Irish stew stands as a classic, loved for its hearty simplicity. It's the comfort food we all need on a chilly evening.
What you pair with it, though, can elevate the meal from satisfying to truly unforgettable. We've all been there, spoon in hand, wondering what side could possibly do justice to such a dish.
Here's the lowdown from us, a group of friends who've had our fair share of dinner parties gone wrong. One time, we served crisps. Yes, crisps. Not our proudest moment.
This list? It's our redemption. It's packed with sides that we've tried and tested - the ones that made us say, "This! This is it!"
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Irish Stew?
Since the recipe for Irish stew contains a good amount of meat, potatoes, and other vegetables, some traditionalists might argue that the dish does not require side dishes.
But if you want to make your dinner table fuller and the meal more rounded up, there are plenty of side dishes to pick from.
Irish stew is a flavor bomb.
So, it would be perfect to pair it with some bread to soak the savory sauce.
We have the best side dishes you can serve with Irish stew when you plan to host a small family dinner or a large party.
What to Serve with Irish Stew? 10 BEST Side Dishes
Below are the ten best sides dishes you should consider serving with your Irish stew for an impeccable meal.
1. Irish Soda Bread
A good chunk of Irish soda bread might be precisely what you need to soak up the Irish stew juices.
Irish soda bread is a type of quick bread in which bread soda or baking soda is used instead of yeast as a leavening agent.
The main ingredients that go into making Irish soda bread are flour, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), buttermilk, and salt.
However, you can also add raisins, eggs, butter, and nuts.
Irish soda bread is a good side dish option, even for those busy days, because it is quick and easy to prepare.
You can use other types of bread, too, but why not serve an entire menu of Irish cuisine when you can make the side dish without any hassle?
2. Braised Red Cabbage
Add some color and vibrancy to your meal by serving braised red cabbage on the side.
This vegetable is rich in folate and Vitamin C, so you can make it the "healthy food item" on your menu and call it a day.
For the tastiest braised red cabbage, you'll only need a few pantry-friendly items- red cabbage, red onion, brown sugar, cider vinegar, cinnamon stick, and butter.
Note: Adding vinegar to the dish keeps it from changing the cabbage's red/purple color.
You can also use apples instead of vinegar.
3. Easy Rice Pilaf with Carrots and Peas
Rice can never go wrong when looking for something to eat with stew dishes.
To make it even more flavorful and interesting, you can serve an easy rice pilaf with carrots and peas.
Get some fluffy and airy basmati rice, carrots, peas, and aromatics to take your rice side dish to another level.
The result is a highly nutritious and filling dish that won't fail to keep your guests satiated and happy.
Rice pilaf is the solution to your problem when nothing else seems to work.
This dish usually includes meat or fish in its ingredients list to make it more substantial.
But you can omit that part when serving with Irish stew.
4. Suet Dumplings
Have you tried suet dumplings with Irish stew? The combination of these two foods might just surprise you pleasantly.
Suet dumplings are made from flour, parsley, and suet, which are the raw and hard fat found near the kidneys and loins of lamb, beef, or mutton.
It creates a delicate and fluffy texture.
Although this side dish traditionally uses beef suet, you can also use vegetarian ingredients depending on your crowd.
Pro Tip: Add some mustard powder for an extra kick of flavor.
Some people also like to use herbs and red chili flakes.
5. Marmite Roast Potatoes
You can make a great side dish for any meal using potatoes.
But you're in for a superb treat if you make marmite roast potatoes.
Marmite roast potatoes have a crispy outside and smooth, fluffy inside.
It is a savory side dish that compliments Irish stew wonderfully.
If you are unsure, marmite is a savory yeast-extracted food spread manufactured by Unilever.
It is a rich source of the vitamin B complex.
You can make this side dish in an oven or an air fryer.
6. Cheesy Popovers
For a flavorful dish like Irish stew, you'd want to serve something light, like cheesy popovers.
They are light rolls made from Yorkshire pudding-like egg batter.
You can make popovers in a popover pan or muffin tins.
Popovers can be served for lunch or dinner with meaty dishes or in the afternoon with tea.
Some people prefer topping it with whipped cream and fruits for a sweet treat.
This side dish is a good alternative for bread without being too heavy or filling.
They are pretty easy to make, too.
7. Bavarian Sauerkraut
How about serving German cuisine? If you're down, we can't think of anything better than Bavarian sauerkraut.
Sauerkraut is fermented or pickled white cabbage popular in Europe, not just Germany.
It is a superfood that contains vitamins C, K, and A and has beneficial probiotics that help the gut system.
You can eat Bavarian sauerkraut between bites of your Irish stew to add a crunchy texture and refreshing flavor.
It is the perfect dish if you want a palate cleanser.
Also, since you can prepare Bavarian sauerkraut ahead of time, there will be less work for you on d-day.
8. Buttered Noodles with Parmesan
Those craving comfort food can choose a bowl of creamy buttered egg noodles to eat with Irish stew.
You can use spaghetti, penne, ziti, elbow macaroni, farfalle, or rigatoni pasta for this dish.
The combination of hot Irish stew and buttery noodles with parmesan makes an incredibly comforting dish for a cold day.
Adding butter to the noodles makes them richer and more flavorful, while the stew envelops them with a savory taste.
The best part about making buttered noodles with parmesan is that you only need ten minutes to prepare them.
Not only do southern collard greens add greens to your meal, but it also brings extra flavors and textures to it.
9. Garlic Mashed Turnips
If you're a mashed potato lover, you'll surely love a hot casserole of garlic-mashed turnips.
Since your Irish stew already contains potatoes, you'd want to get creative and serve something different.
Fortunately, garlic-mashed turnips work excellently with the main course.
It has a sweet, creamy, nutty flavor that instantly soaks up the dish's gravy.
Make sure to give it a try if you want to serve something new to your guests.
10. Southern Collard Greens
A casserole of Southern collard greens is an excellent choice if you want to add some greens to your meal.
It is a Southern-inspired dish that includes collard greens, ham, onions, vinegar, broth, garlic, sugar, and seasonings that work together to form a decadent dish that you can serve with Irish stew.
You can use a slow cooker or pressure cooker to make the dish quickly.
