12 Sidekicks That Make Pork the Star It’s Meant to Be

Pork is juicy, flavorful, and full of potential—but even the best main needs a strong supporting cast. These 12 side dish recipes are here to elevate your pork game, whether you’re serving chops, pulled pork, or a roast that could win awards. From creamy comfort to crispy crunch, these sides bring the heat, the flavor, and the applause.

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon in a white bowl with red pepper flakes, a spoon, and a fork. — Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Sautéed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is a quick and easy side dish that's full of flavor! With only 5 ingredients and a cast iron skillet, clean up and prep is a breeze!
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage

Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage turn out perfectly juicy and delicious. No mess like you have with cooking breakfast sausage on the stove top!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage

Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Blackstone Brussel Spouts with bacon in a white bowl with a fork. — Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Make delicious Brussel sprouts with bacon on your Blackstone Griddle. This is a delicious side dish that the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Sage and Bacon Stuffing

A closeup is shown of a baking dish full of bacon and sage stuffing. — Sage and Bacon Stuffing. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This recipe takes classic stuffing with sage, onion, celery, and parsley, and add salty, savory bacon for the perfect side dish!
Get the Recipe: Sage and Bacon Stuffing

Irish Nachos

Potato rounds topped with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions. — Irish Nachos. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Crisp potato rounds topped with crispy bacon and gooey cheese. Your new favorite appetizer or side dish: so addicting!
Get the Recipe: Irish Nachos

Utica Greens

Hailing from upstate New York, Utica greens are a mouthwatering side dish starring escarole, prosciutto, pickled hot cherry peppers and finished with a cheesy breadcrumb topping. This side dish pairs wonderfully with everything from pizza to pasta and meat.
Get the Recipe: Utica Greens

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Green beans with bacon and almonds on a red plate. — Green Beans Almondine with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon is a savory side dish with a buttery and lemony finish. They are the perfect side dish for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Cornbread Stuffing

A dish of stuffing on a cutting board. — Cornbread Stuffing. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This Homemade Cornbread Stuffing (Dressing) will become a holiday favorite! Everyone will love this classic 1970's recipe with bacon, onions, and celery to give it just the right flavor and crunch.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Green beans with almonds on a white plate. — Green Beans Almondine with Bacon. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Love garden fresh beans? Jazz them up with almonds AND bacon! Green Beans Almondine with Bacon
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Homemade Smoky Baked Beans

Image shows a white casserole dish filled with homemade baked beans on wooden table with a silver spoon sticking out from it. — Homemade Smoky Baked Beans. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Homemade baked beans are so much easier to make than you think. And the flavor you get compared to what you have when you open a can? You will fall in love with these sweet and smoky beans and never go back!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Smoky Baked Beans

BBQ Green Beans

A white bowl with barbecued green beans and chuncks of ham. — BBQ Green Beans. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This easy-to-make BBQ Green Beans recipe is full of tender beans, smoky ham, sweet onions, and tangy sauce that makes a tasty side-dish.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Green Beans

Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts with caramelized edges in a serving dish. — Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This recipe takes Brussels sprouts from boring to crave-worthy. Crispy bacon adds a salty, smoky layer of flavor, while the high roasting temperature caramelizes the sprouts for a sweet and slightly nutty taste. It's a simple side dish that complements any protein and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts