Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Sourdough Bread

If you’re not familiar with the traditional way to make sourdough bread, try picking up a fresh loaf, and you may be surprised by its taste and texture.

Sourdough bread is typically made from flour, water, and salt, with the addition of a “starter” in which natural yeast is allowed to grow over time.

This process creates bread that is fermented rather than leavened by baking powder or yeast.

The result has an earthy taste and chewy texture, quite different from ordinary bread.

Sourdough starter can be used to make sourdough pancakes, cornbread, or to coat fish before cooking.

There are several benefits to going with the sourdough version over other types.

The first and perhaps most important is flavor.

The fermentation process gives the bread a sweet, almost nutty flavor that holds up even with heavier toppings like meats or cheeses.

It has a hearty texture, which also makes it an ideal choice for pairing alongside dishes of all types.

While sourdough bread is available at many supermarkets across the United States, it is arguably worth the extra effort to make your own.

The cost of ingredients and equipment is minimal compared with the quality of freshly baked sourdough bread.

Many bakers also find that having a starter on hand makes it easy to create fresh sourdough for use in favorite recipes, including pancakes or even sticky buns.

Serving sourdough bread with a meal offers a nice change from ordinary bread and rolls that may have become tiresome.

In this article, we’ll go over what sourdough bread is, along with some suggestions for pairing with different entrées.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Sourdough Bread?

Sourdough is amazing. It has a tangy flavor and becomes soft and fluffy when baked.

Aside from sourdough’s already-great tastes, it is also very healthy.

The acids produced by sourdough’s fermentation process are believed to kill pathogens and harmful bacteria, helping you maintain optimal health even while consuming more whole grains than usual.

Sourdough bread can be enjoyed as-is or with spreads like organic butter, but what makes the dish shine is when it’s served with hearty slices of meat, flavorful vegetables, and crunchy crackers.

Another reason why sourdough is an excellent choice for you and your family is because it has a very long shelf life.

When kept in proper conditions, it can last up to one week.

Just keep the bread sealed and store it at room temperature – not too close to the oven or any other appliance as this may cause the bread to go stale rapidly or not too far away from the heat of a heater.

What to Serve with Sourdough Bread? 8 BEST Side Dishes

That being said, here are the dishes we think you should consider when serving sourdough bread:

1 – Premium Cut of Beef Steak

Grass-fed beef is a great addition to your meals.

If you have children, this would be a good alternative to the usual pork chops and chicken tenders that they usually enjoy during lunch or when served as a snack.

For adults, it’s a great source of protein for when you’re trying to cut back on processed foods.

Beef is also rich in nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

When served with sourdough bread, it’s even better.

The tangy flavor of the bread complements the meat.

This grilled ribeye steak with chimichurri sauce recipe makes use of sourdough, too.

2 – Roasted Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potatoes are usually regarded as a side dish to meats.

However, this healthy alternative to French fries can be enjoyed on its own with sourdough bread.

Topping the fries with salt and pepper gives them a nice, robust flavor.

You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, or even bacon bits.

For this recipe, you can cut the sweet potato into thin strips or wedges.

Whichever you choose, be sure to coat them in olive oil and place them on a sheet tray.

Then put them in the oven for about 20 minutes – keep your eyes on them, so they don’t burn.

3 – Vegetable Lasagna

If you want a twist on the regular lasagna, try this vegetable version.

This recipe uses mushrooms and frozen spinach to give the dish a hearty flavor without being too heavy.

Serve it with sourdough bread for an excellent balance of tastes.

That’s what traditional Italians do – serve sourdough bread with any pasta dishes.

Lasagna can be a heavy dish, but this recipe maintains the taste without giving you the usual bloating and stomachaches.

4 – Lightened Up Cauliflower Dip

Cauliflower is great when baked, sauteed, steamed, boiled, or even fried.

But in this case, we’re going to use it to make dips.

Cauliflower dips are a great alternative to those made from other vegetables like broccoli because it has fewer calories.

Another reason why this dish is perfect for you is because of its nutritional profile – it’s gluten-free, low in fat and carbs, and very easy to digest.

Sourdough bread makes the dip even more delicious.

It’s also easier to digest than rice crackers, which are usually served as a side with dips.

This recipe only takes about 15 minutes to prepare and cook.

Also, it can be frozen to last longer.

Just thaw out the desired amount of cauliflower dip before heating it in the oven for 10 minutes or microwaving it for 2-3 minutes.

5 – Vegetable Soup

Soup is traditionally served with bread because it makes the meal more nutritious.

The vegetables are not just for taste – they increase your intake of vitamins, nutrients, and dietary fiber.

The great thing about vegetable soup is that you can add any vegetables of your choice.

You can also add some seasonings to give it a nice kick.

Why not try making this creamy cauliflower-butternut squash soup with sourdough bread? It’s very easy to make – all you have to do is cook the ingredients in a stockpot.

It will give you all the nutrients and vitamins that your body needs.

6 – Creamy Mushroom Chicken

This recipe adds two of the most popular ingredients in French cooking – sourdough bread and mushrooms.

Mushrooms are low in calories, but they have a lot of micronutrients that are essential for healthy living.

The sourdough bread makes this dish even more delicious because it has cheese baked on top.

Ensure that the bread is toasted to give it a crispy texture.

This recipe is the perfect fusion of French and American cuisine.

It has all the great taste of French cheese, but it also has a home-cooked feel because of the sourdough bread.

7 – Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip

If you’re looking for something cheesy, warm, and comforting to eat, this is the dish for you.

Cheesy spinach artichoke dip is perfect with sourdough bread because its soft texture balances out the crunchy, crisp exterior of the bread.

Everyone loves cheesy food – it’s why pizza and nachos are so popular at parties.

This warm, creamy comfort food will be a hit among your guests.

The best part of this dish is that it only takes 10 minutes to make, and it can be frozen for future use.

You can enjoy leftovers later on or have a quick, home-cooked meal after a long day at the office.

This recipe also tastes great when microwaved.

8 – White Beans and Spring Vegetable Stew

This is a hearty dish that will give you an energy boost after a few hours out in the cold.

It’s also perfect for those days when you don’t feel like eating much – it only requires a small amount of prep and cooking time.

Serve this warm stew with sourdough bread to complete your meal.

The bread goes well with the white bean because it has a mild flavor.

You can also try other kinds of bread if you have some in your pantry already.

This dish is easy to make because all you have to do is heat up the ingredients.

If you are short on time, use canned vegetables instead.

Either way, this stew tastes delicious and comforting.

Conclusion

Sourdough bread is a great alternative to other types of bread because it is healthy and tasty.

The sourdough process makes the dough more easily digested than traditional yeast-leavened bread, but it still has a very appealing flavor.

What better way to serve your bread than with these delicious dips and soups? These recipes are simple enough to whip them up before your guests arrive quickly, or you can freeze some for later use.

So, why not try these recipes and serve your sourdough bread with them? You’ll surely have a memorable gathering with family and friends.

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