The 45 Best Sides For Pork Chops - PureWow

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About UsStyleFashionBeautyReviewsShoppingFoodFamilyWellnessEntertainmentNewsHomeRecipesTravelPetsHoroscopesGift GuidesWeddingsCulturesMoneyBooksTechNew YorkLos AngelesSUBSCRIBEfoodThe 45 Best Sides for Pork ChopsBy Rebecca Shapiro•Published Aug 2, 2022Additional reporting byTaryn PirePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

We’re all about one-pot meals, sheet pan dinners and recipes that tell us to throw everything in a Crockpot and call it a night. Nevertheless, there’s something satisfying about a classic square meal—a protein, carb and vegetable, just like your mom used to serve. Pork chops are a safe bet, since they’re easy to prepare, relatively lean and always delicious. But what should you serve with them? Here are 45 of the best sides for pork chops, from fancy baked potatoes to homemade applesauce.

Eva Kolenko/Bread Toast Crumbs

1. Spicy Broccoli Sauté

Switch it up from your usual roasted situation with the help of garlic, breadcrumbs and crushed red pepper flakes.

Get the recipeChristopher Testani/Instant Family Meals

2. Maple-cinnamon Squash Agrodolce

It’s naturally sweet and creamy, and all comes together in an Instant Pot.

Get the recipeLinda Pugliese/Help Yourself

3. Melted Onions

They’re gorgeous, unexpected and supremely easy to make.

Get the recipeQuentin Bacon/Modern Comfort Food

4. Ina Garten’s Roasted Broccolini And Cheddar

Ready in 20 minutes flat. In the words of Ina herself, how easy is that?

Get the recipeOla Smit/Dinner's In the Bag

5. Baby Vegetables With Orange And Thyme

Sometimes simple is best, especially when there’s minimal cleanup required.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Brussels Sprouts Skillet With Pancetta-garlic Bread Crumbs

What’s a little extra pork between friends? Substitute bacon for pancetta if you'd prefer.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Easy Homemade Applesauce

Your kids will be extra psyched about this timeless pairing. It's done in 15 minutes, no peeling required.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

8. The Best Potatoes Au Gratin Ever

We like Gruyère to balance out the creaminess of this classic French dish, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Like applesauce, the sweetness in these fries brings out the flavor of the pork chop. The vitamins and minerals are just a bonus.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Oven-roasted Beets And Potatoes

This skillet dish is begging for a spot on your Instagram story. Don't be shy with the fresh thyme and rosemary.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11. Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes

The secret weapon in these velvety, make-ahead potatoes is cream cheese (but shh, don’t tell anyone).

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12. Cauliflower Macaroni And Cheese

Put on your drawstring pants, because you're going to want seconds (and even thirds) of this cauli mac.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. Hasselback Butternut Squash

Ooh, so fancy. Might we suggest bookmarking this autumnal masterpiece for Thanksgiving dinner?

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

14. Creamed Brussels Sprouts With Caramelized Onions

Bust out your favorite casserole dish for this Gruyère-laced veggie side. You'll love the crispy fried sage on top.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

15. Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed With Barley Risotto

Kick things up a notch with a vegetarian side that even carnivores can get behind.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

16. Brussels Sprouts Latkes

Move over, potatoes. We'll be eating these veggie fritters all year long, with a heaping side of sour cream.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17. Leek, Kale And Goat Cheese Strata

What's strata? We're so glad you asked. It's a casserole layered with egg, bread and cheese.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

18. Green Goddess Lettuce Wraps

Presenting our favorite way to eat salad. Serve them with plenty of homemade green goddess dip on the side.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

19. Light And Tangy Coleslaw

Made with a tangy vinegar base instead of mayo, this side is especially tasty with pork chops.

Get the recipeErin McDowell

20. Coconut Creamed Spinach

Thanks to coconut milk, your go-to dinner side is now dairy-free (and just a tad healthier).

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

21. Baked Potatoes

Top them with creamy mushrooms, spicy Brussels sprouts or balsamic caramelized onions (or sour cream and chives—we won’t judge).

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

22. Grilled Corn With Spicy Aioli

We feel a cookout coming on. Prepare this in the summertime with grilled pork chops and a crunchy green salad.

Get the recipeKatherine Gillen

23. One-pot Mac And Cheese

Every one of your guests will be beyond stoked to see this seven-ingredient comfort hit the table.

Get the recipePhoto: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

24. Cacio E Pepe Brussels Sprouts

They’re caramelized, cheesy and well worth a second helping.

