Pair shepherd’s pie with these stunning sides for the best British dinner! From salads and veggies to bread and pudding, I have a myriad of ideas for you in store. Made with a layer of well-seasoned ground meat at the bottom and creamy mashed potatoes on top, shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort food beloved not just in the UK, but here in America as well. As tasty and filling as the dish is, it’s way too savory to be eaten on its own. This is where side dishes come in. There’s nothing like light and refreshing sides to counterbalance the intense richness of shepherd’s pie. If you’re having trouble thinking of one, don’t worry, I’ve done the research for you. From crunchy carrots and asparagus to mushy peas and mashed parsnip, these dishes are the perfect pair to your shepherd’s pie. Serve any of them on the side for an extra special lunch or dinner.
1. Glazed Carrots
A popular ingredient to stews and coleslaw, the humble carrot does not strike many as main dish-material. This recipe, however, will make you change your mind. They’re crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and have a sweet caramel glaze all over. With the help of brown sugar and butter, carrots have never tasted this good. The flavor and texture are a lovely contrast to the otherwise purely soft and savory shepherd’s pie. It’s such a nutritious side dish, to boot. Loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, carrots are a certified superfood.
2. Condensed Milk Bread
Condensed milk in bread? I’m listening. I know I said to serve shepherd’s pie with something light and refreshing, and bread hardly fits the bill. Condensed milk bread is an exception, though. This Japanese-inspired bread is not only sweet and buttery but also sensationally airy and fluffy. It’s like biting into a cloud, but it’s chewy, too, which makes for a heavenly texture combination that pairs well with shepherd’s pie.
3. Corn Salad
Corn salad is packed with color, flavor, and texture. Sweet corn kernels, crunchy cucumber, and juicy tomatoes in a refreshing vinaigrette: that’s what’s up. The ingredients alone provide interesting flavors and textures. A mixture of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, the dressing brings them all together in one harmonious dish. This corn salad is already perfect as is, but you can add a bit of saltiness by topping it with feta cheese. Either way, it’s fantastic.
4. Mushy Peas
If you want an authentic British dinner, opt for mushy peas. True, it does not sound appetizing, but this side is truly terrific. You’ll typically find mushy peas served with fish and chips, but it pairs well with shepherd’s pie, too! Apart from complementing flavors, it also gives a nice pop of color. It’s also super quick and easy to make. All you need are peas, baking soda, salt, and water. The result is an ultra-thick and creamy dish.
5. Baked Beans
Balance out rich and creamy shepherd’s pie with sweet and smoky baked beans! Just the thought of pouring spoonfuls of baked beans over the casserole makes my mouth water. Don’t worry, this recipe will not take you hours. Who says baked beans should be reserved for special occasions? Baked beans usually take forever to make, but with this recipe, all it takes is 40 minutes. It may be a shortcut version, but the flavor is just as amazing.
6. Green Beans
Green beans complement shepherd’s pie so beautifully, it makes the entree shine with glory. It’s a simple dish made of green beans, garlic, and lemon, but elevated with toasted almonds. It has a wonderful crunch and just the right flavor. It tastes great, but will not overpower the deliciousness of the casserole. The best part is that it only takes 15 minutes to make. You’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more with family and friends!
7. Beet Salad
Beets, arugula, feta, pecans, and cranberries – just imagine the color, texture, and flavor! This is definitely not your typical boring salad. Beet salad is truly the one to beat. Tying it all together is a flavor-packed vinaigrette made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, clove, salt, and pepper. With this combination, you’ll get rich, tangy, salty, and a bit of spice all in one.
8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts may not be the most popular vegetable, especially to kids, but I think they deserve more attention and praise. It may have a bad rap for being bitter and foul-smelling, but cook them right, and they’ll taste amazing! Roast them the right way and drizzle with honey and balsamic vinegar, and you’ll have a heavenly dish. They’re crisp on the outside, creamy and nutty on the inside, and delicious all around. This is also a great side dish option for busy weeknights, as it only takes 15 minutes to make!
9. Irish Soda Bread
Irish soda bread is crusty on the outside, and moist and dense on the inside. It’s very filling, which is perfect if you are looking to flesh out your meal. Since it’s a quick bread, it’s also a breeze to make. This recipe does not require yeast, which means there’s no need to knead, roll, and wait for hours for the dough to double in size. Thanks to baking soda, you’ll be able to enjoy this delicious bread in under an hour.
10. Roasted Cauliflower
Want to breathe new life into the bland cauliflower? Pop it in the oven! That’s really all it takes, plus a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. This dish is also easily customizable. You can flavor it with parmesan, lemon, and parsley for an Italian twist. For a Mexican flair, season with cumin, pepitas, lime, chili, and cilantro. If you’re in the mood for Indian food, sprinkle it with curry, pepper, and cilantro. No matter how you flavor it, it’s still guaranteed to taste incredible with shepherd’s pie.
11. Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire pudding is another British favorite – crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and delicious all over. It’s a lot like the American popover, but this recipe gives the traditional dish a savory beefy twist. If you find Yorkshire pudding intimidating to make, don’t! The batter is a simple combo of flour, milk, eggs, and salt! The oven will take care of the rest.
12. Parsnip Puree
You’ll be surprised how creamy and fluffy this parsnip puree is. It’s so good, it tastes just like mashed potatoes! It doesn’t take a miracle to pull this off. In fact, all you’ll need are parsnips, cauliflower, lemon, olive, oil, and garlic. The result is an ultra-rich, mashed potato-esque side dish with a nutty flavor.
13. Roasted Asparagus
Crisp asparagus spears coated with olive oil, seasoned with your favorite herbs and spices, and roasted to perfection: it may sound boring, but trust me, it’s not. It’s quite the opposite, in fact! Olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper alone are enough to liven up the monotony of the humble asparagus. Add parmesan, parsley, and red pepper flakes to the equation and you get an even more spectacular dish. With this recipe, you get a crunchy and flavorful side dish that also happens to be nutritious.
14. Sauteed Swiss Chard
Here’s another seemingly boring dish that’s sure to wow your taste buds. Leafy Swiss chard paired with sweet onions, pungent garlic, and a tangy dressing together makes a delicious and healthy side dish with perfectly balanced flavors. With this dish, you’ll get sweet, salty, earthy, and a bitter undertone all in one bite. It’s a wonderfully light side to contrast the heavy shepherd’s pie.
15. Roasted Eggplant
Roasted eggplant is another fantastic veggie dish that pairs well with shepherd’s pie. With this dish, you won’t get an intensely soft and mushy eggplant – because who wants that? Instead, you’ll have a plump vegetable that’s perfectly tender. Its caramelized exterior makes it extra delicious. It’s so easy, too. just coat the aubergine with salt, pepper, and olive oil, and into the oven, it goes.
16. Corn Casserole
Cornbread in casserole form? Count me in! This casserole is crisp and crusty on top, soft and creamy inside, and loaded with maximum corn flavor. This recipe is created by the queen of southern cooking – Paula Deen! If it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for me. If you think this makes the recipe complicated, think again. It’s so easy, all you’ll need are six ingredients.
17. Pear Pecan and Goat Cheese Salad
You aren’t getting a so-so salad with this last dish! Let’s break down the ingredients of this salad for a second. Sweet and crisp pears, crunchy pecans, tart cherries, and salty goat cheese – my goodness. This salad is far from “meh.” Toss them together in a sweet maple balsamic dressing and you’re golden! Crispy, juicy, sweet, salty, and tangy – this is how all salads should be. Click on a star to rate it!
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