What To Serve With Stuffed Peppers? 30 Best Side Dishes

Are you wondering what to serve with stuffed peppers?

Look no further!

I’ve got thirty delicious side dishes that will turn your meal into an unforgettable gourmet experience.

Stuffed peppers are a tasty, healthy dish that can be filled with anything from beef and rice to pork and quinoa.

No matter the filling, these savory peppers need something to complement their flavor profile.

That’s why they require just the right side dish in order to complete the meal.

From roasted potatoes and crunchy coleslaw, to garbanzo bean salad and wild rice pilaf – there’s something on this list for everyone’s taste buds.

Whether you prefer hearty sides or light salads, each of these dishes is sure to tantalize your taste buds!

Related:

• The 5 Best Sauces for Stuffed Peppers
• What to Do with Leftover Stuffed Pepper Filling (22 Ideas)
• 10 BEST Seasonings for Stuffed Peppers

Why Consider Serving Sides with Stuffed Peppers?

• Variety: Serving sides with stuffed peppers adds variety to the meal, allowing diners to choose from a range of flavors and textures.
• Balance: Sides can help balance out the richness of the stuffed peppers by providing lighter options such as salads or vegetables.
• Nutrition: Adding sides allows you to include more nutritious ingredients in your meal, such as whole grains, legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Flavor Enhancement: The right side dishes can enhance the flavor of your stuffed peppers by adding complementary flavors or contrasting tastes that bring out different notes in the dish itself.
• Presentation: A plate full of colorful sides makes for an attractive presentation that will make your meal look even more appetizing!

What To Serve With Stuffed Peppers? 30 Best Side Dishes

Stuffed peppers make a great main course, but they can be a bit bland on their own.

To give your meal some variety, here are thirty side dishes to serve with stuffed peppers – each one adding its own unique flavor and texture to the plate!

1. Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Give your stuffed peppers and instant flavor kick with a side of buffalo cauliflower wings.

You can easily bake them in the oven while your peppers are cooking, or roast up just one batch as an appetizer to bring something extra to movie night.

Whichever way you prepare them, this zesty vegan dish will have everyone clamoring for seconds – and thirds!

2. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

These crispy, golden-brown air fryer zucchini fries give your stuffed pepper dinner a huge flavor boost.

They’re breaded in panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese for crunchy outside that gives way to the juicy inside of fresh zucchini.

Toss them with your favorite herbs or spices, such as oregano or chili powder, and serve hot on the side of cheesy stuffed peppers.

3. Air Fryer Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts

To give your stuffed peppers a flavor boost, try making Air Fryer Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts.

These crunchy-tender miniature cabbages only take 10 minutes in the air fryer, and get fragrant from the balsamic glaze and salty bacon.

They’re nice and light but have plenty of toasty flavorful bits throughout, perfect for shaking up your routine with some added drama.

4. Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Dress up your stuffed peppers with a heaping side of roasted sweet potatoes and black beans, blended into a flavorful quinoa salad.

This savory-sweet combination is an easy appetizer, lunch or dinner dish that adds life to any plate. Plus, it’s an excellent source of protein and fiber – not to mention the generous vitamins from all those roasted veggies.

Squeeze in some fresh lime, or drizzle on some honey for a bit of dressing. Add avocado for rich creaminess and feta cheese for extra saltiness – however you like it. Enjoy!

5. Loaded Veggie Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Loaded veggie Mediterranean chickpea salad is a great side dish to accompany stuffed peppers.

This fiber-rich and nutritious salad combines cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, fresh parsley and feta cheese with garbanzo beans (chickpeas) as the star ingredient.

The chewy texture of the chips brightens up the light citrusy dressing that coats this perfect pairing for your veggie-stuffed main course.

6. Rosemary Mushroom Rice Pilaf

Make a pot of rosemary mushroom rice pilaf to accompany your stuffed peppers, and avoid any “blandness” worries.

This simple medley of wild or cultivated mushrooms, long-grain rice, red onion, parsley and toasted pecans is cooked in a fragrant broth with fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme.

It’s an added layer of flavor that will give pizzazz to ordinary stuffed peppers – the perfect balance of savoriness next to a colorful main.

7. Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad

Bring a burst of bright flavors and protein to your stuffed pepper dinner with this vegan-friendly Sun-dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad.

The chewy lentils combine nicely with the salty capers, sweet tomatoes, peppery arugula, crunchy pine nuts, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil.

This salad is super easy to make and can easily be doubled or tripled if you’re serving a crowd!

8. Sweet Potato Soup

Tie in seasonally sweet flavors with a bright orange, creamy sweet potato soup.

