What To Serve With Soup and Salad? 8 Best Side Dishes

When you’re having soup and salad for dinner, you might be wondering what the best side dish would be.

After all, you want something that will complement your meal without being too heavy or filling.

In this article, I’ll go over 8 of the best side dishes to serve with soup and salad!

What To Serve With Soup and Salad? 8 Best Side Dishes

Soup and salad just go together (and not just because they both start with “s”).

They complement each other perfectly, and there are a number of great side dishes that can take the dish from good to great.

Here are 8 of the best side dishes for soup and salad:

1. Roasted Veggies

To me, veggies are only as good as how they’re cooked.

I’m not a fan of mushy, overcooked veggies.

That’s why I love roasting my veggies – it brings out their natural flavors and gives them a nice crispy texture.

My favorite combo is roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and carrots.

But really, you can roast any veggie you like!

Pro Tip: Cut your veggies into even pieces so they cook evenly.

3 Potential Additions:

• Try Different Veggies: Mix things up by adding in roasted broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini.
• Add Some Protein: Top your roasted veggies with grilled chicken or shrimp.
• Make It a Meal: Serve your roasted veggies over quinoa or brown rice for a complete meal.

2. Garlic Butter Grilled Corn on the Cob

How about a delicious version of corn on the cob that doesn’t involve any extra steps or dirtying up another pot?

This recipe is so simple and only requires 3 ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

The best part is that it can be made on the grill, which means less time spent over a hot stove.

Pro Tip: Be generous with the butter and garlic – it’s hard to have too much of either in this dish.

3 Potential Additions:

• Cheese: Try sprinkling some grated Parmesan cheese on the corn before serving.
• Chili Powder: Give the corn a little bit of a kick by dusting it with chili powder before grilling.
• Lime Juice: Squeeze some fresh lime juice over the grilled corn for a bright and citrusy flavor.

3. Baked Beans

Here’s one that’s so simple, you might not even believe it’s a recipe.

But trust me, this dish is a life-saver on busy weeknights.

All you need is a can of baked beans, some bacon, and brown sugar.

That’s it!

Pro Tip: If you want to add a little bit of depth to the flavor, try cooking the bacon in maple syrup before adding it to the beans.

3 Potential Additions:

• Diced Onion: This will give the beans some extra crunch.
• Crushed Garlic: For a little bit of extra flavor.
• Barbecue Sauce: Because everything is better with barbecue sauce.

4. Mac N Cheese

A winner in my book (and my kids’ books), this dish is always a hit.

It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, and it’s just plain comforting.

Plus, it’s easy to make and can be on the table in under 30 minutes.

Pro Tip: To avoid a watery sauce, be sure to use pre-shated cheese.

3 Potential Additions:

• Bacon: Because everything is better with bacon, right?
• Hot Sauce: For a little bit of extra spice.
• Steamed Broccoli: To sneak in some veggies.

5. Sweet Potato Fries

How about something crunchy, salty, and sweet to go alongside your soup and salad?

These sweet potato fries are the perfect mix of all three.

They’re easy to make, and you can even get them started in the oven while you’re preparing the rest of your meal.

Pro Tip: Soak your potatoes in salt water for at least 30 minutes before cooking them. This will help them get nice and crispy.

3 Potential Additions:

• Dip ‘Em: Serve these fries with a side of ketchup, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing for dipping.
• Get Herby: Sprinkle some fresh rosemary or thyme on the fries before baking.
• Make ‘Em Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix for a little bit of heat.

6. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Carrots

I’m not a big fan of raw carrots (I know, I know), but give me a roasted carrot and I’m a happy camper.

These carrots are simple yet so flavorful, and they go great with soup and salad.

The best part is that they only require 4 ingredients!

Pro Tip: Make sure to evenly coat the carrots with olive oil before roasting. This will help them get nice and crispy.

3 Potential Additions:

• Try Different Herbs: Swap out the rosemary for thyme or oregano.
• Add Some Heat: Throw in a pinch of red pepper flakes for some spice.
• Get cheesy: Sprinkle on some grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

7. Caesar Salad

I know you’re already serving a salad alongside your soup, but trust me on this one – you’re going to want to try this Caesar salad.

It’s super easy to make and only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

Pro Tip: Make sure you use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.

3 Potential Additions:

• Croutons: Add some crunch to the salad with some store-bought or homemade croutons.
• Bacon: Because everything is better with bacon, right?
• Chicken: Turn this side dish into a main course by adding some grilled chicken.

8. Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is just an obvious choice, right?

I mean, what’s not to love about warm, crusty bread covered in garlic and butter?

This dish is so simple, but it really makes a meal special.

Pro Tip: For extra garlic-y goodness, try roasting the garlic cloves before spreading them on the bread.

3 Potential Additions:

• Cheese: Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the bread before popping it in the oven.
• Herbs: Mix in some chopped fresh parsley or oregano for a flavor boost.
• Spicy: Up the ante by adding some crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter spread.

What Wine Goes With Soup and Salad?

For a light soup like vegetable or tomato soup, pair it with a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. For creamier soups such as clam chowder or pumpkin soup, go for a Chardonnay or Riesling. If you’re serving a green salad, pair it with a Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, or Viognier. For fruitier salads with berries or stone fruits, try pairing them with a Rosé.

What Dessert Goes With Soup and Salad?

A simple and light dessert is the best choice when pairing it with soup and salad. Try a fruit salad, yogurt parfait, or even just some fresh fruit. If you want something a little more indulgent, go for a shortcake or cupcakes.

Related:

What To Serve With Soup and Bread? 8 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Pinto Bean Soup? 8 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Peanut Soup? 8 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Oxtail Stew? 8 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Portuguese Bean Soup? 10 Best Sides

What Goes with Tomato Basil Soup? 10 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Zucchini Soup? 8 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Knoephla Soup? 8 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Laksa Soup? 8 Best Side Dishes

What Vegetables Go with Chicken Marsala? (13 Best Veggies)