What to Serve with Cabbage Rolls (14 Best Side Dishes)

Wondering what to serve with cabbage rolls?

From hearty, flavorful side dishes to light, bright beverages, I have you covered!

Cabbage rolls are a delightful dish made of cooked cabbage leaves filled with appetizing meat, plus garlic and onions.

They’re also seasoned with the perfect spices. And some recipes add grains, vegetables, and mushrooms inside the rolls.

Not only will this dish be the star of the show, but there are so many delicious sides that pair wonderfully with it!

Best Side Dishes for Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls are such a hearty dish on their own. So, you’ll want sides that don’t overpower the main attraction.

That means light salads and tasty potatoes.

Serve these 14 simple side dishes to co-star with your cabbage rolls, and you’ll have a meal to remember.

1. Cucumber Salad

What could be simpler than salads? They add such a refreshing element to the meal.

Cucumber salad is the perfect side to accompany your cabbage rolls, especially if you’re using a spicier meat inside the roll.

You can whip up this cool and refreshing dish quickly with minimal ingredients.

2. Bean Salad

A party staple, you can’t wrong serving a bean salad. This side dish has the added bonus of being super healthy.

It’s classic comfort food that’s wonderfully easy to pull together. Plus, there are many varieties of this salad, so you’ll never get bored with it.

3. German Spätzle

This German side dish comprises a distinct egg noodle. They come in many shapes and sizes and have a very unique look. 

These egg noodles are chock-full of flavor and will definitely impress your dinner guests!

Even better, while they sound complex, they’re actually easy to cook up.

You can make this dish in as little as 15 minutes and it can even be prepared in advance.

As a bonus, here’s a fun fact that you can use to astonish your guests even more: the word Spätzle translated into English is “Little Sparrows.”

4. Roasted Red Potatoes

Potatoes are a timeless dish, and they go well with just about anything you can think of.

Roasting your potatoes is a simple way to up the ante with this classic vegetable.

While potatoes offer many health benefits, be sure to leave the skins on when roasting to maximize the health factor.

This is one tasty side dish that everyone will love.

5. Potato Pancakes

Known by many names around the world, potato pancakes pair perfectly with your cabbage rolls.

Another outstanding feature of this dish is that you can make it egg-free!

Oh, and you can freeze the cabbage rolls and the potato pancakes for later. So feel free to make extra and keep it on hand for dinner next week!

6. Mashed Potatoes

How can we bring up potatoes without mentioning the most classic dish of all?

Of course, mashed potatoes go well with anything.

For a unique twist, make some Colcannon, which are mashed potatoes that include cabbage and fried onion.

7. Rye Bread

This bread will make a hearty side dish to pair with your main meal. Caraway seeds add a pleasant touch of flavor to this loaf.

Serve rye bread to your guests, and everyone is guaranteed to leave the table full.

8. Garlic Bread

While this super simple option may not be great for fresh breath, it is great for the tastebuds!

You really can’t go wrong with this classic dish, which also is one of the easiest side dishes to whip up!

9. Pierogies

Alright, everyone, pierogies are so simple, you don’t even need a recipe.

If you’re hosting a gathering, you’re likely looking for sneaky ways to save time.

All this takes is a trip to the frozen foods section of your local supermarket. Pick up a package of frozen pierogies and ta-da! You have a side dish!

This is the perfect way to save on time without skimping on flavor.

10. Goulash

This dish is a hearty stew seasoned with paprika that will ensure that your guests walk away from the dinner table satisfied.

It’s another recipe that is easy to play with, as you can add a variety of vegetables to change things up.

Not only will this dish bolster your mood, but it will make your house smell amazing as well!

11. Garlic Roasted Carrots

Garlic makes carrots even more delicious! The ingredients in this dish are super simple, and it takes nothing to prepare but will taste extraordinary.

In fact, you may never want regular carrots again!

12. Sauerkraut

What better way to balance cabbage than with more cabbage? Not only is sauerkraut super healthy, but this fermented food is a perfect way to enhance many meals.

Plus, if you don’t want to make your own, many stores will have some available for you to buy.

13. Braised Leeks

It’s one of those spring side dishes that’ll make you feel sunny, no matter what time of year it is.

The flavor of leeks is much more understated than onions. This dish is extremely easy to make but will look very tasteful when served.

Be sure to clean your leeks well though, as dirt easily becomes embedded in the many layers of this food.

14. Beer

A cold beer makes any meal even better! How could I not include this staple beverage?

There are so many beers that will pair well with cabbage rolls, so you can really cater to the tastes of your guests.