Pulled beef buns make for a delicious and satisfying meal. The tender, juicy beef mixed with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce is full of flavor. But what should you serve alongside these tasty sandwiches to make it a complete meal? There are many tasty options that pair perfectly with pulled beef buns. In this article, we will explore different sides that go well with pulled beef sandwiches, from classic barbecue sides to fresh, colorful options. We will also provide serving suggestions and recipes to help you pull together the ideal spread.
What are Pulled Beef Buns?
Pulled beef buns start with slow-cooked, shredded beef brisket or chuck roast. The beef is then tossed or “pulled” in a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, loaded onto a soft bun, and topped with traditional sandwich fixings like pickles, onion, and coleslaw. The result is a mouthwatering sandwich piled high with tender, juicy meat and flavorsome sauce.
Some key features of pulled beef sandwiches:
- Tender, fall-apart shredded beef
- Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce
- Coleslaw provides crunch and moisture
- Melting cheese is a popular topping
- Served on soft, pillowy buns
Barbecue flavors and the complexity of a slow-cooked meat make pulled beef sandwiches an indulgent treat. When serving them, you want sides that will complement the bold and comforting flavors.
Classic Barbecue Sides
Pulled beef sandwiches are a barbecue staple. So classic barbecue sides like baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad make natural pairings. These traditional accompaniments have complementary flavors and textures that complete the barbecue meal.
Baked Beans
Baked beans are a quintessential barbecue side. The sweet, tomato-based sauce provides a flavor bridge between the beans and savory pulled beef. Bake your own beans or use canned baked beans for convenience. Jazz them up with extras like bacon, onion, brown sugar or mustard. Serving suggestions:
- Barbecue Baked Beans – Toss canned baked beans with barbecue sauce, chopped bacon, onions, garlic and brown sugar. Bake until thickened.
- Campfire Beans – Sauté onion, garlic and bacon. Add ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and beans. Simmer until thick.
Coleslaw
Cool, crisp coleslaw balances the richness of barbecue. Tangy vinegars and creamy mayo or sour cream dressings work well with pulled beef’s sweet, smoky flavors. Customize coleslaw with additions like shredded cheese, jalapeño, cilantro or pineapple. Serving suggestions:
- Creamy Coleslaw – Toss shredded cabbage and carrots with mayo, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar and spices.
- Asian Coleslaw – Massage shredded cabbage and carrots with rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger and toasted sesame seeds.
Potato Salad
Potato salad is a classic summertime barbecue companion. The potatoes soak up the juices and flavors of the meat and sauce beautifully. Mix mayo-dressed potato salad or try vinegar-based versions. Add hard-boiled eggs, mustard, pickles, onion and celery for flavor and crunch. Serving suggestions:
- Deli Potato Salad – Gently toss cubed potatoes, mayo, mustard, diced onion, celery, parsley, salt and pepper.
- German Potato Salad – Sauté onion and bacon. Toss with vinegar, potatoes, broth and mustard. Top with parsley.
Fresh and Colorful Sides
For lighter pairings, turn to fresh vegetables, salads and fruit. Their bright colors, flavors and crunch will cut through the rich pulled beef. Think summery sides that look as good as they taste.
Pineapple Coleslaw
Give traditional coleslaw a tropical twist with pineapple. The sweet fruit pairs remarkably well with tangy slaws. Toss shredded cabbage with a mayo or sour cream dressing spiked with pineapple juice. Mix in fresh pineapple chunks, red onion and cilantro. The slaw’s sweet acidity and crunch balances the rich pulled beef.
Watermelon Salad
Juicy watermelon is a fun, unexpected barbecue side. Make a simple salad with cubed watermelon, feta cheese and fresh mint. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. You can also top watermelon wedges with a sprinkle of salt. The fruit’s juiciness and sweetness contrast with savory pulled beef.
Spring Greens Salad
A fresh salad of spring greens, vegetables and vinaigrette cools things down. Top spring mix or spinach with shredded carrot, cucumber, tomato and red onion. Make the dressing tangy and flavorful by adding ingredients like honey, mustard, red wine vinegar and bacon bits. The salad’s crisp texture and brightness balances the hearty sandwiches.
Grilled Vegetables
Grilled veggies like zucchini, squash, corn, onions and bell peppers are perfect barbecue fare. Brush cut veggies with oil and grill until tender with nice char marks. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and herbs. The smoky grilled vegetables match nicely with the flavor profile of pulled beef.
