What to Eat With Meatballs (BBQ and Chicken)? 12 Side Dishes

Do you know what to eat and serve with bbq meatballs, turkey, chicken and grilled meatballs? Find out our 12 amazing and delicious side dishes!

Meatballs are one dish that you can’t go wrong with. They are versatile, go well with several other side dishes,  and most importantly, taste heavenly. You don’t need too many ingredients; fewer are better as you enjoy the real flavor of the meat.

From a health’s point of view, meatballs are super healthy with lots of protein and iron from meat. The fat portion can be controlled by grounding only lean parts. You can use chicken, beef, turkey, pork, or any other ground meat for making meatballs. Mixing pork and beef gives perfect smooth and flavorful meatballs.

We recommend making a modest portion of meatballs and avoiding overdoing it per serving. Also, complement the meatballs with one or two side dishes to make the meal complete.

So the basic recipe of meatballs is very easy. All you need is ground turkey, beef, or pork. Mix them with breadcrumbs, parsley, some seasoning of your choice, and they are ready to cook. You can bake, fry(unhealthy), roast, grill, or simply air fry them, and they give perfect results each time.

Once meatballs are ready, you can slather them in a cream and cheese, tomato sauce, sweet and sour gravy, or any other sauce of your choice. Even add them to soups. Simply add a meatball on top of pasta or between sandwiches to complete the meal.

What to eat with meatballs? 12 Side dishes!

When it comes to side dishes with meatballs, you have plenty of healthy options. What you want on the table is color, balanced nutrition, and something that compliments the flavor and texture of meatballs.

A tip is to keep the seasoning minimum so that it does not overpower the taste of meat.

This article will discuss different types of meatballs and how to compliment them with some easy-to-put side dishes.

Before further ado, let’s see how to serve different meatballs with a side dish that is both fulfilling and easy to make.

What to eat with BBQ meatballs? Side dishes

Barbecue meatballs are one of my favorites. They are easy to cook on the grill and have an aroma and taste you can’t get in the oven or air fryer. Low in fat and high in protein, barbecue meatballs are made with different seasonings.

When deciding a side dish, think about how to complement the seasoning of meatballs and make your table look refreshing.

1) Coleslaw

Coleslaw is delicious and as versatile a side dish as meatballs. It can be the perfect side dish for a barbecue night. You can serve them with meatballs; if you are serving sandwiches, utilize the topping.

It’s very simple to make; all you need is a cabbage head and mix the seasoning of your choice. You don’t want to add extra calories in mayonnaise and sodium?

Well, you can add your favorite seasoning with lemon and olive oil, and it’s ready to serve. You can add any other veggie of your choice like broccoli, carrot, or purple cabbage to add some color to your table.

2) Grilled Veggies

With a hot grill already fired up in your patio, why not grill some veggies to compliment meatballs. Veggies balance the meat portion on your table and make it look refreshing and colorful. And you don’t have to do much.

Simply slice the veggies of your choice or the ones you have in the pantry like onions, potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum, even eggplants, Zucchini and mushrooms and put them in skewers and set them on the grill. Sprinkle some oil and season them as you like with salt and pepper.

A dash of lemon juice also goes well. Or omit the seasoning to coax the real flavor and sweetness of veggies.

A tip for grilling veggies is not to do it too much.  Keep the veggies al dente to enjoy the real taste and texture of them.

3) Classic Beans Salad

The classic bean salad is perfect to accompany the meatballs. You can take canned or home-cooked beans and toss them into a bowl with onion, cucumber, parsley, capers.

Salad is versatile, and you can add chickpeas or kidney beans as well to enrich the flavors. Use dry herbs like oregano with salt, pepper, lemon juice and olive oil for seasoning.

The good thing is that you don’t have to put it together in time. Make it in advance and put it in the freezer to serve with meatballs when they are ready.

What to serve with Swedish meatballs?

Though they originated in turkey, Swedish meatballs are served with creamy gravy. Swedish meatballs are creamy and soft. Made with a 50 50 ratio of beef and pork, they are extra juicier with a mix of spices and creamy sauce. It’s a kid-friendly dish that even grownups can’t resist.

1) Glazed Carrots

Glazed carrots can be a perfect side dish for creamy Swedish meatballs. They are easy to make, look stunning on your table, and are full of flavor. The idea of adding something sweet balances the meatballs, and the veggies portion completes the table as well.

You can take baby carrots, wash them thoroughly and take them off the head. Simply add brown sugar and butter into your pan and caramelize the sugar.

Add baby carrots and a few minutes of tossing, and it’s ready. The buttery flavor with brown sugar and carrot melts in your mouth. You can make them ten to 15 minutes before dinner, and they look great and taste heavenly.

2) Buttered Egg Noodles

Swedish meatballs and noodles go very well. Egg noodles look perfect on the table, but you can use any other pasta resting in your pantry.

Boil the pasta or egg noodles, melt butter and add salt and pepper. Feel free to add the herbs of your choice. Load the noodles with lots of parmesan cheese and sprinkle parsley.

It looks delicious and complements the meatballs. If you think it can become too creamy with Swedish meatballs, then omit the parmesan cheese. Another great way to present egg noodles is to make a creamy white sauce and enjoy the treat.

3) Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic

Green beans add a perfect portion of veggies on the side. It adds lots of freshness and color to your table. Choose the fresh green beans without any wrinkles. We recommend using fresh green beans. Canned ones can become too mushy while cooking.

The key is to preserve the color and texture, so don’t overcook them. Cut the stems and you can either steam them or blanch them.

Add a dash of oil to a skillet, throw crushed garlic and red chilli flakes and add the beans. No need to overcook. Add plenty of lemon juice, and they are ready to serve. Cover the skillet to trap some steam. Simply turn off the stove and serve the beans hot – a perfect combination with your Swedish meatballs.

What to serve with turkey meatballs?

If you have not tried turkey meatballs, you are in for a surprise. They are super easy to make, have lots of nutrition, and pack the punch with the right seasoning. Make many of them throw in the freezer for later use. You can serve these turkey meatballs with many side dishes, be it spaghetti, soups, Ziti, or any salad. Put a meatball on the top, and it becomes a completely healthy portion.

Here are some ideas to serve with turkey meatballs.

1) Spinach Soup with Turkey Meatballs

If you Haven’t tried turkey meatballs in a soup, you certainly are missing a great way of having meatballs.

It’s a complete meal. If you have turkey meatballs ready, all you need to do is prepare a warm soup with chicken stock and spinach. Add the seasoning like salt pepper. A bay leaf or two adds extra flavor to your soup.

You can pan-fry the meatballs with the minimum oil or roast them in an oven. Add the meatballs in the soup while serving, or place them in a dish on the side. The combination works for the whole family.

To make it richer, add parmesan cheese on the top. It’s delicious, easy, and healthy. Perfect for winter dinner or an easy lunch in any weather.

2) Spaghetti Salad

Spaghetti salad goes well with turkey meatballs. The great thing is that you can add lots of crunchy veggies that bring color and lots of good calories.

You can add cucumber, carrots, beans, zucchini, peas, olives or simply anything in your fridge in the salad with spaghetti. Add Italian dressing on the top, and it’s too delicious to disappear on your table soon.

For Italian dressing, add olive oil, red wine vinegar, herbs and some spices. Don’t forget to spread our favorite parmesan cheese on the top.

3) Turkey Meatballs in Slider

How about making some delicious sliders with turkey meatballs?

Butter the top and bottom of the slice.

Place a cooked meatball in each slider, add loads of mozzarella, and put them in an oven.

Bake as long as the cheese melts and serve hot with melting cheese and a few basil leaves on the top.

What to eat with Keto meatballs?

A Keto diet is all about adding healthy carbs, protein, and good fat into your diet. Keto meatballs are healthy and versatile. You can eat them in so many ways. You can use ground turkey, pork, beef, or a combination of beef and pork for an enriched flavor. Cheese binds these balls well as you are not using bread crumbs for binding. Use an egg with loads of mozzarella and parmesan. Add parsley or chopped onion(only if you like) or omit them, totally your choice.

Let’s see what you can serve with Keto Meatballs

1) Broccoli Salad

Broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrition, and a salad looks refreshing and colorful.

Blanch it, so you don’t lose its color or texture. It should be crisp and tender.  Use a shocking technique to put the broccoli from boiling water to direct in cold icy water.

You can add cheddar cheese, onion, tomatoes, even slices of bacon and chives. For the dressing, you can add olive oil, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pepper and salt. And your salad is ready to go. Mix everything and put it in the freezer, and serve whenever you need it in a day.

2) Creamy Potato Salad

Potato salad is a must-have if you are having Keto meatballs. Although starchy, you can control the portion and take it once a week.

It’s easy to make, full of creamy flavor, and you can add blanched cauliflower, celery seeds, hard-boiled egg, even broccoli in it.

Mix it with cream, cheese, black pepper, or any other herb of your choice. It’s easy to make and to refresh. You can serve it cold, so prepare it beforehand and serve with meatballs.

3) Keto Vegetables Salad

Roasted vegetables are a perfect side dish with a bowl of keto meatballs. Mostly we use veggies like sweet potatoes or squash in roasted veggies that are not keto-friendly. But to serve with keto meatballs, you can make roasted vegetables with keto-friendly veggies.

Keto vegetable roast is easy to make and looks beautiful on the table. The best vegetables for Keto are celery, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, and Zucchini.

Choose the veggies of your choice, cut them into uniform sizes and place them on a baking tray. Drizzle some oil, salt and pepper and give a quick toss. Place them on a baking tray leaving enough space in between such steam cooks everything evenly.

Roast on 400 F and cook until they are crispy from the outside but tender on the inside. They should have a golden or brown glaze from roasting.

Final words

Meatballs are healthy, low fat and can be complete meat. You can serve them in so many ways. They can be grilled, tossed in a sweet and sour sauce, or add a creamy base; they are perfect in every way.

Serve them with loads of veggies or creamy sauces. The great thing about meatballs is that you can make in large quantities and freeze them.

Take out as many as you need for a quick lunch or dinner. You can cook, air-fry, pan-fry, roast, or grill. Add a side dish or two, and you are ready to host a dinner.

So, do you already know what to serve or eat with meatballs? If you still have any questions, feel free to leave your comment below!

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