33 Delicious Side Dishes for Soup Besides Bread
I was sitting at home, scrolling through my Facebook feed when I saw a post from my cousin. She was asking for recommendations for side dishes to serve with soup. As I read through the responses, I realized that I had made the same mistake a few weeks ago!
I had served bread as the only side dish with my soup and it was so bland. The bread was soggy and the soup got cold quickly. So, I knew I needed to find a better solution.
I know, you’re probably skeptical. Right?
Because when most persons are having a bowl of soup, what’s the first thing that comes to their mind?
Bread!
It’s a natural pairing and it’s what many people automatically think of. However, there are plenty of other side dishes that can be even more delicious and complement your soup perfectly.
After doing some research, I found a few delicious side dishes that are perfect for soupy weather! Here are my top picks:
Side Dishes for Soup Besides Bread
- French fries
- Couscous
- Quesadillas
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Yellow Squash Casserole
- Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Roasted Potatoes with Bacon & Brussels Sprouts
- Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
- Roasted Beet Fries
- Instant Pot Steamed Green Beans
- Zucchini Fritters
- Baked Potato Chips
- Hashbrown Casserole
- Ranch Potato Salad
- Butter-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Tomato and Feta White Bean Salad
- Spaghetti Squash with Ricotta, Sage, and Pine Nuts
- Cheesy Cauliflower “Breadsticks”
- Garlicky Red Potatoes
- Parmesan Herbed Noodles
- Avocado Salad
- Snow Peas With Butter and Lemon
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Shrimp Avocado Salad
- Wilted Spinach Salad With Bacon Bits
- Broccoli Salad
- Fried rice
- Potato Wedges
- Roasted Veggies
- Pear Salad With Walnuts
- Fruit Salad
- A Cheese Plate
French fries
When it comes to French fries as a side dish, I like to think of myself as an expert. After all, I have been eating them my whole life. And in that time, I have come to learn a thing or two about why they make such a great side dish for soup.
First of all, they are extremely versatile. You can season them however you like, and they go well with almost any type of soup. Second of all, they are easy to prepare. All you need is a little oil and some salt, and you’re good to go.
Finally, they are just plain delicious. There is something about the salty, crispy goodness of French fries that makes them the perfect complement to a bowl of soup.
Couscous
Next up is this light, fluffy grain that is popular in many Middle Eastern and North African cuisines. Yes, that’s right, couscous makes a great side dish for soup as It absorbs the flavors of the soup without overpowering it.
Plus it is also extremely easy to prepare. All you need to do is add water and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, fluff it with a fork and add your favorite seasonings.
Quesadillas
Now, for some this may seem like an odd choice for a side dish, but trust me, it works. The combination of the crispy tortilla and the gooey cheese is the perfect complement to a bowl of soup.
Plus, you can add any number of toppings to customize it to your liking.
To prepare, simply place a tortilla in a hot skillet and add your favorite cheese. Once the cheese is melted, fold the tortilla in half and cook until crispy.
Sweet Potato Fries
Next on our list is another fried favorite, sweet potato fries. These are a great alternative to regular french fries if you’re looking for something a little healthier.
They are also just as easy to prepare, and just as delicious. Simply season them with your favorite spices and fry them in a little oil until crispy.
The way I see it, you can’t go wrong with this delicious side dish for your sizzling soup.
Yellow Squash Casserole
Let’s keep the ball or should I say bowl rolling with yellow squash casserole. It makes a great side for soup because it is savory, cheesy, and oh so satisfying.
This casserole is packed with flavor, yet it’s still light enough to complement your soup.
To prepare, simply cook your squash in boiling water until tender. Then, mix it with some shredded cheese, egg, bread crumbs, and your favorite seasonings. Bake it in the oven until golden brown and bubbly.
Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
Did I hear someone ask about bacon? Well, you can relax because this spinach salad with hot bacon dressing as a side dish for your soup is sure to satisfy.
The key to this salad is in the dressing. It’s made with bacon grease, vinegar, sugar, and a little bit of salt.
To prepare, simply cook your bacon and then whisk all of the ingredients together. Pour it over a bed of fresh spinach and top with crumbled bacon.
Kale Caesar Salad
Next up is a healthier take on a classic Caesar salad. This kale caesar salad is the perfect way to get your greens in while still enjoying a delicious side dish for your soup.
To prepare, simply massage some kale with a little bit of olive oil and then toss it with your favorite Caesar dressing. Top it with croutons and Parmesan cheese, and you’re good to go.
Roasted Potatoes with Bacon & Brussels Sprouts
Here is another great side dish for the self-confessed bacon-holics. Roasted Potatoes with Bacon & Brussels Sprouts is a delicious, hearty dish that is sure to fill you up and add contrasting textures to your soup.
Plus, it’s super super easy to prepare. Simply toss some potatoes and Brussels sprouts with olive oil and bacon grease. Then, roast them in the oven until crispy. Top with crumbled bacon and a little bit of salt, and you’re all set.