Fruit Salad
A fruit salad makes a nice sweet counterpoint to savory pulled beef. Use a mix of fresh, seasonal fruits like berries, melon, citrus, grapes, cherries, etc. Toss with a honey-lime dressing for a pop of brightness. The fruit’s sweetness contrasts the rich sandwiches.
Hearty Sides
For a more robust meal, serve your pulled beef sandwiches with hearty sides like mac and cheese, beans or meaty sides. These filling sides complement pulled beef’s homestyle flavors.
Baked Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Mix cooked elbow pasta with a creamy cheese sauce, transfer to a baking dish, and top with breadcrumbs or more cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden. The indulgent comfort food pairs perfectly with pulled beef sandwiches. Make it extra decadent with add-ins like bacon, pulled pork, caramelized onions or chili.
Cowboy Beans
These southwestern-style beans are packed with meaty flavor. Sauté ground beef with onion and bell pepper. Add pinto beans, crushed tomatoes, chili powder and other spices. Simmer until thick and saucy. The hearty beans stand up well to pulled beef sandwiches. Garnish with extras like shredded cheddar, scallions, avocado and lime wedges.
Cornbread
Warm buttery cornbread is ideal for soaking up barbecue sauce. Bake up a pan in the oven or over the grill in cast iron for rustic wedges with charred edges. The sweet, crumbly bread soaks up sauce beautifully. For added texture, mix kernels of corn into the batter. Serve cornbread with honey butter on the side.
Savory Breads and Rolls
Complete your pulled beef spread with warm, savory breads and rolls that work well for sandwich building and sauce-sopping.
Biscuits
Fluffy, golden biscuits are perfect for splitting open and piling high with pulled beef and fixings. Bake up a batch of classic buttermilk biscuits, drop biscuits, or cheese biscuits. Brush them with melted butter or garlic butter for extra richness. Serve biscuits warm right out of the oven.
Garlic Bread
Warm, garlicky bread is an easy accompaniment for any meal. Melt butter with minced garlic and herbs and brush over halved French baguettes or Italian bread loaves. Bake or broil until crispy at the edges and golden on top. The savory garlic butter soaks into the bread for wonderful flavor.
Dinner Rolls
Soft, fluffy dinner rolls are great for pulled beef sandwiches or just dipping in sauce. Bake up favorites like Parker House rolls, Hawaiian rolls, pretzel rolls or buttermilk rolls. Brush with butter or sprinkle with a flavorful topping like rosemary-sea salt-butter or poppy seeds. Serve the bread basket warm from the oven.
Cornbread Muffins
For individual servings, bake up corn muffins with a tender, fine-crumbed texture. The cornbread flavor pairs perfectly with savory pulled beef. Mix in fresh corn kernels, minced jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese or chopped green onions for extra flavor. Warm cornbread muffins fresh from the oven complete the barbecue meal.
Crunchy Pickled Sides
Tangy pickles, peppers and onions are made for sandwiches. They cut through rich meats with puckery acidity and crunch. Whip up pickled veggies to serve on the side.
Quick Pickles
For quick refrigerator pickles, submerge sliced veggies like cucumbers, carrots, jalapeños, and red onion in a brine of vinegar, water, sugar and salt for a few hours. Enjoy them chilled and crisp. They add a tangy crunch to sandwiches.
Fried Pickles
For an indulgent twist, fry up pickle slices in a flavorful cornmeal breading until golden and crispy. Ranch dressing is perfect for dipping the crunchy fried pickles. They make a fun pairing with the sandwiches.
Pickled Red Onions
For delicious pickled red onions, boil apple cider vinegar, water, sugar and spices. Pour the hot brine over sliced red onions and let sit for an hour. The onions take on a bright magenta hue with a balanced sweet-sour flavor.
Conclusion
Pulled beef sandwiches need the right supporting sides to create a cohesive barbecue feast. Classic picks like baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad complement the flavors beautifully. For lighter and fresher pairings, opt for salads, grilled veggies and fruits. Mac and cheese, beans and cornbread can round out the meal for hearty appetites. And quick pickled vegetables, garlic bread and savory biscuits complete the experience. With an array of complementary sides, pulled beef buns truly become the centerpiece of an incredible barbecue spread. Get creative mixing and matching the possibilities for your ideal menu. Just be sure to pile those soft buns high with juicy, sauce-smothered beef and favorite fixings.