Even though you can make pork extremely tasty with nothing more than salt and pepper, serving it on its own simply isn’t enough.
Fortunately, there are plenty of vegetables that go well with pork chops and other types of pork cuts.
Potatoes, carrots and mushrooms all complement the rich taste of pork and can be made into a variety of side dishes.
Creamy scalloped potatoes, stuffed mushrooms and glazed carrots are just a few of the amazing sides at your disposal.
Read on if you’re curious to find what other vegetables you can serve with your pork.
8 Vegetables that go well with pork
Pork is a fairly juicy meat so it pairs well with starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn.
However, you can use plenty of other vegetables to enhance its flavors and make a more nutritious meal.
Let’s take a look.
Potatoes
Potatoes are one of my favorite vegetables to pair with pork.
They’re full of delicious starches that melt in your mouth and enrich the taste of whatever pork you’re cooking.
They’re also extremely versatile and can be prepared in multiple different ways.
You can roast them, mash them, fry them or simply boil them for a quick salad.
And since they’re easy to cook, you can never go wrong if you use them as the main ingredient for your side dish.
With that said, I personally prefer using russet potatoes for my mashes and yukon golds for my other sides.
Mashed russet potatoes go extremely well with pulled pork shoulder roast recipes.
Russet potatoes are high in starch so they develop a nice soft and pillowy texture when they’re boiled.
Yukon golds on the other hand, hold their shape better when they’re roasted or used for a salad.
Carrots
Carrots are often overlooked when it comes to side dishes.
In most cases, they’re simply used as add-ins for soups, roasts and sauces.
However, carrots have an irresistible natural sweetness that can boost the taste of fatty meats like pork.
They also seem to be packed with nutrients and high in dietary fiber which makes them perfect for a healthy side dish.
You can shred them and use them for a coleslaw salad, steam them or roast them with a drizzle of olive oil.
And if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can sautee carrots along with some parsnip and beets.
This may seem like an odd combination at first, but once you try it you’ll discover it works quite well.
Another way to incorporate carrots into a side dish is to glaze them with some brown sugar or honey.
This enhances their natural sweetness and makes them even more tasty.
Mushrooms
In many parts of Europe, pork chops are served with a generous amount of mushroom gravy on top.
And this shouldn’t be surprising.
Mushrooms have a rich umami taste and carry an earthy flavor that simply begs you to combine them with pork.
In addition, their meaty flesh blends fantastically with the tender texture of a well made pork chop.
Apart from gravy, you can stuff mushrooms with cheese or sautee them with some garlic and herbs.
And if you’re looking for an even more simplistic side dish, you can grill them along with some carrots, onions and zucchini.
Regardless of the way you prepare them, you can be sure that mushrooms will enrich the taste of your pork.
Corn
One of the easiest ways to make a vegetable side dish for your pork is to use corn.
Corn is widely available throughout all seasons of the year and is extremely cheap.
Corn also has a high starch content, so if you grill it its taste goes quite nicely with grilled pork and baked pork chops.
You can use it to make plenty of sides that require minimal effort such as creamed corn and polenta.
And if you’re looking for a summer side dish, you can simply make a classic corn on the cob recipe.
Beets
Many people shy away from beets because of their unappealing earthy taste.
This is quite unfortunate, since beets seem to be full of natural sugars, vitamins and minerals.
Moreover, you can easily remove their earthy flavor by using a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.
Having said that, you can make quite a few side dishes that pair well with pork using beets.
On one hand, you can make a delightful beet salad with a handful of ingredients such as dijon mustard, honey and vinegar.
And on the other, you can make a healthy honey beet roast that combines sweet and tangy flavors.
Alternatively, you can shred some beets into your coleslaw salad to add some additional flavor.
Green beans
Green beans are one of the healthiest and tastiest vegetable choices for a side dish.
They’re easy to cook and can be served with almost any type of meat including pork.
The best ways to prepare them are to steam them for a few minutes or sautee them in some olive oil until crisp.
You can also make a classic Green Bean Casserole as a holiday side dish and serve it with pork chops.
Another benefit of green beans is that they’re extremely versatile and easily available.
You can use them fresh, frozen or canned without any change in flavor.
Broccoli
Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables to pair with pork.