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Yet another of my favorite side dish is Crab stuffed mushrooms. On those crabby days, this is the perfect way to get your fix.
The combination of the succulent crab meat and the earthy mushrooms makes for a heavenly side dish.
To prepare, simply remove the stems from the mushrooms and then stuff them with a mixture of crab meat, bread crumbs, and your favorite seasonings. Bake them in the oven until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden brown.
Roasted Beet Fries
Can you feel the beat? Nevertheless, these roasted beet fries are sure to make your tummy dance to its rhythm. They make such a wonderful side dish for soup, as they are earthy, sweet, and slightly salty.
To prepare, simply toss some beets with olive oil and your favorite seasonings. Then, roast them in the oven until tender. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Instant Pot Steamed Green Beans
Next on our list is some tasty instant pot green beans. These beans make a great side dish for soup because they are healthy, flavorful, and can be prepared in a snap.
To prepare, simply add some green beans to your instant pot with a little bit of water. Cook on high pressure for two minutes. Then, release the pressure and drain the beans. Toss with a little bit of olive oil and your favorite seasonings.
Zucchini Fritters
I’ll just confess that I’m a sucker for a good fritter and the first time I tasted zucchini fritters, I knew I was in love. They go so well as a side dish for soup because they are crispy, salty, and just all-around delicious.
To prepare, simply mix together some grated zucchini, egg, flour, and your favorite seasonings. Then, fry them up in a hot pan with some oil.
Baked Potato Chips
Next, are these delicious baked potato chips. They make the perfect side dish for soup because they are crispy and full of flavor.
To prepare, simply slice some potatoes thin, and toss them with olive oil and your favorite seasonings. Then, bake them in a hot oven until golden and crispy.
Hashbrown Casserole
Following right after is a scrumptious hash-brown casserole. This makes a perfect side dish for soup because it is warm, cheesy, and oh so delicious.
To prepare, simply mix together some frozen hash browns, cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese, and your favorite seasonings. Then, bake it in the oven until hot and bubbly.
Ranch Potato Salad
Might as well continue on the potato spree with ranch potato salad being a top contender. This creamy, dreamy dish makes for an excellent side dish for soup because it is cooling and full of flavor.
To prepare, simply mix together some diced potatoes, ranch dressing, and your favorite seasonings. Then, refrigerate for an hour or so to allow the flavors to meld.
Butter-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
As we continue our list, we have these butter-roasted sweet potatoes. They make a lovely side dish for soup because they are sweet and savory, and just all-out delicious.
To prepare, simply toss some sweet potatoes with butter and your favorite seasonings. Then, roast them in the oven until they are tender and caramelized.
Tomato and Feta White Bean Salad
Yet another contender is this tomato and feta white bean salad. This is a great side dish for soup because it is light, fresh, and full of flavor.
To prepare, simply mix together some canned white beans, diced tomatoes, feta cheese, and your favorite seasonings. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Spaghetti Squash with Ricotta, Sage, and Pine Nuts
Now here is a side dish that is on the fancier end of the spectrum. This spaghetti squash with ricotta, sage, and pine nuts makes a wonderful side dish for soup because it is hearty, filling, and just elegantly delicious.
To prepare, simply cook some spaghetti squash in the oven or microwave. Then, mix it together with ricotta cheese, sage leaves, and pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cheesy Cauliflower “Breadsticks”
Next is one of my all-time favs. I like to think of it as guilt-free breadsticks, though they arent’ actually breadsticks. These cheesy cauliflower “breadsticks” make a fabulous side dish for soup because they are low-carb, cheesy, and offer that all-important crunch.
To prepare, simply mix together some grated cauliflower, egg, Parmesan cheese, and your favorite seasonings. Then, bake in the oven until golden and have the perfect crunch.
Garlicky Red Potatoes
Let’s move on to another sure treat. Garlicky red potatoes are just that, garlicky!
As a garlic lover myself, I can attest to the fact that these make an excellent side dish for soup because they are flavorful and offer a bit of texture.
To prepare, simply boil some diced red potatoes until tender. Then, toss with garlic, butter, and your favorite seasonings. Serve warm.
Parmesan Herbed Noodles
Here come parmesan herbed noodles. This cheese, herby delight makes a great side dish for soup because it is flavor-packed and filling.
To prepare, simply cook some noodles of your choice according to the package directions. Drain, and then mix with Parmesan cheese, butter, and your favorite herbs. Season to your liking with salt and pepper.
Avocado Salad
You guessed it, avocado makes an appearance on this list. This time in the form of a salad! This avocado salad is a fantastic side dish for soup because it is cool, creamy, and full of healthy fats.
To prepare, simply mix together some diced avocado, diced tomatoes, diced onion, lime juice, and your favorite seasonings. Serve chilled or at room temperature.