Your quick guide to the best sides for brisket. A tender, juicy brisket deserves sides that match its bold, smoky flavor. Below you’ll find classic pairings, creative options, light dishes, and desserts that elevate any brisket meal.
Brisket is a barbecue staple. While smoked brisket shines on its own, the right sides turn a good meal into a memorable feast. Traditional choices such as coleslaw, potato salad, and pickled red onions reliably complement smoky meat, while lighter salads and simply prepared vegetables add balance and variety.
A Few Tips for Throwing the Best BBQ
Use butcher paper as a tablecloth. It’s practical and fun—guests can write notes or kids can draw while they wait.
Provide plenty of napkins or paper towels. Brisket is delicious and messy; consider DIY lemon wet wipes for sticky hands.
Batch a signature cocktail. A classic whiskey sour or a mezcal margarita pairs well with smoked meats.
Keep it simple. You don’t need many sides—pick a few complementary dishes and focus on quality.
Prep ahead. Start early, smoke the brisket overnight if you can, and make sides ahead; many store and reheat easily.
Send leftovers home. Have to-go containers ready so guests can take brisket and sides home.
Now, let’s get to the sides.
Classic Side Dishes For Brisket
Classic sides are reliable, crowd-pleasing, and enhance the brisket’s rich flavor.
Creamy Coleslaw
Bright, crunchy, and creamy—coleslaw cuts through the richness of brisket and adds refreshing texture.
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Classic American Potato Salad
Creamy, tangy potato salad is a barbecue must-have—rich enough to pair with brisket but familiar to everyone at the table.
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Creamy with a hint of tropical sweetness, this macaroni salad is a comforting, cooling side for smoked meat.
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Pickled Red Onions
Quick, bright, and tangy—pickled red onions add acid and color that brighten up rich brisket.
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Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Sauce
A homemade sauce can enhance brisket, balancing smoke with sweetness and tang—if you like sauced brisket, this is a great option.
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Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky, and savory baked beans are a classic BBQ side that pairs perfectly with brisket.
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Bread and Butter Pickles
Sweet-and-tangy pickles make great accompaniments for brisket sandwiches or as a bright snack on the side.
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Unique and Creative Sides
Mix in a few unexpected dishes to surprise and delight your guests.
Grilled Corn Salad
Charred corn combined with fresh vegetables and herbs makes a lively side or salsa for brisket, tacos, or chips.
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Blistered Shishito Peppers
Quick, slightly smoky, and addictive—these peppers are a spicy contrast to brisket.
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Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes
Crispy outside, tender inside—these potatoes are a hearty, comforting side for brisket.
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Smoked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, smoky mac and cheese is an indulgent side that pairs perfectly with barbecue.
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Scalloped Potatoes
Rich, cheesy, and comforting—scalloped potatoes are a show-stopping accompaniment to brisket.
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Simple Sautéed Corn
Sweet, quick, and easy—sautéed corn keeps things bright and seasonal on the plate.
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Smoked Baked Beans
Add an extra layer of smoke with baked beans cooked on the grill or smoker—sweet, smoky, and satisfying.
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Chimichurri Sauce
Fresh, herbaceous chimichurri offers a bright, acidic contrast to fatty brisket—an excellent alternative to traditional BBQ sauces.
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Grilled Potatoes
Grilling potatoes alongside your brisket is efficient and adds smoky char and great texture.
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Super Easy Cucumber Salad
Light and cooling, cucumber salad refreshes the palate after rich, smoky brisket.
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Grilled Broccolini
Tender broccolini with charred lemon and shaved Parmesan makes a flavorful, slightly bitter counterpoint to brisket.
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Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Crispy skin and fluffy interior—air-fryer potatoes are a quick, satisfying option with lots of topping possibilities.
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German Potato Salad
Savory, tangy, and studded with bacon and green onions—this potato salad brings smoky, savory notes to the plate.
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Green Bean + Bacon Salad
Tender green beans with crispy bacon and walnuts offer texture and savory balance for brisket.
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Thinly sliced and roasted with butter and thyme, these sweet potatoes bring both sweetness and texture to the table.
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Roasted Sweet Potato Bites
Crispy outside, tender inside—these bites are a simple, flavorful side for any BBQ.
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Perfect Green Beans
A simple, reliable method for green beans produces tender-crisp results that pair well with brisket.
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Light Options
Choose lighter sides to offset the richness of brisket and freshen the plate.
Baby Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette and Parmesan
Peppery arugula, bright lemon vinaigrette, and shaved Parmesan create a light, elegant side to balance brisket.
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Kale and Sweet Potato Salad
Hearty kale with roasted sweet potatoes, pecans, and cranberries stands up to bold brisket flavors while remaining fresh and nutritious.
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Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Simple, crispy Brussels sprouts are fast to make and add a satisfying crunch alongside brisket.
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Heirloom Tomato Salad
Juicy heirloom tomatoes with good olive oil and herbs bring bright, seasonal flavor as a light side.
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Desserts
No brisket feast is complete without dessert. Finish the meal with something that wows after a hearty main.
Irresistible Individual Berry Trifles
Layers of summer berries, lemon curd, and tender cake topped with lemon whipped cream make a refreshing finish.
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Mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream
Cool and minty ice cream cleanses the palate and is a crowd-pleasing dessert after a brisket feast.
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Smoked Apple Crisp
Smoky apple crisp ties into the barbecue theme while offering a warm, comforting dessert.
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Individual Peach Crisps
Sweet, juicy peaches with a crunchy topping make an easy, seasonal dessert for a barbecue.
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Apple Crisp Ice Cream
A creamy blend of ice cream and apple crisp flavors—an indulgent way to finish a barbecue meal.
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Grilled Peach-Bourbon Ice Cream
Grilled peaches and a hint of bourbon create a sweet, slightly boozy dessert that stands out after brisket.
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Choosing the right sides makes your brisket feast memorable. You don’t need to prepare every dish listed—pick a mix of classic, creative, and light options so everyone finds something they enjoy. After the meal, consider using leftover brisket in creative ways with leftover brisket recipes or consult a brisket guide for tips on cooking and storage.
For more ideas and full recipes, visit the individual recipe pages listed above.
