What to Serve with Baked Potatoes: 15 Sides You Haven’t Thought Of

Potatoes are good any time of the year with fall being when they truly come into season.

Sure, you can always find this go-to staple in the supermarket, but for the freshest tastes (and best prices!) buying them in the months of September and October yields the best potatoes of all.

If you’ve scored yourself a boatload of baking potatoes in any month of the year, then you’re likely itching to bake them up and watch as a nice pat of butter melts into the one on your plate right before your very eyes.

But wait a minute…what to serve with baked potatoes? Aren’t they the side?

Yes, baked potatoes are a traditional side, but if you’re thinking about what to eat with baked potatoes, we’ve got you covered as always.

We’ll look at classic companions (you know, meat and potatoes) but give you some ideas that you might not have made before.

Then, we’ll turn the tables and see how a baked potato can become the main dish and invites plenty of flavor and ingredient combos to the plate (or bowl).

You might be surprised how a “baker” can go from being a secondary partner at the dinner table, to the main event. More on this later…

What Goes with Baked Potatoes: There Is No End!

In this tasty list, we’re going with meals you can serve baked potatoes with so you can plan on using up that potato bounty and pair it well.

1. Steak

We’re starting off with steak because, well, it is the top choice when you need some hearty fare to go with your baked potatoes.

After all, it’s one of the most quintessential combinations.

You can’t go into any steakhouse worth its salt and not have the option to add a baked potato to your meal.

So steak it is, for the win!

The great thing about steak is that it’s such a versatile choice.

You can choose a porterhouse, ribeye, T-bone, or any cut of steak that your butcher might recommend.

And really, we strongly advise going to the butcher for the best steaks. You’ll get beautiful cuts you won’t get in the supermarket, and some of the less popular cuts cook just as beautifully and cost significantly less.

For any steak you choose, check out this video by The Stay At Home Chef on how to cook any steak perfectly, every time!

2. Beef Wellington

If you love watching cooking shows, perhaps you love Chef Gordon Ramsay as much as we do.

And if you do, then you know one of his star dishes is the remarkable and classic beef wellington.

It looks so divine, so utterly upscale. And it is, because it’s made with Chateaubriand wrapped in puff pastry.

This is the kind of main dish that truly wows your guests, and it also is what goes with baked potatoes, so you’re in luck.

Beef wellington can easily be prepped in advance to make it less stressful when prepping for a dinner party.

In fact, Joanne at Fifteen Spatulas has a very approachable recipe for this iconic classic so check it out!

3. Roasted Leg of Lamb

Another epicurean delight that comes up when what to serve with baked potatoes is on your mind is roasted leg of lamb.

It’s a fabulous main dish, one that is properly prestigious and offered at some of the finest restaurants around the world.

Like beef wellington, it’s a show-stopper and certainly not something you’d trot out on any ordinary night of the week.

Roasted leg of lamb is the kind of dish you serve to impress company.

Whether it’s a holiday, a Sunday dinner, or a special occasion, serving baked potatoes with roasted leg of lamb will be a phenomenal pairing.

Honestly, it only looks intimidating. There’s only a few steps and then it’s in the oven.

Follow how Chungah at Damn Delicious makes her roasted leg of lamb and you can’t go wrong!

4. Favorite BBQ Chicken on the Grill

There’s still time to make use of your grill before the weather turns funky.

One thing we love to serve with baked potatoes is a classic barbecue chicken on the grill.

That smoky, barbecued flavor is always a winning team with baked potatoes.

Plus, you can even “bake” those potatoes in foil on the grill. This is a great one for a casual weekend dinner with friends and family, one that is destined to be a hit.

But have you ever made BBQ chicken with just barbecue sauce, even marinating for hours only for it to taste ho-hum?

Yeah, well that won’t happen if you steal some tricks from Carrian and Cade over at Oh Sweet Basil who have barbecued chicken on the grill down to a science!

5. Meatloaf

“And I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that!” Oh, wait, sorry. Not THAT Meatloaf!

We’re talking about the classic dinner dish that everyone’s mom makes better than everyone else’s mom.

While Meatloaf himself might disagree that meatloaf the dinner should be served with baked potatoes, we’re all for it.

Potatoes just go with meat beautifully and it doesn’t matter if they’re mashed or baked. Besides, some meatloaf recipes clash with mashed potatoes and gravy. Having your own baked potato on the side is definitely the way to go.

We all have our favorite way of making meatloaf, but if you’ve never made one before, check out this video by that helps steer you in the right direction.

6. Juicy Baked Pork Chops

Want to know what works great with baked potatoes that’s super easy and delicious?

