Name: What To Serve With Osso Buco
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 portion osso buco

Table of Contents

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

In this article, I list 15 of the most popular side dishes for osso buco.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve with osso buco are creamy gorgonzola polenta, mashed red potatoes, and risotto alla Milanese. Try arugula and grapefruit salad, shaved brussels sprouts, or minty peas for lighter options. You can also serve buttered egg noodles, crusty bread rolls, or braised cabbage.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Mashed red potatoes

Mashed potatoes and veal shank make a great pair.

The potato’s mild, creamy flavor allows the rich flavor of the osso buco to shine.

And when the potatoes soak up all the delicious sauce they get even tastier!

Check out texanerin for the best guide on making mashed red potatoes. She recommends red potatoes because you don’t need to peel them, meaning there’s very little prep work.

Braised red cabbage

Take some inspiration from German cuisine and make braised red cabbage to go with your osso buco.

Red cabbage and granny smith apples are cooked down in vinegar and various aromatics.

The resulting dish?

Tender cabbage and apple with a surprisingly tart flavor that will liven up your veal.

This braised red cabbage recipe takes an hour to cook, but it’s well worth it.

Creamy gorgonzola polenta

A heaping pile of veal in its rich gravy over a bed of polenta is a classic.

But to add a little twist to your dinner, mix some gorgonzola in with the polenta.

It’s soft and cheesy, with a hint of sharpness from the gorgonzola.

Check out this gorgonzola polenta from cooking on the weekend. You can also use Roquefort or blue cheese.

And if blue cheese isn’t really your thing, simply pick your favorite cheese and mix that into the polenta instead (cheddar is always a crowd-pleaser).

Risotto alla milanese

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

That’s the phrase that comes to mind when I think of osso buco and the traditional side of risotto alla Milanese (or saffron risotto).

The vibrant color looks great on the plate, and eating it with the veal feels really indulgent.

It’s the perfect meal for a cold winter night.

Cooking with bry will help you put together this side in just 20 minutes.

Minty green peas

Minty green peas are a delightfully refreshing side dish for osso buco.

The sweet, bright flavor of the peas will help lighten the heavy stew and bring some summery vibes.

Don’t tell your guests that there’s mint in the peas and they’ll have a nice surprise with their first bite.

177 milk street adds lemon and feta to her peas for even more pizazz.

Psst.. this works with frozen or fresh peas.

Lemon parmesan orzo

Cozy up to a bowl of lemon parmesan orzo with your osso buco.

It’s a mix between risotto and pasta, and most importantly… it’s delicious.

The lemon gives the dish vibrancy. The shredded parmesan adds a salty tang and the orzo brings a creaminess that pairs perfectly with the tender meat of osso buco.

Try this simple recipe from the gay globe trotter.

Crusty bread rolls

Crusty bread rolls are a great side for a hearty stew.

The crunchy outside contrasts with the soft meat, and the fluffy inside is perfect for mopping up all the leftover juices.

You can easily find bread rolls at your local grocery store, but nothing can beat the smell of homemade bread.

And serving the bread rolls still slightly warm will take your meal to the next level.

If you have time to cook, try this recipe from Eat well 101.

Arugula and grapefruit salad

Arugula and grapefruit salad is great if you’re looking for something light and healthy to serve with osso buco.

It’s got a nice, fresh flavor with enough acidity from the grapefruit and the dressing to cut through the rich, fatty osso buco.

The result is a well-balanced, tasty treat!

Did I mention it only takes 5 minutes to make?

Check out this quick recipe from the littlest crumb.

Sparkling prosecco cocktail

Throwing a dinner party? OR prepping for a date night?

Osso buco is a fancy meal, so you need a fancy drink to go along with it.

And nothing will set the night up quite like a prosecco cocktail.

It’s an excellent combination of sweet and tangy, with just enough alcohol to warm you up.

Try this three-ingredient cranberry sparkling prosecco cocktail from chew out loud.

Mushroom risotto

I mentioned the traditional risotto alla Milanese earlier, but you can serve pretty much any risotto with osso buco.

And one of my favorite options is mushroom risotto.

The earthy, umami flavors of the mushrooms will add depth to your osso buco that you’ll love.

Ready to cook?

Three olives brunch has the best creamy mushroom risotto in town.

Cilantro lime cauliflower rice

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/135037688818200560/

If you think risotto is going to be too much for a side, why not try cauliflower rice instead.

The ‘rice’ will still soak up all the sauce but it won’t leave you feeling too heavy or full.

Add in a splash of lime, and you’ll balance out the strong, deep osso buco flavors.

Try this recipe from down shiftology.

Italian gremolata

Italian gremolata is a fresh Italian herb condiment traditionally served with osso buco.

The combination of garlic, lemon zest, and parsley make this dish tangy and flavorful, which pairs well with the meaty osso buco.

It also adds a splash of color!

You can make this Italian gremolata from cookie and kate with only three ingredients.

Potato salad with mustard sauce

Your favorite potato salad, with a twist.

The mustard sauce adds a lovely tartness, and serving it warm makes it feel more comforting.

This German-style potato salad from closet cooking will please the whole family.

And if you prefer a cold potato, check out this recipe.

Garlic butter noodles

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/6896205669510160/

After a long hard day, I always crave pasta.

But plain pasta doesn’t really match up to the bold flavors of osso buco.

You need to spruce the noodles up a bit.

Enter – garlic butter noodles from salt and lavender.

The noodles absorb the flavors of the butter and garlic so beautifully, plus the extra moisture keeps the pasta from feeling dry. YUM.

Shaved brussel sprout salad

You could serve roasted brussel sprouts, or some other roasted vegetables with your osso buco.

But I recently came across this shaved brussel sprout salad and thought it was genius.

The raw veggies bring a crunchy texture and a slightly bitter flavor that complements the savory stew.

You’ll love this shaved brussel sprout salad with mustard and parmesan.

The best side dishes for osso buco

Mashed red potatoes
Braised red cabbage
Creamy gorgonzola polenta
Risotto alla milanese
Minty green peas
Lemon parmesan orzo
Crusty bread rolls
Arugula and grapefruit salad
Sparkling prosecco cocktail
Mushroom risotto
Cilantro lime cauliflower rice
Italian gremolata
Potato salad with mustard sauce
Garlic butter noodles
Shaved brussel sprout salad