Elevate your Cornish game hen dinner with perfectly paired side dishes. Creamy mashed potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes bring a comforting touch. Roasted vegetables add flavor and nutrition, while a light fresh green salad offers balance. Wild rice pilaf provides an earthy, nutty complexity that complements the hens beautifully. For added greens, sautéed kale and roasted asparagus are delightful. Consider green beans for a classic side, and add a festive touch with cranberry sauce. Each of these sides enhances the main dish, making the meal both satisfying and memorable. Explore further to uncover more delicious pairings.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes offer a creamy and smooth side dish that pairs exquisitely with Cornish game hens. This classic side, enhanced with butter and cream, becomes even more delightful when infused with garlic or topped with cheese.
The creamy texture and rich flavors of mashed potatoes provide a comforting and satisfying accompaniment, perfectly complementing the juicy meat of the hens.
Roasted Vegetables
While mashed potatoes bring comfort and indulgence to the table, roasted vegetables offer a flavorful and nutritious contrast when served alongside Cornish game hens.
Toss root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast until caramelized, then sprinkle with fresh herbs. This vibrant side dish adds color, texture, and a healthy element to your meal.
Wild Rice Pilaf
Enhancing the meal with a nutty and earthy complexity, wild rice pilaf is a nutritious and versatile side dish that complements Cornish game hens beautifully.
This flavorful blend of wild rice with other grains, aromatic vegetables, and herbs adds depth to the dish.
Rich in fiber, protein, and essential nutrients, it can be customized with dried fruits, nuts, or seasonings to suit personal preferences.
Fresh Green Salad
After savoring the hearty and robust flavors of wild rice pilaf, a fresh green salad offers a light and invigorating contrast that perfectly complements Cornish game hens.
For a delightful salad recipe, combine mixed baby greens with colorful vegetables, crumbled feta, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme.
Toss with a tangy vinaigrette dressing to bring out the vibrant flavors and create a harmonious dining experience.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic mashed potatoes provide a creamy and savory accompaniment that enhances the flavors of Cornish game hens.
This creamy side dish is made by mashing tender boiled potatoes with butter, milk, and roasted garlic, creating a rich, flavorful blend.
The roasted garlic imparts a deep, savory taste that pairs beautifully with the juicy Cornish game hens.
Garnish with chopped chives or parsley for added flair.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Complementing the creamy and savory garlic mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts offer a nutritious and flavorful side dish that pairs excellently with Cornish game hens.
When seasoned with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, these sprouts achieve a delightful crispy texture.
For added depth, finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, balancing the flavors and enhancing their natural sweetness.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole provides a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors, making it an ideal side dish for Cornish game hens.
This dish features mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar and cinnamon, topped with a crunchy pecan streusel.
Perfect for holiday gatherings and special occasions, it offers a rich, creamy texture that beautifully complements the savory flavors of the main course.
Sautéed Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms offer a versatile and flavorful side dish that enhances the rich and savory profile of Cornish game hens. Cooked with butter, garlic, herbs, and a splash of wine, they bring a delightful umami taste to the table.
This low-carb option is quick and easy to prepare, making it a convenient and delicious complement to your meal.
Dinner Rolls
Dinner rolls serve as a classic and comforting side dish that enhances the overall dining experience when paired with Cornish game hens. These side dishes to serve can be yeast rolls, buttery dinner rolls, or flaky biscuits.
They provide a warm, familiar touch, perfect for soaking up gravy or enjoying with butter. Whether homemade or store-bought, dinner rolls complete any special meal.
Creamy Coleslaw
Creamy coleslaw, made with shredded cabbage and carrots in a zesty mayonnaise-based dressing, provides an invigorating contrast to the rich flavors of Cornish game hens.
The tangy flavor from the vinegar and the crunch from the cabbage make it a revitalizing side.
This versatile dish can be prepared in advance, allowing the flavors to meld, making it ideal for gatherings and holidays.
Corn Salad
Corn salad is an invigorating medley of fresh corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and cilantro. It offers a vibrant and flavorful accompaniment to Cornish game hens.
This side dish is dressed with a simple vinaigrette of olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper, providing a delightful burst of sweet and savory flavors.
Served cold or at room temperature, it is both convenient and tasty.
Sautéed Kale
Sautéing kale with olive oil, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice creates a nutritious and flavorful side dish that perfectly complements Cornish game hens.
Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, this leafy green offers antioxidants and fiber.
The tender yet slightly crispy texture of sautéed kale adds a delightful contrast to the meal, making it easy to prepare and visually appealing.
Roasted Asparagus
Following the vibrant and nutritious sautéed kale, roasted asparagus emerges as another exquisite side dish that pairs harmoniously with Cornish game hens.
This elegant vegetable, rich in nutrients like fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and folate, is roasted to perfection with olive oil, salt, and pepper. It adds a beautiful pop of color and complements the rich flavors of the Cornish game hens.
Green Beans
Green beans, with their crisp texture and vibrant green hue, stand out as a classic and versatile side dish that enhances the rich flavors of Cornish game hens. Seasoned with garlic and a squeeze of lemon, they bring an invigorating zest.
Adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of balsamic glaze elevates their elegance, making them a delightful accompaniment.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce, with its sweet and tart profile, provides a vibrant contrast to the savory flavors of Cornish game hens, making it a popular choice for holiday meals.
This homemade delight, made from fresh cranberries, sugar, and water, is simple to prepare. Adding orange juice and zest, along with spices like cinnamon or cloves, enhances its flavor, creating a memorable holiday side dish.