The perfect way to use leftover corned beef is in a sandwich. A Reuben is one type of corned beef sandwich, not another name for every corned beef sandwich. Nonetheless, you can always club them with an extra something. So what can you eat with corned beef sandwiches?
A corned beef sandwich is commonly served with mustard and pickles. However, you can have it with fries, chips, and other potato-based dishes. You can also have it with coleslaw, salads, or bread. Sauces like honey mustard and horse radish will also enhance the taste of corned beef sandwiches.
To choose a side, first consider the bread, fillings and dressing in your corned beef sandwich.
Main Ingredients Of A Corned Beef Sandwich
A corned beef sandwich contains sliced corned beef and bread, with other fillings chosen to taste. Mustard, pickles and cheese are options, not mandatory ingredients.
A Reuben is a more specific combination. Boar’s Head’s classic recipe uses corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing on rye bread. Other corned beef sandwiches need not follow that formula.
How Do Corned Beef Sandwiches Taste?
A corned beef sandwich is usually salty and savory, with the flavor depending on its fillings.
Bread, dressing, cheese and vegetables can change the flavor of a corned beef sandwich.
Ingredients like sandwich dressing, pickles, cheese, vegetables, and spices are widely used.
These ingredients make the sandwich richer and more satisfying.
8 Accompaniments For Corned Beef Sandwiches
If you have had a corned beef sandwich, you will know that it’s a very filling meal.
How filling it is depends on the bread, fillings and portion.
Choose sides according to your appetite and the rest of the meal.
Nonetheless, there is no harm in trying a few sides and making it a generous meal.
Mustard and pickles are possible accompaniments, although serving styles vary.
However, it may be served with various other sides in other parts of the world.
Corned beef sandwiches go well with a variety of sauces, dips, and sides.
This sandwich is very versatile, and it works well with both spicy and plain sides.
You can even have it with a bag of chips.
However, there are more adventurous options too. Let’s check them out.
1. Sauces And Dips
For a simple accompaniment, serve your corned beef sandwich with a sauce or dip that suits its fillings.
Here are some popular choices.
Mustard
Mustard is a traditional sauce that has always been paired with corned beef.
The tangy flavor and heat of the mustard cuts through the saltiness of the beef, making it taste delicious.
Both whole grain mustard and Dijon mustard work well with corned beef sandwiches.
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Honey Mustard
Corned beef sandwiches are salty and savory.
Honey mustard sauce adds a punchy sweetness and spicy profile to the combination.
The medley of delicious flavors is subtle but not overpowering.
Horseradish
Horseradish is a staple side for most meat-based dishes, including sandwiches.
Corned beef also goes well with horseradish.
You can either use horseradish as a sauce on the side or combine it with other creamy ingredients like mayo.
Let’s now move on to more elaborate and filling accompaniments to go with corned beef sandwiches.
2. Cabbage
Cabbage is one vegetable that goes well with corned beef.
Cabbage is a familiar pairing with corned beef, but it is not the only option.
There are different ways to use cabbage as a side for corned beef sandwiches.
You can add it to a salad with chopped onions, greens, and a zesty citrus-based dressing that will cut through the saltiness.
You can also use it in creamy coleslaw to create a rich and indulgent meal.
3. Roasted Potatoes Or Sweet Potatoes
Corned beef sandwiches are the perfect example of comfort food.
It’s guaranteed to work well with household staples like roasted potatoes.
The rich and indulgent meaty sandwich will work with butter-roasted potatoes to form a hearty and filling meal.
You can also replace the potatoes with sweet potatoes for a different flavor.
Sweet potato mash or roasted sweet potatoes will add a delicious sweetness and creaminess to the entire meal.
4. Potato Gratin
Corned beef sandwiches with potato gratin make a heavy and highly indulgent meal.
The creamy, cheesy flavor of the gratin will work well with the spice and salt of the corned beef.
It’s a perfect combination when you’re entertaining and ready to spend some extra time on food prep.
5. Blanched Greens
Blanched beans, asparagus, kale or spinach add vegetables and a contrasting texture to a corned beef sandwich.
Not only are they a healthy eating option, but they also add a refreshing bite.
Take care not to cook the greens too much that they become too soft. They taste best with some crunch left.
6. Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage with a tangy flavor that complements rich corned beef. It can be served in the sandwich or on the side.
Some unpasteurized products contain live microorganisms, but processing and heating affect that. Fermented food is not automatically a proven probiotic: NIH explains that probiotic benefits depend on the organisms and evidence for them. Choose sauerkraut for its flavor rather than a promise that it will improve digestion.
7. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is yet another cabbage-based side dish that tastes great with corned beef sandwiches.
Just like it enhances the taste of burgers, it also pairs well with Reuben sandwiches.
Coleslaw will also have other shredded vegetables besides cabbage, like carrots and peppers.
These will improve the overall nutrition content of the meal.
However, traditional coleslaw ingredients include mayo and other high-fat ingredients that increase the calorie level.
You can avoid this issue and make a healthier version with Greek yogurt instead of mayo.
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8. Pickles
Apart from adding pickled cucumbers to the sandwich filling, you can also have them on the side.
The traditional way of serving corned beef sandwiches at Jewish delis is with pickles on the side.
Pickles also work well alongside other styles of corned beef sandwich.
Cool cucumber pickles add a lovely note of salt and spice to the rich and indulgent flavors of corned beef.
Both quickly-pickled cucumbers and brine-based cucumbers will work well.