It’s jam packed with nutrients and delivers a nice crunch when it’s cooked properly.
And since it’s also extremely versatile, it can be prepared in multiple ways depending on the taste and texture you’re looking for.
The easiest one is to steam it along with some carrots, brussel sprouts and cauliflower for a healthy side.
If you don’t mind the extra calories however, you can cook it in a garlic parmesan sauce and sprinkle in some bacon.
I can guarantee that your pork will love the artery clogging company of creamed broccoli!
Cabbage
Cabbage is one of the most underrated vegetables in the cooking world.
Check out: Bulgarian Sarma (brined cabbage rolls with pork).
Many people don’t realize that you can roast cabbage and the ones that do usually don’t do it properly.
Due to this, cabbage is primarily used as an ingredient in salads and soups.
And even though there’s nothing wrong with this, people miss out on the opportunity to combine the amazing taste of roasted cabbage with pork.
Moreover, you can actually roast both of these ingredients together for a more nuanced flavor and texture.
Another great way to enhance the flavor of pork is to use kimchi or fermented cabbage like sauerkraut as a side dish.
In fact, skim through my recipe for oven roasted pork and sauerkraut. It’s a one-dish meal and you’ll grow to love its taste once you try it.
The best vegetable side dishes for pork chops
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
There’s nothing better than serving your guests a side of creamy scalloped potatoes.
This dish is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other holiday.
And it’s super easy to make too!
The only ingredients you need are some potatoes, half an onion and cream sauce.
Shredded Potato Casserole
This shredded potato casserole has a Balkan twist to it (my parents are from Eastern Europe) in which I’ve omitted the cream and onions, and instead used feta cheese, the savory spice, and butter.
It’s one of my favorite dishes ever and I serve it as both main course and a side dish, depending on the occasion.
If you’re into easy but super flavorful sides – definitely check it out and maybe give it a try.
Glazed Carrots
Quick, easy and reliable, glazed carrots are the perfect sidekick for your roasted pork.
Their tender texture and delightful sweetness will blow your socks off!
You can also pair these babies with mashed potatoes and dinner rolls for a more filling meal.
Garlic Butter Mushrooms
If you feel your pork lacks that rich umami taste we all love, then it’s time to make some Garlic Butter Mushrooms.
You can make this side with any type of mushroom you like as long as you pack it with enough garlic and parsley.
Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is one of the best comforting meals you can ever experience.
Its smooth, milky texture is simply irresistible, while its taste leaves your taste buds begging for more.
This dangerous combination makes creamed corn delightfully addictive.
Beet Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Sweet, tangy and flavorful, a beet salad with balsamic dressing will hit your receptors in all the right ways.
And since it’s packed with an earthy aroma it will make the taste of your pork shine through.
A perfect recipe for the fall!
Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole is a classic holiday dish that pairs perfectly with pork chops.
With only five minutes of prep time, this is one of the easiest side dishes you can make.
Also check out: Green Pole Bean Recipe Ideas
Creamed Broccoli with Bacon
If you aren’t afraid of the extra calories, then you can serve your pork chops with some Creamed Broccoli and Bacon.
Made with creamy garlic parmesan sauce, this side dish will haunt you in your dreams.
Roasted Cabbage with Paprika
Roasted cabbage with paprika is rich, delicious, healthy and easy to make.
But the best part about this side dish is that you can make it along with your pork chops.
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, oven roasted sweet potatoes are one of the best side dishes for pork.
Their starchy sweetness will enrich the flavor of the meat like nothing else.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms with cheese and herbs is a quick and easy side dish with great flavor and texture.
Cremini mushrooms typically work the best with this side, but you can also use white button mushrooms.
Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower is a healthy side dish that adds a bit of crunch.
All you need to make it are a handful of ingredients and some patience.
Classic Homemade Coleslaw
If nothing else seems to work, then a simple homemade coleslaw might be what your pork chops need.
Since it has a light texture, coleslaw is the perfect summer side dish to use with pork.
My short recap
The relatively mild flavor of pork, allows you to pair it with a lot of different vegetables.
You can use anything from broccoli, green beans and carrots all the way to cabbage.
However, if you want to get the most out of your pork you need to use starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn or beets.
These allow the natural flavors of the meat to shine through without becoming overwhelming.