Get the recipeFloating Kitchen

25. Cranberry Apple Salad

We love this crisp starter with apples, macerated cranberries, walnuts and mustard vinaigrette.

Get the recipeGimme Some Oven

26. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Made in the slow cooker with only five ingredients, this is basically our dream side. Serve it with burgers, steak, pasta and, of course, pork chops.

Get the recipeThe Full Helping

27. Maple Mustard Kale, Quinoa And Pecan Salad

Fact: A good kale salad voids any other nutritional sins, including this beauty by PureWow Coterie member Gena Hamshaw.

Get the recipeTwo Peas and Their Pod

28. Magic Broccoli

Garlic, lemon and a little salt and pepper are all you need to create an awesome, 25-minute side.

Get the recipeThe Clean Eating Couple

29. Cinnamon Paprika Roasted Delicata Squash

A little sweet, a little spicy and extremely tasty, brought to you by Coterie member Liz Falcigno.

Get the recipeGimme Some Oven

30. Caesar Salad

Need something to stand up to your pork chops? Use hearty kale in your usual Caesar instead of lettuce.

Get the recipeFoodie Crush

31. Classic Blue Cheese Wedge Salad

PureWow Coterie member Heidi Larsen knows the ultimate salad is one that's piled high with bacon.

Get the recipeThe Clean Eating Couple

32. Green Beans Almondine

PureWow Coterie member Liz Falcigno gives us a keto-friendly, Whole30-approved take on the traditional butter-soaked dish.

Get the recipeAmbitious Kitchen

33. Sesame Garlic Roasted Asparagus

Coterie member Monique Volz perfected an already perfect side with the help of sesame oil and crunchy sesame seeds.

Get the recipeFloating Kitchen

34. Baked Avocados With Fresh Salsa

Baking an avocado? We know, it's genius. They're crowned with cherry tomatoes, corn, queso fresco and lime juice.

Get the recipeTwo Peas and Their Pod

35. Parmesan-pesto Roasted Potatoes

Pork chops and potatoes are always a delicious pairing, but when the taters are slathered in basil pesto, it's just plain epic.

Get the recipeKatherine Gillen

36. Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Hot take: Brussels sprouts are the new potatoes. You're only six ingredients away from their tastiest iteration yet.

Get the recipeKristen Kilpatrick/The Comfortable Kitchen

37. Balsamic-thyme Roasted Mushrooms

The mushrooms cook to savory perfection in their own pan sauce, which is thickened with a simple arrowroot flour slurry.

Get the recipeMark Weinberg/I Dream of Dinner

38. 50-50 Buttered Noodles And Greens

Even picky kids won't mind the broccoli rabe, since it's swimming in a pseudo cream sauce made from butter, Parmesan cheese and pasta water.

Get the recipeKatherine Gillen

39. Crunchy Broccoli Salad

Don't knock raw broccoli 'til you've tried it. This 20-minute side boasts roasted sunflower seeds, dried cranberries and cheddar cheese.

Get the recipe

40. Wild Mushroom, Potato And Onion Tart

If you're aiming to impress your dinner guests (or roommates), look no further than this tart, which sneakily starts with store-bought puff pastry.

Get the recipeKelly Marshall/Sunday Best

41. Green Cabbage Gratin

Because *everything* is better with cheese, butter, wine and breadcrumbs—even humble, underrated cabbage.

Get the recipeKatherine Gillen

42. Ranch Potato Salad

Just the creamy, herby, tangy update this picnic side needed. We wouldn't blame you for drizzling the dressing over your pork chop.

Get the recipeRobert Bredvad/The Secret Ingredient Cookbook

43. Caesar Pasta Salad

Never choose between tender, creamy pasta and crisp, leafy greens again. (The dressing doubles as a zingy party dip, BTW.)

Get the recipeNicole Franzen/To The Last Bite

44. White Wine Braised Leeks

So tender, they practically melt in your mouth. Their garlicky, herby flavor is just the pairing for an expertly seared pork chop.

Get the recipeJenny Huang/Korean American

45. Caramelized Kimchi Baked Potatoes

A touch of sugar balances punchy kimchi and nutty sesame oil like a charm. Finish them with all the mozz and sour cream your heart desires.

Get the recipeRebecca Shapiroread full bioTaryn Pire

Food Editor

• Spearheads PureWow's food vertical
• Manages PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
• Studied English and writing at Ithaca College

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