This article was updated on the 22nd of August 2023 for clarity and to improve text readability.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your potato gratin, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 12 of the most popular side dishes for potato gratin.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with potato gratin are kale and Brussels sprouts salad or balsamic roasted mushrooms. Some good centerpiece options are steak or honey-baked ham. Korean short ribs are perfect if you’re looking for something different, and cauliflower steak is a good vegetarian option.
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.
Meaty Entrees
Potato gratin is an excellent accompaniment to your favorite meaty main dishes. The combination of warm, tender potatoes and a rich, cheese sauce is exactly what you need alongside a juicy steak or a glazed ham if you’re celebrating.
Pan-seared Steak
5.0 ⭐️ (467 ratings) | 20 mins
If you haven’t tried making steak at home yet, you’re missing out.
It’s one of the simplest (yet tastiest) entrees you can make as an accompaniment to potato gratin.
To get started, all you need is a high-quality steak like a New York strip or ribeye and your preferred seasoning. I’m a fan of simple salt, pepper, and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
The tricky part is getting the steak’s doneness right. Recipe creator Natasha recommends getting an instant-read thermometer to help you with this. If you prefer a medium rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 145 F.
What readers are saying…
“I love all your recipes My hubby loved this steak. I followed the recipe as it was written turned out perfect.”
“This is a 10/10. My first time making steak and it was so easy and delicious. Definitely my go-to recipe from now on.”
“I have used this recipe a couple of times, and I must say, the steaks turn out so delicious and so beautiful!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🔥 Grilled Rib Eye Steak
💵 Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri
Roasted Garlic Butter Chicken
4.0 ⭐️ (1311 ratings) | 1 hour
You can make even the most ordinary weeknight dinner memorable when you serve this roasted chicken dish next to a potato gratin.
The garlic butter keeps the chicken moist, and the lemon dressing gives it a bright flavor that helps complement your gratin’s cheesy goodness.
And the best part? This dish is such a breeze to make but still looks fancy enough for a dinner party.
Psst… I skipped the goat’s cheese for this because the gratin is already enough richness for me.
What readers are saying…
“This was a hit! Used skinless thighs and finished the lemon slices off in the broiler before chopping.”
“OK, let me start by saying this recipe is to die for! I used boneless chicken breasts; they were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside and the dressing was so flavorful!”
“The “dressing” is amazing in this, I would double or triple and put it on everything.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🤩 Buttermilk Fried Chicken
🍋 Grilled Lemon Chicken
🧀 Baked Parmesan Chicken Thighs
Beef Wellington
5.0 ⭐️ (30 ratings) | 1 hour 10 mins
Pull off the best dinner party ever by serving a show-stopping beef Wellington with your luxurious potato gratin.
This main dish seems intimidating because of its multiple elements, but no worries. The recipe walks you through the entire process, with pictures to guide you.
And all your efforts are rewarded once you see everyone’s face when you cut through the flaky pastry and reveal the juicy, perfectly pink beef inside.
What readers are saying…
“Delicious!!! Easier than I thought to make.”
“Made this today for Thanksgiving dinner. Turned out great!! Everybody loved it.”
“This recipe was easy to follow and it turned out wonderfully.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🇮🇹 Italian Beef Braciole
🌿 Beef Roulade with Walnut Parsley Pesto
🐟 Salmon Wellington
Korean Short Ribs
5.0 ⭐️ (6 ratings) | 45 mins
Want to go on a culinary fusion adventure? Serve your potato gratin with a generous helping of these Korean short ribs, also known as kalbi.
The juicy, fall-off-the-bone kalbi ribs are covered in a sweet-spicy glaze that pairs nicely with your creamy, cheesy gratin. Y-U-M.
And if that’s not enough, the ribs are made in the Instant Pot, making cooking and clean-up a breeze.
What readers are saying…
“Totally blew it out of the water! It was a huge hit – my husband and kids devoured it and we had no leftovers (a rarity!).”
