What To Serve With Mustard Greens – 39 BEST Side Dishes

If you’re wondering what to serve with your mustard greens, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for mustard greens.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with mustard greens are jalapeno cheddar cornbread, black-eyed peas, pumpkin polenta, fried chicken gizzards, and dirty rice. You can also go with smothered pork chops, fried catfish, or glazed ham steaks. For Asian-style dishes, try salt and pepper tofu or Mongolian beef.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Great flavor pairings for mustard greens

Mustard greens come from the Brassica plant family, along with other other leafy greens like kale, collard greens, and broccoli.

They have a sharp, peppery flavor with a hint of bitterness when raw, but these flavors mellow out slightly when you cook it. They pair well with: 

• Smokey flavors – bold, savory ingredients like bacon and ham hocks can easily stand up to mustard green’s strong flavor profile. They also camouflage the subtle bitterness you get from the greens. 
• Rich, buttery flavors – creamy additions like heavy cream and cheese help mellow out the mustard greens’ pungent, spicy notes. 
• Acidic flavors – a squeeze of lemon or your basic vinegar infuses the greens with a bright, tangy flavor to complement its natural pepperiness.
• Warm flavors – warm spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric will bring out the natural earthiness of mustard greens.

Southern classics

Mustard greens are a classic in Southern cooking, so it’s no surprise that we’ve got some soul food side dish suggestions.

Soul food is characterized by warm, comforting flavors which serves as a natural counterpoint to the inherent bitterness of mustard greens.

Jalapeno cheddar cornbread

This cornbread recipe is for you if you prefer savory over sweet. 

There’s no sugar or honey, but there’s plenty of jalapeno peppers to ensure that each bite has a subtle but noticeable kick. 

Use a slice of this loaded cornbread to soak up all the pot likker from your braised mustard greens. YUM.

Why we love this recipe: this quickbread’s aroma will make your mouth water. 

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Dirty rice

This Cajun rice dish gets its name from the brown color of the chopped chicken livers and ground beef.

It’s often served as a side dish, but it’s so meaty you can get away with eating it on its own alongside some sauteed mustard greens. 

And don’t be put off by the chicken liver, its finely chopped so fades into the background.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a great way to incorporate nutritious chicken liver into your meals. 

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Southern baked macaroni and cheese

This mac and cheese’s sauce sets it apart from the all the other mac and cheese recipes. 

Instead of the traditional bechamel, cubes of cheese and a custard mixture are baked with the cooked macaroni, giving you a creamy but firm pasta dish.

All you need are some mustard greens to offset all the richness. 

Why we love this recipe: it has a 4.81 rating from 334 votes.

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Black-eyed peas

These black-eyed peas are super satisfying, and a sip of that creamy broth (thickened with the black-eyed peas) will feel like a warm, comforting hug. 

They’re traditionally made over the stovetop, but this recipe also includes instructions for the instant pot and slow cooker.

Go full Southern and serve these black-eyed peas alongside sauteed mustard greens. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s highly detailed. 

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Crawfish etouffee 

Crawfish etouffee is one of my favorite seafood dishes to make. 

The mild sweetness from the juicy crawfish, combined with the rich, savory gravy is pure heaven in a bite!

I like a mild heat with my etouffee, so I replace some of the bell peppers in the recipe with jalapeno peppers.

Pair this saucy crawfish etouffee with rice and sauteed mustard greens and you’ve got a winning dinner. 

Why we love this recipe: your guests will be clamoring for second helpings. 

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Fusion

Don’t fancy sticking with a Southern theme? Mustard greens go well with a whole host of cuisines, from Italian to chinese.

Go with spicy noodles to bring out the peppery flavors in the greens, or go with something sweeter like pumpkin polenta.

Pumpkin polenta

If you want to make your humble mustard greens shine, serve them with this tasty polenta. 

Traditional polenta with butter and cheese is already creamy, but adding pumpkin puree makes this dish even creamier (and a little sweet). 

It also gives the polenta a vibrant orange tinge that’s will look superb against the mustard greens’ dark hues.

