The best BBQ sides are those that are as exciting as the smoked meat. It’s the side you keep going back to and realize, “next time I need to prepare more.”
Here in Houston, we love indulging in a variety of dishes, but have some classic go-tos that blend super well with hearty meats like brisket.
So, we thought we’d take some time away from the mesquite grill to list our favorites that pair with brisket. So, get ready to take notes.
What Makes the Best BBQ Side Dishes
Balance is everything: creamy, tangy, smoky.
An authentic Texas BBQ is a smoky affair. Your palate needs something to reset from time to time to prevent boredom and overwhelm.
That’s why a blend of creamy, tangy, and smoky flavors should be your goal. The tang cools, the cream provides comfort, and the smoke gives that unique barbeque hit that you crave.
The Best Creamy and Cheesy BBQ Sides
Texas-style potato salad
Potato salad is a nationwide classic BBQ side.
Here in Texas, we lean towards the creamy and tangy side of potato salad, built to stand up to our smoked meats. So, aim for something slightly more impactful than a regular picnic potato salad.
Potato salad is a classic to serve with brisket and ribs, which can be intensely smoky.
Smoked mac and cheese
Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? Very few people.
Whatever your recipe is, it adds a creamy, comforting touch to any plate. It pairs well with brisket and provides sauce to dip your Jalapeno cheese bread in.
Loaded baked potatoes
Loaded baked potatoes are another comforting side that can be as creamy and cheesy as you like!
Heck, some of us could enjoy these as the main course alone on a regular day. But when it’s Texas BBQ day, you’ll want to indulge with a variety of toppings like sour cream, bacon, and cheese before serving alongside your brisket.
Fresh and Crunchy BBQ Sides
Tangy coleslaw
Now, for that refreshing palette-changing tang after the brisket has hit hard. Coleslaw is the answer.
Its tang and consistency cut through any rich mouthful of brisket and give your guests a chance to fill up on vegetables without losing the fun.
Texas Caviar (black-eyed pea salad)
Cold and zippy, Texas Caviar is a spicy punch that refreshes any palette from all the smoke. You can prepare it in any number of ways, before serving it cold as a dip or as a side to your smoked brisket.
Cucumber-tomato salad
Cucumber-tomato salad is a step toward a healthy variety of the best BBQ sides. Light, crispy, and tangy, it's utterly refreshing when you’ve drowned your tongue in creams, BBQ sauces, and meats.
Smoky and Grilled BBQ Sides
Grilled street corn (esquites)
Grilled street corn is one of the best BBQ side dishes you can make on the grill.
Lightly charred and served with a mayo or crema, it pairs wonderfully with brisket, ribs, tacos, and grilled chicken breast. Man, I’m getting hungry.
Ranch-style beans
Ranch-style beans are a staple of the best sides for BBQ here in Texas. Made from pinto beans, they have a savory, smoky, yet sweet taste that you can serve alongside your meats for a saucy, rich side.
Then mop up the sauce with some Jalapeno cheese bread, which pairs perfectly thanks to its tang.
Smoked baked potatoes
Everyone enjoys smoked baked potatoes. Their simplicity is often appreciated when there’s so much flavor going on elsewhere. Throw them on the grill for that smoky taste and irresistible crispiness.
Breads That Belong on a Texas BBQ Table
Jalapeno cheese bread
We include Jalapeno cheese bread in all our big meat packs because we know it pairs so well with smoked brisket, Goode's Original BBQ Sauce, and other juices that inevitably get left on the plate.
That combination of tang, southern spice, and the hearty bread is always a winner. It’s a must-have!
Jalapeno-cheddar cornbread
To make it extra tangy, opt for the cheddar variety. True cheddar has a tang unlike many other cheeses and blends beautifully with the chewy cornbread that we just can’t get enough of.
How Goode Co. Shop Makes Your BBQ Spread Better
Goode Co. Shop’s selection of scratch-made and original BBQ sauces and rubs is an authentic addition to any BBQ table spread.
We highly recommend our Goode Co. Shop's Signature Barbeque Sauce Trio, or a selection of spices and rubs to throw on your brisket before it hits the grill. You can find more great ideas in our Father’s Day BBQ gift guide!
All our pre-smoked BBQ packs are available with free nationwide shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Sides
What to serve with brisket in the summer?
When serving up brisket, make sure you have a variety of tang, cream, and crunch to refresh the palate. Our go-tos are Texas-style potato salad, mac and cheese, tangy coleslaw, ranch-style beans, and Jalapeno cheese bread.
You’ll also want to serve it with some BBQ sauce!
What's a light side dish for brisket?
Something cool and acidic is the trick when it comes to side dishes for brisket. We recommend a tangy cole slaw, cucumber salad, or Texas caviar.
What is traditionally served with brisket?
Here in Texas, we traditionally serve brisket with potato salad, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and Jalapeno cheese bread to mop up the leftover BBQ sauce. Learn more about brisket 101 here.
What is the 3/2-1 brisket rule?
The 3/2-1 brisket rule is a smoking method that suggests 3 hours unwrapped, 2 hours wrapped, and then 1 hour unwrapped.
At Goode Co. Shop, we've already pre-smoked the meat (like in our Pride of Sam Houston BBQ pack) for up to 15 hours over mesquite wood. It’s then vacuum sealed, so all you need to do is throw it on the grill or in the oven to reheat!