens

Instant Pot Collard Greens - Southern Living

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Greens are typically a slow and steady cooking process, but using an Instant Pot changes all that. Ready in just 40 minutes, no one will know that you sped things up a little.

Was this page helpful?

Related Articles