Smoked pheasant: it’s a game-changer. Seriously, if you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out. We’ve all been there, wondering what on Earth to serve on the side.
It’s a fine line between overshadowing and underwhelming. Our gatherings have taught us this much.
Remember the time Aunt Mabel served her infamous jello salad with it? Lesson learned. We aim for harmony on the plate.
Here’s our heartfelt guide to the top side dishes. No fluff, just the good stuff.
Trust, after many hits and misses, we’ve nailed it. Prepare to be the host with the most.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Smoked Pheasant?
The savory and meaty profile of smoked pheasant asks for a side dish.
Even if you actually love meat and you enjoy eating it alone every now and then, the truth is smoked pheasant will become a bit too heavy after a few bites.
The side dish must complement it, but also make it more enjoyable.
You need to be able to have a large meal without feeling heavy.
Furthermore, imagine being a guest and being served a plain piece of meat only.
You want something next to it. A good side dish will impress your guests – no doubt.
What to Serve with Smoked Pheasant? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Here are some of the best choices when not sure what to serve with smoked pheasant.
1 – Soft Macaroni Cheese
This combo is a bit unusual, so most people would turn around.
Give it a try, and you will be amazed.
This is the American way to handle meaty dishes.
Get some macaroni, cook everything until soft, and top with cheese.
Cheese will melt, and there you go – a perfect side dish.
You can boil the macaroni or throw everything in the oven for a savorier aroma.
Choose the dressing or sauce yourself, but make sure it is mild.
2 – Garlicky Roast Tomatoes
This side dish may seem simple – it is, but it works great with smoked pheasant because it is not heavy at all.
Basically, all you need is some tomatoes. Cut them in half first and grill them.
This is a classic for smoked meats.
You can bring in some of the sweet flavors with a bit of vinegar.
Two ingredients aim to make the difference and turn these tomatoes into the ideal side dishes.
First, get some thyme on top to garnish.
Second, throw in some chopped garlic and let it infuse in the dish – your guests will love it.
3 – Creamy and Spicy Slaw
A basic slaw is great for smoked pheasant – it is light and refreshing, but also crunching.
Basically, it has everything you do not have in the meat.
Furthermore, the slaw is enriched with flavor and spices.
The dressing can be based on chili paste, sour cream, and mayo.
Make sure you do not exaggerate the quantities.
After all, the smoked pheasant is a bit heavy, so you do not want your guests to feel nauseous with all that grease.
The slaw takes less than 10 minutes to prepare – a bonus.
4 – Refried Beans
Refried beans sound a bit Mexican – sure, they are ideal for nachos, but you will be surprised by how well they work with smoked pheasant.
There are many more ingredients you will need, apart from beans.
You can add some avocado, bell peppers, a lime, some coriander leaves, and maybe a bit of sour cream too.
There are more recipes for refried beans.
The point is you can adjust this side dish based on what you have around or your actual preferences.
The whole dish should take less than half an hour, so it is also convenient.
5 – Rosemary Celeriac Fries
It is true that you could never go wrong with potato fries – they work with everything.
However, they are a bit heavy – just like the pheasant.
How about some vegetables instead?
Swap them for some nicely shaped celeriac.
Cut it in spirals for a better effect and mix it up with kale.
Add a bit of olive oil and some rosemary to top everything up.
Crushed garlic will also help, but do not use too much of it – just enough to get the aroma.
Not only is this side dish healthier, but it also takes about half an hour to prepare.
6 – Lime Corn and Salsa
The smoked pheasant is definitely the top player on the table.
It does not mean that you can overlook the side dish, though.
This side dish will turn your meal into summer perfection.
Get some corn on the cob and cook it – you can boil it, or you can do it in the microwave.
Feel free to roast it for a minute after – even better, grill it for those attractive lines.
Get a slice of lime and squeeze it all over it.
Next, come up with some chunky salsa in a small bowl – basically, chop everything in larger pieces and avoid making a paste.
7 – Creamy Spinach
Spinach is an excellent side dish for smoked pheasant.
It is healthy, refreshing and it has a unique flavor that can complement the savory pheasant.
But then, too healthy is not too tasty, so feel free to make the spinach creamy.
You can use single cream and mix it in.
You can also get some light grated cheese and mix it in until it melts and blends in.
However, the cream alternative is better.
Preparing everything takes less than half an hour.
Besides, you have a splash of color as well.
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