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What to Serve With Collard Greens: 15 Best Side Dishes

Collard greens, a beloved Southern staple, shine even brighter when paired with the right side dishes. Cornbread offers a delightful, crumbly contrast, while mashed potatoes provide creamy comfort. Crispy fried chicken is a classic complement, and mac and cheese adds indulgent richness. For a nutritious option, try black-eyed peas. Hush puppies, with their crispy exterior, are another popular choice. Baked beans bring a hearty, savory flavor, whereas rice pilaf offers a blend of aromatic spices. Potato salad and flaky biscuits also pair wonderfully, enhancing the meal's warmth and satisfaction. You'll love exploring these combinations for a truly delightful dining experience.

Cornbread

warm cornbread in skillet

A classic accompaniment to collard greens, cornbread offers a delightful contrast with its slightly sweet and crumbly texture.

Traditional recipes often call for a blend of different cornmeal varieties, creating a unique flavor profile.

This beloved side dish not only enhances the meal but also provides a comforting and familiar taste, making it a perfect partner for the rich and hearty collard greens.

Mashed Potatoes

fluffy buttery homemade goodness

Mashed potatoes, with their creamy texture and rich flavor, serve as a complementary side dish to collard greens.

The smooth consistency of mashed potatoes, combined with various butter varieties, enhances their richness. A perfect gravy pairing adds depth, making each bite more satisfying.

This classic combination brings comfort and balance to the meal, ensuring a delightful dining experience for everyone.

Fried Chicken

crispy and flavorful chicken

Fried chicken, with its crispy exterior and juicy interior, pairs excellently with collard greens, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavors.

Marinated in buttermilk to guarantee tenderness, the chicken is then coated in a crispy coating that provides a satisfying crunch.

This combination of tender, flavorful chicken and the earthy, robust taste of collard greens makes for a delightful and comforting meal.

Mac and Cheese

comfort food and nostalgia

Complementing the savory flavors of collard greens, mac and cheese offers a creamy and indulgent side dish that enhances the overall dining experience.

With a blend of cheese varieties, each bite delivers a rich and satisfying flavor.

The creamy texture of the mac and cheese perfectly balances the hearty, slightly bitter taste of the collard greens, creating a harmonious and delightful meal.

Black-Eyed Peas

text details in four words southern soul food staple

Why not consider black-eyed peas as a nutritious and flavorful side dish to pair with collard greens?

With Southern origins, black-eyed peas are not only a staple in Southern cuisine but also pack a punch with their nutritional benefits.

Rich in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, they complement collard greens perfectly, creating a balanced and wholesome meal.

Hush Puppies

comfortable shoes for all

Another beloved Southern side dish to serve alongside collard greens is hush puppies, which offer a delightful contrast with their crispy exterior and soft, flavorful interior.

Originating from Southern kitchens, these deep-fried cornmeal balls are a staple that add a satisfying crunch.

Their crispy texture complements the tender collard greens, making them a perfect pairing for any Southern-inspired meal.

Baked Beans

camping food staple choice

Baked beans, with their rich, savory flavor and tender texture, make an excellent side dish to accompany collard greens.

Offering versatile vegetarian options, baked beans can be customized with various flavor variations such as smoky, sweet, or spicy.

Their hearty and nutritious profile complements the robust taste of collard greens, creating a satisfying and balanced meal that appeals to diverse palates.

Rice Pilaf

cooked with fragrant spices

Rice pilaf, with its aromatic blend of spices and herbs, serves as a delightful and complementary side dish to collard greens. Cooked in seasoned broth, the rice absorbs rich flavors, enhancing its taste.

Adding toasted almonds brings a satisfying crunch and a hint of nuttiness. This combination creates a balanced and flavorful experience that pairs perfectly with the hearty, earthy collard greens.

Potato Salad

potato salad recipe shared

Potato salad, with its creamy texture and tangy flavor, offers a delightful contrast to the robust taste of collard greens. This picnic staple, often made with a creamy dressing, adds an invigorating and satisfying element to the meal.

The smooth potatoes and zesty seasonings meld together perfectly, creating a dish that balances the hearty, earthy notes of collard greens.

Biscuits

buttery homemade biscuit recipe

A warm, flaky biscuit serves as an excellent companion to collard greens, providing a comforting and textural contrast.

Buttermilk biscuits, with their tender crumb and slight tang, pair wonderfully with the savory greens.

Adding a dollop of honey butter enhances the experience, bringing a touch of sweetness that balances the dish.

Together, they create a harmonious and satisfying Southern meal.

Pickled Okra

southern comfort food favorite

Pickled okra brings a delightful tang and crunch that perfectly complements the rich, earthy flavors of collard greens. This southern tradition shines with its tangy flavor, adding an invigorating contrast to the greens.

The crisp texture of pickled okra provides an enjoyable bite, making it a great side dish that enhances the overall dining experience, embodying the essence of Southern cuisine.

Smothered Pork Chops

tender pork chops recipe

Smothered pork chops, with their tender, juicy meat enveloped in a savory gravy, offer a rich and hearty accompaniment to collard greens.

The bone-in preparation enhances the flavor, making each bite more delectable.

Gravy options vary, from traditional brown gravy to creamy mushroom, allowing you to customize the dish to your taste.

This pairing creates a comforting and satisfying meal.

Sweet Potato Casserole

delicious holiday side dish

Sweet potato casserole, with its creamy texture and hint of sweetness, perfectly complements the robust flavors of collard greens.

As a beloved holiday tradition, this vegetarian option brings warmth and comfort to any meal.

The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes balances the savory notes of the greens, creating a harmonious and satisfying dining experience that appeals to both young and old alike.

Deviled Eggs

easter brunch tradition upheld

Another delightful side dish that pairs wonderfully with collard greens is deviled eggs, offering a creamy and tangy contrast to the hearty greens.

This picnic favorite and party appetizer adds a burst of flavor to any meal.

The richness of the egg yolk filling complements the robust taste of collard greens, making it a must-have on your dining table for gatherings.

Are the Side Dishes for Sirloin Tip Roast Also Suitable for Collard Greens?

Yes, the best side dishes for sirloin tip roast, like roasted potatoes, garlic green beans, and creamy mashed potatoes, are also suitable for collard greens. These side dishes complement the rich and savory flavor of the roast while providing a variety of textures and flavors to the meal.

Sauteed Mushrooms

savory mushrooms cooked perfectly

Sauteed mushrooms provide a savory and earthy complement to the robust flavors of collard greens. The flavor combinations elevate the dish, blending the umami of mushrooms with the greens' slightly bitter taste.

Simple cooking techniques, like sautéing with garlic and olive oil, enhance the mushrooms' natural flavors, creating a delightful contrast that is both satisfying and nutritious.