What to Serve With Brisket is one of the most beloved comfort foods, rich, tender, slow-cooked, and full of deep beef flavor. But a truly unforgettable brisket meal depends on the sides, sauces, and accompaniments you serve alongside it. Whether you’re preparing smoked brisket, BBQ brisket, Jewish holiday brisket, corned beef brisket, or brisket sandwiches, the right pairings elevate the meal from good to exceptional. This guide covers everything you can serve with brisket, tailored to every cooking style, cultural variation, and dinner setting.
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Let’s dive in.
What Are the Best Sides to Serve With Brisket?
If you only want the essentials, here are the top picks:
Top 10 Brisket Sides
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Mac and cheese
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Coleslaw
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Cornbread
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Mashed potatoes
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Roasted vegetables
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Green beans
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Potato salad
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Baked beans
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Grilled corn on the cob
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Dinner rolls or Texas toast
But different types of brisket pair better with different sides. Below is a complete breakdown.
Best Sides to Serve With Beef Brisket
No matter how you prepare your brisket, these classic sides always work.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes balance the richness of brisket perfectly.
Roasted Vegetables
Carrots, onions, Brussels sprouts, and root vegetables add depth and texture.
Green Beans
Try sautéed, roasted, almondine, or Southern-style with bacon.
Dinner Rolls
Great for sopping up juices from oven-baked or braised brisket.
Macaroni and Cheese
A classic comfort food pairing, especially with BBQ or smoked brisket.
Potato Salad
Creamy or vinegar-based, both pair beautifully with brisket.
Garden Salad
A refreshing balance to heavier meat.
What to Serve With Smoked Brisket
Smoked brisket’s flavor is bold, rich, and smoky. The best sides are tangy, crunchy, sweet, or creamy.
Baked Beans
Smoky, sweet, hearty, perfect with smoked beef brisket.
Coleslaw
Adds crispness and acidity to cut through the fat.
Cornbread
Honey butter or jalapeño cornbread for extra flavor.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Simple and classic.
BBQ Potato Salad
A fresh twist on the traditional side.
Pickles and Onions
Authentic Texas-style brisket essentials.
Smoked Mac and Cheese
A BBQ favorite with bold depth.
Smoked Brussels Sprouts
For people who enjoy a fully smoked meal.
What to Serve With Brisket for Dinner (Comfort-Food Pairings)
If you’re serving brisket as a main dinner entrée, especially for holidays or family meals, choose hearty, warm sides:
Scalloped Potatoes
Rich, creamy, and elegant.
Roasted Garlic Carrots
A perfect match for braised brisket.
Buttery Egg Noodles
Especially good with Jewish holiday brisket.
Creamed Spinach
Comforting and indulgent.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Adds a gourmet touch to brisket dinner.
Sweet Potato Casserole
A sweet and savory pairing for fall or winter dinners.
What to Serve With BBQ Brisket (Summer, Cookouts & Grill Nights)
Barbecue brisket needs bold, tangy, and Southern-style sides.
BBQ Coleslaw
Vinegar-based slaw adds a bright flavor.
Hush Puppies
Crispy fried cornmeal balls.
Fried Okra
Fun, crunchy, and Southern.
Collard Greens
Slow-cooked greens balance smoky brisket.
Jalapeño Cornbread
A spicy twist.
Corn Pudding
Creamy and sweet beside savory BBQ brisket.
Watermelon Salad
Fresh, sweet, and perfect for summer BBQs.
What to Serve With Brisket Sandwiches
Brisket sandwiches are hearty and flavorful. Serve them with sides that add crunch or freshness.
French Fries
Classic.
Sweet Potato Fries
A slightly sweeter alternative.
Onion Rings
Crispy and indulgent.
Macaroni Salad
Perfect for picnics or BBQs.
Pickles or Pickled Vegetables
A must with brisket sandwiches.
Chips & Dill Dip
Simple and crowd-pleasing.
Corn Salad
Fresh and summery.
What to Serve With Corned Beef Brisket
Corned beef brisket is saltier and more savory than smoked brisket. It pairs well with vegetables and hearty starches.