It is a great way to accentuate the savory and pleasingly mild notes of your stuffed peppers without overpowering the dish’s flavor profile.

Simmer cubed sweet potatoes and onions together in broth before puréeing them until smooooooth for an irresistible combination of sweetness and warmth.

9. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese

Let roasted Brussels sprouts be the star of your stuffed pepper feast.

Coated in a flavorful chili-pepper-lemon vinaigrette, these golden brown beauties become lusciously caramelized and tender. Sprinkle generously with crumbled goat cheese for a hint of sweetness and nutty creaminess that’s out of this world good.

This tasty side dish will add an avant-garde flavor to traditional red-pepper stuffing, pressing past blandness into culinary creativity.

10. Fig Arugula Salad with Pecans

Complete your stuffed pepper meal with an easy, fresh fig arugula salad.

Take a trip to the farmers’ market and pick up some sweet ripe figs, baby arugula leaves, and pecans. Toss them together in a bowl with crumbled feta cheese and a simple lemon-oil dressing for a rustic but elegant side dish to any main course.

11. Cauliflower Fried Rice

Turn up the heat with a spicy booster of cauliflower-rice stir fry!

Adding this to your stuffed pepper meal is an easy way to add crunch, flavor and lots of veggies without much work.

Simply sauté your favorite ingredients—cooked shrimp, diced chicken or shredded carrots all make great additions—then toss everything together in a wok or frying pan until fragrant with sesame oil and tamari soy sauce.

12. Kale Quinoa & Chickpea Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Bring an amazing burst of flavor to stuffed peppers with this bright, nutty and extra flavorful side salad.

It’s a vibrant dinner option that boosts the nutrition of any main dish — whether veggie or carnivore — with nutrient-rich kale, quinoa and chickpeas tossed in a lemon vinaigrette.

Enjoy as a light weeknight dinner on its own, or add grilled chicken breasts or salmon fillets for those who need more substance.

13. Harissa Roasted Vegetables & Chickpeas

Jazz up those stuffed peppers by topping them with harissa-roasted vegetables and chickpeas.

Just combine cauliflower, carrots, onion and a touch of garlic in a bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper and your favorite spicy Middle Eastern sauce. Pop it into the oven to bake–you’ll get caramelized edges for an extra delicious dimension.

Mix in some cooked chickpeas for heartiness, then spoon or sprinkle over your bell peppers for a punch of flavor.

14. Raw Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Brighten up the plate around your stuffed peppers with a raw shaved Brussels sprouts salad.

This dish is filled with unique crunch, easily made by slicing thin strips of brussels sprouts in a food processor, and tossed with fresh dill and feta cheese crumbles.

A tangy lemon poppyseed vinaigrette brings it all together for a fuss-free side dish to jazz up your main course.

15. Lentil and Roasted Eggplant Salad

Lentil and roasted eggplant salad is a flavorful accompaniment to stuffed peppers. It adds the subtle sweetness of fresh rosemary, roasted garlic, and paprika-coated eggplant cubes.

This hearty side dish can be served room temperature or slightly warm—perfect for a delicious meal on busy nights.

Top with feta cheese, chopped parsley, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil — you won’t believe how a few simple ingredients can elevate your dinner so quickly!

16. Japanese-inspired Ramen Noodle Soup

Forget about blandness and add lots of flavor to your dinner with this ramen noodle soup.

Ramen noodles are usually cooked in boiling water, but here they’re flavored directly in the broth—which gets a kick from soy sauce and white miso paste.

Top it off with green onions, sesame oil, a sprinkle of shredded carrot, boiled egg slices and some mushrooms for hints of Asian flavors that pair nicely with stuffed peppers.

17. Roasted Sweet Potato & Beetroot Salad

Balance out the simplicity of stuffed peppers with a cold roasted sweet potato and beetroot salad.

This salad is surprisingly filling and flavorful, loaded with peppery arugula, nutty walnuts and crunchy feta cheese, all enveloped in a light honey-mustard vinaigrette.

The addition of pickled red onions can take it from good to great – try adding them for an extra kick!

18. Smoky Sweet Potato and Chickpea Sheet Pan Dinner

You can effortlessly elevate your stuffed pepper dish with a delicious and nutritious side.

This smoky sweet potato and chickpea sheet pan dinner is a great companion. The combination of spices, flavorful chickpeas, and golden cubes of sweet potatoes pair perfectly with classic stuffed peppers. This vibrant mix will keep you full without compromising flavor!

19. Greek Chicken Kebabs with Tzatziki Sauce

Fill up your dinner plate with succulent Greek chicken kebabs paired with stuffed peppers.

