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What to Serve With Panini: 15 Best Side Dishes

Pairing paninis with the perfect side dishes can truly enhance your meal. Coleslaw offers a tangy crunch with its shredded cabbage and carrots. For a creamy, rich texture, consider potato salad, which combines potatoes, mayonnaise, and seasonings. Grilled vegetables provide a burst of flavor and nutrition, while a green salad with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers adds a fresh, crisp bite. Tomato soup, with its rich and tangy profile, pairs exceptionally well with cheesy paninis. These are just a few options, but many more delicious sides can complement your panini meal perfectly, ensuring every bite is enjoyable. Explore further to find even more exciting pairings.

Coleslaw

tangy cabbage and carrots

Coleslaw is a classic side dish that features shredded cabbage and carrots in a creamy dressing. It offers a crunchy texture and tangy flavor that perfectly complements the richness of a panini.

This invigorating, cold side dish balances savory flavors with its slightly sweet and acidic notes. The creamy dressing, whether mayo-based or vinegar-based, adds versatility, making coleslaw an ideal companion to any warm panini.

Potato Salad

recipe for potato salad

Why not elevate your panini experience with a classic potato salad, known for its creamy texture and rich mix of flavors?

This versatile side dish combines potatoes, mayonnaise, and seasonings, with optional ingredients like celery, onions, and pickles for added crunch.

The creamy and savory nature of potato salad perfectly complements the crispy elements of a panini, creating a satisfying meal.

Grilled Vegetables

healthy summer bbq option

After enjoying the creamy richness of potato salad, consider adding a burst of flavor and nutrition with a side of grilled vegetables.

This healthy and flavorful choice pairs perfectly with paninis. Grilling vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions enhances their natural sweetness and adds a smoky flavor. Season with garlic, herbs, and balsamic vinegar for an elevated taste.

Green Salad

healthy meal option choice

A green salad offers a crisp and revitalizing side that perfectly balances the robust flavors of a panini.

This classic accompaniment, with its fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots, provides a light and rejuvenating contrast to the richness of panini sandwiches.

Customizable and easy to prepare, adding proteins like grilled chicken can make it a more substantial side.

Tomato Soup

delicious comfort food option

Tomato soup, with its classic and comforting nature, serves as an ideal side dish to enhance the flavors of a panini.

This soup, rich in vitamins A and C, is typically made with tomatoes, broth, and seasonings like basil and garlic.

Its tangy and savory profile perfectly complements the cheesy and savory elements of a panini, making it a delightful addition to sides for sandwiches.

French Fries

perfectly crispy fast food

While tomato soup offers a warm and comforting pairing for panini, French fries bring a crunchy and savory contrast that elevates the dining experience.

As a classic side dish, French fries complement panini sandwiches beautifully. Homemade French fries, made by frying potato strips until crispy and seasoning with salt, provide a fresher, customizable option, enhancing the overall meal with their delightful texture and flavor.

Onion Rings

crispy fried onion rings

Onion rings serve as a popular and crispy side dish that enhances the texture and flavor profile of panini sandwiches. These golden, crunchy rings offer a delightful contrast to the grilled panini, making each bite more satisfying.

Seasoned with various spices or herbs, onion rings provide a flavorful accompaniment, adding a comforting and enjoyable element to your meal.

Sweet Potato Fries

delicious and crispy snack

Sweet potato fries present a popular and nutritious alternative to traditional French fries, making them an ideal side dish for panini sandwiches.

They are rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, offering a healthy alternative that can be baked or fried for a crispy texture.

Seasoned with spices like garlic powder or paprika, sweet potato fries add a delightful touch of sweetness to your meal.

Garlic Bread

tasty garlic bread recipe

Garlic bread, with its savory and aromatic qualities, serves as a delightful complement to panini sandwiches. This easy-to-prepare side dish offers a crunchy texture and a rich aroma that enhances the overall dining experience.

Made with garlic, butter, herbs, and sometimes cheese, garlic bread pairs well with various panini fillings, making it a versatile and popular choice.

Pico De Gallo

fresh salsa with tomatoes

Pico de Gallo, a rejuvenating and vibrant Mexican salsa, adds a burst of flavor and a touch of heat that perfectly complements the savory richness of panini sandwiches.

This side dish is made with diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice, offering a revitalizing contrast to the hearty panini.

Low in calories and rich in vitamins, it's a healthy, flavorful choice.

Hummus

chickpea spread with tahini

Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern dip made from mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. It serves as a versatile and nutritious side dish for panini sandwiches. This creamy spread complements the sandwich's flavors and pairs well with accompaniments like pita bread, vegetables, or crackers.

Available in various flavors such as roasted red pepper and garlic, hummus adds both taste and nutritional value.

Broccoli Salad

healthy summer picnic dish

Broccoli salad offers an energizing and crunchy complement to panini sandwiches, enhancing the overall meal experience with its diverse textures and flavors.

This revitalizing side dish typically includes fresh broccoli florets, red onions, raisins, sunflower seeds, and a creamy dressing.

Easy to prepare ahead of time, broccoli salad can be customized with extras like bacon or cheddar cheese, making it a versatile and convenient option.

Pasta Salad

refreshing summer picnic dish

Pasta salad, with its adaptability and myriad of ingredient options, serves as an ideal side dish to complement the savory flavors of panini sandwiches. This versatile side dish can be customized with veggies, cheese, and dressings, making it a great addition to any meal.

Adding protein like grilled chicken guarantees a filling meal, perfect for picnics or parties. Serve it cold or at room temperature.

Tomato Salad

fresh vibrant summer dish

Moving from the hearty pasta salad, an invigorating tomato salad stands out as an excellent side dish to pair with panini sandwiches. Made with ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, olive oil, and vinegar, this salad adds a burst of acidity and juiciness.

Customizable with cucumbers, onions, or feta cheese, it's easy to prepare and enhances the warm, crispy texture of panini sandwiches.

Are the Same Side Dishes Suitable for Serving with Panini and French Bread?

When deciding on the best side dishes for French bread or panini, it’s essential to choose options that complement the flavors and textures of the main dish. For French bread, classic choices like olive oil and balsamic vinegar, cheese, and charcuterie are always a great match. With panini, consider options like mixed green salad, roasted vegetables, or a side of soup to round out the meal.

Baked Beans

camping meal preparation option

Baked beans serve as a classic and flavorful side dish that perfectly complements the savory elements of a panini.

Easy to make, these beans blend well with dishes like creamy soup, sweet potato fries, or a grilled cheese sandwich.

The slow-cooked beans, often enriched with bacon and onions, provide a hearty, nutritious addition that enhances any panini meal with their comforting, rich taste.