Try juicy baked pork chops!

With a few key seasonings you’ve likely got in your spice cabinet, you’ll be on your way to a fully-baked meal. It’s easy to play around with seasonings to give it the kind of flavors you want.

Never skip out on the garlic though…that should be a rule carved into stone in your kitchen. Season them the way you want and enjoy them with your baked potatoes.

Kristen at The Endless Meal has an easy and tasty recipe that will make getting dinner on the table a snap tonight!

7. Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Hey meatless friends! We could never forget about you!

Whether you’re strictly meatless or you like having meatless meals a few days a week, what to serve with baked potatoes that is meatless is very easy…portobello mushrooms!

They’re earthy yet meaty, making for a totally satisfying main dish.

Grill them and it’s like heaven, though if you haven’t the time for grilling, you can always bake them.

Portobello mushrooms taste heavenly on their own and will make for a great meatless main dish to serve with baked potatoes.

Erin at Well Plated has a wonderful recipe for you!

8. Crockpot Cauliflower and Cheese

Want a vegetarian option to pair up with your baked potatoes?

Try cauliflower and cheese, as in the mac n’ cheese of vegetables.

It’s not vegan, but it is a meatless offering that can lighten up your weekly menu a bit, save for the cheese, which in our opinion, is totally worth it.

Besides, serving mac n’ cheese with baked potatoes would be too much starch and a total carb-overload.

But when you use cauliflower instead of pasta, it creates a filling meal that doesn’t weigh you down.

You can even make it in the crockpot, which only requires about 5 minutes of your attention until you let the crockpot take over.

Now if you do want to go the vegan route here, check out our ideas for vegan baked potato toppings.

Christin at Spicy Southern Kitchen truly has one of the cheesiest recipes we’ve ever seen (and we mean cheesy in the best way possible!).

9. Best Broccoli Cheese Soup

Here’s another meat-free dish to serve with baked potatoes.

Yes, soup can be paired with your baked potatoes to round out a meal. Since broccoli cheese soup is comforting and baked potatoes are too, it’s like going to one of those soup and salad places for a lighter dinner.

And sometimes, you really need something light like that to foot the bill for dinner.

Plus, it makes eating all your veggies really easy.

Be sure to add cheese to your baked potatoes, and check out Averie Cooks for a broccoli cheese soup recipe that tastes better than Panera Bread!

10. Easy Oven Baked Ribs

Now let’s get back to meaty options to serve with your baked potatoes. One of our favorites has to be ribs.

There’s nothing like fall-off-the-bone, juicy, tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork or beef rib meat. If you’ve never made ribs at home and have only ordered them out, you’re going to kick yourself when you see how easy they are.

They’re so easy you could’ve been making your own this whole time.

But now you can make up for all that lost time by following this super simple and tasty recipe by Wendie at Butter Your Biscuit!

11. Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Medallions

Did someone say, “Bacon?”

Oh, right. That was us! If you want something that goes with baked potatoes, look no further than pork tenderloin cut into savory medallions and loving wrapped in more pork in bacon-form.

This might be where Homer Simpson comes in drooling with an iconic, “Mmmm…bacon.”

What’s nice about this main dish to serve with your baked potatoes though is that it looks elegant yet it’s completely easy to make.

So if you’re having guests for dinner, consider this one for show. Laureen at Art and the Kitchen shows you how.

12. Chicken Fried Steak

Want another southern homestyle meal to serve with baked potatoes? Chicken fried steak will be a surefire hit in your home.

It’s made with cube steak but fried up like chicken. Then, you slather it in a country gravy made with cream and the pan drippings.

Country fried steak is similar except the gravy is a brown gravy.

Either way, if we had you at “gravy,” then you need to make chicken fried steak with your baked potatoes immediately.

Sommer from A Spicy Perspective has a wonderful recipe to get you going.

13. Baked Fish with Lemon Cream Sauce

Why yes, fish DOES go with baked potatoes.

There are many dishes that mix fish and potatoes together, but having a baked potato on the side adds a heartiness to a fish dish.

Plus, you can customize your baked potato to the way you’re feeling at the moment.

That’s always a good thing!

Fish is a great way to enjoy a light meal, and baked potatoes can help fill you up.

They’re loaded with nutrients which many people tend to overlook since they focus on the carb aspect of them, but pair baked fish with a lemony, buttery sauce and baked potatoes and you’ll have a winning team!

Nagi at Recipe Tin Eats has a baked fish recipe that we think will be perfect for your baked potatoes.

14. Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin

And finally, we’ll finish our list of  baked potatoes combos with the immaculate suggestion of herb crusted beef tenderloin.

