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Home - Recipes - Side Dishes

Latest Updated: Feb 28, 2026 by Andrew Gray

What to Serve with Rouladen? 7 BEST Side Dishes

For Rouladen, go with Rotkohl, Stir-fried Noodles, Mushroom and Potato Soup, Potato Dumplings, and Spätzle.

Rotkohl

Rotkohl is a German dish of cooked red cabbage.

For a lighter option, try Spätzle. Spätzle

Often called noodle pasta, spätzle is the smallest type of dumpling or noodles.

Rouladen is a German dish made of rolled beef filled with strips of bacon, onions, mustard, and pickles.

The rolled meat is browned and simmered in beef gravy and served with a sauce made from the remaining cooking broth.

Rouladen is one of the most famously enjoyed German dishes.

The top round roast of beef is usually used for this dish.

If you're here anxious about what to serve with Rouladen, you are at the right place.

Table of Contents

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  • 7 Ideal Accompaniments for Rouladen
    • 1 - Rotkohl
    • 2 - Stir-fried Noodles
    • 3 - Mushroom and Potato Soup
    • 4 - Potato Dumplings
    • 5 - Spätzle
    • 6 - Mixed Vegetables with Sour Cream
    • 7 - Gurkensalat
  • Frequently Asked Questions

7 Ideal Accompaniments for Rouladen

Will a German Rouladen go well with a bunch of German side dishes?

Or can you include your favorite dish in this tempting meal? Maybe as you scroll through these 7 side dishes, you'll find one that is to your liking.

1 - Rotkohl

rotkohl Save for Later!

Rotkohl is a German dish of cooked red cabbage.

In some regions of Germany, it is also called Blaukraut.

Apples and onions are other foods added to this dish of red cabbage.

Rotkohl is a great side dish for many German dishes.

The strong, bright color of the cabbage is so appealing to the eyes that you'll never be distracted while eating your meal.

This low-fat and fiber-rich dish is favored by many people attempting a weight loss diet.

The sweet and sour taste of Rotkohl is what makes it well-matched with many other dishes.

This side dish is enough to make anyone fall in love with cabbage.

2 - Stir-fried Noodles

stirfried noodles Save for Later!

Because noodles make great side dishes for meat and other protein dishes, you will find noodles in almost all households - sesame noodles side ideas for balanced meals.

They are good to pair with meat, sauces, or just about anything.

Making stir-fried noodles take only 20 minutes, and it is a good source of carbs─ something that Rouladen lacks.

What is the best type of noodle for this recipe? Indeed, gluten-free noodles are the best option as they are easier on the stomach.

You can use anything and everything for stir-fried noodles.

For more balanced eating, prepare vegetable-based stir-fried noodles with the Rouladen.

Add some eggs for a healthy share of protein.

3 - Mushroom and Potato Soup

mushroom and potato soup Save for Later!

Soups are a go-to side dish when you're eating meat.

But do you have one in mind to pair with your plate of Rouladen?

Among the many mushroom soup recipes available, a simple one like the mushroom and potato soup is a satisfying mix of texture and taste - see mushroom Wellington side ideas for rich mains for similar pairings.

It makes any dish easy to take in, and the soup's rich flavor is a palate cleanser from the strong flavors.

Shiitake mushrooms are among the best mushrooms to use in soups.

They give an earthy aromatic smell and are tender to eat; their brown pigment also gives the soup a beautiful color.

The mushy potatoes make the soup thick, and the fiber present in them makes the soup easy to digest.

This is simply the best soup to pair with Rouladen.

4 - Potato Dumplings

potato dumplings Save for Later!

Try the potato dumplings - or consider potato skins side suggestions for parties as an alternative.

The Germans called it Kartoffelklöße.

Seeing how easy potatoes are to find, it is not uncommon to find a side dish of this tuber.

Like Rouladen, dumplings are a staple in most German households.

Potato dumplings are made with a mixture of cooked potatoes and flour as the dumpling wrapper.

It has a filling of sautéed onions and meat.

Homemade potato dumplings are the best, but you can also find the ready-made dumplings as frozen food in stores.

5 - Spätzle

sptzle Save for Later!

Often called noodle pasta, spätzle is the smallest type of dumpling or noodles.

They make an excellent side dish for dishes with meat and gravy.

The basic ingredients needed for making spätzle at home are eggs, flour, milk, and salt.

Spätzle is delicious when eaten with a topping of cheese or butter and even better when served with meat.

Do not hesitate to try this side dish the next time you eat Rouladen.

6 - Mixed Vegetables with Sour Cream

mixed vegetables with sour cream Save for Later!

Vegetables are always in the gear of anyone making a side dish for meat.

Sure enough, Rouladen could use some too.

For a salad of mixed veggies, you can use any vegetable available - even ideas like tempura vegetables side ideas for added crunch.

Even leftovers will do well because they will all be combined with the tanginess of sour cream.

The magic of this salad happens with the sourness of cream; it keeps everything together.

This mixed vegetable salad is best consumed chilled and hence makes a good summer side dish.

This is your chance to make any non-lover of vegetables start craving for it.

7 - Gurkensalat

gurkensalat Save for Later!

Cucumbers make great salads.

There are so many recipes for cucumber salads, and you can never choose one.

They all look delicious. Gurkensalat is a German cucumber salad.

It is made of cucumbers marinated with onions and other seasonings and is a cool, refreshing addition to your meal.

The lovely pop of color mixed with the tangy flavor of cream makes a great combination.

For a more variance in texture, keep the skin of the cucumber on.

Cucumber salads are best eaten chilled, so it is better to chill them in the refrigerator before serving.

Sesame noodle pairings work well with many hearty mains - sesame noodles side ideas for balanced meals. Mushroom-centered sides also complement rich dishes - mushroom Wellington side ideas for rich mains.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best side dish for Rouladen?

Rotkohl Rotkohl is a German dish of cooked red cabbage. They are good to pair with meat, sauces, or just about anything.

Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.

What sides work well when feeding a crowd?

For large groups, go with sides that can be made in big batches and hold well at room temperature. Rotkohl Rotkohl scales up easily.

Grain-based dishes and roasted vegetables stay good on a buffet without becoming soggy.

What is the lightest option to round out the plate?

A simple green salad or steamed vegetable is the easiest low-effort option. It adds color and nutrients without heavy prep or additional richness.

How do you serve sides for a large group?

Sheet-pan sides and big-batch grains scale easily.

Roast everything on one or two trays and serve from the pan.

Avoid delicate sides that wilt or lose texture when held warm.

Explore more: This post is part of our Side Dish Pairing Guide.
Andrew Gray

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