Why we love this recipe: it’s versatile and insta friendly! 

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Veal piccata baked meatballs

This recipe is a fun twist on the Italian classic veal piccata.

Ground veal is mixed with almond meal, fresh parsley, and lemon juice to form delicious meatballs. 

Then they’re finished in a skillet with a zesty piccata sauce that’s so good you’ll want to lick your plate clean. 

Skip the carbs and serve the meatballs with sauteed greens for a low-carb but satisfying dinner. 

Why we love this recipe: they’re also great as an appetizer. 

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Mongolian beef

Mongolian beef may not be authentically Chinese, but there’s no denying it’s a delicious dish. 

This recipe uses budget-friendly flank steak, and infuses it with tons of flavor from garlic, ginger, and chili.

Psst… the secret to getting the sauce to stick is to coat the beef in cornstarch before cooking it.

Why we love this recipe: it’s better than takeout. 

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Salt and pepper tofu

Need a meatless main dish? Look no further than salt and pepper tofu. 

The key to this dish is soaking the tofu cubes in salt water for at least 10 minutes. 

This technique draws out water from the tofu, making it extra crispy. It also seasons the tofu inside and out.

And using tapioca starch instead of flour will replicate that crunchy texture you get at restaurants. 

Why we love this recipe: these tofu bites will be gone quickly. 

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Proteins

With a leafy vegetable, a protein side is a no-brainer.

Go traditional with some fried catfish, indulgent with some gravy-soaked pork chops, or vegan with a meat-free ‘ham’ loaf!

Smothered pork chops

The luscious gravy covering these pork chops is made from chicken broth and cream, and the flavors will perfectly contrast the mustard greens’ sharp bitterness. 

But the best part about this dish? Everything’s cooked in one pan, which means less cleaning up after dinner! 

Why we love this recipe: all the ingredients are cupboard staples. 

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Fried chicken gizzards

Gizzards are small muscles from the chicken’s digestive tract. They’re packed with protein and have a dark meat-like taste. 

The trick to perfectly fried gizzards is to soak the meat in a buttermilk bath to break down it’s tough texture.

And to make sure you prep the meat properly by cutting away any gristle.

Why we love this recipe: these are budget-friendly. 

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Fried catfish

Fried catfish is a classic Southern dish.

Instead of breadcrumbs or beer batter, the filets are coated with a seasoned flour and cornmeal mixture, which creates a golden, crispy crust when fried. 

Just ensure the oil is hot before dropping in the crusted filets. If the oil is too cold your catfish will be greasy.

Why we love this recipe: it’s ideal even for busy weeknights. 

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Vegan ham roast

This ham roast is a must-try whether you’re a vegan veteran or just starting to eat meatless. 

It’s made with a base of chickpeas, nutritional yeast, and vital wheat gluten that come together to give you a delicious savory flavor.

But what seals the deal for this centerpiece is the delectable maple glaze that’ll help balance out your mustard greens’ bitter bite. 

Why we love this recipe: the leftovers make great sandwiches.

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The best side dishes for mustard greens

• Jalapeno cheddar cornbread
• Pumpkin polenta
• Dirty rice
• Southern baked macaroni and cheese
• Black-eyed peas
• Veal piccata baked meatballs
• Smothered pork chops
• Fried chicken gizzards
• Mongolian beef
• Fried catfish
• Crawfish etouffee
• Salt and pepper tofu
• Vegan ham roast

What To Serve With Mustard Greens – Fried Catfish

In this short recipe, I show you exactly how to make fried catfish to serve with your mustard greens

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 5 people

Calories 243 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs catfish filets
• 1 ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 tsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp accent seasoning
• 2 tsp creole seasoning
• ½ tsp lemon pepper seasoning
• ½ tsp powdered crab boil seasoning
• oil for frying

Instructions

 

• Add all the dry ingredients into a bowl ad mix well.
• Over medium high heat, heat a skillet with oil.
• Dredge the fish with the seasoned flour mixture and fry for 4-5 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
• Drain the cooked filets on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.

Keyword fried catfish, mustard greens side dish, what to serve with mustard greens