What to Serve with Boerewors? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Boerewors is one of South Africa's most celebrated meaty treats; it refers to a spiral sausage packed with spices and many kinds of meat.

The term 'boerewors' translates to 'farmer's sausage'.

It is different from regular ones as it always contains beef, and 90% of the sausage must comprise meat.

But like all sausages, this ethnic treat needs side dishes to make it a proper meal.

So, this guide will discuss what to serve with boerewors, so you can enjoy more of the meal-making process instead of worrying about the menu.

10 Best Side Dishes for Boerewors

Boerewors can pair well with meaty and veg-based dishes, and here are ten effortless dishes to make your meals more exciting.

1 - Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

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Savory sauces are a great way to bring a depth of flavor to any sausage dish, including boerewors.

Since a good old tomato sauce is versatile enough to be as savory or as comforting as you like, it's the best option to consider - try tomato soup side ideas for comfort that work the same way.

If a tomato sauce sounds too unappealing or plain, you can make it more exciting by using sun-dried tomatoes instead of fresh ones.

They are tart, chewy, and rich in dietary fiber, so you don't experience stomach upsets after your meals.

Sun-dried tomatoes are more nutrient-dense than fresh ones.

Since they are also pretty rich in sodium, you might want to track how much you include in the sauce.

2 - Bean Sprout Soup

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Commonly used in Asian cuisines, bean sprouts make versatile dishes that pair well with meaty meals.

Its crunchy and noodle-like texture makes it even more exciting to serve, especially with something as meaty and tender as boerewors.

Soy sauce, chili flakes, and sesame oil provide the soup with a rich flavor.

They give a healthy balance of sweet and savory flavors while showing the bean sprouts' mild beany taste and nutrients.

Best of all, bean sprouts are cures for hangovers, so you'll likely find this soup helpful to give yourself a fresh start to a day.

For a contrasting vegetable side, green bean casserole complements fried or saucy mains - green bean casserole side ideas for holiday meals lists options that match rich meats.

3 - Sauerkraut

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This staple in German cuisine is fermented cabbage, and it has more potential as a side dish than you might imagine - pair it with pork and sauerkraut side suggestions for a classic combo.

Its crunchy elements go well with the meaty boerewors.

But that's not all there is to sauerkraut.

As its name suggests, sauerkraut is Sauer (meaning sour in the German tongue) and works well as a palate cleanser; it's perfect for serving alongside savory meat.

Crunchier types of cabbage work best for this dish as they retain their structure even after fermenting.

And if you're looking forward to adding a pop of color to your side dish, consider using red cabbage.

The astringent taste of cabbages helps diversify the savory elements of boerewors, giving more dimensions to a plain meal.

4 - Pizzocheri Pasta

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It may be impossible to resist feasting on a filling bowl of pasta, but your dietary restrictions may not agree.

So, buckwheat pasta (pizzocheri) is a gluten-free way to relish your favorite pasta dishes without worrying about what it does to your health.

You can cook pizzocheri in the same way as any other pasta, with rich sauces and plenty of cheese - or serve alongside Greek pasta salad side ideas for freshness to brighten the plate.

Most pizzocheri use an 80:20 buckwheat flour to wheat flour ratio, significantly reducing gluten content.

But if you're in for 100% buckwheat pasta, you might consider using soba noodles instead.

5 - Parmesan Vegetable Medley

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When you need something light and refreshing for a hot afternoon lunch or a similar meal, the mixture of vegetables brings together many phytochemicals that provide your daily dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Besides, this dish also has so many colors to keep your eyes entertained as you relish its flavor and nutrients.

It is especially helpful when visual appeal and healthy ingredients are prerequisites in your meal.

Depending on their thickness, you can serve the veggies raw and fresh or lightly grill them.

The latter option will add a beautiful char and a smoky aroma to the dish.

Shredded parmesan as a garnish will combine all the ingredients to a tangy perfection - similar flavors appear in chicken Parmesan side pairings for classic meals.

6 - Okra Tempura

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The sweet and grassy taste of okra is fun to serve with savory meats like boerewors.

But steaming them isn't always an exciting meal option; they can also turn out slimy when you let them cook for too long.

So, consider deep-frying them to get a pleasant crunch and a flavor boost - and check fried okra side pairings for crisp textures for more crunchy companions.

Here's where the Tempura batter becomes handy.

The simple mixture of four eggs and cold water makes all the difference in the okra's taste.

Unlike standard batter, Tempura doesn't require bread crumbs, so it results in light, crispy, and delicate fried food.

With this side dish, you'll never have to worry about your okra going wrong.

7 - Eggplant Lasagna

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Everyone loves a cheesy lasagna dish to make their meals heartier.

But they're often deemed unhealthy because of the amount of dairy that goes into their making.

Here's a healthier alternative: replace the noodles with eggplant and whole milk with soy or almond milk - pair with eggplant Parmesan side suggestions for lighter meals to stay on theme.

As regards cheeses, you cannot make lasagna without adding a few, so combine a mix of options like ricotta and mozzarella, but don't go overboard on them.

That way, you'll have a less fatty dish.

The eggplant gets satisfyingly creamy and aromatic as it cooks, so you will have a comforting dish that melts in your mouth and impresses everyone at the dinner table.

8 - Tomato Bacon Gravy

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This tomato-based gravy with smoky and crunchy bacon is a must-have when you have boerewors on the entree - it shares flavor notes with tomato pie side pairings for savory menus.

It introduces another meaty flavor to your palate; one enveloped in the deliciousness of tomatoes.

The nature of this dish may seem similar to tomato sauce, but they are different in composition and preparation.

While tomato sauce uses tomato puree, tomato gravy uses its juice as the base.

Bacon drippings, flour, and seasonings work together to bring out a sweet, spicy, and savory concoction.

On the other hand, the crispy and meaty bacon gives the gravy a satisfying crunch, so you don't have an overly plain texture.

9 - Cauliflower Manchurian

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Cooking with cauliflowers may not be the most exciting as they taste bland and don't have much impact on our palates.

But the great thing about them is they are versatile; since they have a neutral flavor, you can make them taste like any of your favorite foods.

Deep-frying cauliflower florets and sautéing them in a spicy sauce is a fun way to serve the veggie.

The prepared treats are called Manchurian.

They are savory, feel crisp on the palate, and bring a new side to cauliflowers.

So, why wait to try it? Your guests will enjoy the dish as much as you enjoy making it.

Besides, it also gives off a sharp aroma that instantly compels you to taste it.

10 - Marinated Mushrooms

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Parboiled mushrooms marinated in a herby marinade are one unconventional and fun way to enjoy the earthy and umami mushrooms.

The marinade solution is perfect for drizzling over the savory boerewors and envelops everything in a herby deliciousness.

On the other hand, the mushrooms give a chewy bite full of umami and herby elements.

You can use any type of mushroom for this dish, but firmer ones like cremini make excellent choices.

Best of all, this side dish is suitable for layering over any meaty dishes or salads.

So, you have more ways to repurpose it if you have leftovers.

Tomato-based sides suit many sausage dishes. tomato pie side pairings for savory menus lists complementary options. Crispy vegetable sides balance rich mains - fried okra side pairings for crisp textures shows crunchy choices.