What to Serve with Rack of Lamb? 10 BEST Side Dishes

One of the most popular dishes served during special occasions, a rack of lamb never ceases to be the showstopper.

It is an elegant, gourmet dish comprising lamb rib seasoned and typically roasted.

It is an expensive cut of meat because it is one of the leanest meats available.

A rack of lamb is rich in proteins, magnesium, iron, and many other healthy nutrients.

However, meat alone isn’t enough to make a complete meal.

So, pairing it with side dishes is essential to enjoy a hearty dinner.

Check out the list of the ten best side dishes we’ve curated if you’re wondering what to serve with a rack of lamb for dinner.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Rack of Lamb?

Most meat dishes, including a rack of lamb, call for sides.

No matter how you cook it, you’d prefer serving side dishes with a rack of lamb to balance its savory flavors.

Your meal will also feel more satiating with a side dish or two.

The second reason is that a rack of lamb lacks some nutrients that make a balanced meal, despite its rich protein content.

Finding a side dish that complements it without fighting its flavors is crucial.

We have a few options for you if you’re unsure what to cook.

What to Serve with Rack of Lamb? 10 BEST Side Dishes

1 – Colcannon

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A rack of lamb is a gorgeous dish.

It calls for decadent, hearty side dishes like colcannon- a traditional Irish dish containing mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage.

Traditionally, colcannon uses only a few ingredients- potatoes, cabbage, butter, and milk.

But modern versions might include leeks, scallions, onions, laverbread, and chives.

This simple dish takes only a few minutes to prepare, but it’s incredibly delicious, especially with a rack of lamb.

The veggies and potatoes in the side dish are filling but light in flavor, so they don’t overwhelm your taste buds.

Serve it with a rack of lamb to enjoy a hearty and filling dinner.

2 – Watercress Yogurt Soup

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Sometimes, you only need a good soup to round up your meal.

In this case, make watercress yogurt soup- you won’t regret it.

It is a fresh, tangy soup that’s also creamy and rich.

Use full-fat yogurt for the best taste.

Other varieties usually have thickeners, which might not mix properly with the rest of the ingredients.

You can serve watercress yogurt soup as a side for a rack of lamb or as an appetizer.

The peppery watercress will enliven the taste buds as your guests wait for the savory main course.

3 – Asparagus Risotto

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Need something filling to satiate your hungry folks? Try asparagus risotto.

Risotto pairs beautifully with any meat, including lamb.

And there’s no need to mention what asparagus can bring to the table.

To make the best risotto, add the broth or water to it slowly as you stir continuously.

You can add parmesan to make it extra decadent.

Asparagus risotto is another awesome dish that balances the lamb meat’s flavors without canceling its flavors.

4 – Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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Rack of lamb and creamy mashed sweet potatoes are an excellent combo because their flavors complement each other very well.

Sweet potatoes are sweet and rich yet not too strong to fight with the main course’s flavors.

To make this side dish, dice some peeled sweet potatoes into cubes and boil them in water until soft.

Drain the water and mash the potatoes with salt, pepper, and butter.

You can mix it with sour cream, cream cheese, and brown sugar or maple syrup to use it as a topping for the rack of lamb.

However, it’s better to eat it separately if you want to place a side dish alongside your main course.

5 – Potato Leek Gratin

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Potatoes are the main ingredient in the best side dishes for meat-based main courses.

So, it’s a given that your rack of lamb will taste impeccable with potato leek gratin on the side.

Best for a cold evening, potato leek gratin contains sweet and fresh leeks slathered in Gruyere or Swiss cheese.

The other ingredients include potatoes, unsalted butter, black pepper, and salt.

Since the ingredients are quick to assemble and easy to make, you needn’t worry about whipping up an unforgettable side dish in an hour.

Note: This side dish is best served immediately. Or you can par-bake it.

Cover and bake the dish for about 30 minutes, and you can refrigerate it for up to 2 days until you bake it for another 15 minutes and serve.

6 – Moroccan Couscous

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A rack of lamb is a go-to dish for special occasions and holidays.

So why not serve something equally special on the side?

Moroccan couscous is a versatile side dish.

So you can serve it with almost anything, including a rack of lamb.

Couscous takes only a few minutes to cook, so it is an ideal side when you don’t have enough time to spend in the kitchen.

You only need a few ingredients- couscous, parsley, lemon, golden raisins, cumin, shallots, and pine nuts.

7 – Fluffy Carrot Soufflé

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Although it sounds sophisticated, carrot soufflé isn’t hard to make.

You don’t have to beat the egg whites separately for this dish like other soufflés.

Serve your fluffy carrot soufflé hot and fresh when it’s still puffy and airy.

Since it is sweet, you can serve it as a unique side or a dessert.

This side dish requires about 90 minutes of cooking time, so you can start cooking accordingly.

You’ll need carrots, butter, eggs, baking powder, flour, cinnamon, and sugar.

Your guests will be surprised at this tasty and unique side dish when you serve it with a rack of lamb.

8 – Apple and Pomegranate Salad

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Enjoy the vibrant colors of the fall on your plate as you serve apple and pomegranate salad to go with a rack of lamb.

What could be more luxurious than this combination? Also, you only need less than fifteen minutes to prepare this salad.

Toast slivered almonds and mix them with arugula, pomegranate seeds, and apples, and you already have an irresistible plate.

But the magic is in the dressing- a simple mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.

Apple and pomegranate salad is an excellent side dish for a rack of lamb because it adds a lot of freshness to the meal.

9 – Fig Crostini

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Figs have a sweet, earthy flavor that dances with the lamb meat’s umami flavors.

They are a heaven-made match.

Prepare everyone’s palates for a rack of lamb by offering a fig crostini when you host a dinner party.

You’ll get unending compliments.

This easy side dish is quick to make and needs only simple ingredients, like fresh figs, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, black pepper, olive oil, and blue cheese or goat cheese (optional).

Note: Use only good-quality vinegar for this dish if you want the best flavors.

10 – Lemon Dill Rice

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Last but not least, another fantastic side dish for a rack of lamb is lemon dill rice.

Lamb and rice is never an odd combination, so you can serve this side dish if you want a foolproof dish that everyone will like.

It contains Mediterranean ingredients that perfectly work together to create a decadent dish.

We bet you’ll make this your go-to side dish for a rack of lamb once you try it.

Plain rice tastes great, too, but why stop there when you can create something memorable by just adding a few more staple ingredients?

Conclusion

Serving a side dish with a rack of lamb is essential if you want to enjoy a complete meal.

Although the meat is delicious, it won’t give you a satisfying meal on its own.

Finding a side dish that doesn’t overpower the meat’s flavors is essential.

Add some refreshing elements to cleanse your palate between savory bites.

Hopefully, the sides we’ve presented in this article will help you decide what to serve with your rack of lamb.