Pork tenderloin makes the perfect main course for any side dish you want. There are so many possibilities that work well with Pork Tenderloin.
From potatoes to vegetable salads and pasta dishes, with so many other options.
Pork is considered the other white meat, and it is slightly healthier than red meat and better for us all around.
1. Bucatini Cacio E Pepe Pasta
Contrary to the sounds of the title, this is a simple pasta dish made with pasta water, loads of black pepper and cheese.
The secret is using the thick Bucatini noodles that help to hold the delicious cheese and sauce.
This dish does not need any other ingredients to make it perfect. Topping the bed of noodles with additional shredded cheese makes it extra special.
This side dish makes a perfect accompaniment to the pork, add a side salad and the meal is complete.
2. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
A classic recipe that works for any main meal idea.
The best potatoes that work for the classic side are Yukon Gold or even russets. They have a great taste and are super easy to work with.
A secret to making great mashed potatoes is to start them in cold water and bring to a boil. Then drain and add in pepper, butter and milk for that smooth texture and potato taste that makes any meat taste perfect.
3. Fried Rice
A Chinese dish as a side for Pork Tenderloin? Yes, of course and it is the perfect choice.
The combination of rice, vegetables, eggs and a savory taste of Soy Sauce is a great choice for pork.
This dish is all kinds of good in one dish, and this fried rice would also mean that this is the only side you would actually need for your dinner meal.
However, there is always a great option of having a salad made with greens.
4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Benton’s Bacon Dressing
Brussel Sprouts are an often ignored side dish. There is no reason for this. Brussel Sprouts are tasty, delicious and have so many options in the way that you make them.
This recipe is a simple take on Roasted Brussel Sprouts. Brussel Sprouts make a great alternative to cabbage of any type and also of other greens that have been braised.
These Brussel Sprouts are like a little bomb filled with flavor. Plus, these great little gems can be served hot or even warm and they will taste great.
5. Oven Roasted Cauliflower
This is a tasty Mediterranean version of the Roasted Cauliflower. This recipe adds in chickpeas which gives even more flavor.
The Cauliflower recipe also includes Middle Eastern flavors. The recipe is super easy to prepare, all you need to do is put all the ingredients into a bowl and then toss to combine well.
The magic happens as the cauliflower is in the oven. The flavor seeps in and makes the cauliflower taste so special.
6. Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes are supposed to be healthier than regular potatoes, although it can sometimes be difficult to agree with that, especially when a recipe comes out tasting so good.
These mashed Sweet Potatoes are actually healthy for you. The ingredients are simple enough, they are a combination of sweet and savory.
Whole milk, maple syrup, garlic and cinnamon. Altogether they are the greatest combination for Sweet potatoes. Garnish with a few bits of Rosemary once the mashed sweet potatoes are done.
7. Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Grits
Cheesy grits mixed with a touch of jalapeno makes these grits one of the tastiest side dishes I can imagine for Pork Tenderloin.
These Jalapeno cheese grits make for a surprising and great tasting side dish that is also easy to make.
You do not need a special dinner or a Holiday to enjoy these, Any day and any meal is the right time, especially if you have Pork Tenderloin to accompany the grits.
8. Wild Rice And Butternut Squash Bake
This is a casserole type side dish that became popular served at Thanksgiving dinners.
However, you do not need to wait until just one time a year to enjoy this great combination of Butternut Squash and Wild Rice. The flavor is also enhanced with balsamic vinegar, mushrooms and rosemary.
This dish should be one of your side dishes throughout the year and it tastes great with a juicy slice of Pork Tenderloin and a salad on the side.
9. CousCous Salad
This delightful and colorful salad is made with pearl couscous, chickpeas, tomatoes and olives.
The salad also includes pine nuts, red pepper, red onion and a dressing made with a vinaigrette and red pepper flakes for a tangy and spicy addition.
The couscous salad tastes great with virtually any main dish, but I highly recommend serving it with a Moist Pork Tenderloin. With such a combination of flavors all in one dish, it is hard to pick out a favorite part of it.
10. Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms, Balsamic and Parmesan
Roasting the Green Beans and Mushrooms, with Balsamic and Parmesan brings out a superb flavor in this combination of vegetables with a slight dressing.
When I make this recipe I really love to use the long string beans for the best and freshest flavor after roasting. There are different variations that can be used in the case that your family doesn’t like mushrooms.
At that time I would generally use Almonds and Shallots, or walnuts and onions.
11. Roasted Black Doris Plums with Waiheke Ruby Red Gin
Plums are not ordinarily something that I would have thought of when it came to a side dish for Pork Tenderloin.
That would have been a mistake to pass this recipe by. The plums are naturally sweet, and when they are mixed with brown sugar, Himalayan salt, cinnamon and Bay leaves, that brings this dish to a whole new level of heavenly.
The idea of roasting the plums slowly with Gin poured over the top is even more tasty and delicious.
12. Fried Cabbage With Bacon
Fried cabbage is another dish that many people do not think of when it comes to side dishes.
This is one of those seldom thought of dishes. It is super simple to make, has tasty bacon crumbled in it and is sauteed to perfection. There is only one way to describe this side dish, sweet, salty, buttery, hearty and extra delicious.
I do tend to add in some chopped walnuts to give an extra crunch.
13. Rocket Salad with Figs, Goat Cheese, and Balsamic Vinegar
A delightful little salad that tastes like summertime in a bowl.