This is one ideal for the holidays or any special dinner gathering. It takes time to prepare but is easier than you think and will steal your meaty heart away with every bite.

When the juice from the beef touches your baked potato, you will be whisked away to meat paradise.

We love the recipe that Krista has on Joyful Healthy Eats because she’s got a horseradish sauce to go with it and that wins everything.

What to Serve with Baked Potatoes and Beyond

Now that we’ve covered main dishes from casual to fancy that you can serve with your baked potatoes, the time has come to discuss what you should put on your baked potato.

What Can You Put on Your Baked Potatoes?

Baked potatoes are much like a blank canvas. You can dress them up any way that you wish.

Simply adding a pat of butter and a few shakes of salt and pepper might be enough for some people.

Others add sour cream and chives. There’s nothing wrong with either of these ways to eat a baked potato.

In fact, sometimes that simplicity in toppings is what we craved.

Other times though, you might be looking for something more unique. Especially if you’ve loaded up on pounds and pounds of potatoes from the farmer’s market and want to use them up.

Those same toppings can get tiring, delicious as they are.

And if you’re having a barbecue or a large family gathering, making baked potatoes for a crowd is easy, but topping them can be tricky.

Setting up a baked potato bar is the perfect solution.

Party or regular dinner, here are some topping suggestions for your baked potatoes to add alongside butter and sour cream on the table.

• Cheese (cheddar, blue, feta, or any kind you have)
• Bacon crumbles
• Chili

• Salsa
• Black beans
• Pulled pork
• Buffalo sauce
• Greek yogurt (for a lighter alternative to sour cream)
• Ranch dressing
• Pesto
• Broccoli
• Spinach and artichoke dip – my favorite side!
• Fried eggs
• Fresh herbs (like dill, basil, or oregano)
• Caramelized onions

• Sautéed mushrooms
• Marina sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella (for a pizza potato kids will love)
• Gravy
• Cottage cheese
• Guacamole
• Creamed spinach
• Tzatziki sauce
• Roast veggies
• Olive tapenade
• Caviar (don’t forget the sour cream for a fancy baked potato!)
• Dill butter (or butter blended with other seasonings like Old Bay, anchovy paste, curry, or miso)
• Smoked salmon and crème fraiche
• Coleslaw
• Crab salad
• Baked beans
• Diced onions
• Hot peppers
• Banana peppers
• Diced tomatoes
• BBQ sauce

That probably covers all of the possible combinations, but if you think of something else to put on your baked potato, then you might just discover the latest food trend!

Tips for Twice Baked Potatoes

As wonderful as baked potatoes are though, there is something else you can do with all those baking potatoes that looks really fancy and tastes amazing.

It requires more effort on your part, but the rewards are worth it.

We’re talking about twice baked potatoes!

In case you’ve never had the pleasure of eating a twice baked potato, it is, as the name implies, a potato that has been baked twice.

It is first baked and then set to cool so you don’t play a game of hot potato with yourself in the kitchen.

Once cooled but still warm, you slice them open lengthwise and scoop out that potato goodness into a bowl.

From there, you can employ many methods of making the insides for your twice baked potatoes. Load ’em as they say – hence their other name: loaded baked potato.

Using something that keeps it moist like sour cream or butter (or both!) really helps. Kind of how you make potato soup.

You’ll mash this together along with other things (bacon and scallions are common choices), stuff the mixture into the halved potatoes and bake again.

One thing that’s great about twice baked potatoes is that you can prep them in advance and then freeze them.

So you can reheat them and have them ready for a dinner party or even just stash a supply of them in your freezer for any weeknight you feel like having some stuffed potatoes.

Feel free to experiment with different concoctions within your twice baked potatoes.

Anything goes, though do keep in mind that while you need to let them cool enough to handle, you should never let them go cold before you prepare the potato filling.

Holly from SpendwithPennies shows how you can take some basic loaded potato ingredients and turn them into a casserole if you decide not to eat them out of the skins. (We think you’ll end up eating more in a casserole form…just sayin’.)

Cold potatoes have a gummy texture and it just won’t mix well.

You should also remember that using something that adds moisture is important or else the filling will taste dry, and no one wants a potato that has the texture of sawdust inside.

What about Loaded Potato Calories?

And yes let the calorie fest begin should you want to go crazy. Loaded baked potato calories can run from the low one-hundreds to 1,000 calories or more.

At least you have options when it comes to the nutrition counts for your loaded baked potato.

Now that you know what to serve with baked potatoes, you can turn even a weeknight meal into a gourmet experience!