Meat Fondue's Perfect Partners: Creative Side Dish Ideas

Meat fondue is a fun and tasty way to bring people together for a meal. While the meat is the star of the show, a good side dish can enhance the experience. Fondue is a versatile dish, and there are many side options to choose from, depending on your preferences. You can go for roasted vegetables, a warm potato dish, or even a simple salad. If you're feeling creative, you could try something more exotic, like avocado fries or sweet potato fries. To make it a full meal, you might want to serve the fondue with some bread, such as a freshly baked baguette, or other crusty bread.

Salads

Grilled Corn Salad

A simple grilled corn salad is a tasty and fresh option. You can eat it as is, or top it with cheese, bacon, and/or salsa. It is a fantastic side dish to accompany your meat fondue.

Pasta Salad

A pasta salad is another excellent choice to pair with meat fondue. It is easy to make and can be customised to your liking. Simply combine cooked pasta with vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and olives. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. You can also add garlic to give it an extra kick.

Wedge Salad

A wedge salad is a simple yet delicious option, consisting of crunchy lettuce and tender beets. It is a light and fresh choice that is also gluten-free.

Green Salad

A crisp green salad is a classic and refreshing side dish that pairs well with the richness of the meat fondue. You can use a variety of leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula, and add in some vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots.

Potato Salad

Potato salad is a good choice to serve before a meat fondue as it has a light and fresh taste that will complement the meat. You can use baby potatoes or regular potatoes, and add in some chopped vegetables like onions, celery, or peppers. Season it with herbs and a tangy dressing, and you have a delicious side dish.

Breads

Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue, and it is also a great side dish for meat fondue. The best bread for fondue is one with a sturdy crust and a fairly robust crumb, such as a crispy white French bread, a baguette, or a rustic cranberry walnut loaf. If you are gluten-intolerant, you can use gluten-free bread.

To prepare the bread for dipping, cut it into cubes, making sure each piece has a side with crust. Lightly toast the bread before serving, especially if it is a type of bread that may fall apart in the cheese.

• Wholegrain Bread with Walnuts & Gruyère cheese: This bread combines the nuttiness of walnuts with the sharpness of Gruyère cheese.
• Cheeeesy Cheddar Bread: A simple way to elevate a store-bought loaf of sourdough, Italian, or French bread. Cut a cross-pattern into the top of the bread, stuff it with a butter, garlic, and scallion mixture, and top it with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
• French Bread: A classic, crispy white French bread that can be made at home.
• Quick & Easy Cheesy Bread: This bread is made with a combination of seven simple ingredients, including bread flour, sugar, salt, yeast, warm milk, egg, and butter, and is elevated with the addition of diced cheese.
• Ciabatta Bread: A soft and airy Italian bread with a crisp crust.
• Rye Bread: A dense and hearty bread with a slight tang from the rye flour and a hint of sweetness from the brown sugar.
• Baguette: A classic French bread with a crispy crust and chewy texture.
• Pretzels: Soft and chewy pretzels with a salty exterior are a fun alternative to traditional bread.

Sauces

Creamy Sauces

A combination of sour cream, yoghurt, and mayonnaise can be used as a base for creamy sauces. Add in herbs like dill, chives, or tarragon, and spices like mustard, curry powder, or cayenne pepper, to create a variety of flavours. For a stronger taste, include pungent ingredients like horseradish, garlic, or blue cheese. These creamy sauces are perfect for those who enjoy a rich and indulgent dip for their meat.

German-Inspired Sauces

German cuisine often features sour cream and yoghurt-based sauces, sometimes with a touch of mayonnaise. These sauces are typically served cold and can be prepared quickly. One example is the Dilly Sauce, made with sour cream, dill weed, lemon, agave, and seasonings. Another option is Frankfurt's Green Sauce, which blends equal amounts of parsley, cress, chives, borage, salad burnet, sorrel, and chervil with Greek yoghurt. German cooks often improvise their fondue sauces, adding ingredients to suit their taste, resulting in unique and spontaneous creations.

Italian-Inspired Sauces

Pesto is a classic Italian sauce that can be easily adapted for meat fondue. Try making a Pumpkin Seed Pesto by blending pumpkin seeds with parsley, basil, garlic, and olive oil. For a vegan-friendly option, create a Dairy-Free Pesto using nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. Gremolata, a traditional Italian parsley-based sauce, is another excellent choice to pair with meat.

Fruit and Vegetable-Based Sauces

For a fresh and healthy option, fruit and vegetable-based sauces are a great choice. Try making a Spanish Sofrito by cooking peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices in olive oil until a thick paste forms. Salsa Verde, made with tomatillos, garlic, onions, lime, and jalapeños, is perfect for fatty cuts of meat. Or, for a simple and quick option, prepare a Fresh Salsa with sweet tomatoes, cilantro, onions, and spices.

Asian-Inspired Sauces

If you're looking for something different, explore Asian-inspired sauces. A soy sauce-based dipping sauce, for example, can add a savoury and umami flavour to your meat fondue. You can also find premade Asian dipping sauces at your local supermarket, offering a convenient way to add an exotic twist to your fondue experience.

Vegetables

A selection of roasted vegetables is a perfect accompaniment to meat fondue. Here are some ideas for vegetable side dishes and dippers:

Roasted Vegetables

• Cauliflower florets
• Brussels sprouts
• Baby potatoes
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Mushrooms
• Peppers (sweet, red, yellow, orange, or green)

Raw Vegetables

• Cucumber
• Carrots
• Apples

Other Vegetable Dishes

• Corn on the cob
• Potato salad
• Mashed potatoes
• Baked potatoes
• Scalloped potatoes
• Avocado fries
• Sweet potato fries
• Grilled corn salad
• Blanched pearl onions

Potatoes

Baked Potato

A classic and easy side dish, baked potatoes can be topped with butter, sour cream, ketchup, salt, and more. It's a simple yet delicious option that pairs well with meat fondue.

Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, savory, and slightly spicy mashed potatoes are another great choice. They are perfect for dipping bread into or serving alongside your meat fondue. You can use the same ingredients you would for fondue potatoes to add extra flavour.

Roasted Baby Potatoes or French Fries

Small roasted potatoes or French fries are excellent options for fondue. They provide a nice contrast in texture and taste, being crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. You can even use sweet potato fries for a healthier alternative.

Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are a comforting and filling side dish that can be made with leftovers from a previous meal. Try roasting the potatoes at home for extra flavour.

Boiled or Par-Cooked Potatoes

For a simple and quick option, serve boiled or par-cooked potatoes with your meat fondue. These can be cooked in the same hot oil as the meat, providing a convenient and tasty addition to your meal.

Potato-Based Sauces

Don't forget the sauces! While not a side dish, potato-based sauces can complement your meat fondue. For example, a creamy horseradish sauce or mustard-based sauce will add extra flavour to your potatoes and other vegetables.

Frequently asked questions