Roasted vegetables and garlicky sautéed greens are the best sides for lentils. Their caramelized sweetness and slight bitterness play well with earthy lentils, while simple starches like rice, crusty bread, or mashed potatoes make the meal more filling.
But sometimes it's hard to know which side dishes pair best with them!
10 Ideal Side Dishes to Serve with Lentils
1 - Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins
Made with just a few simple ingredients, these muffins are packed with flavor and have a moist and fluffy texture that is perfect for sopping up all the extra sauce from your lentil dish.
And if you're feeling adventurous, there are plenty of ways to improve this dish and make it even more special.
These muffins are best served warm, straight out of the oven.
But if you want to take things up a notch, try topping each muffin with a dollop of honey butter or cheddar cheese before serving.
You can also jazz up the batter by adding in some shredded cheese or diced bacon before baking.
However you choose to serve them, these jalapeno cornbread muffins are sure to be a hit.
2 - Spicy Mashed Eggplant
This dish is packed with flavor and can be easily customized to suit your taste.
Additionally, it's a great way to use up any eggplant you may have lying around.
Mashed eggplant is typically quite smooth in texture, but if you prefer a chunkier consistency, simply mash the eggplant less.
The dish can also be made as spicy or as mild as you like by adjusting the amount of chili pepper used.
For an extra bit of flavor, try roasting the eggplant before mashing it.
This will give the dish a lovely smoky taste that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Serve mashed eggplant alongside grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal.
It also goes well with rice or quinoa.
For a vegetarian option, serve it with some sauteed greens on the side.
3 - Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Seeds
This dish is packed with flavor and texture, and it's sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
The key to making this dish irresistible is in the roasting.
The Brussels sprouts should be nicely browned and slightly charred around the edges.
This gives them a great deal of flavor that goes well with the sweetness of the pomegranate seeds.
If you've never had roasted Brussels sprouts before, you're in for a real treat.
As for the pomegranate seeds, they add a lovely pop of color and sweetness to the dish.
If you can't find fresh pomegranates, you can use dried ones instead.
Just be sure to soak them in water for a few minutes before adding them to the dish.
This dish is best served warm, but it can also be enjoyed at room temperature.
It's the perfect side dish for a holiday meal or family gathering, but it's also simple enough to make for a weeknight supper.
So what are you waiting for? Give roasted Brussels sprouts with pomegranate seeds a try today.
4 - Sweet Potato Gratin
This dish is all about the sweet potatoes.
They should be the star of the show, with the other ingredients working in harmony to improve them.
The key is to use thin slices of sweet potato, so they cook evenly and quickly.
You also want to make sure they're well seasoned, so they have plenty of flavor.
The other ingredients in this dish are there to go with the sweet potatoes and help them shine.
The creaminess of the Gruyere cheese goes well with the sweetness of the potatoes, while the thyme adds some earthiness.
The breadcrumbs give the gratin a nice crunch, and the butter makes it rich and indulgent.
This dish can easily be made ahead of time, which is always a bonus.
Simply assemble everything except for the breadcrumbs and butter, then cover and refrigerate.
When you're ready to bake, just add those last two ingredients and pop it in the oven.
5 - Caramelized Balsamic Onions
These Caramelized Balsamic Onions are the perfect addition to any dish.
They are sweet and savory, with a deep flavor that is sure to please.
They are also incredibly easy to make.
Simply slice some onions thin, and cook them low and slow in a mixture of balsamic vinegar and sugar.
The result is an irresistible side dish that will improve any meal.
The key to making these onions is to cook them slowly over low heat.
This allows the sugars in the balsamic vinegar to caramelize, and the onions to become nice and soft.
If you cook them too quickly, they will retain their sharpness and will be less flavorful.
So be patient, and let them cook until they are golden brown and absolutely delicious.
These onions are the perfect accompaniment to any number of dishes.
Try them on a grilled steak, in a salad, or even just on their own as a simple side dish.
However you enjoy them, they are sure to add a touch of elegance to your meal.
6 - Winter Fruit Salad
This winter fruit salad is the perfect way to celebrate the season.
The combination of sweet and tart flavors, along with the various textures, makes for a truly unique and delicious dish.
The key to making this dish really stand out is to use fresh, in-season fruits.
The sweetness of the honeycrisp apples goes well with the tartness of the pomegranate seeds, while the cranberries add a lovely pop of color.
And let's not forget the orange segments, which add a beautiful citrusy flavor.
