Elevate your poutine experience with these 15 delightful side dishes. A fresh side salad with arugula, spinach, or romaine brings a nutritious touch. Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts and carrots offer a caramelized, savory flavor. Garlic mashed potatoes add a creamy, comforting element. Warm soup, such as French onion or butternut squash, is perfect for colder days. Coleslaw provides a crisp, tangy contrast. Complement with fried zucchini, deviled eggs, mac and cheese, and cornbread. Each side dish enhances the rich, indulgent nature of poutine, ensuring a balanced and satisfying meal. Explore more to discover your favorite combinations.
Fresh Side Salad
A fresh side salad offers a delightful contrast to the rich and hearty flavors of poutine. Featuring a mix of greens like arugula, spinach, or romaine, it serves as a nutritious accompaniment.
Adding cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers introduces a burst of color and freshness.
Light vinaigrette or creamy dressing enhances the crispness and balances the indulgent nature of poutine.
Roasted Vegetables
Incorporating roasted vegetables into your meal provides a nutritious and flavorful balance to the decadent poutine.
This side dish enhances the natural sugars in vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, and onions, resulting in a caramelized delight.
Seasoned with herbs such as rosemary, roasted vegetables offer a fragrant, savory touch, creating a well-rounded, satisfying meal alongside your poutine.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic mashed potatoes provide a creamy, flavorful complement to the rich and indulgent nature of poutine. Combining the smooth, garlicky potatoes with the crispy fries, savory gravy, and melted cheese creates a perfect balance of textures and tastes.
This side dish enhances the comforting, hearty feel of poutine, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a satisfying and delicious meal.
Warm Soup
Warm soup serves as a comforting and flavorful side dish that seamlessly pairs with the rich and savory elements of poutine. French onion soup or creamy butternut squash enhance the hearty nature of this classic comfort food.
The contrast between crispy fries and smooth soup creates a satisfying meal, ideal for colder days. This side adds variety and warmth to your dining experience.
Coleslaw
Switching gears from the invigorating warmth of soups, coleslaw offers a crisp crunch and tangy flavor that wonderfully complements the rich, savory elements of poutine.
This classic side dish delightfully balances the indulgence of fries and gravy, cheese curds, and brown gravy. Its acidity cuts through the richness, adding a pop of color and freshness to the plate, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries present a flavorful and nutritious alternative to traditional fries. They enhance the poutine experience with their slight sweetness and added vitamins. Their crispy texture contrasts beautifully with the soft cheese curds and creamy beef stock gravy.
The natural sweetness of sweet potato fries balances the savory and salty elements, adding both color and a nutritious touch to this beloved dish.
Pickles
Pickles offer a tangy and crunchy contrast that enhances the rich and savory experience of poutine. Their briny flavor cuts through the dish's richness, creating a delightful balance.
Whether you prefer dill, bread and butter, or spicy pickles, their diverse tastes add an extra layer of enjoyment. Serve them on the side or chop them up directly into the poutine for added zest.
Steamed Rice
After enjoying the tangy crunch of pickles, consider the neutral and versatile addition of steamed rice to accompany your poutine.
The fluffy texture of steamed rice complements the crispy fries and creamy cheese curds, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Easy to prepare, steamed rice balances the rich flavors of the cheese curds and fries, making it a satisfying side dish.
Baked Beans
Baked beans offer a sweet and savory contrast that pairs exceptionally well with the rich flavors of poutine. Their hearty texture and slightly sweet sauce balance the savory cheese curds and beef broth in traditional poutine.
Whether served hot or cold, baked beans provide a comforting and satisfying addition to the meal, making them an ideal side dish for a cozy dining experience.
Grilled Asparagus
Complementing the hearty baked beans, grilled asparagus offers a nutritious and flavorful side dish that guarantees a well-balanced meal with the rich and savory notes of poutine. Lightly seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper before grilling, the asparagus's crunch and earthy flavor perfectly contrast with the gooey cheese curds and tender beef.
This combination promises a satisfying dining experience that pleases both the palate and the senses.
Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad, with its crisp romaine lettuce and creamy dressing, offers a revitalizing contrast to the rich flavors of poutine. The crunchy croutons and tangy dressing, often enhanced with garlic powder, pair beautifully with the soft, gooey textures of poutine variations.
The fresh, light elements of the salad, complemented by savory Parmesan and sometimes mozzarella cheese, balance the hearty meal perfectly.
Fried Zucchini
Fried zucchini offers a rejuvenating crunch that harmonizes well with the rich, savory flavors of poutine. The crispy rounds, fried until golden brown, provide a contrast to the gooey cheese curds and hearty gravy.
High in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, fried zucchini not only adds a nutritious element but also a revitalizing break from the indulgent nature of poutine.
Deviled Eggs
Why not elevate your poutine experience with the addition of deviled eggs, a classic side dish that brings a creamy and tangy contrast to the rich flavors?
Made by hard-boiling eggs and blending the yolks with mayo and seasonings, deviled eggs offer a savory element that pairs wonderfully with cheese curds.
Easy to prepare, they can be made in advance, adding convenience to your meal.
Mac and Cheese
Pairing poutine with mac and cheese elevates the meal into an unparalleled comfort food experience, blending creamy, cheesy textures with the savory richness of the dish.
The creamy mac and cheese perfectly complements the crispy fries and gooey cheese curds in poutine.
This hearty duo offers a satisfying and indulgent meal, delighting any cheese lover with its comforting and customizable flavors.
Can the Same Side Dishes That Go with Mac & Cheese Also Go with Poutine?
Absolutely! The best side dishes for mac cheese such as broccoli, bacon, or a crispy salad can also complement poutine perfectly. Poutine’s richness pairs well with fresh and acidic flavors, making it a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of sides.
Cornbread
Cornbread, with its sweet and savory flavor profile, offers a delightful contrast to the rich, savory elements of poutine. The crumbly texture complements the crispy frozen French fries and the buttery notes pair well with the fresh cheese curds.
Serving cornbread warm alongside your poutine enhances the comfort factor, making poutine an even more satisfying meal experience.