These juicy, herby-flavored grilled chicken skewers need a simple marinade for their full flavor to shine through, along with a lemony marinated cucumber and yogurt dipping sauce as the star of this show.

And don’t forget some crunchy slaw on the side!

20. Moroccan Chickpea Salad

Liven up plain stuffed peppers with a bright and vibrant Moroccan chickpea salad.

This recipe is loaded with the flavors of cumin, coriander, honey, garlic, parsley and mint.

It’s a welcome contrast to the mild flavor of bell peppers and makes for an interesting side dish that packs in plenty of nutrition.

21. Glowing Winter Quinoa Buddha Bowls

Enjoy an easy way to get lots of vegetables and grains into your kids’ diets with these colorful, healthy Buddha bowls.

Take advantage of in-season winter produce like nutrient-dense zucchini, carrots, roasted squash cubes, mushrooms, kale leaves and tomatoes – all tossed together for a delicious kitchen sink quinoa medley.

Add protein if you wish; shredded chicken breast or smoked tofu slices provide more substance and transform this side dish into a complete meal.

22. Spiced Sweet Potato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Roast up some spiced sweet potatoes to toss in a delicious and creamy lemon vinaigrette.

This simple, nutritious side dish is perfect with grilled chicken or steak, a batch of black bean burgers, or as an elevated alternative to potato salad.

Feel free to change up the seasonings or add some crunchy toppings like pepitas – this classic recipe will bring both variety and flavor to your plate!

23. Golden Beet and Arugula Salad with Fried Apples

Bring some zing to your stuffed pepper feast with a colorful, crunchy beet and arugula salad.

Crisp honey-glazed apples sprinkled on top add a tart and sweet crunch.

Try using golden beets for their added sweetness and bright color, they’ll make the perfect complement to roasted peppers.

24. Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Enjoy the flavors of creamy ranch dressing in a summery chilled pasta salad.

This crowd-pleasing side pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables, grilled chicken breasts, or as a tasty accompaniment to your soup.

In this easy recipe, bacon helps make the sauce become perfectly creamy and gives it an irresistible smoky flavor.

25. Pomegranate Salad with Maple Cider Vinaigrette

Make the most of your meal with a bright and bold pomegranate salad.

Adding this dish to your menu transforms stuffed peppers from banal to positively exquisite.

It’s easy to make, thanks to a blend of tart cranberries, sugary maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar for that perfect hint of tanginess.

26. Basil Pesto Salad with Tomatoes, Avocadoes, Cucumbers, Mozzarella, and Red Onions

This basil pesto salad is sure to steal the show.

The colorful ingredients mingle together for a delightful Mediterranean-style side dish.

Toss it with bite size pieces of fresh mozzarella, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, avocadoes, and red onions.

Finally drizzle on a generous helping of homemade pesto to complete this bright salad that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or summertime potlucks!

27. Chopped Wedge Salad

Treat yourself to an upscale, delicious Wedge Salad.

A crunchy iceberg lettuce wedge is the perfect way to enjoy thick slices of bacon and creamy, crumbled blue cheese.

To make this salad even more hearty it can be topped off with peppery radish slivers, red onion pieces, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkling of chopped chives or fresh herbs for added flavor.

28. Cobb Salad

Cobb salad is the ultimate hearty side dish, perfect for loading up your plate at potlucks and family-style dinners.

It’s a layered mix of crunchy greens like romaine lettuce, crumbled bacon bits, chopped hardboiled eggs, diced tomatoes and avocado slices to name just a few ingredients.

Toss with a creamy dressing to make it extra tasty!

29. Cherry, Goat Cheese & Toasted Pecan Kale Salad

This cherry, goat cheese and toasted pecan kale salad combines sweet-tart cherries, creamy tangy goat cheese crumbles, crunchy salty pecans, and of course crispy fresh kale leaves – all tossed with an orange honey vinaigrette.

It makes for a delicious summer side dish or light lunch option when paired with a soup or roasted salmon fillet.

Plus, it’s easy to double up and have plenty of leftovers to enjoy the next day!

30. Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad with Blue Cheese

Sweet summer peaches make this salty-tangy salad a must-have addition to any summer menu.

They pair perfectly with peppery arugula and crumbled blue cheese, plus dressing made from red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic and just a hint of sweet honey.

If you can make it on the grill, it’s even better! Serve with grilled entrees or enjoy as an easy side dish for weeknight dinners.

Conclusion

Stuffed peppers pair well with a variety of side dishes. Try grilled asparagus, roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli or cauliflower, couscous, quinoa, and wild rice. For a more indulgent side dish, serve stuffed peppers with macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes.