What Side Dish Goes with Pot Pie?

Pot pie is a complete meal hiding inside a flaky crust. So figuring out what side dish goes with pot pie can feel tricky when the main course already has meat, vegetables, and gravy built in.

But that is exactly why the right side matters. A good pot pie accompaniment adds something the pie itself is missing, whether that is crunch, brightness, or a lighter contrast to all that creamy filling.

After making chicken pot pie (and beef pot pie, and turkey pot pie) more times than I can count over the past 15 years, I have tested dozens of comfort food side dishes alongside them. Some worked. Some definitely did not.

This guide covers the best sides for pot pie that actually earn their spot on the plate. Fresh salads, roasted vegetables, buttery rolls, and a few picks you might not expect.

Best Side Dishes for Pot Pie

Green Salad with Vinaigrette

Why It Works with Pot Pie

Pot pie is rich, creamy, and heavy on the filling. A fresh green salad cuts right through all of that.

The crisp lettuce and tangy vinaigrette create a texture contrast that makes each bite of pot pie taste better. Took me years to figure out that the simplest side is often the best one.

Mixed greens, arugula, or romaine all work. Toss in some cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and shaved Parmesan if you want.

How to Make It

Keep it simple. Mixed greens in a bowl, drizzle of olive oil, splash of red wine vinegar or lemon juice, salt and pepper. Done in under 5 minutes.

For something more interesting, try a balsamic vinaigrette with a touch of Dijon mustard. The acidity pairs well with the buttery crust.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Works with any pot pie, honestly. Chicken pot pie, turkey pot pie, beef stew variations. If your pot pie has a thick, creamy filling, go with a lighter dressing.

Quick Tip

Dress the salad right before serving. Nobody wants wilted greens sitting next to a hot pot pie.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Why It Works with Pot Pie

Roasted Brussels sprouts bring a caramelized crunch that pot pie completely lacks. The slightly bitter, nutty flavor balances out the creamy filling in a way that just makes sense.

Plus, they look great on the plate. That golden-brown color next to your pot pie is something else.

How to Make It

• Halve the sprouts, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper
• Spread on a baking sheet, cut side down
• Roast at 425F for 20-25 minutes until crispy on the edges
• Optional: finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze or crumbled bacon

The key is high heat. Low and slow makes them mushy. You want those crispy, almost charred edges.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Best with chicken pot pie and turkey pot pie. The earthy sprouts and savory poultry filling work well together. If you are serving something like pot roast in pie form, these still hold up.

Quick Tip

Add the bacon in the last 5 minutes. Putting it in too early means soggy bacon, and that defeats the whole purpose.

Mashed Potatoes

Why It Works with Pot Pie

Look, I know what you’re thinking. Pot pie already has potatoes sometimes. But hear me out.

Mashed potatoes act like a gravy sponge. When that creamy pot pie filling spills over onto a pile of fluffy mashed potatoes, it becomes a whole new comfort food experience. This is a weeknight dinner winner for families.

How to Make It

Boil Yukon Gold potatoes until fork-tender. Drain well. Add butter, warm milk or cream, salt. Mash until smooth but not gummy.

The biggest mistake people make? Over-mashing. You want creamy, not glue. Stop while they still have some texture.

Garlic mashed potatoes are even better here. Roast a head of garlic, squeeze it into the mix. Changes everything.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Chicken pot pie and turkey pot pie are the classic match. Also pairs well with a beef pot pie where the gravy is thick and rich. If you like sides with meatloaf, you already know how good potatoes and gravy go together.

Quick Tip

Warm the milk before adding it. Cold milk into hot potatoes equals a gluey mess. At least in my experience.

Corn on the Cob

Why It Works with Pot Pie

Sweet corn and savory pot pie. That is a pairing that goes back generations. The natural sweetness of fresh corn balances the salty, herby flavors in the pie filling without competing with it.

It also adds a completely different texture to the meal. Crunchy kernels against flaky crust and soft filling.

How to Make It

Boil for 4-6 minutes in salted water. That is it. Butter, salt, maybe a little black pepper.

If you want to take it up a notch, try grilling the corn. The char adds a smoky sweetness that works surprisingly well next to a comfort food dinner like pot pie.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Chicken pot pie is the obvious pick. Also goes great alongside turkey pot pie. If you are making a ham dinner with leftover ham pot pie, corn rounds out the plate perfectly.

