Meat fondue is a delicious and unique way of serving meat, combining the savory flavor of meats with a variety of delectable dipping sauces.
The best part about a fondue dinner? You can customize it to your tastes! Whether you’re looking for something light and fresh or something hearty and filling, there are plenty of sides to serve with your meal.
Here are 20 incredible sides to serve alongside your meat fondue as well as some tips for serving them up.
Quick Answer what to serve with Meat Fondue--- Cooked Meat and Vegetables, Bread and Crackers, Pickles and Olives, Fruits and Nuts, Sauces, Salad, Rice, Potatoes, Vegetables, Cheese Fondue, Noodles, Couscous, Fruit, Dessert Fondues, Pasta Salad, Baked Beans, Cornbread, sweet pepper spears, Scalloped potatoes, and Breadsticks.
What is meat fondue, and what does meat fondue taste like?
Meat fondue is a type of dish that involves cooking chunks or strips of meat in a pot with hot oil, broth, or other liquid.
The seasoned liquid works as the cooking medium and can add flavor to the meat. Traditionally, the pot sits atop a stand with an open flame, although some modern fondue sets use electricity for heating.
The taste of meat fondue is a savory and juicy texture that is full of rich flavors.
Meat fondue can be served as an appetizer, main course, or even a dessert. It is also great for social gatherings and parties.
20 Best Sides to serve with Meat Fondue
1. Cooked Meat and Vegetables
The most popular side dish for a meat fondue is cooked meats and vegetables. Thinly-sliced beef, pork, or chicken can be cooked in the pot with your favorite marinade or dipping sauce.
Be sure to provide your guests with plenty of options so they can find something they like. Vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, squash, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and onions are also great options for dipping into a flavorful sauce.
These can be served raw or cooked in the fondue pot as well.
2. Bread and Crackers
Bread and crackers make great vehicles for scooping up sauces or dipping into melted cheese. Provide a variety of bread such as French bread slices, baguettes, focaccia bread cubes, pita wedges, crusty artisanal bread, or even naan bread slices.
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An assortment of crackers, including gourmet wheat crackers and buttery round crackers, will also add variety to your meat-fondue meal.
You can even offer some pita chips or tortilla chips as an alternative option for those who don’t eat bread or prefer something crunchy instead.
3. Pickles and Olives
Pickles are one of those classic accompaniments that never go out of style when it comes to meat fondues. Whether you serve classic dill pickles spears or crunchy pickle chips, they’ll be sure to please everyone around the table!
Olives are another great option; offer a variety, such as green olives stuffed with garlic cloves or pimento-stuffed olives for an added flavor kick!
4. Fruits and Nuts
Pickled fruits such as apples are perfect for adding sweetness and crunchiness to your meat-fondue meal.
Dried fruits such as apricots and cranberries have an intense sweetness that pairs perfectly with savory honey mustard sauces or sweet barbecue sauces!
And don’t forget about nuts; almonds are particularly significant when paired with a spicy curry sauce.
5. Sauces
When serving meat fondue, you want to make sure that there is an array of sauces available for your guests to choose from.
Some popular sauces include barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce, horseradish sauce, and teriyaki sauce.
You can also offer some cheese sauces for those who prefer something creamy and cheesy on their meat.
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6. Salad
A classic side dish that pairs excellently with any type of meat fondue. You can opt for a simple green salad or something more complex such as a Caesar salad or Greek salad.
7. Rice
Rice is one of those comforting dishes that everyone loves and can be cooked in various ways, such as plain boiled rice, fried rice, or even risotto.
White rice goes well with almost anything, so why not add it to your fondue dinner? If white rice isn’t your thing, then try brown rice instead; its chewy texture pairs perfectly with savory meats like beef or lamb, while its nutty flavor adds an interesting complexity to any dish it’s paired with.
8. Potatoes
Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, French fries – the possibilities are endless! Potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser, and they pair perfectly with any type of meat fondue.
Mashed potatoes are always a hit when served alongside meat fondue because they provide a creamy counterpoint to the savory flavors of the meat and sauces used during the meal.
But don’t limit yourself—roasted potatoes make for an excellent side dish as well! Toss cubed potatoes in olive oil before baking them until golden brown for maximum flavor (and minimal cleanup!).
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9. Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are always a hit at dinner parties, and they pair wonderfully with meat fondues as well!
Try roasting carrots, Mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, peppers, onions, and other vegetables like eggplant for an added pop of flavor and nutrition.
Simply slice up some veggies and toss them in olive oil before roasting them in the oven until they’re tender but still crispy around the edges.
10. Cheese Fondue
What better way to add some cheesy goodness to your meal than by adding cheese fondue? Whether you go for classic Swiss cheese or something more contemporary like blue cheese or goat cheese, this is sure to be a hit at your dinner table!
11. Noodles
There’s nothing quite like biting into al dente noodles that have been cooked just right! Whether you’re serving up ramen noodles tossed in soy sauce or udon noodles in miso broth, these dishes are sure to be crowd-pleasers when served alongside your meat-fondue dinner.
Noodles are an easy and tasty side option that can be served either hot or cold, depending on what kind of noodles you choose (e.g., udon noodles vs. spaghetti).