“These ribs are some of the best I’ve had, all of the flavors just work so well together! I’ll definitely be making this recipe again, and probably soon at that!“
“I LOVE that these are made in the Instant Pot. My life just got a whole lot easier and tastier!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Honey Mustard Glazed Ham
5.0 ⭐️ (2 ratings) | 45 mins
Honey-glazed ham is another show-stopping main dish you can enjoy with your potato gratin, especially for holiday dinners.
Traditional recipes involve baking the ham, but this version uses the slow cooker instead. This long and slow cook ensures the ham is delightfully juicy and tender. Plus, it leaves you with extra oven space to make your gratin and other side dishes. Now that’s what I call a win-win!
What readers are saying…
“Now this is my kind of ham, easy and delicious flavors!”
“This looks so good! I have never done a ham in the crockpot like this. What a great way to keep your oven free for the big day.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🍊 Orange Maple Syrup Glazed Baked Ham
💵 Grilled Ham Steak
🌱 Brown-sugar Glazed Tofu
Cajun Salmon
4.9 ⭐️ (59 ratings) | 25 mins
Need an entree you can whip up in less than 30 minutes? This Cajun salmon has your back.
Cheesy potatoes and salmon may seem like an odd combination, but it works. The seasoned salmon has a zesty flavor that holds up well to the richness of your gratin, making for a more balanced bite.
This recipe uses a pre-made Cajun blend, but I like making mine from scratch so I can customize the heat level.
What readers are saying…
“Absolutely delicious and easy. My husband isn’t a big fan of fish, but loved every bite.”
“My family requests this more frequently than not. It’s an easy recipe to follow and quick to make!”
“LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this recipe!!! Great gourmet flavor. “
Deliciously different alternatives…
🧄 Garlic Butter Salmon
🤩 Pecan-crusted Salmon
⏲ Lemon-thyme Roasted Salmon
Plant-based options
Don’t let the meat eaters have all the fun! Potato gratin also makes for a fun and tasty accompaniment to vegetarian dishes. It’s all about infusing them with a deep, savory flavor that pairs well with your creamy, cheesy gratin.
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
5.0 ⭐️ (20 ratings) | 45 mins
Giving Meatless Mondays a try? Whip up a batch of cauliflower steaks to go with your potato gratin.
Don’t get me wrong, they won’t have the beefy taste of steak. But the blend of smoked paprika, garlic, onion, and chili powder gives the cauliflower a savory flavor that complements the richness of your gratin.
And if you’d like to take things up a notch, you can make an herby sauce like pesto or chimichurri to add extra flavor to your cauliflower steaks.
What readers are saying…
“This was so good! Will definitely be making this again.”
“Since finding this recipe 8 days ago, I have made these steaks 3 times! They are delicious!”
“We LOVE this recipe! It’s our go-to about every 2 weeks. Thank you for keeping it delicious but simple to make.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🔥 Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
⏲ Garlic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
🥵 Spicy Cauliflower Wings
Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant
4.9 ⭐️ (128 ratings) | 38 mins
These baked eggplant rounds are an excellent vegetarian side dish to accompany the potato gratin.
The breadcrumb and parmesan coating adds some crunch to contrast the tender potatoes and also hides the eggplant so picky kids will wolf them down.
Aside from the parmesan coating, the key to preventing the eggplant slices from getting soggy is to draw out as much liquid as you can from them. That’s why salting them and letting them sit before proceeding with the breading portion is a crucial step — don’t skip it!
What readers are saying…
“I made this eggplant recipe for dinner tonight and it was very, very good.”
“This was absolutely delicious. I needed a vegetarian meal that was tasty and filling to help keep me on track for the 2nd day of my diet plan. It was perfect!”
“This was a very delicious easy recipe!! Everyone thought I had fried them 🙂 will definitely do it again!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🔥 Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
⏲ Garlic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
🥵 Spicy Cauliflower Wings
BBQ Seitan Ribs
5.0 ⭐️ (9 ratings) | 25 mins
These Seitan ribs are another must-try if you’re just starting to dip your toes into eating meatless.
