What to Serve with Foie Gras: 11 Sides You’ll Love

Are you looking for the perfect side dish to serve with foie gras? My guess is yes, since you’re reading this blog post. Don’t worry, I’m here to help.

As a young girl, I was always fascinated by food.

I loved to watch cooking shows and experiment in the kitchen with my mom. My favorite dish was always foie gras. I loved the richness of its flavor and the silky texture. However, I never really knew how to pair it properly.

My mother always told me that the key to cooking foie gras is to find the perfect side dish. Foie gras is a very rich and fatty food, so it needs to be balanced with something light and acidic.

After years of experimentation, I’ve finally found the perfect side dishes for foie gras.

Here are my top 11 favorite side dishes to serve with foie gras:

Sides for Foie Gras:

1. Light Green Salad
2. Quail Eggs on Toast
3. Brioche
4. Broccoli Rabe with Garlic & Chilies
5. Spinach with Garlic & Pine Nuts
6. Gingerbread Toast
7. Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Onions
8. Mango Chutney
9. Roast Cauliflower with Chili Paste
10. Soft White Wine
11. Champagne

Light Green Salad

Everything starts with a light and refreshing green salad. I love to use mesclun greens or arugula in my salad. For the dressing, I usually go with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can add some fresh fruits or nuts to the salad. I like to add pears, apples, or grapes. For a more savory salad, I’ll add crumbled blue cheese or shaved Parmesan cheese.

Quail Eggs on Toast

This is a simple but elegant dish that is perfect for foie gras. I like to use good quality brioche or challah bread for the toast.

To make the quail eggs, simply fry them sunny-side up in a little bit of butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place the eggs on top of the toast and garnish with chives or parsley.

Brioche

I started experimenting with brioche when I was working in a French restaurant. Brioche is a rich buttery bread that pairs perfectly with foie gras.

For free, I’ll tell you that brioche was the most ordered side dish for foie gras. What’s not to love about a warm and fluffy piece of bread?

To make brioche, simply follow any recipe for French brioche or challah bread. I also noticed that customers like it served sliced and toasted with a little bit of butter.

If you want to go all out, brioche French toast is a great option. It’s delicious!

Broccoli Rabe with Garlic & Chilies

A friend of mine introduced me to this dish and I’m so glad she did. It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

The bitterness of the broccoli rabe is offset by the sweetness of the garlic and the heat of the chilies. The foie gras complements all of these flavors perfectly.

This dish is suitable for vegans, simply omit the foie gras. So, it helps you make an all-inclusive dish – so that everyone at the table can enjoy it.

Spinach with Garlic & Pine Nuts

I struggled with this dish at first, but once I got it right, it quickly became one of my favorites.

The key is to use fresh spinach and blanch it in boiling water for just a few seconds. This will help to retain the vibrant green color. Then, saute the garlic and pine nuts in a little bit of olive oil until they are fragrant. Add the spinach and cook until just wilted.

This dish works well because the spinach is a good counterbalance to the richness of the foie gras.

Gingerbread Toast

This dish is inspired by one of my favorite childhood memories – making gingerbread houses with my mom.

I like to use store-bought gingerbread for this dish because it’s easier and less messy. But, if you want to make your own gingerbread, that’s fine too.

Toast the gingerbread and top it with foie gras. I like to use a mousse or pate for this dish. Then, garnish with candied ginger or a small piece of crystallized ginger.

Certainly, you’ll love gingerbread because it’s so delicious. In addition to that, it’s a great way to use up leftover gingerbread.

Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Onions

I’m sure you’ve had mashed potatoes before, but have you had them with roasted onions?

If not, you’re in for a treat. I will never get used to how the sweetness of the caramelized onions pairs perfectly with the richness of the foie gras. It’s almost as if they were made for each other.

To make this dish, simply roast some onions in the oven until they are caramelized. Then, add them to your mashed potatoes. I like to use Yukon Gold potatoes because they have a creamy texture.

If you want to get really fancy, you can top the dish with a layer of foie gras and some chopped chives.

Mango Chutney

If you don’t like sweet dishes, then this one is not for you. However, if you enjoy a little bit of sweetness with your savory dishes, then this mango chutney is perfect.

The thing about mango chutney is that it pairs well with so many different dishes. I’ve tried it with chicken, pork, and lamb – and it always works.

So, if you’re looking for a versatile side dish to serve with foie gras, then this is it. Mango chutney is also easy to make. Simply follow any recipe for mango chutney.

Roast Cauliflower with Chili Paste

Oh my! This dish is so good, I can’t even begin to describe it.

The cauliflower is roasted in the oven until it’s nice and crispy. Then, it’s tossed with chili paste. I like to use Korean chili paste, but you can use any type of chili paste that you like.

This dish has a little bit of everything – sweetness, spiciness, creaminess, and crunchiness. And, of course, the foie gras ties it all together.

Soft White Wine

You can’t go wrong with a good glass of soft white wine.

A good soft white wine is the perfect accompaniment to any of the dishes listed above. It’s light and refreshing, and it doesn’t overpower the flavors of the food.

I like to serve a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio with my foie gras. But, really, any type of soft white wine will do. When in doubt, ask your local wine expert for a recommendation.

There is something about the luscious taste of white wine that communicates sophistication. It is the perfect drink to serve with foie gras. It won’t overwhelm the dish, rather, it will elevate it.

Champagne

What can I say to convince you that Champagne is an absolutely amazing drink to serve with foie gras?

I suppose I could tell you that the bubbles help to cleanse your palate. Or, I could tell you that the acidity in Champagne cuts through the richness of the foie gras. But, really, all you need to know is that Champagne just tastes good.

You may also serve Champagne with a slice of lemon or a dash of bitters if you want to add a bit of wonder to it. But, honestly, it’s not necessary. The Champagne will be delicious on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cheese goes well with foie gras?

There are many types of cheese that go well with foie gras. Some of my favorites include; brie, camembert, blue cheese and goat cheese.

What fruit goes well with foie gras?

Fruit is a great way to add a touch of sweetness to your dish. Some of my favorite fruits to pair with foie gras include; apples, pears, figs, and grapes.

Is foie gras a main dish?

Foie gras is not widely considered a main dish. It is typically served as an appetizer or first course. However, there are some people who enjoy it so much that they make it their main meal. I know I do!

Conclusion

There is nothing quite as luxurious as a perfectly cooked slice of foie gras. This fatty liver pate has been enjoyed by the wealthy and elite for centuries, and it’s easy to see why!

Foie gras is delicate, delicious, and perfect for any occasion.  Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to treat yourself, foie gras is the way to go.

And, now that you know what to serve with foie gras, you can be sure that your meal will be perfect. So, what are you waiting for? Go out and get some foie gras!