17 Best Cabbage Roll Side Dishes

While cabbage rolls taste delicious on their own, having a tasty side dish can make all the difference. So, if you’re looking for some inspiration, we have you covered!

If you’re unfamiliar with cabbage rolls, essentially they are a delightful dish made by cooking cabbage leaves wrapped in a delicious meat filling with onions and garlic. With an assortment of spices, they are also seasoned to perfection.

You may also find variations containing mushrooms, grains, and vegetables in the roll. When looking at side dishes, you’ll want something that will complement these delicious flavors perfectly.

As cabbage rolls are considered to be a hearty dish, you’ll want something on the side that won’t overpower the star of the show.

From tasty potatoes and light salads to bread for dipping in the flavorful sauce, we have outlined the 17 best cabbage roll side dishes. Let’s get straight into it!

1. Bean Salad

Who doesn’t love a delicious bean salad? It is the perfect American picnic or party meal. In addition to being super healthy, it also contains amazing flavors.

It is a classic comfort food, containing kidney beans, cannellini beans, celery, garbanzo beans, parsley, red onion, and, for the finishing touch, a sweet and sour dressing.

Bean salads are incredibly simple to pull together. Plus, with endless varieties, you’ll never get bored of them! Simply add or remove whatever you want.

2. Cucumber Salad

Refreshing and light, this salad is everything you could want when accompanying a hearty, flavor-packed meal.

This is a popular salad in Germany where it is known as Gurkensalat, variations include a vinegary and creamy base – but both are equally delicious.

The best part? This recipe is incredibly simple to make. With only a handful of simple ingredients and 10 minutes of your time, you’ll have this whipped up in no time.

3. Roasted Red Potatoes

Potatoes are a universal side dish that compliments just about everything you add them to! If you’re looking to up the ante on this classic vegetable, then roasting is the way to go.

To maximize the health benefits, ensure you’re roasting these potatoes will keep the skin intact. With a few simple, but effective, ingredients, you’ll be rewarded with crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, fragrant roasted potatoes.

4. German Spaetzle

Ready in only 15 minutes, this German spaetzle recipe is simple to make from scratch and tastes downright scrumptious! If you’re unfamiliar with spaetzle, it is a type of egg noodle that is typically enjoyed as a side dish with sauces or gravies.

Although it can also be the main ingredient, for instance, in the famous Kasespatzle recipe. For this recipe, simply toss the noodles in melted butter and you’ll be rewarded with a delicious side dish that is sure to be a crowd favorite.

If you’re looking for an alternative to potatoes, rice, or noodles, but still want those delicious flavors, then German spaetzle is the choice for you.

5. Mashed Potatoes

You can’t bring up potatoes without mentioning one of the best potato variations: mashed potatoes. Of course, mashed potatoes complement just about every dish – as they should!

If you’re looking to enhance your potatoes, even more, consider adding some Colcannon – this is simply mashed potatoes with added fried onion and cabbage – for some added texture and flavors.

6. Potato Pancakes

So simple, yet so effective, you’ll want to be sure not to miss these delectable treats. Known all over the world, potato pancakes are the perfect side dish for your cabbage rolls.

Plus, for the vegans out there, you can make this egg-free, too! For the eggs, simply substitute applesauce. For another sweet twist, consider adding sweet potatoes instead.

7. Garlic Bread

You can never go wrong with garlic bread. While it may not be great for fresh breath, your tastebuds certainly won’t complain!

This is a great addition to your cabbage rolls to help soak up all those delicious, juicy flavors. Plus, it is one of the easiest recipes to whip up.

8. Rye Bread

This homemade rye bread recipe is an excellent addition to your hearty main meals. It is light and contains a soft inside with a crust outside.

You can decide whether or not to add caraway seeds to the recipe, however, you should know that adding a pleasant touch of flavor to the loaf.

Serve some rye bread along with the main course to your guests and they are guaranteed to leave the table full and satisfied.

9. Goulash

Goulash is a hearty stew seasoned to perfection with paprika that is sure to leave all your guests leaving the dinner table feeling completely satisfied.

Like some other recipes already mentioned, this one is just as easy to play with – you can add whatever vegetables you desire to twist things up. In addition to greatly improving your mood, it will also make your house smell delicious – it’s a win-win!

10. Pierogies

A tender dough is filled with cheesy potatoes and tossed with melted butter and crispy bacon, then served with sour cream to create the perfect comfort food – these are sure to be crowd-pleasers.

If you’re unfamiliar with pierogi, these are dough-like dumplings filled with a sweet or savory filling – considered similar to ravioli. These are a staple Eastern European dish, although, are loved throughout the world.

Whether you decide to test your cooking skills and make these pierogies yourself – trust us, it’s worth it! – or take a quick trip to the grocery store, you’re guaranteed a delicious side dish.

11. Sauerkraut

What could possibly go better with cabbage than more cabbage? Sauerkraut is the perfect addition to enhance your meals with a super healthy, fermented twist.

If you’re not ready to test your cooking skills by making this sauerkraut recipe, then you’ll be glad to know that it is readily available to purchase from most grocery stores.

12. Garlic Roasted Carrots

If you’re looking for the easiest and best way to roast your carrots, then you’ve come to the right place. With five minutes of preparation, you’ll be rewarded with quick and easy carrots – at only 59.5 calories, too!

With a simple blend of ingredients, you’ll have these carrots whipped up in no time at all. All you need is balsamic vinegar, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper, and, of course, garlic.

This recipe tastes so good that you’ll never look at regular carrots the same way again!

13. Tomato Soup

Do you prefer soups as a side dish? Then you need to try this classic tomato soup recipe with your cabbage rolls!

It contains sweet flavors with hints of tartness that make for an overall delicious side. Here, the soup perfectly balances out the fatty, hearty flavors of the stuffed cabbage rolls.

14. Braised Leeks

Regardless of the time of year you’re serving these leeks, they will consume you with feelings of spring. Compared to onions, the flavors of these leeks are much more understated – making them the perfect side dish.

Not only do these braised leeks taste delicious, but they look impressive when served, too.

One tip when making your leeks is to ensure you’re cleaning them very well, sometimes, dirt can become embedded in the layers – this won’t be a nice surprise while eating!

15. Cauliflower Mac And Cheese

Looking to get creative with your cabbage roll side dish? Then you can’t go wrong with this mac and cheese recipe. However, there’s a twist. Instead of pasta, you’ll find delicious cauliflower.

Compared to traditional mac and cheese, cauliflower mac and cheese makes for a healthier side dish – providing you with beneficial vitamins and minerals.

16. Applesauce

Looking for something to please your sweet tooth? Then this is a special side dish you should try.

Typically, cabbage rolls are served with a savory and spicy side dish for an additional kick. However, if you don’t like spicy foods, you can opt for sweet, instead.

17. Beer

What could possibly make a dish better than a cold beer on the side? This is a staple beverage that goes with just about anything!

There is a range of different beers that can be served with your cabbage rolls. Here, you can cater to the tastes of your guests exactly.

Final Thoughts

On their own cabbage rolls can sometimes be quite a hearty meal. Therefore, you’ll need a light, refreshing side dish that can balance these flavors.

From garlic bread, bean salad, and applesauce, hopefully, this guide has informed you about the best side dishes for your cabbage rolls.

Frequently Asked Questions