Pork roast is a hearty main dish that tastes great and fills you up. It can be the star of any meal. When it comes to the perfect accompaniments for this mouthwatering main course, there are endless options to explore. Finding the right side dishes for pork roast can make the meal more enjoyable and impress your dinner guests. You can go with traditional dishes or try something new.
Roast pork makes a fabulous entree year-round, but it’s especially well-suited for warm weather dining. The key is choosing lighter, brighter side dishes to complement the rich, meaty pork rather than heavy winter-style sides. In this article, we’ll look at 20 fresh, delicious options for what to serve with roast pork in summer.
Cool, crisp salads, grilled veggies, chilled potato dishes and other seasonal sides are perfect for pairing with juicy pork on a hot day. Avoid hot, heavy casseroles and starchy sides that seem too wintry when the temperature rises
Follow these suggestions for recipe inspiration to round out your summer pork supper with the perfect mix of cool, bright flavors and textures.
20 Light & Refreshing Sides for Roast Pork in Summer
Here are 20 fantastic sides to accompany roast pork during the warm summer months:
1. Celery Root Remoulade
Shredded celery root and carrots in a creamy tangy mustard-spiked dressing. Chilling accentuates the flavors.
2. Watermelon Feta Salad
Cubes of cool watermelon, crumbled feta, mint, and red onion dressed with olive oil and lime juice.
3. Tomato Cucumber Salad
Sliced vine-ripened tomatoes and cucumbers tossed with vinaigrette and fresh herbs.
4. Grilled Vegetable Platter
Assorted colorful veggies like zucchini, peppers, onions, eggplant and asparagus lightly grilled.
5. Caprese Salad
Layers of ripe tomato, mozzarella, and basil leaves drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
6. Potato Salad
Chilled, tangy potato salad made with red potatoes, lots of crunchy celery, hard boiled eggs, and mayo-based dressing.
7. Pasta Salad
Chilled pasta tossed with fresh vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, olives, and Italian dressing.
8. Greek Salad
Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, red onion, and feta, dressed with lemon, olive oil, oregano.
9. Corn and Avocado Salad
Charred corn cut off the cob, diced avocado, onion, cilantro in a lime vinaigrette.
10. Mixed Green Salad
Assorted salad greens, shredded carrots, and croutons served with light vinaigrette on the side.
11. BLT Pasta Salad
Pasta, bacon, tomato, lettuce, shredded cheddar & ranch dressing. The BLT in salad form.
12. Coleslaw
Shredded cabbage and carrots in a creamy dressing, infused with caraway or cider vinegar.
13. Macaroni Salad
Elbow macaroni, bell pepper, celery, onion etc. coated in a creamy mayo-based dressing.
14. Fruit Salad
A mix of summer fruits like watermelon, berries, peaches, pineapple, grapes, tossed in a sweet dressing.
15. Caprese Pasta Salad
Fusilli pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella balls, basil, toasted pine nuts, olive oil, and balsamic dressing.
16. Orzo Salad
Chilled orzo pasta mixed with diced cucumber, tomato, feta, olives, onion, herbs, lemon dressing.
17. Potato Gratin
Thinly sliced potatoes layered and baked in a light cheese sauce rather than heavy cream.
18. Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli florets tossed in olive oil, salt, and roasted until lightly charred and tender-crisp.
19. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Sweet corn brushed with compound butter and grilled until tender and smoky.
20. Garden Salad with Fruit
Mixed greens, berries, apple slices, orange segments, with a refreshing raspberry vinaigrette.
Serving roast pork? Cool it down for summer by rounding out the meal with light, refreshing sides like colorful salads, grilled veggies, chilled potato and pasta dishes and in-season fruits. Their bright flavors, textures and colors perfectly complement the rich pork on a warm weather menu. With these 20 ideas, you’ll stay cool while dining in style. Enjoy your summer pork supper!
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Choosing the best side dishes for pork roast
It doesn’t matter if you slow-roast pork shoulder, grill tenderloin, or air-fry pork loin; the right side dishes will make your pork roast shine.
