What to Serve with Runzas? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Did you know runzas are a Nebraska thing? That’s right, these meat-filled goodies aren’t just a meal; they’re a state treasure. Finding the right side to complement them can feel like strategizing for mealtime victory.

Our evenings flipping burgers and crafting sides have given us a hint or two about what sings harmony to a runza’s melody. It’s not just about filling the plate; it’s about creating a chorus of flavors that elevate the main act.

We’ve learned a few things. A side dish can make or break a meal. We’ve faced the disappointment of a bland potato salad and the triumph of the perfect crispy fry. Our mission? To guide you through pairing your runzas with the best of the best.

Join us and avoid the pitfall of a forgettable meal.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Runzas?

Runza recipes use yeast-leavened dough with a pocket stuffed with your favorite filling.

Common filling options include minced meat, cabbage, onions, and seasonings.

You can probably guess what it will taste like.

Yes, runzas taste savory, so you need side dishes with refreshing flavors to keep your eating experience as fun as possible.

So, what can you serve with the fun-shaped meaty bread? Read on, and you might even discover some favorites below.

What to Serve with Runzas? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Want to go beyond serving just ketchup and fries with runzas? You’ll find what you need a scroll away.

1 – Pumpkin Soup

If comforting food is on your list of must-try food, you might not want to skip on the pumpkin soup.

Its delicious bright color and sweet taste keep you wanting more of it.

Once you serve it at dinner, you’ll find how it works to attract guests to the soup.

Even people you never knew liked vegetables would find themselves oddly attached to the pumpkin soup.

So, how will it taste when paired with runzas?

Let’s keep in mind that bread goes well with any soup.

Also, meat pairs well with vegetables, so now nothing is stopping the two from being the ultimate dish pair.

2 – Greek Feta Salad

What’s special about this salad? It consists of healthy vegetables, Mediterranean ingredients, and our most-loved salad topping, feta cheese.

Adding olives to the salad makes it so much better and healthier.

You’ll love how it changes the way you look at salads.

The Greek feta salad is a refreshing option to have after each bite of the savory runzas.

It is colorful and has a lot of different ingredients with contrasting flavors that taste incredible when mixed.

You cannot ask for anything more but rely on the Greek salad to give you all the nutrition you need in a day.

3 – Butter Gnocchi

You’ll need to cheat on your diet plan for this one because the butter gnocchi won’t be merciful to you regarding healthy eating.

Packed with butter, cheese, and heavy cream, you cannot expect to get a completely healthy meal out of this.

But guess what? Butter gnocchi is incredibly delicious.

Gnocchi is a type of miniature pasta and works best in recipes that call for something more carb-rich.

You’ll have to serve the gnocchi and see how your guests try to resist the lovely smell of cooked butter.

Just remember to drizzle some fresh lemon juice before serving to get everything put together.

4 – Creamy Potato Salad

Now, who would want to skip on potatoes while preparing a side dish? Make yourself a creamy potato salad to blend all the flavors of meat and vegetables.

Onions, bell peppers, and fresh herbs complement ingredients that make a potato salad even tastier.

You’ll have to use mayonnaise to bring all the salad ingredients together.

Potatoes are rich in carbs and fiber, so it is one of the most accessible and significant food items you shouldn’t avoid eating.

A potato salad contains a rich mixture of nutrients that you need daily.

It also tastes good enough to make every meal better than it would otherwise be.

5 – Guacamole

If it’s an avocado season, you should make some guacamole to pair with the runzas.

But give it an herby twist to give it a more ethnic taste.

Since guacamole originated in Mexico and Mexicans love their cilantro to envelop their salads, you can do the same and serve herby guacamole.

Mashing the avocadoes will give it a more dipping sauce-like texture, while cutting them into small chunks will make it more like a salad.

You can think about how you want your meal to be eaten and prepare it accordingly.

Remember to add a nice amount of chopped cilantro and make your guacamole as fresh as possible.

6 – Potato Soup

We can never run out of recipes to make with potatoes; they save us in every pinch of meal prep we are in.

So, a potato soup is a must-try if you haven’t tried it yet, and it has a comforting home-like taste that soothes you throughout your meal.

And what’s more? It features your most-loved vegetable as the star ingredient; you’ll find your dinner guests slurping the soup uncontrollably.

The best way to make a potato soup is to use an instant pot.

Fill the pit with chopped potatoes, cheddar cheese, cream, and fresh herbs, or even add some bacon if you want some meat.

7 – Summer Salad

Don’t let the word ‘salad’ bore you.

Summer salad is a total game-changer when it comes to salads, and it’s a dish where you can be free and add all your favorite ingredients.

Use any juicy and refreshing summer fruits, and you can make a summer salad.

The whole point of serving a summer salad is to keep your palate refreshed as you bite into the savory and meat-filled runzas.

Top your salad with a drizzle of fresh lemon juice and olive oil, or add shredded feta cheese.

You will love how quickly a summer salad freshens you up and cools you off from the flavors of the runzas.

Conclusion

We added a lot of salads to keep you refreshed throughout your meal.

That way, you can proceed with eating the runzas without being stuck with one flavor.

But we’ve also been fair to those that love cheesy and creamy food with meat.

Whatever side dish it is you choose to serve with the runzas, just keep everything balanced so that everyone enjoys their meal.

Once you do that, nothing stops you from enjoying every meal prep process.