To improve this dish even further, I like to add a few chopped nuts and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
The nuts provide a nice crunch, while the vinegar adds just a touch of acidity.
Trust me, this simple salad is sure to impress.
7 - Braised Red Cabbage
This dish is perfect for winter.
The red cabbage is braised in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and maple syrup, making it the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
The cabbage is also super versatile - you can add in some bacon or sausage for extra flavor, or keep it vegetarian with some roasted Brussels sprouts or carrots.
The texture of the cabbage is soft and slightly wilted, but still has a bit of a bite to it.
The flavors are well-balanced and not too overpowering.
If you want to improve this dish, I would recommend adding in some fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.
You could also top it with a dollop of sour cream or crumbled goat cheese.
This dish can be served as a side or a main course.
It would pair well with roasted chicken or pork chops.
If you're serving it as a side, I would recommend pairing it with something that has a bit of sweetness to offset the acidity from the vinegar.
8 - Kale and Mushroom Sautee
This Kale and Mushroom Sautee is a delicious and healthy side dish that is perfect for any meal.
The kale is cooked to perfection and the mushrooms add a delicious earthy flavor.
This dish is also very easy to make and only takes a few minutes to cook.
The taste of this dish is amazing.
The kale is slightly bitter but also has a sweetness to it from the cooking process.
The mushrooms are earthy and add a great depth of flavor.
The dish is also very simple, which allows the flavors of the kale and mushrooms to really shine through.
This dish can be elevated by adding some protein, such as chicken or tofu.
You could also add some nuts or seeds for an extra crunch.
If you want a bit more of a flavorful punch, you could add some garlic or chili flakes.
Overall, this dish is extremely versatile and can be tailored to your own personal preferences.
9 - Quinoa Pilaf
This quinoa pilaf is a perfect side dish for any meal.
It's packed with flavor and has a great texture.
The quinoa is fluffy and the vegetables are perfectly cooked.
You can also add some protein to this dish by adding cooked chicken or shrimp.
To improve this dish, I suggest adding some fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
You could also top it with a fried egg or some crumbled feta cheese.
This dish is also great as leftovers, so don't hesitate to make a big batch.
10 - Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
There's nothing quite like a classic mashed potato.
And while there are endless ways to improve this dish, we think adding roasted garlic and parmesan takes it to the next level.
The creamy potatoes are packed with flavor and make the perfect side to any meal.
Roasted garlic and parmesan mashed potatoes are hard to beat.
The combination of flavors is simply delicious.
And the texture is creamy and smooth - just how we like our mashed potatoes.
If you're looking for ways to improve this dish, here are a few tips.
First, be sure to use roasted garlic for maximum flavor.
Second, add some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top.
Third, try serving it with a drizzle of olive oil or truffle oil.
All of these things will take your mashed potatoes from good to great.
10 Best Accompaniments for Lentil Dishes
I have provided 10 delicious side dishes that go great with lentils.
Each dish is unique in taste and texture, and improves the humble lentil to a new level.
I hope this blog post has been helpful in deciding what to serve with lentils.
Check out our recipe book for more great ideas on how to cook with lentils.
Let us know what you are making for dinner tonight and tag us on Instagram and Facebook.
Ingredients
Method
- Select your favorite sides from the list above.
- Prepare the side dish according to the recipe instructions.
- If you're short on time, some of these can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Serve and enjoy!
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The Complete Side Dish Guide - your complete resource for this topic.
Browse all side dish pairings →The best sides for Lentils balance its main flavors - think roasted vegetables, a crisp salad, or a starchy base like rice or potatoes. The right pairing enhances the whole meal.
Yes - many great sides for Lentils can be prepped hours in advance. Grain salads, roasted vegetables, and slaws actually improve as they sit and absorb seasoning.
Most roasted and grain-based sides reheat well - store them separately and warm in the oven at low heat with a splash of water or broth to restore moisture.
Yes - cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, roasted asparagus, or a simple green salad are all low-carb options that feel satisfying without the starch.
Carrie is a food writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked for some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Martha Stewart Living.
As the Editor in Chief of EpicureDelight, Carrie oversees all of the content on the site. She also manages the team of contributing writers and editors, who help to create delicious recipes, helpful tips, and informative articles that you’ll find on the site.
A native of the Chicago area, Carrie is passionate about all things food. She loves trying new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She’s also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, so she knows a thing or two about food!
