At the top of almost anyone’s comfort food list is a savory pot roast. It’s a cornerstone dish for family Sunday dinners all over America.
What’s more, large roasts offer leftovers that taste even better the next day, thanks to new delectable gelatin being formed during the cooling process.
It’s true that most pot roast recipes include vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery to boost the flavor of the meat (and let’s not forget the juicy gravy!).
Because of all that, these meals can exist practically on their own without anything else added.
But sometimes you need more for a well-rounded meal.
Enter pot roast sides, where we add to an already delicious plate that will only further aid in satisfying strong appetites.
So what can you serve with a pot roast?
You can complement it with more filling fixin’s, or you could balance out your naturally hearty meal with some simple veggies. There really is no right answer.
Some agree you simply need a starch to help soak up the liquids such as homemade bread or rice. Others prefer a light and crunchy accompaniment such as a crisp salad to offset their tender cut of beef.
Yet, others long to just pile it on with more rich foods like traditional mashed potatoes or mac n’ cheese.
Below are 15 excellent possibilities where any one or two or even three you select will end in complete convincing that you made the right choice.
Again, no right answer here. You can win every time. Just don’t forget to add dessert!
Our List of Pot Roast Sides You Can Make Tonight
1. Mashed Potatoes (with a twist)
One of the staple side dishes for pot roast, there’s no denying that a side of mashed potatoes completes a masterpiece comfort meal.
See the recipe below for a to-die-for twist on whipping up some tots.
Check out this popular creamy mashed potatoes recipe from The Salty Marshmallow: https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/cream-cheese-mashed-potatoes/
2. Fluffy Dinner Rolls
Nothing soaks up gravy and liquids like a fluffy dinner roll.
Biscuits can work too (as in biscuits and gravy), but there’s something divine about a super puffed-out buttery ball of bread to go with a gravy-laden pot roast.
See what Modern Honey has done with their one-of-a-kind homemade dinner roll recipe: https://www.modernhoney.com/the-best-homemade-dinner-rolls/
3. Roasted Green Beans
Follow this awesome recipe to get, as Rachelcooks.com puts it, green beans that are “crispy and flavorful”.
This is about as good as it gets for a fresh, complimentary side to your pot roast dinner.
For a smoky flavor, plug in your electric smoker and cook these up outdoors, country style.
4. Buttered Egg Noodles
Alia at Every Day Easy Eats says that food can still taste wonderful despite being completely uncomplicated and simple.
Egg noodles are the perfect food canvas for any pot roast to lay on top of.
In a pinch, I even spread some basic canned roast beef over these – one of my super quick recipes for those short weekend nights.
See Alia’s easy-as-pie buttered egg noodles: https://www.everydayeasyeats.com/buttered-noodles/
5. Homemade Applesauce
A sweet, refreshing, and velvety applesauce side can augment your meal tremendously.
Not just a side, there are many recipes with applesauce integrated right in that are simply divine.
Mix together your own applesauce recipe for the freshest and best-tasting side dish that’s on a little on the sweet side.
Anyone who follows chefs and culinary personalities knows The Pioneer Woman. She doesn’t let us down when it comes to pureeing apples.
Must-try homemade applesauce recipes are super easy! Go for smooth or chunky.
6. Roasted Asparagus
It’s too easy to pass up. Asparagus cooked just right is also too delicious to overlook.
And it makes a perfect side dish.
Asparagus is also a good appetizer, not too heavy but light and crunchy.
Elise at Simply Recipes suggests using the fattest spears you can find for that extra yum you get from oven roasting.
Too thin, and you risk getting a dried-up green that no one will want to eat.
7. Nettle Bread Balls
Take ’em out of the oven, spread on the butter and you’re in heaven.
If you’re looking for a different kind of bread (other than French rolls), you have to try nettle bread.
A little-known pot roast side favorite of those who have tried it.
Check out the video below and create some of your own to your own delight.
8. Sufferin’ Succotash
What a combo of veggies. This is an excellent choice for a side of vegetables for your roast, even if you’ve already used carrots and potatoes.
Try out this dish that is seemingly as old as time.
Chef John at Food Wishes gives you the complete low-down on why this dish is so good.
If you preserve vegetables, this is an excellent chance to cut them up and use them.
9. Sweet Potato Fries
It’s funny, we didn’t really grow up with sweet potato fries, but they seem to be everywhere now.
They go with just about anything, and a pot roast is no exception.
Follow this recipe from Cooking Classy for a delicious take on crispy AND sweet fries.
Tip: Make a lot because they’re hard to stop eating!
10. Cheesy Cauliflower
A casserole makes an amazing side dish when it’s this one.
As Kate from Framed Cooks puts it, this is the dish that your eaters will request seconds for…and maybe even thirds.
It’s that good.
A nice blend of cheese and the neutral taste and texture of the Cauliflower simply make this work wonderfully.
See Kate’s cheesy cauliflower recipe here: https://www.framedcooks.com/2016/05/cheesy-cauliflower-casserole.html
11. Creamed Spinach
Make this side dish ahead of time and enjoy it with your roast.
It’s one of a few low-carb pot roast side dishes listed here, and it will please anyone who likes prepared spinach.
12. Red Wine!
Okay, so it’s not a side dish and it isn’t something everyone in a young family can enjoy.
But if you’ve ever enjoyed it with a pot roast, you know why we’re adding it here.
It simply has to be mentioned when you talk about what to pair with pot roasts.
Which red wine specifically goes well?
Most will suggest a Syrah. It always compliments well with a hearty beef-based meal.
13. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasting vegetables is a modern-day trend for good reason. Roasting makes veggies taste like, well not veggies anymore!
This next side dish is not your childhood Brussels sprouts.
It would seem they aren’t even in the same food group (really, they are!).
You need to try this recipe and way of cooking if you haven’t already.
You will not be sorry…and you can let your mom know you eat Brussels sprouts now.
Roasted brussels sprouts: https://iwashyoudry.com/parmesan-roasted-brussel-sprouts/
14. Butter Beans
Rich and savory, butter beans are a lesser-known side.
They are a southern favorite. Some say you can use lima beans, but check out the recipe below for a pleasant surprise.
If you’re familiar with these, you already know what others might be missing.
Butter beans from 2 Sisters: http://2sistersrecipes.com/best-butter-beans-recipe/
15. Baked Mac & Cheese
We end our list with another treasured classic.
Pile it on top, on the side or in a separate bowl… it doesn’t matter.
Mac & cheese mixes beautifully with any pot roast.
This is one side that really goes well with a roast cooked up in a smoker.
In reality, there are a whole lot more choices than the ones mentioned here.
These are just a sampling of both popular and longstanding sides as well as lesser-known but just as good ones.
We’ve all had pot roast sides of peas, rice and salads so don’t think we’ve forgotten those staples either.
In fact, a fresh green salad with Romaine leaf lettuce and a fruity vinaigrette may be all you need.
What You Need to Make a Yummy Pot Roast
If you’re making pot roast dinners because your family loves them, you need the right ingredients for the best flavor and some helpful kitchen tools for the ultimate in efficient cooking.
Here are a few of our favorites that will help your meal come together quicker and tastier than ever!
| PRODUCT | Pros | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Seasoning | Campbell’s Tavern Style Pot Roast Sauce (6-pack)  |
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| Best Knife | MAIRICO 11-inch Carving Knife |
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| Best Cooker | Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cooker  |
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If you want to save on your preparation time, pick up some handy little bags of Campbell’s pot roast sauce.
They are delicious! Add them to your meat and cook away.
It’s easily our favorite product in the above list – Campbell’s Tavern Style Pot Roast Sauce.
It has no artificial flavors or additives and can be drizzled over sides like mashed potatoes and glazed veggies.
Your family will love the aroma that fills the house, and will be ready to eat some tender meat (and the pot roast sides you chose!).
Your Top Questions Answered
1. Why Does My Pot Roast Meal Feel Too Heavy?
I’ve noticed that richness overload happens when every element on the plate shares the same deep, fatty flavor profile.
Acidity is your best friend here!
A side with brightness, like vinegar-based coleslaw, pickled beets, or green beans with a squeeze of fresh lemon, cuts through the fat and resets your palate between bites.
2. Why Do My Side Dishes Sometimes Taste Bland Alongside Pot Roast?
Pot roast carries such a bold, savory depth that under-seasoned sides disappear next to it.
I always season sides more aggressively than I think I need to because the roast’s intensity demands a companion that can hold its own.
Try adding extra salt and aromatics to garlic-rubbed roasted potatoes or herb-heavy sautéed kale to keep them from tasting flat.
3. What Texture Should a Good Pot Roast Side Have?
I’ve noticed that contrast matters more than most people realize.
When the roast is fall-apart tender, a side with some firmness or bite gives each forkful textural variety you’d miss otherwise.
I recommend crispy roasted Brussels sprouts, honey-glazed parsnips, or even a thick slice of crusty sourdough bread.
4. How Do I Get My Plate Not to Look So “Meat and Potatoes”?
Typically, I’ll scan the plate for color before serving because pot roast tends to brown everything around it.
A visually vibrant side wakes up the whole meal and signals variety to your brain before the first bite.
Reach for colorful options like steamed broccoli florets, maple-glazed carrots, or a bright garden salad to break up the monochromatic look.
5. Can a Side Dish Be Too Rich for Pot Roast?
Absolutely, and it’s more common than you’d expect.
I’ve experimented with creamy, buttery sides alongside pot roast and learned that fat-on-fat combinations leave the meal feeling one-note.
Avoid serving it with heavy fettuccine alfredo or triple-cheese macaroni, as they compete with the richness of the meat rather than balancing it.
6. Why Don’t Starchy Sides Always Work with Pot Roast?
Starch absorbs gravy beautifully, but the wrong starch turns mushy fast.
What I’ve learned works best is choosing a starch with enough structure to stay distinct on the plate so it doesn’t dissolve into the sauce.
Wild rice pilaf, al dente egg noodles, or thick-cut roasted fingerling potatoes hold up much better than a thin, watery mash.
7. How Do I Keep Side Dishes from Competing with the Roast?
I make sure no side dish shares the same dominant flavor note as the roast itself.
Complementary means supporting, not duplicating.
A lighter, fresher side like sauteed zucchini ribbons or simple asparagus spears lets the roast remain the centerpiece without a flavor battle on your plate.
What to Serve with Pot Roast
Ingredients
- Mashed Potatoes
- Dinner Rolls
- Green Beans
- Egg Noodles
- Homemade Applesauce
- Roasted Asparagus
- Nettle Bread Balls
- Succotash
- Potato Fries
- Cheesy Cauliflower
- Creamed Spinach
- Red Wine
- Brussels Sprouts
- Butter Beans
- Mac & Cheese
Instructions
- Choose your desired Pot Roast side dish recipe.
- Gather and organize needed ingredients.
- Create a tasty Pot Roast side to complete your meal!
