This article was updated on the 25th of August 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your boudin, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 13 of the most popular side dishes for boudin.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best dishes to serve with boudin are spicy ranch crackers, Cajun poutine, baked beans, Cajun remoulade sauce, grilled mushrooms, and creamy potato salad. Good vegetable sides include roasted cabbage and apple cranberry salad. For a fancier side dish, try tomato confit.
For each side dish, I’ve provided alternative options to cater to various diets and lifestyles, including vegan, quick and easy, and health-conscious options.
Starches
Pairing boudin with a starchy side dish is the way to go if you want a deliciously satisfying meal. Pasta is a fabulous option, but you can never go wrong with a creamy potato salad if you’re grilling boudin.
Authentic Poutine
5.0 ⭐️ (44 ratings) | 1 hr
Poutine is a classic Canadian dish featuring golden, crispy fries with cheese curds and brown gravy. Add some boudin into the mix and you’ve got the ultimate comfort food.
You can cut your boudin into slices and toss them into your poutine, or serve them on the side and dip them into the delicious brown gravy sauce.
Either way, it’s going to be insanely delicious!
What readers are saying…
“The brown gravy was incredibly delicious it made the entire dish for us. Family came over and ate it all before I could get a second helping.”
“Easy to make and a crowd pleaser especially on a cold winter night. I air-fried my potatoes and poured the gravy right over the cheese curds to get them to melt.”
“Wonderful! Terrific comfort food.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🍠 Sweet Potato Poutine
😇 Parsnip Fries
🧘♀️ Baked Zucchini Fries
Potato Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (243 ratings) | 2 hrs 35 mins
This classic potato salad recipe screams nostalgia. It’s delightfully rich and creamy, with fresh elements like onions and celery that add a light crunch to every bite.
But what really makes this potato salad special is its traditional mayo-based dressing. It’s seasoned with mustard, buttermilk, and a splash of pickle juice, adding a tangy twist that keeps the salad from being too rich. This flavor profile also holds up well to your boudin’s bold spices.
Psst… use Yukon potatoes to give your potato salad a luxurious feel. Delish!
What readers are saying…
“This was the perfect potato salad recipe! The only thing I did differently was use dill relish instead of chopping up the pickles. Thanks so much for this yummy recipe.”
“This recipe reminded me of the one my grandmother used. It was simple but delicious!”
“I followed this recipe as written. It’s our favorite…very simple and flavorful. I always get compliments when I make it for family and friends.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🌱 French Potato Salad
🥒 Tzatziki Potato Salad
🧘♀️ Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
4.8 ⭐️ (31 ratings) | 3 hrs 30 mins
Kick off your boudin breakfast with some baked beans on the side. They’re sweet from the molasses, smokey from the bacon, and a little bit fiery from the spicy BBQ sauce.
Their strong savory flavors make a great match for the boudin. And because they’re made in a slow cooker, you simply have to add the ingredients to the pot and leave them to cook.
After three hours, you’ll have deliciously warm, tender beans ready to serve. All you need is some buttery cornbread to mop up all the leftover sauce.
What readers are saying…
“Delicious and so easy to make! I did not have a can of northern white beans so I used cannellini beans.”
“These are the best baked beans I’ve ever had (not exaggerating)!! Brought them to a Fourth of July gathering and they were gone so quickly.”
“Yum!! This will be my go-to baked bean recipe from now on! Everyone in the family liked it!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🇮🇹 Italian Baked Beans and Kale
🇲🇽 Mexican Charro Beans
🥬 White Beans and Cavolo Nero
Cajun Spaghetti
5.0 ⭐️ (1 rating) | 25 mins
If we’re talking about pasta, nothing is as iconic as the all-time favorite, spaghetti.
And with a little bit of Cajun spice and a pinch of chili flakes, your spaghetti will become a Southern delight. It’s a simple tweak, but the spices add a delectable kick that’ll delight your taste buds.
Throw in a grilled boudin on top and you have the perfect Southern-inspired dinner.
What the chef says…
“I would recommend it with the Cajun spice as it is bold in flavor and delicious. Your spaghetti feels like a million dollars with it.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
⏲ Baked Mac and Cheese
🧀 Fettucine Alfredo
😇 Spaghetti Squash Marinara
Fresh and Light Sides
Boudin has bold, robust flavors you can balance with fresh and light sides like veggies and salads. I especially love the crunchy, tangy contrast an apple salad or slaw brings to the table!
