What To Serve With Pot Roast

Most people have had a pot roast at some point in their lives.

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It is a slow-cooking dish of beef mostly associated with the United States, but it is eaten all across the world.

That’s because a pot roast is a great way to cook up a large chunk of beef with some vegetables like carrots, onions or even celery – but once that pot roast is divided up, not everyone will be satisfied with a cut of meat and a few veggies.

So what do you do?

Well, you are going to need some side dishes to go alongside your pot roast dinner.

If you are in serious need of inspiration when it comes to side dishes for your pot roast, then don’t worry.

We have pulled together a list of our most recommended side dishes that you can serve alongside a pot roast dinner.

Take a look at our list below and see which delicious side dish sounds the best for you!

Yorkshire Puddings

Yorkshire puddings are not exactly pudding as we know it.

This little side dish originated from England, and is basically a mixture of eggs, milk, flour and fat.

This recipe makes a more savoury batter closer to something like pancakes that makes these crispy golden brown cups that are cooked in a muffin tin!

But don’t let the name fool you – they lean more towards savory than sweet, which makes it an ideal side dish for pot roast.

Yorkshire puddings are perfect for scooping up leftover juices from your dinner. You can even make one giant Yorkshire pudding and use it like an extra bowl to eat your dinner from!

Either way, these little delights are delicious and they are a unique little side to serve up alongside your pot roast and compliments the meat and vegetables perfectly.

Green Beans

Green beans are an excellent choice for a side dish as they pretty much go with anything you want to serve – meat dishes, vegan dishes, cultural cuisine, anything!

Plus, they taste delicious when sauteed. I used to hate green beans as a kid but now, they go down a treat after being cooked properly with garlic.

This here is my favorite recipe for cooking green beans as not only is it quick and easy, it only requires three main ingredients – green beans, olive oil, and garlic cloves.

Of course, you can always add a pinch of salt and pepper, but using a recipe so small and easy to follow means that it does not take long to cook up your side dish.

This gives you more time to focus on your pot roast, so you are more likely to serve up a completely successful meal!

Bread Rolls

There’s a reason why bread is one of the most universal foods out there. Not only is it so easy to make, but they taste so good and go with pretty much any meal – including pot roast!

Seriously, is there anything better than some warm fresh bread rolls straight from the oven? Add a little bit of butter, and you are golden!

Of course, you can always buy some bread rolls from the store and warm them up in your oven but I seriously recommend that you try cooking your very own bread rolls.

It’s fun and easy to do while your pot roast is slow cooking. Plus, there is nothing better than soaking up the juices from your pot roast with your very own home baked bread rolls.

Sauteed Broccoli

Veggies go great with a pot roast dinner – so why not add some more to go alongside the carrots and onions you will probably already be cooking with your beef?

Broccoli is a classic side dish and when properly cooked, it can taste totally different.

This recipe here is my personal favorite broccoli recipe as the lemon juice included makes it a completely different and unique way to saute broccoli.

Try this recipe out and you will be left with some crisp and flavorful broccoli florets that taste amazing.

Potato Salad

It just makes complete sense to serve a traditional American side dish right alongside a traditional American beef dish!

Potato salad is usually eaten during the summer, usually at events like barbecues or picnics, but this side dish is so delicious that it works so well alongside a pot roast.

Even if you are itching for a pot roast in the summer, serving some creamy potato salad alongside it will help this beef dish feel right at home on the dinner table even in the middle of summer.

Easy to make and even easier to eat, making your own potato salad is a great choice to go with when cooking up a summer pot roast.

Corn On The Cob

Another typical summer side dish often seen at barbecues and picnics, corn on the cob is a great way to bring a little bit of sweetness to your meal without it feeling out of place.

So it comes as no surprise that this classic side dish goes great alongside some delicious pot roast.

My favorite recipe for corn on the cob is this parmesan-inspired recipe! Not only does it give your corn on the cobs a cheesy and buttery taste, but it also tastes smoky and gives off strong summer vibes.

By using this recipe, you can bring a lot of variety to your meal flavor-wise.

Mashed Potato

With meat and vegetables already covered with your pot roast, the only thing now to add for a balanced meal is some carbohydrates – and what could be better than potatoes?

But making the perfect mashed potatoes does not just mean boiling some potatoes and squashing them up.

Making your own mashed potatoes can go terribly wrong and before you know it, you’ll end up with a lump mess on your plate.

To get your mashed potatoes really fluffy and smooth you will need to follow this recipe closely to add the right amount of milk and butter.

That way, you can get your mashed potatoes to the right consistency so you can serve them up with pride!

Coleslaw

Another barbeque classic, coleslaw is a versatile side dish that fits right in with any kind of dish.

It’s a great way to contrast your warm beef and veggies with something smooth and cooler.

Plus, it helps make your pot roast more suitable to eat in the middle of summer even though it is traditionally a comfort dish for the colder weather.

Sweet and tangy, this recipe for some classic coleslaw is one you will probably find yourself returning to again and again. It takes nearly no time at all to whip up, so it is definitely a recipe to try out!

Stuffed Mushrooms

One of the most popular dishes and appetizers is stuffed mushrooms so why not try serving up some alongside your pot roast dinner?

My personal favorite are mini stuffed mushrooms filled with garlic butter and some parmesan cheese for a touch of extra flavor.

They’re very easy and quick to make, yet they look so professional and sophisticated. No doubt your guests will ask you how you did it – and you can take all the glory for yourself.

Honey Roasted Parsnips

Sweet and tender, honey roasted parsnips are a great addition to any meal so it just makes sense to serve them up as a side dish to your pot roast.

Because these parsnips are slathered in honey, they bring a lot of natural sweetness to compliment the tenderness of your beef and it’s crispy skin contrasts the softness of your pot roast vegetables.

They’re also easy to cook. They spend most of their time in the oven, roasting and turning golden so they can dazzle your guests when you place them on their plates.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many different side dishes you can serve alongside your delicious pot roast recipe.

As pot roast is the perfect comfort dish to eat during colder weather, you may feel some warm veggies compliment your dinner better.

On the other hand, you may want a cooler or a more traditional summer side dish so you can also enjoy your pot roast during warmer weather – such as some potato salad or coleslaw.

But whatever side dish you choose, you are bound to have thumbs up all round!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Meat Is Used In A Pot Roast?

Traditionally, the meat used in a pot roast is beef, but it is possible to vary the recipe by switching out the beef for a different kind of meat.

For example, some people may switch out the beef for a whole chicken instead and make a chicken pot roast.

So, if you are not a fan of beef and want to try a different kind of meat, then go for it! Just remember that cooking times will vary if you do switch the beef for something else.

Can I Serve Pot Roast In The Summer?

Of course! Certain dishes like pot roast are more commonly eaten during the winter because it is just more traditionally associated with the cold weather due to the slow cooking of the meat and vegetables.

However, it is also perfectly fine if you want to cook up some pot roast in the summer – you can even switch out the vegetables for more summer-related side dishes like corn on the cob or a coleslaw instead!

What Is The Difference Between A Pot Roast And A Normal Roast?

The main difference is in how the two dishes are cooked. Pot roast is usually cooked in a liquid such as water, wine, stock or broth. Meanwhile, other roast dishes like roast beef are cooked dry.

Another more minor difference is how tender the meat is when it is finished cooking. Because pot roast is cooked in a moist heat, it tends to fall apart because it is so tender.

Dry cooked roasts, however, are easier to slice up and stay together more because they were cooked dry.

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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!