Cabbage
Classic corned beef pairing.
Boiled Potatoes
Simple, traditional, and perfect.
Carrots
Adds natural sweetness.
Soda Bread
A great companion for Irish-style brisket meals.
Mustard Sauce
A tangy addition that brightens corned beef.
What to Serve With Jewish Brisket
Jewish brisket is usually braised with onions, tomatoes, or sweet sauces. Ideal for Rosh Hashanah, Passover, or Shabbat.
Kugel (Potato or Noodle)
A traditional and comforting side.
Tzimmes
Carrots + sweet potatoes + honey = perfect for holidays.
Roasted Potatoes
Especially with rosemary or dill.
Green Beans
A neutral, fresh side to balance the meal.
Challah
Perfect for soaking up all the sauce.
What Sauces & Condiments to Serve With Brisket
Many people search for:
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what sauce to serve with brisket
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Here are the best options.
Classic BBQ Sauce
Sweet, smoky, or spicy versions all work.
Texas-Style Sauce
Thinner, tangier, with a kick of vinegar.
Chimichurri
Bright, herbal, and refreshing, amazing with smoked brisket.
Horseradish Cream
Great with beef brisket or brisket sandwiches.
Mustard BBQ
South Carolina-style mustard sauce is perfect for brisket.
Au Jus
Ideal for braised or oven-baked brisket.
Gravy
Especially for Jewish or holiday brisket.
What to Serve With Brisket on a Bun / Sliders
For parties, game days, and casual meals:
Good options:
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Coleslaw (inside or on the side)
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Fried pickles
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Potato wedges
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Corn salad
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Simple green salad
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Mac and cheese
For toppings:
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Pickled onions
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Cheese (sharp cheddar, provolone, pepper jack)
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Jalapeños
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BBQ sauce
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Crispy fried onions
Best Sides for Brisket Tacos
Brisket tacos have become incredibly popular, especially smoked brisket tacos.
Best sides include:
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Mexican street corn (elote)
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Pico de gallo
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Guacamole
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Charro beans
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Cilantro-lime rice
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Queso dip + chips
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Pickled jalapeños
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Mexican coleslaw
Light & Healthy Sides to Serve With Brisket
If you want balance:
Try these:
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Roasted asparagus
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Cucumber salad
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Mediterranean quinoa salad
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Grilled zucchini
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Lemon vinaigrette salad
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Steamed broccoli
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Cauliflower mash
Gourmet Sides for Elegant Brisket Dinners
For upscale dinner parties:
Options:
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Truffle mashed potatoes
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Parmesan polenta
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Balsamic-glazed mushrooms
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Charred fennel citrus salad
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Wild rice pilaf
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Roasted beets with goat cheese
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Herbed couscous
What Desserts to Serve With Brisket
After rich meat, you want something light, sweet, or refreshing.
Best desserts:
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Peach cobbler
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Apple crisp
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Bread pudding
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Lemon bars
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Chocolate sheet cake
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Ice cream or gelato
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Berry shortcake
Drinks That Pair Well With Brisket
Alcoholic Pairings
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Red wine (Cabernet, Syrah, Malbec)
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Bourbon
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Craft beer (IPA, amber ale, porter)
Non-Alcoholic
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Sweet tea
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Lemonade
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Iced tea
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Arnold Palmer
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Sparkling water with citrus
What Should You Serve With Brisket?
The best sides for brisket depend on the style of brisket you’re serving: Smoked brisket pairs perfectly with BBQ classics like mac and cheese, baked beans, cornbread, and slaw. For BBQ-style brisket, bold Southern sides such as collard greens, hush puppies, and potato salad are ideal. If you’re serving braised or holiday brisket, cozy comfort foods like kugel, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and rolls make excellent companions. Brisket sandwiches go well with fries, slaw, pickles, chips, or fresh salads. And for corned beef brisket, traditional options like cabbage, potatoes, and carrots work best. No matter the occasion, these 50+ sides, sauces, and pairings ensure your brisket meal is complete, balanced, and unforgettable.
