Tater tots are a beloved side dish, often paired with burgers, hot dogs, and other classic American fare. But what kind of meat makes the perfect match for these crispy, golden nuggets of potato? Here, we’ll explore the best meat options to serve alongside tater tots.
Beef
Beef is a no-brainer pairing for tater tots. The rich, hearty flavor of beef complements the crispy potato perfectly. Here are some of the best beef dishes to serve with tater tots:
- Burgers – An American classic! Top your burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments.
- Meatloaf – Comfort food at its finest. Meatloaf and tater tots are the ultimate hearty meal.
- Pot roast – Fall-apart tender pot roast served over tater tots is pure bliss.
- Beef stew – Rich beef stew ladled over crunchy tater tots.
- Beef tips – Seared beef tips in a flavorful sauce served over crispy tots.
Pork
Pork also pairs extremely well with tater tots. The slight sweetness of pork balances perfectly with the salty, crunchy tots. Try these tasty pork + tater tot pairings:
- Pork chops – Brined, boneless pork chops are a quick and easy dinner to enjoy with tater tots.
- Pulled pork sandwiches – Pulled pork drizzled in your favorite barbecue sauce over tater tots is sure to satisfy.
- Carnitas – Crispy, flavorful carnitas tacos or nachos loaded with tater tots.
- Sausage and peppers – Bell peppers and sausage links over a pile of hot tater tots.
- Baked ham – A holiday favorite, sliced glazed ham served with hot tater tots on the side.
Chicken
From fried to grilled to baked, chicken offers a versatile option for pairing with tater tots. Here are some recommended chicken and tater tot combos:
- Chicken tenders – The ultimate kids’ meal but adults love it too! Crispy breaded chicken tenders next to crunchy tater tots.
- Grilled chicken – Simple seasoned grilled chicken breasts or kabobs taste fantastic with a side of tots.
- Fried chicken – A southern classic. Crispy, juicy fried chicken served atop a mound of tater tots.
- Chicken parmesan – Chicken parm with melted mozzarella and marinara sauce over tater tots.
- Buffalo chicken wraps – Shredded buffalo chicken wraps with ranch dressing for dipping tater tots.
Seafood
Don’t count out seafood and tater tots! The crispy tots provide the perfect base for tender, flaky seafood. Recommended pairings include:
- Fish and chips – The quintessential pub food. Beer battered cod or haddock served with hot tater tots.
- Fish tacos – Crispy whitefish or shrimp tacos with chipotle crema paired with tater tots.
- Crab cakes – Pan seared crab cakes served over lemon-dressed tater tots.
- Breaded shrimp – Jumbo breaded shrimp with cocktail or tartar sauce for dipping tater tots.
- Lobster rolls – Tender lobster salad rolls with tater tots on the side. A taste of New England!
Other Proteins
Beyond the usual meats, there are plenty of other protein options that work well with tater tots including:
- Black bean veggie burgers
- Portobello mushroom caps
- Chickpea curry dishes
- Lentil sloppy joes
- Quinoa stuffed peppers
- Spicy marinated tofu
The possibilities are endless when pairing vegetarian proteins with everyone’s favorite potato side!
Sauces for Dipping Tater Tots
No matter what you choose as your protein, don’t forget the sauces and condiments! Tater tots are the perfect vehicle for dunking in tasty sauces and spreads. Here are some of our favorites:
- Ketchup
- Ranch dressing
- BBQ sauce
- Honey mustard
- Fry sauce
- Cheddar cheese sauce
- Sour cream
- Chili
- Guacamole
- Marinara sauce
Most Popular Pairings
Now that we’ve covered a variety of options, let’s look at some of the most popular and classic meat and tater tot pairings:
| Meat Dish | What Makes it a Great Pairing |
|---|---|
| Burgers | An American classic combo – the crispy tots soak up all the juicy burger drippings. |
| Hot dogs | Another backyard BBQ favorite. Hot dogs and tater tots just go together. |
| Fried chicken | Crispy, juicy fried chicken served over a pile of hot tots. |
| Meatloaf | Comfort food perfection. Meatloaf smothered in gravy over tater tots. |
| Tacos | Taco fillings like ground beef, carnitas or fish taste amazing scooped up with crunchy tater tots. |
Sides that Go Well with Tater Tots
To make your tater tots and meat combo a well-rounded meal, consider pairing it with some tasty sides like:
- Mac and cheese
- Coleslaw
- Baked beans
- Corn on the cob
- Cornbread
- Biscuits
- Mashed potatoes
- Green salad
Conclusion
At the end of the day, almost any meat or protein can be paired deliciously with everyone’s favorite crispy, golden potato bites. Beef, pork, chicken, and seafood are all excellent options. Just cook up your favorite cut of meat, heat those tater tots until they are perfectly crisp, add some sauces for dipping, and enjoy a satisfying meal. Some crowd-pleasing combos include burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, tacos, and meatloaf with tater tots. Round out your plate with classic sides like mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw or cornbread. However you choose to serve them, tater tots are the ultimate companion for highlighting your favorite meats and proteins!