12 . Couscous
Another great side dish that adds texture and flavor is couscous which comes in different flavors and sizes, making it perfect for customizing according to personal preferences and dietary needs/restrictions!
13. Fruit Salad
– Adding fruit into the mix makes the whole experience even more enjoyable!
From diced apples tossed in cinnamon sugar (a favorite!) to mango slices sprinkled with lime juice – there’s something for everyone here!
Try making a simple fruit salad by combining mangoes, strawberries, and blueberries before drizzling on some honey lime dressing—it makes for an excellent way to end any meal!
14. Pasta Salad
Try tossing together cooked pasta shells with chopped tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese before drizzling on some Italian vinaigrette for added zestiness—yum!
Also Read: Best Pasta Side Dish for Pork Tenderloin
15. Baked Beans
Baked beans pair especially well with pork dishes thanks to their smoky flavor profile.
Simply mix together canned beans (such as navy or pinto beans) with diced onion, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce, then bake in the oven until bubbling hot before serving alongside your favorite pork chops or ribs!
16. Cornbread
Cornbread is another delicious side dish that goes wonderfully with any type of meat-based meal; cornbread adds a sweetness that helps cut through some of the richness from heavier dishes such as beef stews or venison roasts while its crumbly texture adds interest (and fun!) to every bite!
17. Sweet pepper spears
Sweet pepper spears are long, thin slices of bell peppers that have been cut lengthwise.
They can be green, red, yellow, or orange in color and have a sweet taste. Sweet pepper spears are often used as an ingredient in salads, sandwiches, omelets, stir-fries, pasta dishes, and more.
They can also be grilled or roasted to bring out their natural sweetness and flavor.
Sweet pepper spears add a bright pop of color to any dish, and Enjoy them raw for the most nutritional value and crunchy texture!
18. Scalloped potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are a traditional side dish made with thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy sauce. The potatoes are usually layered with cheese and seasonings such as garlic, thyme, rosemary, onion powder, and pepper.
Scalloped potatoes have a creamy texture with a slightly firm bite that contrasts nicely with their crunchy topping. The flavor of scalloped potatoes has hints of buttery richness from the cream sauce, and umami notes from the Parmesan or breadcrumbs sprinkled over top for added flavor.
It’s no wonder why this delicious side dish has been a staple in many families for generations. Scalloped potatoes are sure to be a hit at any gathering or potluck!
Enjoy them with barbecued meat, roasted vegetables, or even as the main course served over a bed of greens.
19. Breadsticks
—The perfect accompaniment for any type of Italian-inspired meal (or just about anything else!).
Breadsticks provide crunchy textures while adding subtle hints of garlic butter flavor that will leave everyone wanting more.
—try making them at home using store-bought dough if you don’t have time to make them from scratch (we won’t tell anyone!).
20. Dessert Fondues
Last but certainly not least, let’s not forget about dessert! Chocolate, caramel, marshmallow…the options are endless when it comes to sweet treats dipped into yummy sauces!
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How do you jazz up meat fondue?
One way to jazz up a meat fondue is to add flavorful marinades.
Marinades are an excellent way to infuse flavor into your favorite meats and can be used for any type of meat, from beef and chicken to pork and fish.
Choose marinades that have bold flavors, such as soy sauce, garlic, onion, lemon, and herbs. The marinade can then be added to the fondue pot along with the meat, allowing it to cook in a flavorful mixture.
Another way to add flavor to your fondue is by using a variety of sauces for dipping.
From classic barbecue or teriyaki sauce to more exotic options such as mango chutney or honey mustard, there are plenty of ways to add flavor and interest to your fondue.
You can also mix up your meats by adding different combinations of poultry, beef, pork, and seafood. This will give your fondue a variety of flavors and textures that everyone can enjoy.
Finally, you can liven up the presentation of your meat fondue with colorful vegetables and fruits dipped into the hot oil.
Add crunchy bell peppers or zucchini slices for a pop of color and texture or juicy pineapples or strawberries for sweetness. Your guests will be delighted with these delicious additions!
FAQs
How much meat do you need for fondue per person?
The amount of meat needed for fondue per person depends on the type of meat you are using and the size of the pieces.
For beef, you should plan for about 3 ounces per person. If you are using larger cuts (such as cubes or strips), you may need more than 4 ounces per person.
For chicken and pork, plan on 2-3 ounces per person. Seafood requires less meat, so around 1-2 ounces per person should be plenty.
If your fondue includes vegetables, such as mushrooms or peppers, plan on 1/4 cup of vegetables per person. You can also add a small selection of sauces or dips to complement your selection of meats and vegetables for a truly unique fondue experience!
What is the best meat for meat fondue?
The best type of meat for a meat fondue depends on personal preference.
Generally, tender cuts of beef, such as sirloin or filet mignon, are well-suited to a fondue. Other popular options include chicken, pork, and lamb.
To ensure the meat cooks evenly, it is important to cut the pieces into bite-sized cubes prior to cooking in the fondue pot.
There are plenty of non-meat alternatives available for an enjoyable, fondue experience. Vegetables such as mushrooms and bell peppers are ideal for meat-free fondues, as well as vegetarian proteins like tofu and tempeh.
