What to Serve with Jerk Pork? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Jerk pork is a delicious Jamaican dish that follows the ‘jerk’ cooking style.

It’s a dish where you dry-rub or wet-marinate the meat with a hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice.

The dish has gained plenty of attention in recent times as the West Indian diaspora continues to spread across Europe and North America.

Jerk pork is a dish you can enjoy on its own or with other items.

So, what to serve with jerk pork? If you’re also interested in learning a few facts, stay on and continue.

We will find out together and see what you can have alongside jerk pork.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Jerk Pork?

Jerk pork is one of those dishes that you can’t stop eating because it’s wonderfully delicious.

But as with all other meat dishes, you can’t go over the top, or it can cause issues.

So, you need side dishes that will bring a balance and offer you fulfillment.

They will also cleanse your palate and not make you feel overloaded.

Jerk pork is also a dish that complements a lot of other items.

So, when including it on a menu for dinner, picnics, or BBQs, having side dishes will be quite handy.

What to Serve with Jerk Pork? 7 BEST Side Dishes

There are multiple things you can serve with jerk pork, but we will describe only the seven best so here goes.

1 – Rice and Peas

It isn’t just delicious and hearty, but it’s a classic Jamaican dish and so how can we not include it to pair with jerk pork?

Though called rice and peas, the dish actually has kidney beans and rice.

The combo is delicious, and you won’t regret adding it to your menu.

Other ingredients include coconut milk, bonnet chili, salt and pepper, garlic, allspice, onion, thyme, and vegetable oil.

Besides, combined, they contain all nine essential amino acids, so you get a sufficient amount of protein.

Serve and enjoy with the pork.

2 – Plantain Chips

Plantain is a staple in the Caribbean and tropical countries, and the chips are a delicacy in most places.

They also team up nicely with jerk pork, so why shouldn’t we include the dish here?

They look like bananas, but plantains are different except for their appearance.

They’re starchier and less sweet than bananas and taste pretty awful raw.

But when cooked, they produce wonderful flavors.

Plantain chips are easy to make, and you don’t need numerous ingredients to make them.

It takes just about fifteen minutes and four ingredients to make the chips.

You need plantains, salt, turmeric, and coconut oil.

If you have, use an air fryer to do the task quickly.

3 – Potato Salad

A side dish list can’t be complete without adding one potato dish.

There are several to choose from, but potato salad may be the perfect partner for jerk pork.

However, not all varieties are suitable for salads.

Some specific types are perfect for the dish.

Red, fingerling, and new potatoes keep their shapes when cooked, making them perfect for potato salads.

If these three aren’t available, you could make them with all-purpose Yukon Gold too.

Apart from potatoes, you will also need bell pepper, Dijon mustard, fresh pepper, salt, scallions, red onions, reduced-fat mayo, red wine vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil.

4 – Mango Salsa

Jerk pork is rich and filling; a fresh, sweet, and tangy dish can balance your palate nicely.

We added mango salsa because it’s simple to make and delicious, of course.

When you eat the foods together, you will enjoy how the salsa refreshes your palate, making you want to dive into the pork even more.

Don’t stress too much because you need just five ingredients and ten minutes to make mango salsa.

You need fresh ripe mangoes, jalapenos, cilantro, lime juice, and red onion.

Simply chop the ingredients, add lime juice and mix and you will have a bowl of fresh, sweet, spicy, and tangy salsa to go with jerk pork.

5 – Coleslaw

A fresh salad and jerk pork combo? Definitely yes.

On the one hand, you have juicy, tender, and slightly charred pork, and on the other, you have a fresh, creamy, sweet, and sour salad.

Eat them together, and your palate won’t feel overwhelmed.

Instead, you get to experience multiple flavors and textures all at once.

Coleslaw is a popular salad with many variations.

However, cabbage is the base ingredient and has remained consistent since the beginning.

You can also add plenty of other veggies and herbs and even fruits.

Vinaigrette or mayonnaise are the two dressings that people use in the salad.

You can add either one, depending on your preference.

6 – Grilled Asparagus

It may be a pretty simple dish, but grilled asparagus tastes delicious, and it pairs well with jerk pork.

The earthy flavor of the asparagus and the juicy and smoky taste of the pork combine exceptionally well.

It allows you to savor each item without either one taking over the other.

You can make the dish with just the veggie, salt, pepper, and a little olive oil.

It will take just about 15 minutes to prep and cook the asparagus.

Once done, you will have asparagus that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, which will be perfect to have with jerk pork.

7 – Grilled Corn on the Cob

Corn is such a versatile dish that you can have it with almost anything.

Grilled corn on the cob is delicious food that pairs perfectly with jerk pork.

Corn is also a favorite of summertime cookouts, so it means that everyone from young to old loves it.

When you serve it alongside jerk pork, your guests will rush to enjoy the pretty combo.

You can make a simple recipe with just butter and salt or enhance the flavors by adding sriracha, red pepper flakes, lime juice, sweet chili sauce, garlic, cilantro, and black pepper.

Whichever variation you make, it will complement jerk pork, and you will have a complete meal.

Conclusion

Your jerk pork now has seven accompaniments, each of which is incredible.

Be sure to see your guests beam with pleasure when they see the food you serve.

If jerk pork is a regular part of your menu, you may need some more dishes like Lime rice, Jamaican-style greens, homemade apple sauce, peach and tomato salad, roasted potatoes, collard greens, grilled sweet potatoes, garlic bread, sauteed green beans.