Sausage is a hearty and flavorful meat that can be made from pork, beef, turkey, chicken, or a mix of meats. It’s a versatile protein that can be enjoyed in many dishes, from breakfast scrambles to pasta bakes to appetizers. However, sausage often benefits from being paired with vegetables that can balance out and complement its rich taste. So what vegetables make good sausage sidekicks?
Onions
Onions are one of the most classic vegetable pairings with sausage. Their savory, aromatic flavor brings out the best in sausage dishes. Onions can be cooked into sausages, sliced raw on top, or caramelized as a flavorful side. Red, yellow, or white onions all work well. Some specific ways to enjoy onions with sausage:
- Caramelized onions on top of bratwurst or Italian sausage sandwiches
- Sautéed onions and bell peppers tossed with sliced smoked sausage
- Onion jam or relish as a topping for sausage rolls or pizza
- French onion soup with sliced sausage
Peppers
Like onions, peppers are an excellent pairing for sausage. Their sweet, tangy crunch balances the fattiness of sausage. Bell peppers, chili peppers, and pepper relish can all complement sausage flavor. Some tasty ways to combine peppers and sausage:
- Grilled sausage and peppers sandwiches
- Sausage shrimp jambalaya with bell peppers
- Spicy Italian sausage with roasted red peppers and mozzarella
- Chorizo fundido dip with jalapeños
Potatoes
Hearty potatoes are a satisfying partner for sausage in all kinds of dishes. Potatoes provide a neutral base that allows the sausage flavor to take center stage. Ways to eat potatoes with sausage include:
- Sausage potato hash
- Baked potatoes topped with sausage gravy
- German potato salad with bratwurst
- Sheet pan dinner with sausage, potatoes, and veggies
Cabbage
Cabbage has a peppery crunch that stands up well to flavorful sausage. It can be combined in slaws, stir fries, soups, and more. Some ideas for enjoying cabbage with sausage:
- Sausage and cabbage soup
- Smoked kielbasa and cabbage pierogies
- Oktoberfest stew with bratwurst and red cabbage
- Spicy sausage and napa cabbage stir fry
Greens
Leafy greens like kale, spinach, chard, and collards add nutrition and texture to sausage dishes. Their earthy flavors offset fattiness. Ways to eat greens with sausage include:
- Sausage, kale, and white bean soup
- Sausage skillet dinner with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes
- Italian sausage with garlic-sautéed broccoli rabe
- Andouille sausage jambalaya with collard greens
Tomatoes
Like peppers, tomatoes offer sweetness and acidity to balance sausage’s richness. Tomatoes pair especially well with spicy sausage varieties. Serve them:
- On pizza with Italian sausage
- In pasta sauce with crumbled sausage
- Roasted with cherry tomatoes and smoked sausage
- Stewed with Cajun sausage like jambalaya
Mushrooms
Earthy, meaty mushrooms are a satisfying match for sausage. They can lend depth of flavor and texture. Enjoy mushrooms with sausage by:
- Sautéing cremini mushrooms in olive oil with Italian sausage
- Adding portobello caps to sausage stuffing
- Mixing wild mushrooms into sausage gravy
- Topping pizza with sausage and mushrooms
Beans and Lentils
Hearty beans and lentils pair wonderfully with sausage to make a protein-packed meal. Options like pinto beans, black beans, navy beans, and lentils offer fiber and texture. Try combining them with sausage in dishes like:
- Sausage chili with kidney beans
- White bean soup with kielbasa
- Sausage and lentil stew
- Black-eyed peas with smoked sausage
Conclusion
When it comes to which vegetables go well with different types of sausage, there are lots of tasty options to explore. In general, onions, peppers, potatoes, cabbage, greens, tomatoes, mushrooms, and beans or lentils make excellent pairings. Their flavors, textures, and colors complement sausage beautifully. Play around with different ingredient combinations to find new favorite sausage meals.