Your quick guide to the best sides for brisket. A tender, juicy brisket deserves sides that match its bold, smoky flavors. Whether you prefer classic barbecue accompaniments or more creative options, this roundup covers what to serve with brisket to make the meal memorable.
Brisket is a barbecue staple, and while a well-smoked brisket is amazing on its own, the right sides bring balance and variety. Traditional choices like coleslaw, potato salad, and pickled red onions are reliable crowd-pleasers. Lighter salads and vegetable sides add freshness and texture to the plate.
A Few Tips for Throwing the Best BBQ
- Use butcher paper as a table covering — it’s fun, easy to clean, and guests can write messages or label dishes.
- Provide plenty of napkins or paper towels. BBQ gets messy; consider DIY lemon wet wipes for quick hand-cleaning.
- Batch a signature cocktail to simplify service. A whiskey sour or a mezcal margarita pairs well with smoked meats.
- Don’t overdo it. A few well-chosen sides are better than a dozen mediocre ones.
- Prep ahead. Start early, smoke low and slow, and make many sides the day before — most store and reheat easily.
- Send leftovers home. Provide to-go containers so guests can take brisket and sides home.
Now for the sides organized by category.
Classic Side Dishes For Brisket
These tried-and-true sides pair perfectly with smoky, flavorful brisket.
Creamy Coleslaw
Bright, crunchy, and creamy—coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to rich brisket.
Classic American Potato Salad
Creamy and tangy potato salad is a comforting, familiar side that complements smoked meat beautifully.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Rich, creamy, and slightly tropical, this macaroni salad is a great potluck addition alongside brisket.
Pickled Red Onions
Quick-pickled red onions add bright acidity and crunch that cut through fatty, smoky meat.
Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Sauce
A homemade BBQ sauce gives guests the option to add a sweet, tangy glaze to their brisket.
Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky baked beans with bacon are a barbecue essential—hearty and comforting.
Bread and Butter Pickles
Sweet-and-tangy pickles add a crunchy counterpoint and are great on brisket sandwiches.
Unique and Creative Sides
Surprise and delight your guests with some less-expected side dishes that still pair well with brisket.
Grilled Corn Salad
Charred corn combined with fresh veggies and a zesty dressing brightens the plate and works well with tacos or as a salsa.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Ready in minutes, these lightly charred peppers deliver mild heat and a pop of flavor as a snack or side.
Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes
Buttery on the inside and crisp on the outside, these potatoes are a satisfying, elevated potato side.
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, smoky mac and cheese is indulgent and pairs beautifully with barbecue.
Scalloped Potatoes
Rich, layered potatoes in a creamy sauce make for an indulgent companion to beef brisket.
Simple Sautéed Corn
Sweet corn sautéed simply brings out pure flavor with minimal fuss.
Smoked Baked Beans
Adding smoke to baked beans deepens their flavor, making them an ideal BBQ side.
Chimichurri Sauce
A bright, herb-forward chimichurri offers a fresh contrast to smoky meat and traditional BBQ sauces.
Grilled Potatoes
Cooking potatoes on the grill alongside the brisket adds char and convenience—and they can be served whole or used for salads.
Super Easy Cucumber Salad
A cool, light cucumber salad refreshes the palate and balances richer sides.
Grilled Broccolini
Tender broccolini with charred lemon and shaved Parmesan is a flavorful vegetable side that pairs nicely with smoked beef.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Quick and efficient, air fryer potatoes yield fluffy interiors and crisp skins ready for toppings.
German Potato Salad
Savory, tangy, and bacon-studded, this warm potato salad is a great pairing for smoked brisket.
Green Bean + Bacon Salad
Green beans tossed with crispy bacon and walnuts add texture and a lighter vegetable element to the spread.
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Thinly sliced sweet potatoes roasted with butter and thyme are both beautiful and delicious on the table.
Roasted Sweet Potato Bites
Crispy outside, tender inside—these bites are a versatile, crowd-pleasing side.
Perfect Green Beans
Simple, buttery green beans cooked to crisp-tender make a reliable vegetable side.
Light Options
If you want fresher, lighter side dishes to balance the richness of brisket, try these.
Baby Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Tangy lemon vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan lift peppery arugula into a bright side dish in minutes.
Kale and Sweet Potato Salad
Roasted sweet potatoes, kale, pecans, and dried fruit with an apple-cider vinaigrette make a hearty, nutritious salad that stands up to bold meat.
Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Ready in about 15 minutes with minimal ingredients, these sprouts are crisp, caramelized, and addictive.
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella or herbs, and a drizzle of good olive oil bring bright summer flavor to the barbecue table.
Desserts
No brisket feast is complete without dessert. After a savory main and plentiful sides, finish with something that will wow your guests.
Individual Berry Trifles
Layers of fresh berries, lemon curd, and pound cake topped with lemon whipped cream are light, pretty, and seasonal.
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Cool and refreshing, this ice cream offers a pleasant finish after a smoky meal.
Smoked Apple Crisp
Add a subtle smoky note to a classic apple crisp to echo the flavors of your brisket.
Individual Peach Crisps
Warm, fruity, and topped with a crunchy crumble, peach crisps are a summery crowd-pleaser.
Apple Crisp Ice Cream
Creamy vanilla-cinnamon ice cream swirled with apple crisp components for a dessert that tastes like pie à la mode.
Grilled Peach–Bourbon Ice Cream
Grilled peaches and a hint of bourbon make a boozy, fruity frozen treat that pairs nicely with barbecue season.
Choosing the right sides for a brisket feast is key to creating a memorable meal. Keep the selection focused: a classic, a vegetable or salad, a starch, and a dessert will give guests pleasing variety without overwhelming the table.
For leftover ideas and more brisket tips, explore recipes and guides dedicated to brisket and smoked meats.
34+ Best Brisket Sides
From crisp coleslaw and classic potato salads to inventive grilled vegetables and refreshing salads, this collection of sides enhances every bite of your brisket.
Mix and match a few of these sides to build a balanced, crowd-pleasing brisket menu.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes
- 2 Tbsp vinegar (distilled, red wine, or apple cider)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1/4 cup sweet pickles, chopped
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 2 Tbsp scallions or green onions, sliced thin
- Diamond kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Wash and peel the potatoes, then dice into 3/4″ pieces. Place in a pot and cover with 1″ of cold water.
- Bring to a boil, add 1 Tbsp kosher salt, then simmer until fork-tender but not mushy, about 8–10 minutes.
- While potatoes cook, prep remaining ingredients and whisk the dressing until combined.
- Drain potatoes, return them to the pot, and gently toss with the vinegar. Let cool slightly.
- Add warm potatoes to the dressing along with the chopped eggs, pickles, red onion, and scallions. Fold gently to combine.
- Taste and adjust salt or vinegar as needed.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to let flavors meld.
- Serve topped with chopped scallion or parsley.
Notes
- This recipe scales easily up or down.
- Add salt to the potato water once boiling to season the interior of the potatoes.
- Optional add-ins: bacon, smoked pork belly, ham, celery, dill, or a splash of pickle juice.