Seitan has a delightful meaty texture, so each bite is just as satisfying as the real deal. Plus, the BBQ sauce gives these seitan ribs a smoky savory flavor that’ll make you forget you’re not eating actual meat.
Enjoy these plant-based ribs with your dairy-free potato gratin for a hearty meal that might leave you in need of a nap right after.
What readers are saying…
“Just made these yesterday and BOY were they delicious! So darn easy to make and didn’t take hours to prepare. They were even better today!”
“This recipe was super simple and incredibly delicious! I was super surprised at how good they were. My husband had seconds and he said they were a 10!”
“I made these ‘ribs’ last night, they were sooo delicious and super easy! Easy is important for me…”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Vegetables and Salads
Serving potato gratin as your main dish? Whip up a quick veggie or salad side to add a fresh, crisp bite to your carb-loaded dish! Steamed asparagus spears are an easy option, but I’ve also got more unique dishes you can try.
Shredded Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (5 ratings) | 20 mins
Potato gratin is creamy and indulgent, so it makes sense to serve something a bit lighter on the side.
You’d normally see kale and sprouts roasted or steamed, but did you know you can eat them raw too, like in this salad? They’re dressed with a lemon Dijon vinaigrette, which gives you a lightly tangy, subtly bitter bite that helps cut through the creaminess of the potato gratin wonderfully.
What readers are saying…
“Wonderful salad! Will be making this for future dinners, parties! Love the fresh lemon and kick of Dijon.”
“This has become a favorite in my house. I have a collection of new healthy recipes I’ve tried during the pandemic and I absolutely love this one.”
“Delicious salad! The dressing is fabulous. Thank you for getting me out of my usual salad rut!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🧀 Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad
🍏 Kale Salad with Cranberries, Apples, and Cheddar
❄ Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli Salad
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles
4.4 ⭐️ (130 ratings) | 45 mins
Earthy green vegetables, like asparagus, are excellent accompaniments to a decadent dish like potato gratin.
They bring a refreshing touch of green and have some bite to them. But if you find them boring, why not jazz them up by wrapping them with streaky bacon slices? They add a hint of smokiness that rounds up the whole dish and also pairs nicely with the potato gratin.
Watch out! These bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles are so addictive that you might finish a plate of them by yourself.
What readers are saying…
“The asparagus was perfectly done and the bacon was wonderful. We loved this recipe!!!”
“Best side dish ever!!! This will be on the menu next week for sure!”
“I seriously think there is no better way to enjoy asparagus than with bacon wrapped around it. Delish!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🔥 Grilled Asparagus
🕰 Steamed Asparagus
🌱 Bacon-wrapped Green Bean Bundles
Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms
4.9 ⭐️ (19 ratings) | 55 mins
Looking for a simple but yummy vegetable side for your potato gratin? You can’t go wrong with these roasted mushrooms.
They’re coated in a soy sauce and balsamic vinegar marinade, infusing them with a lightly savory-tangy twist that’ll have your guests coming back for more.
Psst… the marinade works well with other mushrooms, but stick with baby bellas or cremini mushrooms for this recipe.
What readers are saying…
“Holy cow, these are delicious. Thank you for another easy but flavorful idea. My family loves these.”
“I love love love these. I’ve made them a few times, always following the directions exactly.”
“This is a great recipe! I crowded the pan so had to cook them a bit longer.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🔥 Grilled Honey Balsamic Portobellos
🇲🇽 Mushroom “Carnitas”
🥬 Sauteed Spinach and Mushrooms with Garlic
What To Serve With Potato Gratin – 13 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion pan-seared steak
- 1 portion crispy eggplant
- 1 portion honey-glazed ham
- 1 portion bacon-wrapped asparagus
- 1 portion balsamic roasted mushrooms
- 1 portion roasted garlic butter chicken … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your potato gratin according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: pan-seared steak, roasted garlic butter chicken, shredded kale and brussels sprouts salad, beef wellington, cauliflower steak with walnut pesto, bacon-wrapped asparagus, Korean short ribs (kalbi), honey glazed ham, balsamic roasted mushrooms, crispy eggplants, and cajun salmon
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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