Pineapple pork chops are a game changer in the kitchen.
This dish hits the sweet and savory spot perfectly, making it a favorite for dinner tables.
Now, the real trick is finding the right sides to complement these chops.
Lucky for you, we’ve got the scoop on seven side dishes that pair beautifully with pineapple pork chops.
Each one brings something special to the table, ensuring your meal is balanced and unforgettable.
Whether you lean towards veggies or grains, these sides will elevate your pork chops from great to extraordinary. Ready to dig in?
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Pineapple Pork Chops?
Pineapple pork chops are delicious, but you just cannot have them alone.
Sure, they are alright after a few bites, but too much plain meat will become nauseous.
There are no doubts about it – you need a side.
Anything will do when cooking for yourself – even plain bread to absorb those juices.
However, when you need to impress someone, chances are you will need to push harder.
You will need to find side dishes that can complement pineapple pork chops from all directions.
Luckily, you do have some great options out there.
What to Serve with Pineapple Pork Chops? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Here are some amazing ideas when not sure what to serve with pineapple pork chops.
1. Crunchy Fried Apples
If you are about to combine sweet, sour and salty dishes, you might as well go all the way in and prepare some crunchy fried apples too.
Pork and apples work as well as pork and pineapple.
You have a bit of sourness, but also a sweet and savory contrast that will never disappoint.
Then, you have the crunchy apples and the soft pork and pineapple – simply amazing.
While most people will use applesauce, fried apples are miles better – even though you need to prepare the dish yourself.
2. Cranberry Pecan Salad
Pork chops might be delicious, but they also tend to be a bit heavy when eaten in heavy amounts – and chances are you will not stop after a couple of them only.
How about some balance, then? A cranberry pecan salad is not just light, but also rich in nutrients.
Plus, it has a refreshing aroma, so it will make the pork chops feel a bit lighter.
The dressing is also important for the taste – something tangy will complement the combo.
As if all these were not enough, the salad is colorful and will make your meal look better.
3. Vegetable Fried Rice
You can transform the pineapple pork chops into an appealing Asian dish by mixing it with the right side.
This is when the vegetable fried rice kicks in.
Rice will complement any pork dish, and these chops make no exception.
However, you do not have to use the classic white rice – instead, enhance it with some vegetables and fry it properly.
Rice is quite fulfilling.
While it can, however, absorb some of the juices in pork, the truth is your meal will be a bit heavy – delicious, though.
In other words, no one will complain.
4. Glazed Carrots
Glazed carrots are basic, yet this side dish has become extremely common in posh kitchens lately.
It is easy to tell why – delicious.
Glazed carrots and pineapple pork chops will give you a unique combination of savory and sweet.
Flavors simply complement each other and work wonders in each bite.
Another good thing is the texture.
Pork chops are tender and soft – meanwhile, carrots are crunchy, even when cooked.
A bit of contrast is excellent.
Preparing this dish should not take too long either – you should be done in less than 15 minutes.
5. Soft Dinner Rolls
Keep things simple and bring in some soft dinner rolls.
Sure, this is not the type of side to impress someone special, but it works for yourself and your family.
To make it even better, these dinner rolls should be homemade – the flavor of freshly made bread is out of this world.
Now, what makes this side special is the amount of carbs.
Pork chops are rich in protein, so extra carbs are mandatory.
Textures match – plus, the fluffy bread will absorb some of the juices in your pineapple pork chops.
Despite being heavy, this combo works well.
In terms of flavors, the buttery rolls can easily enhance the flavors of pork chops.
6. Savory Cornbread
This is another dish that will not impress with its name or aspect, but it will bring in a homey experience the moment you mix it with your pineapple pork chops.
Since your main dish is also a bit sweet, you can make sweet cornbread, too – however, the salty variety is more common.
The texture is soft and crumbly – it blends perfectly around the pork as you chew.
There are no contrasts here, and that is perfectly fine sometimes.
Although you can find cornbread in commerce, making it yourself will make it taste better – take your time and give yourself about half an hour.
7. Soft Corn Pudding
Soft corn pudding is more popular in the southern part of the USA – even better if your guests are not familiar with it.
The custard in this recipe is creamy, but also sweet – good for the slightly sour pineapple.
Moreover, these two aspects are both missing from the classic pork chop.
The combination is extremely well balanced.
Meanwhile, the corn has a deep, yet subtle flavor.
At first, this mix may raise a few eyebrows – people will not expect it.
They will get to love it after a few bites, though.
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