20+ Side Dishes That Pair Perfectly with Lamb

Emma Christensen

updated Feb 21, 2022

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lamb chops, deviled eggs, asparagus, and thandai sauce set on a table — Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Barrett Washburne; Prop Styling: Paola Andrea Ramirez

Whether you plan to serve a large roasted leg of lamb or petite lamb chops for a special dinner, you’ll want to choose some sides. The beauty of serving lamb as a meaty main is that you can serve it with a wide variety of sides and the meal will taste great. Hearty potatoes dishes pair just as well as bright snappy veggies like green beans.

Keep the menu feeling classic with Hasselback potatoes and asparagus, or take things in an entirely different direction with marinated beans and a fluffy carrot soufflé. Or include both classic and less traditional recipes for serving with your lamb.

Here are more than 20 of our very favorite side dishes to serve with lamb — whether you choose a whole roast or stick with simple chops.

Find a Lamb Recipe

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A blend of spinach, white sauce, and cheese are baked together into a hearty, comforting casserole.

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Air Fryer Green Beans

Air fryers are great for cooking green beans (fresh or frozen!).

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Fennel, Carrot, and Leek Gratin

Fennel, carrots, and leek are mixed with an aromatic Parmesan cream sauce and topped with pecan breadcrumbs for the ultimate veggie gratin.

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Blistered Green Beans with Pickled Shallots and Toasted Breadcrumbs

Blistering green beans quickly in a hot pan makes for an easy side, even if you skip the pickled shallots and toasted bread crumbs — although we don't think you should.

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Parmesan Potatoes

Melted Parmesan takes these roasted potatoes to a whole new level.

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Portuguese-Style Mint Rice

Mint is a natural pairing with lamb, which makes this herb-scented rice a perfect compliment to your dinner.

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Roasted Parmesan Asparagus

Roasted asparagus is a quick and easy side dish for any night of the week. Add a little Parmesan and garlic to the mix and you have some crave-worthy veggies that take practically no time to whip up.

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Carrot Soufflé

Puréed carrots, eggs, milk, and cheddar cheese get blended into a soufflé base that puffs beautifully into a light, airy, almost custard-like side dish.

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10-Minute Garlic Broccolini

Lots of garlic, a squeeze of lemon, and a pinch of red pepper flakes make this simple side dish easy to love.

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Marinated White Beans

This fresh bean dish is an excellent last-minute side for roasted lamb or lamb chops. The punchy dressing is full of lemons and oregano.

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Greek Lemon Potatoes

These potatoes boast browned crispy edges and insides so moist they'll melt in your mouth. One surprising ingredient makes them the best you'll ever have.

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Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These mashed sweet potatoes are lightened sweetened with maple syrup to make them extra fragrant and nutty.

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Easy Steamed Asparagus

Microwave steaming eliminates the need to boil water, takes just a few minutes, and makes perfectly tender asparagus spears. Consider this the foolproof side you can throw together in minutes with minimal effort, and without turning on the oven.

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Hasselback Potatoes

These roasted spuds are always an impressive side dish. They take a little bit of extra prep, but aren't tricky to pull off.

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Honey-Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

Tossing roasted carrots in a honey-garlic brown butter sauce both before and after they come out of the oven makes them simply irresistible.

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The Creamiest Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed cauliflower isn't just a replacement for mashed potatoes — try this hearty, buttery side with merits all its own.

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Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Here, thick rounds of sweet potato are seasoned, smashed, and roasted, creating crispy-edged medallions with creamy, tender centers.

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Creamy Spinach with Dill

Less creamy than creamed spinach but just as luxurious, this is the simple green side you need.

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Roasted Cabbage Slaw with Hazelnuts & Lemon

Roasting the cabbage gives this sweet and smoky slaw a fancy twist that makes it worthy of a place next to your lamb dinner.

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Cheesy Garlic Duchess Potatoes

Pipe mashed potatoes into ruffled mounds, bath them in butter, and bake until golden brown and crisp for one seriously luxe side dish.

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Spinach Salad with Warm Brown Butter Dressing

Get a head start on dinner by making the pickled onions and tossing the salad together in advance. That way all that's left to do come dinnertime is drizzle on the nutty brown butter dressing.

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This creamy mashed turnips recipe will make a believer out of anyone skeptical of the root veggie.

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Simple Broccoli Rabe

This step-by-step recipe for easy sautéed broccoli rabe involves quickly blanching to reduce bitterness.

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This tender roasted fennel boasts the most delicious caramelized edges.

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