20 Side Dishes For Pork Tenderloin

By

Updated on May 27, 2024

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin — Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

When it comes to dinnertime, the main dish needs a reliable sidekick. The pork tenderloin, in particular, needs a great side dish to accompany it on the plate. It doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or complicated endeavor, though. The best side dishes make the most of simple ingredients and are a snap to put together–even better if they can feed a crowd. These side dishes go well with pork tenderloin, and you’ll look forward to seeing them on your table any night of the week.

01 of 20

Roasted Broccolini with Pecans and Lemons

Southern Living Roasted Broccolini with Pecans and Lemon — Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Micah Morton; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch

Tender broccolini threatens to steal the spotlight from the pork tenderloin with this easy recipe, which incorporates garlic, lemon, and pecans (and looks elegant too!).

02 of 20

Frenched Green Bean Salad

Southern Living Frenched Green Bean Salad on a plate with melon and mac and cheese — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

When pork is the main, a simple, six-ingredient salad makes the perfect side. The French-style green beans add the perfect flair to the plate too.

03 of 20

Cajun Potatoes

Southern Living Cajun Roasted Potatoes in a bowl to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Potatoes are always a crowd-pleasing side. It's time to give them a kick with a spicy Cajun seasoning that'll have everyone requesting the recipe.

04 of 20

Stick Of Butter Rice

Stick of Butter Rice in a staub dish - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Never ever estimate a good classic recipe – especially if it involves a whole lot of butter. This old-school rice dish is tender, fluffy, flavorful way to complement your pork.

05 of 20

Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole

Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole — Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Mashed potatoes are always a go-to side, but you'll love this recipe even more than a batch of the instant stuff. It's creamy and whipped and bakes beautifully (and easily) like a casserole in the oven.

06 of 20

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Southern Living Homemade Mashed Potatoes in a bowl to serve — Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

We love our potatoes baked, smashed, roasted – and, of course, mashed. In this family-favorite recipe, we bring back the traditional recipe for extra rich and creamy spuds.

07 of 20

Corn Salad With Sumac And Feta

Southern Living Corn Salad with Sumac and Feta in a bowl ready to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Corn salad is a go-to side, but this vibrant spin give this dish a whole lot of zing. Sumac and feta add tart, salty flavors to this grilled corn salad, which makes it a great side.

08 of 20

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Most everyone is roasting a weekly batch of veggies in the oven, but when pork tenderloin is on the table and you want to make things more special, break out this recipe, which sees a rainbow of root vegetables accompanied by a spicy pecan topping.

09 of 20

Sweet Potato Stacks

Sweet Potato Stacks — Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Take your sweet potatoes vertical with this recipe for Sweet Potato Stacks, an easier-than-it-looks preparation with a mouthwatering glaze that's always a showstopping side for holiday parties.

10 of 20

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes — Photographer: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist Julia Bayless

Au gratin potatoes are a dinnertime staple, and this recipe makes for an impossibly creamy batch with a savory sauce and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.

11 of 20

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans — Caitlin Bensel/Southern Living

Green beans

12 of 20

Parker House Rolls

Parker House Rolls — Photographer: Alison Miksch / Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn / Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Parker House Rolls have been a go-to bread at dinnertime for ages, and it's easy to see why. Their pillowy texture and delightfully browned tops pair perfectly with a dinner spread.

13 of 20

Crispy Potato Galette

Crispy Potato Galette — Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Crispy potatoes get an upgrade in this gorgeous galette, which sees the edges of thinly sliced potatoes get beautifully browned and tender in the oven.

14 of 20

Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Replace your go-to steamed Brussels sprouts preparation with this recipe, which takes them to deliciously crispy, browned, smashed, and seasoned heights.

15 of 20

Sweet Potato Rolls

sweet potato rolls - southern living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sweet potato rolls make a typical side dish a little more special. The addition of sweet potato adds a tenderness and flavor you'll love.

16 of 20

Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots — Iain Bagwell

Carrots are an unsung hero of the side dish world. In addition to being delicious, they're also nutritious. This recipe adorns them with a honey glaze and a dash of spices to up the flavor factor.

17 of 20

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Twice Baked Potato Casserole — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Melissa Gray

What's better than twice-baked potatoes? A casserole incorporating twice-baked potato flavors that's a breeze to prepare.

18 of 20

Smothered Green Beans

Smothered Green BeansSmothered Green Beans — Photograher: Greg Dupree Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall

It's a classic for a reason: A good green bean recipe will serve you your whole cooking life, and this one can't be beat. It's simple and savory, a perfect addition to a hearty pork tenderloin.

19 of 20

Spiraled Sweet Potato Gratin

Spiraled sweet potato gratin in white casserole dish — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

A gratin is always a good choice, and this one swaps the typical potato base with a sweet potato, adding color and an earthy sweetness of flavor.

20 of 20

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

Southern Living Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots on a platter to serve — Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Shallots and bacon add a wonderfully savory flavor to this classic Brussels sprouts recipe, which comes together in 45 minutes of active time.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

Barbecue Mac and Cheese

Barbecue Mac And Cheese

Roasted cabbage wedges topped with bacon dressing in a cast iron skillet on a green table with two glasses of beer and a napkin.

Skillet-Roasted Cabbage Wedges With Hot Bacon Dressing

Southern Living Maque Choux in a skillet to serve

Bacon-and-Sweet Onion Jam

Bacon-and-Sweet Onion Jam Recipe

Southern Living Loaded Smashed Potatoes on the pan ready to serve

Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole - Southern Living

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Southern Fried Cabbage served in a dish

Southern Fried Cabbage

Southern Living Homemade Baked Beans in the dish ready to serve

Homemade Baked Beans

loaded cauliflower casserole in a baking dish and bowls

Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

a plate filled with bacon-wrapped tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and green beans

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Is A Real Showstopper

Pork Chops with Dijon-Buttermilk Sauce

Pork Chops with Dijon-Buttermilk Sauce

Southern Living Mac And Cheese With Ham

Mac And Cheese With Ham

Brown Sugar-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Brown Sugar-Glazed Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Cajun-Style Potato Salad in a white bowl

Cajun-Style Potato Salad

Southern Living Skillet-Charred Pole Beans with Bacon in the pan to serve

Skillet-Charred Pole Beans With Bacon

Southern Living Jalapeno Cornbread with a slice cut out to serve

17 Sides To Serve With Beef Stew