If you’re wondering what to serve with your broccoli salad, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 45 of the most popular side dishes for broccoli salad.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best dishes to serve with broccoli salad are crack chicken casserole, lemon baked cod, Tuscan sausage pasta, moussaka, and tuna melts. You can also try slow-cooker beef brisket, turkey meatloaf, crab imperial, chili-stuffed sweet potatoes, mac and cheese soup, or grilled shrimp skewers.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Starches
Starchy sides are an excellent hearty addition to your broccoli salad meal.
You can never go wrong with a pasta dish, but try whipping up a Greek moussaka if you’re looking to indulge and impress your guests.
Chili-stuffed sweet potatoes
Savory, saucy chili is the perfect topping for sweet potatoes.
It’s a combo that may sound like a lot of work, but it couldn’t be any easier – you can make the chili as the sweet spuds cook in the instant pot.
These stuffed sweet potatoes can stand alone, but they’re even better with a serving of broccoli salad on the side for a crunchy contrast.
Why we love this recipe: these are a crowd-pleaser.
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Chili-stuffed sweet potatoes
Make it meatless
Spiced chickpea-stuffed sweet potatoes
Go Tex-Mex
Cheesy sweet potato taco casserole
Tuscan sausage pasta
This pasta dish deserves a spot in your weekly meal rotation.
The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and spinach gives this a delicious Tuscan flair.
And the crumbled Italian sausages ensure each bite is extra tasty.
A light broccoli salad is an excellent accompaniment to offset this dishes richness.
Why we love this recipe: you’re guaranteed no leftovers of this pasta dish.
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Tuscan sausage pasta
Make a classic
Penne alla vodka
Make it low-carb
Garlic parmesan spaghetti squash
Greek moussaka
This classic Greek comfort dish is reminiscent of lasagna, minus the noodles.
Instead, it features potatoes and eggplants layered with meat sauce and a luxurious bechamel.
All it needs is more veggies in the form of a broccoli salad!
Why we love this recipe: you can make this ahead of time.
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Greek moussaka
Go Italian
Eggplant lasagna
Another Italian favorite
Baked eggplant rollatini
Mac and cheese soup
If you’re in the mood for something comforting, try this mac and cheese soup.
It’s just like the famed pasta dish, except you get a creamy, cheesy broth that feels like a warm hug every time you take a bite.
And we all know that broccoli is the perfect pairing for mac and cheese.
Why we love this recipe: it’ll make you feel nostalgic.
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Mac and cheese soup
Skip the pasta
Loaded baked potato soup
Make it fun
Pizza soup
Meats
Broccoli salads are the ideal side for barbecued meats.
Slow-cooker brisket is my go-to, but you have lots of options to choose from. Fry up some chicken pieces for a crunchy bite or try oven-baked ribs for a hands-off cooking process.
Slow-cooker beef brisket
Brisket cooks up GREAT in a slow cooker.
The lengthy cooking time helps break down the beefs proteins, making the once-tough meat oh-so-tender.
And to get that caramelized crust, this recipe recommends roasting the brisket in the oven for 15 minutes to finish it off.
Serve slices of this brisket alongside a creamy broccoli salad for the ultimate summer BBQ treat.
Why we love this recipe: it’s effortless.
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Slow cooker beef brisket
Fire up the smoker
Texas-style brisket
Stick with the stovetop
Braised brisket
Garlic baked pork tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is an excellent lean protein, but a downside is it’s prone to drying out.
You can marinate the tenderloin to prevent this, or follow this recipe’s lead: slather the tenderloin with butter and cover it in foil before baking.
Not only will this keep the meat super moist, but it also gives you a delicious buttery sauce – YUM!
Why we love this recipe: it has a 4.9 rating from 4736 reviews.
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Garlic baked pork tenderloin
Make it indulgent
Pork chops with dijon cream sauce
Make it crispy
Pork schnitzel
Garlic herb bacon-wrapped turkey breast
Think a whole roast turkey is too much for your Thanksgiving dinner? Whip up this wrapped turkey breast instead.
Not only does the bacon weave make it look fancy, but it also adds a delectable crunch to contrast the moist, herby meat.
Pair this show-stopping dish with a cranberry-studded broccoli salad for the ultimate Thanksgiving feast.
Why we love this recipe: it involves zero hands-on cooking.
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Garlic herb bacon-wrapped turkey breast
Stick with traditions
Roast turkey
Fire up the grill
Maple spiced grilled turkey breast
Baked crack chicken
You can say goodbye to boring plain chicken breasts once you’ve tasted this casserole.
You get juicy, pan-fried chicken smothered in a ranch-flavored cream cheese mixture and topped with crispy bacon.
And the best part? It’s low-carb and keto-friendly. Win-win!
Serve your broccoli salad on the side for a splash of color.
Why we love this recipe: everyone will be begging for seconds of this casserole.