The rocket salad has that slightly spicy tone to it, the figs give an added touch of sweetness and the goat cheese makes it come together so easily and in such a perfect way that you won’t believe how easy it was to make this delightful, summery dish that is perfect for your Pork Tenderloin.
The creaminess of goat cheese, and the sweet figs heighten the spicy tone of the rocket. You would not need any other side to go along with this dish.
14. Homemade Applesauce
Applesauce, something that I can never have enough of. Every Fall I have so many apples that I end up canning Applesauce so that I have it all year long.
I use applesauce for so many things including replacing fat in baked goods or to thicken a ham gravy.
Mixed with a tiny bit of cinnamon, applesauce will be a perfect accompaniment to Pork. Applesauce as a side to a moist Pork Tenderloin is going to blow your mind.
15. Honey Glazed Carrots
Honey glazed carrots are truly the ultimate side dish for any meal. The glazed carrots along with Pork Tenderloin is a savory, sweet but mostly deliciousness to go with the Pork.
These honey glazed carrots are the perfect dish for any Holiday or just for your dinner meal with the family.
This recipe has a few options that work well for it also, you could combine a nice head of broccoli in with the dish and that will change it up completely.
16. Homemade Creamed Corn
A homemade creamed corn that tastes light and buttery, rich and comforting, with just a hint of sweetness from the corn. This recipe uses simple ingredients and is very easy to make.
I grew up with a version of homemade creamed corn and have always believed it to be better than the canned version. When served with juicy Pork Tenderloin, it adds a new level of flavor to a classic dinner meal.
This recipe means that you will make the cream yourself, and it will be much more flavorful than any other version.
17. Gorgonzola Baked Polenta
Pork Tenderloin is even better when served alongside a steaming hot dish of Gorgonzola Baked Polenta.
This is a creamy and cheesy cornmeal dish. It was once extremely popular but is now making a comeback for those diners with exquisite tastes. The tang of the gorgonzola is what makes this so special.
When paired up with juicy pork, there is no denying it is the best side dish you have ever eaten. The combination of cheese makes it creamy and tasty.
18. Roasted Asparagus With Parmesan & Lemon
Asparagus does not get the credit that it deserves. Maybe that is because people do not know of many ways that asparagus can be prepared, maybe they do not like the taste of asparagus.
This recipe is the one that will change the minds of each person who has doubts about eating and enjoying asparagus.
By roasting this green stem vegetable, and adding some lemon and parmesan cheese, a whole new flavor will come about.
19. Garlic Butter Roasted Potatoes
Oh my goodness! These potatoes come out with that crispy outer shell we love, yet the potato inside is moist and fluffy.
This recipe can be served as a side for a simple everyday type of meal or for a decadent fancy restaurant type of meal. The flavor is so extraordinary, it is hard to stop at just one serving.
These baby potatoes are seriously roasted with a butter garlic and onion sauce, then parsley is sprinkled on them. The delight has no words to describe them.
20. Fall Quinoa Salad with Apricot Vinaigrette
This salad is so hearty and filling, as well as healthy that I can’t help but turn to this throughout the whole year.
When served as a side to Pork, this is the perfect amount of food to eat with the slice of protein. The inclusion of butternut squash, apples, cranberries, brussel sprouts and pumpkin seeds along with quinoa, this is filled with flavors.
The flavors are enhanced even more with the apricot vinaigrette as a dressing.
21. Vegetable Stew
This recipe is actually based on one that has been used for hundreds of years. This dish, or stew contains six types of vegetables, which makes it healthy and filled with vitamins and nutrients.
The flavor is astronomical when you combine so many vegetables together. It is like a party for your tongue! This stew is the perfect side to serve over biscuits or rice with a nice Pork Tenderloin.
22. Summer Farro Salad
Complete with Tomatoes, plums and corn, tossed with some cooked Farro and some savory seasoning, this dish is magic!
Not only will it fill you up and keep you satisfied, it will give you vitamins and fiber. The taste is phenomenal when this is all combined and drizzled with a homemade vinaigrette made ahead of time that allows the flavors to meld together.
This tasty vinaigrette will cover each bite and make you think of heaven.
23. Crispy Oven Roasted Smashed Potatoes
With this side dish, I used baby reds and also baby yukon to roast and create a tasty side to go along with a Pork Tenderloin.
These are almost similar to a twice baked potato but even better. After cooking the baby potatoes, you will then roast them after smashing them partway.
Drizzle with Olive oil, seasonings and then a pad of butter and garlic with parsley. The taste will never be matched using another recipe.
24. Bulgur With Vermicelli
A side of Bulgur with Vermicelli is a delightful alternative to a dish of plain rice or boring mashed potatoes.
This dish combines the nutty flavor of Bulgur with the buttery taste of Vermicelli and it comes out surprisingly perfect. This vegan dish is of Lebanese origins and is generally served with Potato Stew.
However, I served it as a side to a Juicy Pork Tenderloin and it was a hit! There was none left, yet they wanted more.
25. Pan Fried Sweet Pea Gnocchi with Minty Sweet Pea and Leek Puree
A very colorful dish with a wide variety of flavors to make your taste buds sing a song.
These tender potato and sweet pea gnocchi sit on top of a bed of a minty flavored puree that enhances the flavor of any food it serves as a side dish too. Combine the peas with the leeks and the flavor is immense!
This side dish has all you need for a perfect dish to serve with Pork Tenderloin.