Quick Tip

Fresh corn in season beats frozen every time. But frozen works fine in winter when you are craving that pot pie and corn combo.

Dinner Rolls or Biscuits

Why It Works with Pot Pie

Bread and pot pie might sound redundant since the pie already has a crust. But warm dinner rolls or buttermilk biscuits serve a different purpose. They are gravy delivery vehicles.

Tear off a piece, drag it through the filling. That is the move.

How to Make It

Store-bought crescent rolls or biscuit dough work great on a busy weeknight. No shame in that.

For homemade, a simple buttermilk biscuit recipe takes about 25 minutes total. Cold butter, buttermilk, flour, baking powder. Cut the butter in chunks, do not over-mix, and bake at 425F until golden.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Any pot pie at all. Chicken, beef, turkey, vegetable. Bread is universally good here. Similar logic applies when thinking about sides for chili or beef stroganoff pairings.

Quick Tip

Brush the tops with melted butter right out of the oven. Sprinkle a little flaky salt. Your family will think you spent hours on these.

Sauteed Green Beans

Why It Works with Pot Pie

Green beans bring a snap and freshness that balances the heaviness of pot pie. They are light, full of fiber, and quick to prepare.

And they look good on the plate. That bright green next to a golden crust gives the whole meal a more complete feel.

How to Make It

• Trim the ends off fresh green beans
• Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high
• Saute for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp
• Add minced garlic in the last minute, squeeze of lemon juice at the end

The garlic and lemon combination is key. It lifts the whole dish.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Great with chicken pot pie and fish pot pie if you make one. Also a solid match with turkey pot pie during fall and winter dinners.

Quick Tip

Do not overcook them. Mushy green beans are sad green beans. You want that slight crunch still there when you bite down.

Cranberry Sauce

Why It Works with Pot Pie

The tartness of cranberry sauce cuts through the rich, creamy filling like nothing else. It is not just for Thanksgiving. Seriously.

Sweet, tart, and a little acidic. That combination creates a flavor contrast that makes the savory pot pie taste even better. It works the same way applesauce works with pork chops.

How to Make It

Fresh cranberry sauce takes about 15 minutes. Boil a cup of sugar with a cup of water, add a bag of fresh cranberries, simmer for 10 minutes until they burst. Done.

Want more depth? Add orange juice and a cinnamon stick. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. It thickens as it cools.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Turkey pot pie is the natural match. Chicken pot pie works just as well. If you are serving a roast beef pot pie, the cranberry might overpower things a bit, so use it sparingly.

Quick Tip

Make it a day ahead. The flavor actually gets better after sitting overnight in the fridge. And it frees up your time on the day you are making the pot pie.

Glazed Carrots

Why It Works with Pot Pie

Glazed carrots bring a sweet, buttery element that complements the savory pot pie filling without clashing. Carrots are already a common ingredient inside pot pie, so the flavors are familiar but presented differently.

The glaze adds a richness that feels intentional next to a comfort food meal.

How to Make It

Peel and slice carrots into coins or diagonal pieces. Simmer in water until just tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain. Add butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook another 4-5 minutes until the glaze coats every piece.

Some people add a touch of cinnamon or fresh thyme. Both work. The thyme adds an earthy note that connects nicely to the herbs in a pot pie dinner.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Chicken and turkey pot pie are perfect here. Also excellent alongside a pork tenderloin pot pie or really any savory pie with root vegetables in the filling.

Quick Tip

Cut the carrots into uniform pieces so they cook evenly. Nothing worse than half-raw, half-mushy carrots in the same pan.

Caesar Salad

Why It Works with Pot Pie

Caesar salad is not just another green salad option. The umami from the Parmesan, the punch of anchovies in the dressing (even if you do not taste them directly), and the crunch of croutons all create a side that stands on its own.

It adds a sharpness that a plain garden salad cannot match.

How to Make It

Crisp romaine hearts, torn by hand. Toss with a good Caesar dressing, whether homemade or store-bought. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and crunchy croutons.

Homemade dressing: whisk together egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon, minced garlic, anchovy paste, olive oil. Season to taste. It takes maybe 5 minutes and tastes worlds better than bottled.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Works across the board. Chicken pot pie is the most common pairing, but it holds up next to beef or vegetable pot pie too. If you are planning a complete dinner spread, this salad also goes well as a side dish for lasagna or pasta on another night.

Quick Tip

Use whole Little Gem lettuce leaves instead of chopping romaine for a different presentation. They hold the dressing well and look more polished on the plate.

Roasted Broccoli

Why It Works with Pot Pie

Roasted broccoli gets crispy on the edges, slightly charred, and almost nutty in flavor. It is a completely different experience from steamed broccoli, which, let’s be honest, does not do much for anyone.

That crispiness paired with the soft, creamy pot pie filling is what makes this side work so well.

How to Make It

• Cut broccoli into florets, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes
• Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer (do not crowd them)
• Roast at 425F for 18-22 minutes until edges are dark and crispy
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top right before serving

Some folks finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan. I prefer it without so the broccoli flavor stays front and center.

Best Pot Pie Type for This Side

Chicken pot pie is the classic, but this goes with any pot pie you make. Turkey, vegetable, even shrimp pot pie if you are feeling creative.

Quick Tip

The single layer thing is not optional. Crowded broccoli steams instead of roasting, and you lose all those crispy edges that make this side worth making.

FAQ on What Side Dish Goes With Pot Pie

What is the best side dish for chicken pot pie?

A crisp green salad with vinaigrette is the most popular choice. The lightness and acidity cut through the creamy filling perfectly. Roasted Brussels sprouts and sauteed green beans are close runners-up.

Do you need a side dish with pot pie?

Not strictly. Pot pie is a complete meal with protein, vegetables, and a flaky crust. But adding a light side like a salad or roasted vegetables makes the dinner feel more balanced and stretches the meal further.

What vegetables go well with pot pie?

Roasted broccoli, sauteed green beans, glazed carrots, and roasted Brussels sprouts all work great. Pick vegetables that add crunch or brightness since the pot pie filling is already soft and creamy.

What bread goes with pot pie?

Buttermilk biscuits and warm dinner rolls are the top picks. They soak up the gravy from the filling. Cornbread works too, especially with a beef or turkey pot pie during fall and winter meals.

What salad pairs best with pot pie?

Caesar salad is a classic match. The Parmesan and tangy dressing add sharpness. A simple garden salad with balsamic vinaigrette or a spinach salad with fruit and nuts also pair well with any comfort food dinner.

Is mashed potatoes a good side for pot pie?

Yes, if you want a hearty meal. Mashed potatoes catch the gravy when the filling spills over. Garlic mashed potatoes add extra flavor. Just keep portions smaller since the pot pie itself is already filling.

What light sides go with pot pie?

A fresh green salad, cucumber salad, or fruit salad are your best light options. Steamed asparagus with lemon juice works well too. These healthy sides balance the richness without adding heaviness to the plate.

What side dish goes with beef pot pie?

Roasted root vegetables, a simple garden salad, or buttered dinner rolls pair well with beef pot pie. The beef filling is richer than chicken, so lighter sides work better here to keep the meal balanced.

Can you serve rice with pot pie?

Plain or lightly seasoned rice works as a simple side. It absorbs the creamy sauce nicely. Cauliflower rice is a good low-carb option if you want something lighter alongside your pot pie dinner.

What do you drink with pot pie?

Unsweetened iced tea or apple cider are popular choices. For wine, a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir complements chicken pot pie well. Keep drinks simple since the pot pie itself carries plenty of flavor.

Conclusion

Picking what side dish goes with pot pie comes down to one thing: balance. Your pot pie already brings the creamy filling, the flaky pie crust, and the hearty protein. The side just needs to fill in the gaps.

Go with a Caesar salad or roasted broccoli when you want something light. Choose mashed potatoes or buttered dinner rolls when you want a full comfort food spread.

Glazed carrots and cranberry sauce work well during fall and winter meals. Corn on the cob is better for warmer months.

The best pot pie dinner menu does not need to be complicated. One or two simple sides that add crunch, freshness, or a little sweetness will round out any chicken pot pie, turkey pot pie, or beef pot pie without overdoing it.

Start with whatever you already have in the fridge. That is usually enough.