What to Serve with Stuffed Grape Leaves: 10 Best Side Dishes
Stuffed grape leaves are a delicious and popular Mediterranean appetizer.
Sometimes, especially in the middle of winter, it can be hard to think of side dishes.
Fear not, these 10 side dishes will serve you well as an accompaniment to your stuffed grape leaves and other entrees.
They also make for perfect lunch dishes to bring to work for a healthy and tasty meal!
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes For Stuffed Grape Leaves?
Stuffed grape leaves are a popular Mediterranean side dish that is simple to make with a few ingredients.
You can serve them as an appetizer or a main dish.
However, if you are looking for a lighter option, consider serving them with a side dish to avoid making the meal too heavy and filling.
Side dishes such as a fresh salad, pasta salad, or a grilled vegetable dish can go along with stuffed grape leaves and make them a lighter option.
It’s important to note that not all side dishes will work with stuffed grape leaves.
Some dishes are too heavy to go along with them or might disguise the flavors of the stuffed grape leaves instead of complementing them.
It’s also important to consider what drinks will be served alongside the meal.
For example, if a meal of fish and chips is being served, some stuffed grape leaves can compliment the dish.
However, if a heavy glass of milk will be served alongside the meal instead of a drink like a soda or a coffee, it’s more important to have some lighter dishes on hand so that people aren’t too full by the time they finish eating their fish and chips.
So when deciding on what dishes to serve with stuffed grape leaves, it’s important to consider some lighter side dishes.
While stuffed grape leaves can be filling in themselves, it’s important to have something more light-tasting on the table so that people don’t fill up too much before eating their meal.
What to Serve with Stuffed Grape Leaves: 10 Best Side Dishes
Whether you are cooking stuffed grape leaves for a family gathering or heading out to a restaurant, it is important to know what kind of side dish you can pair with your meal.
If you are planning on serving stuffed grape leaves at home, then it may be helpful to know some of the best side dishes you can make that will complement your meal.
If you are heading out to a restaurant, then it is also helpful to know what kind of side dishes might go well with your stuffed grape leaves.
Here are our 10 favorite sides:
1. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are an ideal side dish for many meals, from Thanksgiving dinner to a plate of stuffed grape leaves.
They are simple to prepare and offer the perfect creamy texture.
Whether you are serving them alongside a traditional holiday meal, a plate of stuffed grape leaves or even a typical dinner, mashed potatoes will make any meal complete.
They are also a great side dish if you are making stuffed grape leaves for the first time.
2. Roasted Carrots
I love stuffed grape leaves, but they can’t stand alone; they need something to complete the meal.
In the past I would serve them with a side of rice and a Greek salad, or a Mediterranean salad.
But this time I wanted to try roasting carrots with a little garlic and lemon.
The result was a simple side dish that is easy to prepare and an excellent compliment to the grape leaves.
3. Hummus
Hummus is a great side dish for stuffed grape leaves. It is healthy, easy to make, and inexpensive.
If you are in a hurry you can buy pre-made hummus at the grocery store. But it can also be made from scratch with just a few simple ingredients.
Hummus is served cold and is a nice compliment to the warm stuffed grape leaves.
4. Spinach Pie
Spinach pie is a popular, delicious dish that can be a great addition to any meal. While having it on its own is fine, I prefer it with stuffed grape leaves.
The two complement each other very well: spinach pie is salty and ktipto (that’s Greek for “filled”), while the dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) are sweet and fattoush (which is Arabic for “salad”).
5. Greek Salad
If you want a nice, warm, and light side dish to go with stuffed grape leaves, opt for a Greek salad.
The crunchy cucumbers and tomatoes in this salad are a perfect complement to the softness of the leaves.
6. Corn Fritters
Corn fritters are a wonderful way to add a little crunch to a buffet style meal, and are also a fantastic accompaniment when your guests are looking for something that’s a little different.
You’ll be pleased to discover that this recipe will take little time to prepare, and it’s a great starter for any meal.
7. Bread
If you’re looking for something simple and comforting, bread is a great option.
It’s a perfect side dish for a stuffed grape leaves meal, as it adds a lightness to the filling that will make it feel less heavy.
Even people who don’t normally like bread will be surprised at how much they enjoy a simple slice of bread topped with a bit of olive oil and some salt!
8. Fried Green Tomatoes
Another side dish that’s not often thought of as a side dish, fried green tomatoes (See Also: 19 Best Sauces for Fried Green Tomatoes) are a great option for those who love the taste of fried tomatoes.
I like to serve mine with a side salad, as it will add a freshness and something green to the meal, and it’s always a nice change from the more familiar baked versions.
Fried green tomatoes are a little more involved than baked ones, but it’s definitely worth the effort for something that’s so great to eat.
9. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a classic choice for a buffet meal, and it’s a great option for the host of a barbecue, or anyone who likes a bit of a challenge with their meal.
You can choose from a wide variety of different toppings to add an extra bit of flavor, but it’s best to stick to traditional recipes, such as the one above.
10. Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a popular choice for both a buffet meal and a buffet party.
It’s quick to make, and it holds up well even when it’s been served over several hours after it’s been prepared.
A pasta salad is a great option for a party, as it can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
2 Tips For Serving Sides for Stuffed Grape Leaves
Many people claim that stuffed grape leaves are one of the most delicious foods in the world. And if you are one of those people and that’s your go-to dish, you’re definitely not alone.
As a matter of fact, plenty of people would agree that meat wrapped in a grape leaf is one of the best things you could ever eat. However, finding the right side dish to complement it might prove to be a bit challenging.
And for this reason, I’ll share with you three tips for picking the right side dish alongside stuffed grape leaves.
1. Make sure it’s healthy
One thing to remember is that not all side dishes are created equal. So it’s best to find a side dish that won’t make you feel guilty after eating it.
For example, if your meal consists entirely of meat and vegetables wrapped in grape leaves and you’re looking for something to balance out all the animal fat and carbs, try adding some fresh fruit to your plate or even a salad topped with balsamic vinegar.
2. Choose A Side That Compliments The Dish’s Flavor
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want your side dish to compliment the flavor profile of your stuffed grape leaves.
For example, if the stuffing contains tomatoes and herbs in addition to rice and meat, you might consider serving something like hummus or tzatziki on the side.
Not only do these dips contain similar ingredients, but they also help to temper the heat and spiciness that is often associated with stuffed grape leaves.
You can also choose a side salad or pita bread as simple accompaniments to these warm and spicy appetizers.
What to Serve with Stuffed Grape Leaves: 10 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted Carrots
- Hummus
- Spinach Pie
- Greek Salad
- Corn Fritters
- Bread
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Potato Salad
- Pasta Salad
Instructions
- Pick any of these tasty sides to go along with your meal.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Enjoy your dinner in no time!
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.