Perfect Pairings: 7 Top Side Dishes to Serve with Dirty Rice

Dirty rice is a savory side dish with a flavorful, spicy, and smoky flavor.

Dirty rice is one of the most popular Creole dishes in southern cooking.

This dish has a bold taste that will enhance any meal.

Serve dirty rice alongside fried chicken, grilled fish, or chicken wings for an explosive culinary experience.

To bring out the best flavor in dirty rice, be sure to cook it with plenty of Cajun spices, like Cajun seasoning, Tabasco sauce, and Louisiana hot sauce.

The spicier it is, the better.

As far as the taste is concerned, dirty rice has a very intense taste that is smoky and earthy.

This dish can be served as a one-pot dish or paired with other Creole delicacies, such as gumbo or jambalaya.

This dish is traditionally made by cooking white rice in chicken stock to give it a distinct flavor.

In this article, we will list some of the best side dishes that go great with dirty rice.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Dirty Rice?

Dirty rice is a popular dish served in the southern United States.

The traditional version of dirty rice is made with white or brown rice, sausage, spices, and green peppers.

It is a food that can be adapted to suit many different tastes and dietary restrictions because it is versatile.

In terms of taste, dirty rice can have a huge variety of spices added to create unique flavors for every dish.

Depending on your tastes and availability, you can make dirty rice with different meats, peppers, vegetables, and spices.

One of the reasons dirty rice is such a versatile dish is because of its side dishes.

Dirty rice is often served with a variety of different sides to provide contrasting flavors and textures.

You can choose to serve dirty rice with simple sides like garlic bread or cornbread, but you can also try serving it with more exotic options like cheesy broccoli casserole.

There are many different ways to make dirty rice, and the number of side dishes that can be served with this dish is very wide.

This way, dirty rice can suit most taste preferences and styles.

What to Serve with Dirty Rice? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Here is a list of 7 best side dishes one can serve with dirty rice:

1 – Spicy Coleslaw

If you’re looking for a dish that’s great with seafood, look no further than spicy coleslaw.

First off, you want to make sure the cabbage is finely shredded, so it incorporates well into your dish.

Then, mix up all of your ingredients in a bowl before letting it sit in the fridge to incorporate the flavors.

This side dish is great because it adds a little spice to your dish and tastes beyond amazing with your dirty rice.

2 – Homemade Mac & Cheese

Another delicious side to go with your seafood is homemade macaroni and cheese.

First, you should make sure to shred up some cheese before making a roux for the cheese sauce.

Then, boil the pasta until it’s al dente because you don’t want it too mushy.

Let the sauce sit for a few minutes before mixing it with your pasta and adding even more shredded cheese on top.

This side dish is delicious and cheesy, making it great as a side to some dirty rice.

3 – Fruit Salad

If you’re looking for a dish that’s light and refreshing (and is particularly good as summer draws near), then look no further than a fruit salad.

While there are many different types of fruit salads you can make, this one is simple to make and tastes great with dirty rice.

First off, you should wash all of the fruit before cutting it into bite-sized pieces.

Then, mix up all of your ingredients in a bowl before sitting in the fridge for an hour or so before serving.

This side dish isn’t too heavy, but it tastes amazing and is the perfect side to some dirty rice.

4 – Steamed Veggies

If you’re looking for a simple dish that’s great for guests, then look no further than steamed veggies.

First off, you want to make sure all of your vegetables are chopped into bite-sized pieces.

Then, set up a steamer and steam your veggies until they’re cooked but still have a bit of crunch to them.

This side dish is great because it’s simple to make and tastes amazing with your dirty rice.

5 – Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

If you want a dish that’s cheesy and delicious, look no further than a cheesy hash brown casserole.

First off, you need to make sure all of your ingredients are shredded before putting them in a baking dish.

Then, add some shredded cheese on top and put the dish in the oven at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes before removing and letting cool for about 10 minutes.

This side dish is great because it’s cheesy, warm, and creamy – making it the perfect side to your dirty rice.

6 – Baked Beans

If you want a dish that’s hearty and delicious, look no further than baked beans.

First off, make sure all of your ingredients are mixed up in a bowl before baking for about an hour at 350 degrees.

Then, let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

You can also remove some of the fat from your baked beans if you so choose.

This side dish is great because it’s hearty, warm, and has an amazing flavor – making it a perfect side to your dirty rice.

7 – Fried Apples

If you want a dish that’s light yet delicious, look no further than fried apples.

First off, make sure to slice your apples before adding them to a bowl thinly.

Then, mix up all of your remaining ingredients in the bowl before setting aside for about five minutes.

Next, fry your apples until they are crispy on the outside and delicious on the inside.

This side dish is great because it’s light yet filling – making it a perfect side to your dirty rice.

Conclusion

Dirty rice and seafood is a classic and delicious pairing that all foodies should try at least once.

With this guide, you’ll be able to pair dirty rice with eight of the best side dishes out there.

All eight of these sides will taste amazing with your dirty rice, from cheesy hash brown casserole to steamed veggies.

Once you master cooking dirty rice and these eight sides, you’ll be a master in the kitchen.

With the right tools and some hard work, cooking dirty rice with any side dish will come effortlessly to you.

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