Apple Cranberry Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (167 ratings) | 10 mins
Like the sound of a crunchy, fresh salad to go with your tender-textured boudin? A crisp apple cranberry salad is a great choice (and there are walnuts for even more crunch).
And aside from the texture, this salad is delicious, with sweetness from the apples, and some sour notes from the cranberries. This flavor combo brings a fresh, tasty contrast to your boudin.
The recipe also calls for feta cheese for a bit of saltiness, but I especially like the creamy, tangy goodness goat cheese brings to the table.
What readers are saying…
“This salad was a hit last year at our Christmas dinner. I’m making it again this year.”
“Made this for the first time for a family BBQ yesterday, love, love, love! Will definitely make it again.”
“This is a great side salad for a winter meal, with a dressing that is different and interesting. Thanks for the recipe!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Oven-Roasted Cabbage
5.0 ⭐️ (3 ratings) | 35 mins
Ever tried roasted cabbage? If not, this is a sign that you should.
When roasted, cabbage takes on a crisp and caramelized texture, much like other vegetables. It’s an easy side dish that’s a surprisingly good match for a soft, punchy boudin sausage.
The recipe keeps it simple with the seasoning, but you can easily dress up these roasted cabbage wedges with a sprinkle of parmesan, bacon bits, or a spritz of lemon juice. I personally love adding a pinch of smoked paprika!
What readers are saying…
“I was having 25 guests for this Seder and everyone “raved” about how wonderful this recipe is…”
“This is such a great side dish and a perfect use of cabbage.”
“I usually roast cabbage on a lower heat for a longer period of time, but was pressed for time tonight…your recipe fits the bill! Sweet, roasty-toasty cabbage!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🥘 Braised Cabbage Wedges
⌚ Sauteed Cabbage
🧀 Cheesy Cabbage Gratin
Grilled Mushrooms on Skewers
4.9 ⭐️ (16 ratings) | 1hr 10 mins
Grilling your boudin? Make some room and toss a few mushrooms on the grill too (or any other vegetables you have on hand!).
Grilling gives the mushrooms a nice charred taste that complements the Cajun spices of the boudin. And the lemon marinade adds a savory-citrusy kick that’ll have you coming back for more.
What readers are saying…
“These are so delicious! Thank you for posting. I haven’t been a fan of mushrooms my whole life, but these….YUM! I made these twice this week.”
“My husband and I tried these mushrooms with our steaks for lunch this afternoon. They are awesome!”
“I made these tonight in the oven. I used a basting brush and coated them a couple of times. Still tasted yummy!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
😍 Creamy Tuscan Mushrooms
🥬 Sauteed Spinach and Mushrooms
🧄 Garlic Herb Marinated Mushrooms
Healthy Coleslaw
4.9 ⭐️ (115 ratings) | 20 mins
This coleslaw is the perfect accompaniment to grilled boudin.
The crunchy veggies are an excellent texture contrast to the tender sausage. Plus, this healthy version features a vinaigrette that’ll bring a similar sweet-tangy kick without the extra calories.
But the best part about this slaw is you can make it way ahead of time. It lasts up to five days in the fridge and its flavors deepen as the slaw soaks in the dressing. Yum!
What readers are saying…
“I may be alone here, but gloppy coleslaw is so not for me. Love this as an alternative … and that color is gorgeous!”
“Made this three times now and cannot say enough about how great this and all the recipes of yours I’ve tried are – I am a fan for life.”
“My current go-to salad! It stays good for several days and just seems to get better with time!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🌿 Cilantro Lime Slaw
🍏 Jicama& Green Apple Slaw
🥒 Cucumber Jicama Slaw
Sauteed Peppers and Onions
4.6 ⭐️ (71 ratings) | 28 mins
Need something warm and quick to accompany boudin? These sauteed peppers and onions have your back!
This side dish is incredibly simple, but it adds a pop of color that makes your plate more enticing. Plus, the high heat helps draw out the peppers and onions’ natural sweetness that pairs nicely with your boudin’s bold, savory flavors.
These sauteed peppers and onions are great on the side, but I love using them as toppings for a boudin sandwich.
What readers are saying…
“Delicious!! I’ve made this recipe multiple times now because it is a hit.”
