Pot Roast is a classic comfort food dinner recipe. But what are the best side dishes? This delicious collection of options all are great choices for a perfect pot roast dinner.
This collection of side dish recipes pair perfectly with your favorite pot roast recipe but they are great on their own too!
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What is Pot Roast?
Pot Roast is made from a chuck roast. The name comes from being able to cook it in a pot (usually a Dutch oven), often with potatoes and carrots, to make a full dinner. Chuck roast is a more affordable cut of beef too.
It also becomes fall-apart tender when cooked a long time. All these qualities make it a hearty meal option especially for a Sunday dinner.
Pot Roast generally made with simple ingredients and without much seasoning. But this is just the starting point. It can also be cooked in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
We have a great keto Pot Roast Instant Pot recipe with sautéed mushrooms and crock pot Spicy Caribbean Pot Roast recipe that’s a departure from the usually mild mannered classic roast (and we turn the leftovers into spicy nachos the next day).
Because pot roast is so versatile adding some easy side dish recipes can make it an easy dinner recipe especially when serving a crowd or when wanting leftovers for the week.
Adding side dishes that don’t take much time is a great way to create a fantastic dinner even for special occasions.
How to pick a perfect side dish
Pot Roast is a hearty main course so there are a couple ways to go when picking a great side dish:
Substantial side dishes. Because pot roast is a hearty dish picking an assortment of side dishes that stand up to the substance of this main dish is key. One of the best loved pairings is potato side dishes.
They too are hearty and filling, matching up to the savory pot roast in terms of substance. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, potato salads are all a perfect choice (especially easy potato recipes).
Flavor. The other consideration is flavor. Most post roast recipes do not add loads of spices or zesty flavors. For pot roast sides you can go two ways; stay with subtle flavors or add some bold flavors to complement the classic dish. We have multiple choices of both.
Pot Roast Sides
You won’t go wrong with any of these easy side dishes! Pick one or a few for a perfect meal. You may find some new favorite side dishes too!
Rice or pasta. Usually having a starch is something the whole family loves. You can spoon the cooking juices over it au jus. For an effortless option microwave a packet of rice. They are done in 90 seconds and available in several flavor combinations. We have some tasty options below too.
Vegetables. Adding in vegetables is always a great choice whether it be simple green beans or brussels sprouts, or a combination of roasted vegetables with fresh herbs or sautéed mushrooms. Almost any vegetables dish is a good choice with easy recipes to choose from.
Salads. A simple salad is great but pot roast really calls from more substantial salads. Classic macaroni salad, or a zesty Pasta Salad are delicious side dishes. But that’s only the start!
Air Fryer recipes. We are breaking this category out by itself because these recipes are so fast and easy. If you have an air fryer and love it, you can deliver good side dishes in less than 10 minutes. We have some healthier options for delicious sides perfect for pot roast any night of the week.
Potato Recipes
Mashed, smashed, twice baked, with cheese, with bacon! We’ve got all types that are perfect for the time of year and mood you are in.
Rice & Pasta Recipes
Plain white or brown rice always work but if you want to take it up a notch for a side dish full of unexpected flavor, try one of these!
Vegetable Recipes
Whether lighter vegetables or root vegetables, these options work great with pot roast.
Air Fryer Recipes
Healthier side dish options ready in a flash thanks to the air fryer!
Salad Recipes
These classic picnic style salads are a great choice whether serving pot roast in the colder months or the summer. They are hearty, full of flavor and great texture.
Heather Rose says
What a FANTASTIC list! I am going to make y way through it, I already made the mashed sweet potatoes last night and they were amazing!
Kristyn says
Love all the ideas!! Roast is a go-to of ours & I am always trying to find new sides to go with it & this list helps!
katerina @ diethood.com says
Such a fantastic list!! I want to try them all!!
Tayler Ross says
They all look so good, I can’t decide which one to try first! Those Air Fryer Green Beans look amazing!
BEth says
This is such an amazing resource! I’m bookmarking this one. I make pot roast all the time, and honestly, I’ve run out of ideas for sides.
Kim says
LOVE this list! Those Jalapeno Popper Potatoes and the roasted Brussels Sprouts are calling me! So many good options!
Dana Sandonato says
These are all great ideas for sides! When making a roast, sides always seem like such an afterthought. But these are awesome.
Emily Flint says
This is such an awesome collection. I’ll be saving this for weeknight inspiration!