✔ Updated · 24 sides: vegetables, breads + light salads
Cottage pie already has meat and potatoes, so the best sides add color, crunch or freshness. Here are 24 sides that work, from minted peas to Yorkshire puddings.
The best sides for cottage pie are green vegetables such as green beans, peas, broccoli or Brussels sprouts; sweet roasted roots like glazed carrots or parsnips; crusty bread or Yorkshire puddings for the gravy; and a crisp green salad. Since the pie is already a full meal, pick one vegetable plus either bread or a salad.
- Classic: garlic green beans, minted peas, honey-glazed carrots
- Sunday dinner: cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire puddings, red cabbage
- Light: green salad, asparagus, beet and goat cheese salad
- Kid-friendly: peas, dinner rolls, baked beans
How to Choose a Side for Cottage Pie
Cottage pie is beef and vegetables in gravy under a mashed potato lid, so skip extra potatoes and heavy starches. Choose sides that add something the pie lacks: green color, crunch, acidity or a way to mop up the gravy.
A simple rule works: one green vegetable plus either bread or a salad. For a Sunday dinner, add a sweet root vegetable and Yorkshire puddings.
Green Vegetables
1. Garlic Green Beans
Blanch green beans for 3 to 4 minutes, then toss in butter with garlic and lemon zest. Crisp, bright and the classic pick.
Get the recipe →
2. Minted Peas
Peas warmed in browned butter with chopped fresh mint. Sweet, quick and a natural match for rich beef and gravy.
3. Buttered Peas and Leeks
Soften sliced leeks in butter, stir in frozen peas and a splash of stock. A gentle, very British pairing.
4. Roasted Garlic Asparagus
Roast asparagus at 425°F for 8 to 12 minutes with olive oil and garlic. Light and fresh next to a heavy pie.
5. Tenderstem Broccoli With Lemon
Steam or pan-fry broccoli until just tender, then finish with lemon, chili flakes and toasted almonds for crunch.
6. Buttered Savoy Cabbage
Shredded savoy cabbage wilted in butter with black pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Cheap, quick and wintery.
7. Creamed Spinach
Wilted spinach in a light garlic cream sauce. Rich, so serve smaller portions next to the pie.
8. Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
Halve sprouts and fry them cut side down until caramelized, then toss with crispy bacon and a little honey.
9. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Thinly sliced raw sprouts with lemon, olive oil, Parmesan and toasted nuts. Crunchy and sharp against soft mash.
Roasted Roots and Other Vegetables
10. Honey-Glazed Carrots
Boil baby carrots until tender, then glaze in butter and honey. Sweet carrots and savory beef are a proven pair.
Get the recipe →
11. Roasted Butternut Squash
Cubed squash roasted at 400°F with olive oil and sage until caramelized. Add crispy bacon for a heartier plate.
12. Roasted Cauliflower
Florets roasted until golden and nutty, with paprika or cumin. Adds texture without more starch.
13. Cauliflower Cheese
Cauliflower baked in a mustardy cheese sauce until bubbling. A pub-style favorite for a Sunday cottage pie dinner.
14. Braised Red Cabbage
Red cabbage cooked slowly with apple, vinegar and a little sugar. Its sweet-sour tang cuts through the gravy; quick pickled cabbage works too.
Get the recipe →15. Honey-Roasted Parsnips
Parsnip batons roasted at 400°F until crisp at the edges, then drizzled with honey. Sweet and earthy.
16. Roasted Eggplant and Zucchini
Thick batons of eggplant and zucchini roasted with olive oil and herbs until soft. Light, Mediterranean and colorful.
Breads for Mopping Up Gravy
17. Crusty Bread
A warm loaf for mopping up every drop of gravy. Bake your own or warm a store-bought loaf for 5 minutes.
Get the recipe →18. Yorkshire Puddings
Crisp, airy puddings that soak up gravy. Make them while the pie rests, in a very hot muffin tin.
19. Irish Soda Bread
A quick yeast-free bread with buttermilk and baking soda. Ready in under an hour and great with butter.
20. Soft Dinner Rolls
Buttery, pillowy rolls that kids love. Bake a batch ahead and warm them while the pie bakes.
Get the recipe →Salads and Simple Extras
21. Green Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette
Crisp lettuce, cucumber and a sharp Dijon dressing. The easiest way to lighten a cottage pie dinner.
22. Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
Roasted beets, tangy goat cheese, arugula and walnuts. Earthy, colorful and light enough for a filling meal.
23. Coleslaw
Crunchy cabbage and carrot in a light mayo or vinegar dressing. Make it ahead; it holds well in the fridge.
24. Baked Beans
A pub-style, kid-friendly side. Use canned beans or simmer navy beans in a tomato sauce with a little molasses.
Best Pairings by Occasion
| Occasion | Try these sides |
|---|---|
| Quick weeknight | Minted peas, garlic green beans, green salad |
| Sunday dinner | Honey-glazed carrots, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire puddings, braised red cabbage |
| Lighter meal | Roasted asparagus, shaved Brussels sprout salad, beet and goat cheese salad |
| Kids | Buttered peas, soft dinner rolls, baked beans, sweet carrots |
| Make ahead | Braised red cabbage, coleslaw, soda bread, roasted squash |
| Holiday table | Brussels sprouts with bacon, honey-roasted parsnips, creamed spinach |
Sauces and Condiments
Extra hot gravy is the most popular addition. A splash of Worcestershire sauce, a spoon of brown sauce or ketchup, or a little English mustard on the side also suit beef and mash. Pickled beets or onions add sharpness.
Cottage Pie vs Shepherd’s Pie Sides
Cottage pie is made with ground beef and shepherd’s pie with ground lamb, so the same sides work for both. Lamb pairs especially well with minted peas, roasted carrots and red cabbage. Cook ground meat fillings to 160°F, and reheat leftovers to 165°F. For more ideas, see our list of vegetables that go with lamb.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetables go with cottage pie?
Green vegetables are the classic choice: green beans, peas, broccoli, savoy cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Sweet roasted roots such as glazed carrots, parsnips and butternut squash also work well, as does cauliflower cheese. Skip extra potatoes, since the pie already has a mashed potato topping.
What bread goes with cottage pie?
Crusty bread is ideal for mopping up the gravy. Yorkshire puddings make it feel like a Sunday roast, Irish soda bread is quick to bake, and soft dinner rolls are a hit with kids. Warm the bread just before serving.
Should you serve salad with cottage pie?
Yes. A crisp green salad with a sharp mustard vinaigrette balances the rich beef, gravy and mash. Coleslaw, a shaved Brussels sprout salad or a beet and goat cheese salad are good options when you want something lighter than cooked vegetables.
What is traditionally served with cottage pie in the UK?
In the UK, cottage pie is usually served with peas or green beans, carrots, and extra gravy. Savoy cabbage, broccoli and baked beans are common at home, while pubs often add a side salad or crusty bread. Some households add brown sauce or ketchup.
What sides go with shepherd’s pie?
The same sides work for shepherd’s pie and cottage pie. Minted peas are a classic with lamb, along with honey-glazed carrots, braised red cabbage, green beans and crusty bread. Keep sides simple and light, since the pie is a complete meal.
