fbpx

What to Serve With Kraut and Sausage: 15 Best Side Dishes

When enjoying kraut and sausage, pairing them with the right side dishes can elevate your meal to new heights. Mashed potatoes offer creamy comfort, while German potato salad provides a tangy zing. Roasted vegetables add nutritious flavor, and additional sauerkraut enhances the tang. Spaetzle, a delightful egg noodle, complements beautifully, as does hearty rye bread. Pickled beets bring vibrant color, and mustard greens add a nutrient boost. Sweet apple sauce and red cabbage add harmonious flavors. Cucumber salad refreshes, while pretzels offer chewy satisfaction. Caramelized onions provide rich depth, dill pickles add crispness, and cornbread offers sweet contrast. Explore each option further to perfect your meal.

Mashed Potatoes

comfort food on thanksgiving

Mashed potatoes, frequently regarded as a classic comfort food, pair exceptionally well with kraut and sausage.

The creamy texture of the mashed potatoes balances the tangy and savory flavors of the kraut and sausage, creating a harmonious flavor pairing.

This combination offers a delightful contrast, making each bite more enjoyable.

It's a simple yet effective way to elevate your meal experience.

German Potato Salad

tangy vinegar dressed potatoes

German Potato Salad, with its tangy vinaigrette and hearty ingredients, offers a robust complement to the savory flavors of kraut and sausage.

The inclusion of a warm bacon dressing adds richness, while the vinegar tang balances the dish perfectly.

This side is both satisfying and flavorful, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their meal with traditional German flair.

Roasted Vegetables

delicious and healthy dish

Roasted vegetables provide a nutritious and flavorful side dish that pairs excellently with the savory notes of kraut and sausage. Utilizing seasonal options like carrots, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes can create delightful flavor combinations.

The natural sweetness of roasted vegetables balances the tanginess of kraut and the richness of sausage, making them an ideal complement to your meal.

Enjoy experimenting with different veggies!

Sauerkraut

fermented cabbage dish popular in germany

Sauerkraut, a tangy fermented cabbage, serves as a classic and essential accompaniment to kraut and sausage dishes. It offers numerous fermented benefits, such as aiding digestion and providing probiotics.

Traditional recipes often involve just cabbage and salt, allowing natural fermentation to enhance its flavor. This beloved side dish adds a pleasing sourness that perfectly complements hearty sausages, making it a popular choice.

Spaetzle

german egg noodle dish

Spaetzle, a type of soft egg noodle, serves as a versatile and satisfying side dish that pairs exceptionally well with kraut and sausage.

Homemade spaetzle brings a comforting, freshly made touch to your meal.

For added richness, try cheese spaetzle, where the noodles are tossed with melted cheese, creating a creamy, delicious treat that complements the hearty flavors of kraut and sausage perfectly.

Rye Bread

traditional latvian rye bread

Complementing the hearty flavors of kraut and sausage, rye bread offers a robust and slightly tangy contrast that enhances the overall meal experience. Rye bread boasts origins in Eastern Europe, celebrated for its dense texture and distinct taste.

Types of rye include light, medium, and dark, each bringing unique characteristics to the table. This bread's earthy notes perfectly balance the savory richness of the main dish.

Pickled Beets

preserved beets in brine

A delightful addition to the meal, pickled beets bring a vibrant color and a tangy-sweet flavor that pairs well with the savory notes of kraut and sausage.

The pickling process enhances their taste while preserving nutrients. These beets offer health benefits, including antioxidants and essential minerals.

Simple to prepare, they make an excellent, healthful side that complements the main dish beautifully.

Mustard Greens

vibrant green leafy vegetable

For a side dish that offers both a slight bitterness and a robust nutrient profile, mustard greens are an excellent choice to accompany kraut and sausage. This staple of Southern cuisine brings a delightful contrast and many nutrient benefits.

Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, mustard greens contribute to a balanced meal while enhancing the rich flavors of kraut and sausage.

Apple Sauce

homemade cinnamon apple sauce

The natural sweetness of applesauce provides a harmonious balance to the savory and tangy flavors of kraut and sausage. This sweet pairing can elevate your meal, adding a delightful contrast.

A homemade recipe is especially rewarding, allowing you to control the texture and sweetness. The gentle sweetness of applesauce complements the robust flavors, making it a perfect addition to your table.

Red Cabbage

purple vegetable for salad

Red cabbage serves as a vibrant and nutritious side dish that pairs exceptionally well with kraut and sausage. Whether you opt for braised cabbage, which brings out a rich, tender texture, or a zesty red slaw that adds an invigorating crunch, this versatile vegetable complements the hearty flavors of your main dish beautifully.

Its bright color also enhances the visual appeal of your meal.

Cucumber Salad

refreshing summer cucumber dish

A revitalizing cucumber salad offers a crisp and light contrast to the robust flavors of kraut and sausage. This delightful flavor combination rejuvenates the palate, balancing the rich, hearty elements of the main dish.

For preparation tips, thinly slice cucumbers and toss with a tangy vinaigrette, fresh dill, and a sprinkle of salt. This simple yet invigorating side dish enhances any meal.

Pretzels

salty snacks movie night

Complementing the savory notes of kraut and sausage, freshly baked pretzels provide a satisfying and traditional pairing. Soft pretzels, with their chewy texture and golden crust, are perfect for dipping.

Serving them with creamy beer cheese enhances their flavor, adding a rich and tangy element. This classic combination brings warmth and comfort, making it an ideal choice for any meal.

Caramelized Onions

sweet savory onion goodness

Often regarded as a savory enhancement, caramelized onions add a depth of flavor that perfectly balances the tanginess of kraut and the richness of sausage.

Slowly cooked until golden brown, these onions develop a natural sweetness akin to caramel sauce. Their rich taste can be likened to delicious onion rings, offering a delightful contrast and enhancing the overall dining experience.

Dill Pickles

crunchy tangy vinegary snack

Dill pickles, with their crisp texture and tangy vinegar brine, offer a revitalizing contrast to the hearty flavors of kraut and sausage.

The fermentation benefits are remarkable, promoting gut health and adding a probiotic boost.

Various pickle varieties, from classic dill to spicy, can enhance the meal, ensuring a delightful balance of taste and texture that will please any palate.

Are the Best Side Dishes for Kraut and Sausage Also Suitable for Baked Beans and Sausage?

Looking for the best side dishes for baked beans and sausage? The same sides that pair well with kraut and sausage also complement baked beans and sausage. Try coleslaw, potato salad, or a side of roasted vegetables to add variety and delicious flavor to your meal.

Cornbread

homemade buttermilk cornbread recipe

Cornbread, with its slightly sweet and crumbly texture, provides a perfect counterbalance to the savory and tangy components of kraut and sausage.

Whether you opt for classic buttermilk cornbread or a spicier jalapeno cornbread, this side dish complements the meal beautifully.

The buttermilk adds a rich, tangy note, while the jalapeno brings a touch of heat, making each bite delightful.