What To Serve With Potato Pancakes - 13 Tasty Side Dishes - Pantry & Larder (2024)

If you’re wondering what to serve with your potato pancakes, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 13 of the most popular side dishes for potato pancakes.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The most traditional side dishes for potato pancakes are applesauce and sour cream. They work well for breakfast as a base for eggs benedict or topped with lox and cream cheese. And you can also serve them with mains like goulash, pulled pork, or beer soup.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Applesauce

Sour cream is a traditional pairing for German potato pancakes, but applesauce is hot on its heels.

Some of the best apples to use are Fuji, Gala, Pink lady, and Rome beauty – I like to use a mixture to get different layers of flavor.

You can also play around with the texture of the sauce. You can go with smooth, or keep it a little chunky.

Red sauerkraut

I like to call this red sauerkraut, but its traditional name is rotkohl.

In Germany, they pair rotkohl with potato dumplings, so it will match perfectly with your potato pancakes.

You’ll need to plan ahead slightly for this dish because it takes an hour to cook.

But the results are well worth it.

Psst… I always make mine the day before because I think it tastes even better the next day!

Eggs Benedict

Make a delicious eggs benedict for breakfast but with a twist – use potato pancakes as a bread substitute for a crispier foundation.

This open-faced breakfast sandwich may seem intimidating to make, but it’s actually super easy.

And Natasha’s guide will help you every step of the way.

Psst… add some asparagus or wilted spinach for a splash of color.

Fresh berry compote

For something sweet-but-tart on the side, a fresh berry compote is an ideal choice.

You only need three base ingredients, but the great thing about this sauce is that it’s super easy to customize.

You can add lemon zest for a more citrusy flavor.

Or for a holiday twist, add some pumpkin spice or cinnamon.

Psst… I’m a big fan of apricot jam too.

Crispy bacon with maple syrup

Crispy bacon and maple syrup.

Who can say no to that?

Pop a couple of potato pancakes and a fried egg on the side and you have a breakfast worthy of a king.

Here’s a fool-proof recipe for getting delicious crispy bacon every time.

Lox and cream cheese

Save brunch with cream cheese smothered potato pancakes topped with a generous helping of lox.

It’s simple but feels elegant.

And to elevate your meal even further, add a glass of mimosa on the side (plus some capers).

Learn how to cure your own lox here.

Broccoli cheddar and beer soup

Turn your pancakes into the ultimate comfort meal with a serving of thick, decadent beer soup.

The splash of dark beer in the soup gives it a complex, robust flavor that is just crying out for some potato pancake to come and soak it all up.

This soup is also a great way to sneak some extra veggies in!

Check out the recipe.

Smoked pulled pork

Smoked pulled pork is a tender, meaty side that’s great if you want to make a hearty meal out of your potato pancakes.

You only need 5 ingredients, but it takes a good part of a day to cook, so you’ll need to plan ahead.

If you’re not into the smoky flavors of Sommer’s pulled pork recipe, then beef brisket is another nice dish to pair with potato pancakes.

German goulash

One of the great things about potato pancakes is that they’re so versatile.

They can be paired with pretty much anything.

From applesauce… to a big bowl of warm and comforting goulash!

Make sure to save some potato pancake to wipe the plate clean at the end.

Get the recipe here.

Creamy coleslaw

Looking for a quick and easy side?

This 10-minute coleslaw is here to save the day.

It’s creamy, refreshing, and crunchy. Just what you need on top of your potato pancakes.

For a unique spin, sprinkle on some celery seeds. Or for a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes to the slaw.

Slow cooker baked beans

Potato pancakes fall into the category of comfort food and so do baked beans.

Rich and saucy, these slow cooker baked beans are great for dipping your potato pancakes into.

They’re the perfect blend of sweet and savory, with a hint of heat from the spicy barbecue sauce.

The beans also feature some crispy pieces of bacon – what more could you ask for?

Tomato bisque

Tomato bisque is a richer version of tomato soup. It uses cream and milk to some extra body.

It’s flavorful, buttery, and silky smooth – ideal for dipping a potato pancake into.

Warning: don’t let its simplicity fool you – this dish is easy enough for a midweek lunch, but will also work well for a fancy dinner party.

Try this classic tomato bisque recipe. Believe me. It’s worth it.

Pickled beet salad

A pickled beet salad is an excellent choice if you want a light and tangy side.

There are toasted walnuts in the mix for added crunch and the beets themselves give off a sweet and earthy flavor.

The vibrant red color of the beets pops on the plate, which is great for impressing guests!

Psst… if you’re not a fan of walnuts, almonds, pecans, and pine nuts work great too.

The best side dishes for potato pancakes

• Applesauce
• Red sauerkraut
• Eggs Benedict
• Fresh berry compote
• Crispy bacon with maple syrup
• Lox and cream cheese
• Broccoli cheddar and beer soup
• Smoked pulled pork
• German goulash
• Creamy coleslaw
• Slow cooker baked beans
• Tomato bisque
• Pickled beet salad