If you have never heard of pigs in a blanket before, they are hot dogs wrapped inside crescent rolls.
They are really easy to make, and kids love them.
This is one of those foods you need to keep on hand for when your friends come over, or your family wants something delicious for dinner on the fly.
Pigs in a blanket are the ideal easy dinner solution for you.
But, where did pigs in a blanket come from? Pigs in a blanket were created in Germany, but they have long crossed international borders and grown to become one of America’s favorite snacks.
Everyone loves how simple and delicious this dish is.
This dish has become so popular in the US that it has become a staple of any Super Bowl party spread.
Even though everyone loves pigs in a blanket, they are often eaten with nothing but ketchup to accompany them.
What if there was something better?
Pigs in a Blanket is the perfect dish for you.
It is so delicious and super easy to make.
In this article, we will be exploring the dish itself and how it is made; we will then check out some great recipes that you can use for your pigs in a blanket.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Pigs in a Blanket?
Pigs in a blanket are an inexpensive and easy main course for any holiday spread.
However, there is always room for improvement.
Side dishes play a key role in developing the flavor of your pigs in a blanket.
The first thing to consider when picking side dishes for your pigs in a blanket is the flavors you already have going on with your meal.
But, why consider serving side dishes for pigs in a blanket? Mainly because the flavor of these side dishes can be extremely subtle and play an important role in developing the meal’s flavor profile.
For example, pairing a sweet side dish with a salty blanket will add contrasting flavors to the overall meal.
Also, consider the main focus of your dinner when picking side dishes.
For example, if you serve pigs in a blanket as an appetizer, you probably don’t want a heavy and filling side dish that will spoil people’s appetites.
If you are serving pigs in a blanket as a main course, you should probably consider pairing it with a vegetable or other healthy side dish.
Even though this is not the most festive of options, it will add nutrients to your meal and balance out any potential richness from the blanket.
In addition, many vegetable pair well with saltier blanket flavors, which will help cut some of the richness of your blankets.
Sometimes it can be difficult to think of unique side dishes for pigs in a blanket.
A great way to look at this is to consider traditional holiday sides that are often added to more meaty main courses.
What to Serve with Pigs in a Blanket? 8 BEST Side Dishes
Here are some of the best side dishes to consider for your pigs in a blanket:
1 – Mushroom Quinoa
Mushrooms are full of umami flavors which makes them a great addition to so many different dishes.
They pair well with dairy, beef, and poultry.
While mushrooms can be eaten on their own, they taste even better when mixed in sauce or gravy.
The best side dish for your pigs in a blanket is mushroom quinoa.
It is super easy to make and takes only about 30 minutes to cook.
Quinoa is a grain containing all nine amino acids, making it one of the better complete proteins available.
There are significant amounts of fiber, iron, zinc, vitamin A, C, and B in quinoa.
Quinoa can easily be paired with bacon, making it a perfect addition to your pigs in a blanket.
2 – Green Bean Fries with Dipping Sauce
This is an extremely popular dish among those on the Paleo diet, but everyone can enjoy it.
Whether you’re serving this as an appetizer or alongside your main course, these green bean fries are sure to do the trick.
They’re perfectly crispy and taste great with some spicy ketchup or buffalo sauce dip.
This very simple recipe only takes about 20 minutes, but it’s one of the best side dishes for your pigs in a blanket.
This dish also tastes amazing when paired with chicken wings and beer.
3 – Spinach Salad
This is a must-have for any holiday dinner or special occasion.
This spinach salad has it all – grains, vegetables, fruits, cheese, and nuts.
It’s also very easy to prepare and can be prepped in advance, so you don’t have to worry about making your side dish at the last minute.
Spinach salads pair well with a variety of flavors, making them an extremely flexible side dish.
It can be paired with your pigs in a blanket for a lighter option, but it also goes great with steak and salad.
It is also among the healthiest side dishes on this list due to their high levels of antioxidants and nutrients that help protect cells against damage.
4 – Simple Scalloped Potatoes
This is probably one of the easiest side dishes to make, perfect for any holiday gathering.
All you have to do is cook your potatoes, chop them up and throw them in a casserole dish with your favorite ingredients.
Scalloped potatoes are mild enough to pair well with any meat dish, but the dish’s creaminess also works well with poultry.
It’s a very filling side that can easily become a main course if you add some extra ingredients.
These potatoes also contain antioxidants and other nutrients that work to protect your cells from damages caused by oxidative stress.
In addition, scalloped potatoes contain high levels of Vitamin C.
5 – Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
This is one of the best vegetable dishes because it’s so easy to prepare and a great substitute for many meat dishes.
This recipe does take about 40 minutes, but you can always pair it with another dish that takes longer to cook if necessary.
The recipe works best when paired with pork, but it can also go well with poultry and beef.
If you’re looking for a dish to serve alongside your pigs in a blanket, this might be the perfect one.
Making parmesan roasted broccoli is also an effective way to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet.
This dish works well with many different flavors, so it can be paired with anything you’re craving.
6 – Fried Apples
Fried apples are so good that they can be served as a main course.
This dish is usually paired with pork, but it also goes well with poultry and other red meats.
It’s easy to prepare, too. So you can whip up a tasty side in just 20 minutes.
These apples are full of antioxidants, nutrients, and essential vitamins that help to protect your cells from damage.
It’s also low in sugar, making it a healthier alternative to many desserts.
They are one of the best side dishes for stuffed jalapeños because they’re sweet.
The dessert-like flavor of this dish goes extremely well with the spiciness of the dish.
Other fried apple recipes you should try are cinnamon fried apples and brown sugar bacon fried apples.
7 – Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
If you’re looking for a unique side dish that your guests are sure to love, try this one.
It’s very easy to prepare and serves as an excellent substitute for many meat dishes.
Plus, it only takes about 20 minutes in total.
When paired with stuffed jalapeños or pigs in a blanket, roasted cherry tomatoes are sweet but not spicy.
This side dish is also pretty flexible so that you can serve it with almost anything.
Making roasted cherry tomatoes is also one of the best ways to get rid of excess salt in your diet because this dish contains no added salt.
It’s perfect if you’re trying to reduce your sodium intake or want a simple side dish.
Just remember that you have to take the skin off the tomatoes before serving.
If you don’t, your guests will have a hard time digesting them.
8 – Summery Couscous Salad
This is one of the healthiest side dishes on this list because it’s so flavorful and refreshing.
This salad is packed with healthy ingredients like lemon, olive oil, and herbs.
Summery couscous salad works as a great side dish for both spicy and mild dishes.
It tastes great with poultry and red meats like pork or beef.
Making summery couscous salad is also an effective way to reduce the amount of salt in your diet.
You can also use whole-wheat couscous instead of regular couscous to make this dish even healthier.
Conclusion
Pigs in a blanket can make a delicious and unique meat dish, but you should consider adding side dishes to your menu too.
This list features eight side dishes that complement pigs in a blanket well.
You can serve any of these dishes with your pigs in a blanket to create an unforgettable meal for your guests.
You can make all of these side dishes in 20 minutes or less, so you don’t have to spend too long preparing before serving them.
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What to Serve with Pigs in a Blanket? 8 BEST Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Mushroom Quinoa
- Green Bean Fries with Dipping Sauce
- Spinach Salad
- Simple Scalloped Potatoes
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
- Fried Apples
- Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
- Summery Couscous Salad
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
- Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!