Smothered pork chops are a quintessential comfort food dish that are delicious, hearty and satisfying. Pork chops are pan fried or breaded then baked, and smothered in an onion and brown gravy mixture, giving them tons of flavor. While the pork chops and smothered gravy are the stars of the show, this dish really benefits from pairing it with a vegetable side dish to make it a complete meal. Choosing the right vegetable to go along with smothered pork chops can take them from a tasty dinner to a restaurant-worthy dish. So what vegetable makes the perfect pair? There are lots of great options, depending on what flavors and textures you enjoy most.
The Importance of Pairing Smothered Pork Chops with Vegetables
Including a vegetable side with smothered pork chops is important for a few reasons:
- Balance: Smothered pork chops on their own are quite rich and heavy. Pairing them with something fresh and lighter helps balance out the meal.
- Nutrition: Pork chops and gravy provide protein but not a lot of vitamins, minerals or fiber. Vegetables round out the meal nutritionally.
- Color: A mix of colors looks beautiful on the plate and makes the meal more appetizing.
- Flavor: The right veggie provides contrasting flavors and textures that complement the pork.
- Satiety: The fiber in vegetables helps you feel full and satisfied after eating.
Including a vegetable improves the smothered pork chop dinner on all fronts! Now let’s explore some tasty options.
Green Beans
Green beans are a classic choice to pair with pork chops. They have a satisfying snap when you bite into them, providing a nice textural contrast to the tender, juicy pork and creamy gravy. Green beans are rich in vitamins A, C and K, providing valuable nutrients to balance this hearty meat dish.
There are lots of ways to prepare green beans:
- Steam or boil them simply and dress with a pat of butter or sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Sauté green beans in olive oil with minced garlic.
- Roast the green beans tossed in olive oil for deeper flavor.
- Make cheesy baked green beans topped with breadcrumbs or fried onions.
Any preparation of green beans pairs perfectly with smothered pork chops. The earthy, verdant flavor of the green beans is the ideal complement.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
While green beans may be the classic choice, roasted Brussels sprouts are also an amazing vegetable pairing. Brussels sprouts have a sweet, almost nutty flavor when roasted that pairs divinely with pork.
To make oven roasted Brussels sprouts:
- Trim the stem ends and slice the sprouts in half lengthwise.
- Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast at 400F for 20-25 minutes until browned and tender.
The high heat of roasting caramelizes the natural sugars in the Brussels sprouts, bringing out their rich sweetness. Their texture becomes tender on the inside with crispy, golden brown edges. Paired with smothered pork chops, the sweetness balances the savory umami flavors beautifully.
Mashed Potatoes
For the ultimate in comfort food, try smothered pork chops with mashed potatoes. Creamy, buttery, smooth mashed potatoes are the perfect vessel for soaking up all that delicious rich gravy.
Making your own mashed potatoes is simple:
- Peel and dice Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes.
- Boil until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain and mash with milk, butter, salt, and pepper.
- For extra rich and creamy spuds, mix in sour cream, cream cheese, or shredded cheese.
The pork chops, gravy and mashed potatoes combine into the savory, soul-warming trifecta of comfort food heaven. This pairing should certainly satisfy any craving.
Asparagus
For a lighter vegetable pairing option, try roasted asparagus spears. The crisp texture and grassy, herbal flavor of asparagus balances the heaviness of the dish.
To roast fresh asparagus:
- Rinse and trim the woody ends.
- Toss spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast at 425F for 10-15 minutes.
The high heat caramelizes the natural sugars in the asparagus, giving it a sweet nuttiness. The quick roasting prevents overcooking, so it maintains an enjoyable snap when bitten into.
For variation, try drizzling the roasted asparagus with balsamic reduction or lemon juice. It makes a bright, flavorful accompaniment to rich smothered pork chops.
Creamed Spinach
Warm, rich creamed spinach is a bit unexpected but makes a fantastic pairing. The creamy spinach provides a nice foil to the pork chop’s crisp breading or pan fried exterior. And it can hold its own against the bold onion gravy.
To make easy creamed spinach:
- Wilt fresh spinach leaves in a pan with butter.
- Stir in heavy cream and parmesan, simmer until thickened.
- Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
The silky spinach enhanced with cream and cheese beautifully complements the pork and gravy. Offering contrasting flavors and textures, this vegetable pairing hits the spot.
Broccoli
Finally, a simple preparation of broccoli rounds out smothered pork chops wonderfully. Broccoli has a pleasant bitter and earthy flavor when cooked that pairs nicely with pork.
You can steam or roast broccoli florets and serve them as-is, or get creative with one of these variations:
- Lemon garlic broccoli – sautéed with olive oil, garlic, and lemon
- Cheesy broccoli – mixed with cheddar cheese sauce
- Creamy broccoli salad – combined with mayo, bacon, raisins, and red onion
No matter which preparation you choose, broccoli offers great texture and flavor contrast to take this comforting dinner to the next level.
Conclusion
When looking for the perfect vegetable to pair with smothered pork chops, you have lots of great options. Green beans, Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, asparagus, creamed spinach, and broccoli all make excellent accompaniments. Each offers their own flavors, textures, colors, and nutrients to balance out and complement the pork chops. With the right veggie side dish, you can turn a tasty dinner into a truly memorable, restaurant-quality meal. Experiment with different vegetable pairings for variety and find your favorite!
| Vegetable | Preparation Ideas | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Green Beans | Steamed, sautéed, roasted, baked with cheese | Earthy, fresh, green flavor |
| Brussels Sprouts | Roasted | Sweet, nutty |
| Mashed Potatoes | Boiled and mashed with milk, butter, spices | Creamy, rich, starchy |
| Asparagus | Roasted | Grassy, crisp |
| Creamed Spinach | Sautéed with cream and cheese | Smooth, rich, earthy |
| Broccoli | Steamed, roasted, sautéed | Bitter, fresh |