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Baked crack chicken
Keep it simple
Lemon roast chicken
Make it crispy
Buttermilk fried chicken
Turkey meatloaf
This turkey meatloaf is a great alternative to the usual beef recipe.
Lean ground turkey, is mixed with onions, peppers, and carrots, which keeps this meatloaf moist, healthy, and tasty.
And the cherry on top of this delicious meatloaf is the simple ketchup glaze that adds a delightful zingy flavor to every bite.
Why we love this recipe: leftovers make for a great sandwich.
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Turkey meatloaf
Make it indulgent
Cheese-stuffed turkey meatloaf
Make it plant-based
Mushroom lentil loaf
Seafood
Skip the meat and go with seafood dishes instead for a low-carb but protein-loaded addition to your broccoli salad.
A simple pan-seared fish does the trick, but you can also try baking lobster tails for a luxurious twist.
Lemon baked cod
Need a simple and healthy protein to pair with your broccoli salad? You can’t go wrong with this baked cod.
Cod is a mildly-flavored fish, so the lemon butter’s bright, citrusy notes take center stage with this dish.
Pro tip: don’t overcrowd the baking dish to make sure the cod filets cook evenly.
Why we love this recipe: it’s ideal even for busy weeknight dinners.
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Lemon baked cod
Ditch the oven
Pan-seared Chilean sea bass
Make it zesty
Salmon piccata
Crab imperial
This dish involves chunks of jumbo lump crab smothered with a luscious mayo sauce flavored with Old Bay seasoning.
It’s a simple addition, but this spice blend packs a fiery kick with a hint of sweetness and warmth from the paprika and cinnamon.
You can easily buy this spice blend or make your own.
Why we love this recipe: it’s restaurant-quality.
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Crab imperial
Make a classic
Maryland crab cakes
Make a favorite
Garlic butter king crab rolls
Grilled shrimp skewers
These shrimp skewers are a must-have in your cookout spread.
They’re super quick and easy to make, plus the simple lemon-herb marinade gives them a bright, herby bite.
Psst… don’t leave the shrimp soaking longer than two hours, or you’ll have a ceviche instead!
Why we love this recipe: they take less than 10 minutes to grill.
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Grilled shrimp skewers
Make it zesty
Margarita grilled shrimp
Ditch the grill
Crispy baked shrimp
Tuna melt
Tuna melts are traditionally made over a skillet but have you ever tried making it in the oven?
It might be a hassle, but the high heat will toast the bread nicely and make your cheese extra gooey.
It’s a game changer!
Why we love this recipe: it’s great for meal preps and packed lunches.
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Tuna melt
Make another favorite
Club sandwich
Make it vegan
Chickpea salad sandwich
Vegan options
Keep your broccoli salad meal meat-free with these vegan dishes.
Tofu skewers are a delicious, easy option and that’s loaded with protein! But you can also try tempeh, or chickpea-based dishes like classic falafels.
Mushroom lentil burgers
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just looking up recipes for meatless Mondays, these mushroom lentil burgers are a must-try.
The burgers are loaded with protein and jam-packed with umami goodness, making them extra satisfying.
Plus, they’re baked instead of fried.
Skip the buns and prop a patty or two over your broccoli salad for a low-carb, nourishing lunch.
Why we love this recipe: even the most ardent meat-eaters won’t be able to resist these veggie burgers.
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Mushroom lentil burgers
Add heat
Spicy chickpea lentil burger
Make it meaty
Chorizo cheddar burger
Jamaican jerk tofu skewers
These tofu skewers are the perfect meatless addition to your cookout spread.
The tofu cubes and veggies are brushed with a jerk seasoning marinade before cooking, infusing them with tons of savory and spicy flavors.
I love grilling these skewers to get that smoky char, but you can also make these on the stove, in the oven, or even in the air fryer.
Why we love this recipe: a serving only has 163 calories.
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Jamaican jerk tofu skewers
Add a sweet twist
Pineapple tofu skewers
Make it Thai-inspired
Baked tofu satay
The best side dishes for broccoli salad
- Chili-stuffed sweet potatoes
- Tuscan sausage pasta
- Greek moussaka
- Mac and cheese soup
- Slow-cooker beef brisket
- Garlic baked pork tenderloin
- Garlic herb bacon-wrapped turkey breast
- Baked crack chicken
- Turkey meatloaf
- Lemon baked cod
- Crab imperial
- Grilled shrimp skewers
- Tuna melt
- Mushroom lentil burgers
- Jamaican jerk tofu skewers
What To Serve With Broccoli Salad – Lemon Baked Cod
Ingredients
- 8 cod fillets, thawed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 medium lemon, juiced and zested
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Dry the thawed filets with paper towel and arrange them in a single layer in a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Melt the butter in the microwave then stir in the lemon juice and zest. Brush this mixture over the filets. Season with garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Flip the filets and repeat.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the flesh is opaque and flaking. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.