Choosing the right side dishes for pork roast is key to creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal. The side dishes you pick should go well with the pork roast’s tastes and textures, not take away from or overpower them.
Begin by considering the flavors and textures of the pork roast itself. Do you want it marinated in a zesty sauce or crusted with an herb seasoning? The season and the event can also help you plan a well-balanced and memorable menu.
For instance, a pork shoulder can be slow-roasted with rosemary and garlic for a classic Mediterranean taste, or it can be marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce for a dish that tastes more Asian. The options are endless and can be adjusted based on personal taste preferences and dietary restrictions.
In the same way, a slow-roasted pork shoulder might go well with hearty sides like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables, while a grilled pork tenderloin might go better with lighter sides like a salad or grilled vegetables.
What to serve with pork roast
And if you have a traditional pork roast like a pork loin or crown roast, these traditional side dishes will go well with it.
Make these if you’re not sure what to serve with Christmas pork roast. They’re also great for a Sunday roast.
As a side dish, potatoes are often served with pork roast. Different kinds of potatoes go well with this main dish.
Roasted potatoes are a popular and easy option. To make them, cut the potatoes into chunks and toss them with oil, salt, pepper, and herbs (try thyme or rosemary). Then, roast the potatoes with the pork in the oven.
Alternatively, for extra crispy roasted potatoes, try making them in your air fryer.
Gravy is a classic side dish to serve with pork roast, and for good reason. Gravy makes the pork roast taste rich and savory, going well with the meat’s natural juices and flavors. It also helps to moisten and soften the pork roast, making it more tender and enjoyable to eat.
The pork roast’s pan juices can be used to make gravy. First, deglaze the pan with wine or stock. Then, add a flour or cornstarch slurry to thicken the liquid. This will make a gravy that tastes great with the pork roast and any herbs or spices that were used to season it.
You can also start with chicken, beef, or pork stock to make gravy, and then add herbs, spices, and other things to make it taste better with the pork roast. This gives you more options for flavor and lets you make a gravy that fits your tastes.
>> Related recipe: How to Make Gravy from Stock
Try making delicious brown gravy from stock.
Applesauce is a classic and delicious side dish to serve with pork roast. It adds a nice contrast of tastes and textures to go with the pork roast’s rich and savory flavor.
Applesauce goes well with pork roast because it balances out the rich and savory taste of the pork roast with a sweet and sour sweetness. The applesauce’s sweetness helps to balance out the flavors of the pork roast and gives it a nice, fresh taste that goes well with the meat.
Applesauce is also easy to make and can be stored for later use, which is helpful for cooks who are always on the go. It can also be reheated and served warm or cold, depending on personal preference.
>> Related recipe: Instant Pot Applesauce
Mix and match your favorite vegetables for a diverse side dish to serve with pork roast.
The natural sweetness of the vegetables, such as carrots or parsnips, is intensified by roasting. This sweetness helps the pork roast’s flavors go together and gives it a nice, refreshing taste that goes well with the meat.
You can also flavor them however you like to complement the flavors of the pork roast seasoning.
For an easy way to cook them, put them in the roasting pan with the pork. If you want a lighter version, cook them in your air fryer.
Here are some great roasted vegetables to go with roast pork:
Steamed vegetables go well with pork roast because they are light and refreshing while the pork roast is rich and savory.
When you steam vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus, they keep their natural crispness. This helps balance out the flavors of the pork roast and gives the vegetables a refreshing taste that goes well with the meat.
Steamed vegetables are also a healthy choice because they don’t need much butter or oil and keep most of their nutrients. They can also be eaten by people who have to follow certain diets.
Mashed potatoes are another classic option that pairs well with pork roast.
You can boil or steam potatoes until they are soft, then mix them with butter, milk, and salt to make them.
Mashed potatoes can also be flavored with herbs, garlic, or cheese for added depth of flavor. They provide a creamy and comforting contrast to the richness of the pork roast.