“Outstanding! Would’ve never thought of adding red wine vinegar!”
“Peppers! Omg! Always looking for healthy recipes. Had them in a Wrap with some parmigiana cheese.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Appetizers
Boudin is great as an appetizer on its own, but it’s even better when you pair it with other treats like a crunchy saltine cracker or a dipping sauce to round out its flavor.
Spicy Ranch Crackers
5.0 ⭐️ (61 ratings) | 25 mins
Boudin is traditionally served as a simple snack with just some crackers or plain bread. It’s flavorful enough that it doesn’t really need any side dishes to prop it up.
But if plain saltines seem a little too boring for you, no worries. You can jazz them up with a ranch and red pepper flakes mixture to give them a lightly tangy, spicy kick to complement your flavorful boudin.
Psst… Better make a double batch — these won’t last long!
What readers are saying…
“I love these crackers! But I changed them up a bit after a trip to Louisiana! I added some smoked paprika or regular paprika to the recipe, yum!!“
“Definitely my new chips.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🧘♀️ Cauliflower Parmesan Crisps
🥒 Dill Pickle Saltine Crackers
Cajun Remoulade Sauce
5.0 ⭐️ (17 ratings) | 10 mins
You can’t have a sausage without a dipping sauce, and the best choice for boudin is Cajun remoulade.
The bold flavors of the boudin meld perfectly with the creamy mayo base of this remoulade, while the Cajun seasoning and other spices provide a savory, lightly spicy kick that complements the sausage.
The best part about this sauce is it’s a breeze to make and requires no cooking — simply mix everything in a bowl and you’ll be good to go.
What readers are saying…
“This is a really nice, mildly spicy, but complex remoulade. I didn’t include the mustard, just couldn’t find it in my fridge, but I’m not missing it.”
“Easy and delish. I didn’t have any horseradish, so made it without. Added a little more of lemon and cayenne to make up for it, but was still perfect!”
“This is my go-to remoulade recipe. I follow it except I add a tablespoon of capers. They add a bit more zing.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🥵 Sriracha Aioli
🌱 Dairy-free Ranch Dressing
🥑 Dairy-free Avocado Crema
Grits Fritters
4.5 ⭐️ (2 ratings) | 4 hrs 32 mins
If you’re serving the boudin as a finger-food snack, it makes sense to have some other treats to offer.
I’ve had boudin served on top of fried grits before, so this is a little twist on that. The cooked grits are first chilled, rolled into balls, then breaded and deep-fried. They’re crunchy on the outside and creamy inside, making each bite an absolute delight.
This recipe comes with a tasty red pepper jelly that also goes great with boudin. The Cajun remoulade above also works as a great dipping sauce for these treats.
What readers are saying…
“Great idea. Made them as patties instead of balls. Was able to use less oil.”
“This is seriously sooo genius!!!”
“I really don’t think I would be able to keep my hands off of these fritters. They look SO crispy and crunchy—perfect!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Tomato Confit
5.0 ⭐️ (22 ratings) | 4 hr 32 mins
Want to elevate your boudin into a fancy meal? Take some inspiration from the Spanish and serve it tapas style with some tomato confit.
Confit, a French term, refers to low and slow-roasting tomatoes in olive oil. This method intensifies the tomatoes’ flavor, bringing out their wonderful sweetness.
Serve your boudin with a side of this tomato confit and crackers for an easy but fancy appetizer.
What readers are saying…
“Definitely made this and most DEFINITELY loved it. It was gone by the next morning.”
“This is so delicious! I made this confit for a cocktail night and it was inhaled in ~20 minutes.”
“I was expecting it to be good but not THAT good. We loved it. It was simply incredible.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
⌚ Blistered Tomatoes
😋 Fried Green Tomatoes
🥗 Cucumber Tomato Salad
What To Serve With Boudin – 13 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion spicy ranch crackers
- 1 portion poutine
- 1 portion oven-roasted cabbage
- 1 portion tomato confit
- 1 portion cajun spaghetti
- 1 portion grilled mushrooms … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your boudin according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: spicy ranch crackers, poutine, classic potato salad, baked beans, cajun remoulade sauce, grits fritters, apple cranberry salad, oven-roasted cabbage, grilled mushrooms, cajun spaghetti, and tomato confit,
- Serve immediately and enjoy!