What to Serve with Pork Chops and Rice? 10 BEST Side Dishes

If you haven’t yet tasted the flavorful pork chops and rice combination, we’re here to tell you that it’s the ultimate insanely tasty duo that would make the best out of any occasion.

Pork chops are the ultimate cut; if prepared correctly, they can be a part of your healthy diet.

You get rich health benefits since it’s lean, minorly processed, and high in protein.

Indeed pork chops and rice are commonly served alone, but if you’re wondering what side dishes go well with pork chops and rice, we’re here to help.

Since they’re highly versatile, pairing them is easier than you think.

Without delay, here’s our list of the ten best side dishes that will truly complement the delectable pork chops and rice.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Pork Chops and Rice?

As we’ve mentioned earlier, pork chops and rice is quickly served alone, but the outcome of having side dishes around is always favored.

And let’s admit, pork chops and rice alone can be pretty bland and dry as a meal, no matter how well you cook it.

Since they are mild-flavored, balancing the taste profile with the right sides will bring an entirely new delicious experience.

What we’re looking for is nothing fancy but a suitable side dish that will make your meal more exciting and enhance the taste profile of the duo to the max.

What to Serve with Pork Chops and Rice? 10 BEST Side Dishes

1 – Glazed Roasted carrots

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Carrots are packed with great nutrients for your body and they blend well with any heavy meal if cooked the right way.

We all know roasting them brings out the natural sweetness, but have you tried glazing them? The secret is to glaze the carrots before tossing them in the oven for the best sugary but healthy experience.

We’ll go for the simplest recipe which is giving them the glaze with ingredients such as honey, butter or brown sugar and finishing it off with a touch of salt and pepper.

A pinch of olive oil for enhancing the flavor and you now have a healthy side dish that takes only a couple of minutes to prepare and is wholesomely served with pork chops and rice.

2 – Pecan Apple Salad

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We understand that pork chops and rice can get quite heavy sometimes, so adding fresh leafy greens and fruits will lighten up the experience.

Not only do they add more health benefits since they are rich in plenty of vitamins and antioxidants, but a simple pecan apple salad is packed with flavors and gracefully enhances the duo’s taste.

For this salad all you need is fresh apples, candied pecans, preferred type of cheese, leafy green of your choice, and salad dressing to blend it all—a sweet touch to your already flavorful pork chops and rice combo.

3 – French Onion Soup

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Anyone would think that the French onion soup may overpower the taste of your pork chops and rice.

But believe it or not, the onion soup complements the powerful duo elegantly.

Don’t forget to include the croutons that you would typically add in a French onion soup, and you’re good to go.

Nevertheless, pairing the two might get too heavy for some people since the soup’s base is meat stock, bread, and caramelized onion.

But if you desire a filling and hearty meal, the soup is packed with intense flavor, add that balance, and complements the pork chops and rice well.

4 – Deviled Eggs

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If you want a quick side dish that is easy to make, served cold, and doesn’t need a lot of ingredients, deviled eggs should be on top of your list.

With more than 12 essential vitamins and minerals, eggs are one of the healthiest and most versatile side dishes you can pair with pork chops and rice.

Not only will it make it more filling, but it will also bring that tangy and creamy addition to the entire entree.

Ten to twelve minutes is all you need to prepare and serve them together on any occasion.

5 – Garlicky Mushrooms

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Are there any side dishes popularly served with pork chops and rice other than garlic mushrooms?

The entire dish is made with ingredients that greatly benefit our overall health, and we love how well it complements the flavors of the entree.

If you have any button mushrooms lying around, let the chef in you start preparing the butter garlic sauce to sauté them in quickly.

This recipe is easy to make and will get all the attention it deserves.

6 – Basic Pesto Sauce

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We take inspiration from the Italians and pair this pesto sauce with our favorite pork chops and rice duo.

The combination is heavenly.

Pesto sauce adds that perfect taste and lightness to your rich-flavored entree, making it the best side dish to consider serving.

It is one of the easiest recipes, and you do not need daring ingredients to make it taste incredibly delicious.

Even if you’re health conscious, the ingredients used in making this sauce come with plenty of health benefits, so there are no restrictions when adding it to your pork chops and rice.

7 – Alabama BBQ White Sauce

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Another great addition to sauces served with pork chops and rice is the BBQ white sauce straight from Alabama.

If you’re not a fan of the garlicky taste of pesto sauce, try this one instead.

Although it doesn’t have the same health benefits, it sure enhances every bit of the pork chops and rice flavor.

It’s tangy, smoky, and extremely creamy.

And the best part is it is super easy to make since you only need regular ingredients.

Serve it on the side and let the compliments roll in.

8 – Potato Creamy Salad

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Enriched with Vitamin C, starch, and plenty of various minerals, vitamins, and fiber, potato salad recipes are the ultimate side dish that pairs well with any entree.

Despite sounding heavy as a side dish for pork chops and rice, since potato creamy salad’s base is mayo and potato, it’s incredibly light.

It also complements the richness of the flavorful duo splendidly.

But if you want it whipped up quickly for an occasion, prepare it in advance since they take more time than most side dishes.

9 – Veggie Au Gratin

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Any great Au gratin as a side dish is automatically a crowd-pleaser in our book, but veggie au gratin brings the heat with its blend of flavors.

Not only do you get the full health benefits of the different veggies, but it also gives the pork chops and rice a refreshing meaning.

You can use thinly sliced veggies rich in various vitamins, like carrots, leeks, peas, mushrooms, potatoes, etc., as base ingredients.

A secret to a fantastic veggie au gratin is adding specific herbs to enhance the aromatics.

Serve it with pork chops and rice on any occasion, and experience the godly flavor combination.

10 – Honey Glazed Brussels Sprouts

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The earthy and sweet flavor of Brussels sprouts and the sweetness of the honey is another wholesome choice for a side dish that pairs well with pork chops and rice.

Not only are Brussels sprouts enriched with cancer-fighting properties and boosts immunity, but they also taste exceptional when cooked using the right recipe.

Roasting and glazing them with honey along with other ingredients will bring a sweet-tasting side dish, on the lighter side that complements the rich flavor of the pork chops and rice.

Conclusion

Even though pork chops and rice may be pretty versatile, finding the right side dish that pairs exceptionally well gets tricky.

Since some side dishes may get too heavy for the entree or overpower the entire flavor, carefully picking the right one complements and enhances the whole eating experience.

This article is your answer if you need help deciding what side dishes to serve with your pork chops and rice for a hearty dinner or an event.

Try our list of the ten best side dishes that will quickly make your plate the life of the party.