What To Serve With Baba Ganoush: 10 Best Accompaniments
Baba ganoush is an appetiser that tastes way better than it sounds!
From the land of spicy and sweet food Lebanon, this dish is much loved by foodies throughout the world. Its main ingredients are aubergine, lemon juice, olive oil, and seasonings.
In a world divided by vegetarians and non-vegetarians, baba ganoush can be a potential unifying factor that’s enjoyed by all. Or maybe that’s taking it too far!
Nevertheless, once you get a taste of baba ganoush, you’ll always be left wanting more. Not only is it absolutely delicious, but it has a range of health benefits.
The rich aubergines can give your body a well-deserved boost of fibre, copper, B-6, thiamine, and numerous other minerals.
The preparation of baba ganoush isn’t that hard either.
What’s more, there are tons of options for what to serve with baba ganoush to make it even more delicious. Let’s have a look at some top choices…
1. Tabbouleh salad
Tabbouleh salad is a light and nutritious, and also hails from Lebanon, making it an authentic side dish for your meal. It’s also vegetarian, and easy to prepare.
The main ingredients are tomatoes, parsley, onions, olive oil, and a variety of your favourite crunchy greens. The addition of lemon juice really makes the salad sing, and brings all those fresh and beautiful flavours together.
2. Chickpea salad with lemon and dill
Who doesn’t like chickpeas? These small balls of protein and energy are nutritious and surprisingly filling. A chickpea, lemon, and dill salad perfectly complements the flavours of baba ganoush.
The secret to a wonderful result here is to use the best quality chickpeas you can find. You’ll find lots of great choices that are ready to use in the tinned aisle at the supermarket, or you can prepare a dried variety. This takes a little more time, though they keep in the fridge and can be used in lots of different recipes.
3. Lemon and parsley bean salad
This lemon and parsley bean salad is a wonderful medley of Mediterranean flavours, and it’s packed with fibre and tons of essential vitamins and minerals.
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for a couple of days, and they can be brought back to life by adding a little extra olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. They’re great for a packed lunch to take to work, so be sure that make an extra portion or two!
4. Tahini sauce
Tahini sauce has a distinctive tangy and sour taste. Couple this taste with the baba ganoush, and you have a mouth-watering meal. Add some freshly baked bread or your favourite salad, and you’re ready to go.
This is the perfect choice for what to serve with baba ganoush when you want to create a Mediterranean inspired feast and invite your guests to help themselves to a little bit of whatever they fancy. Sometimes, this kind of buffet meal can be the most satisfying, and it ensures that everyone gets to enjoy the food they love the most.
5. Quinoa salad
You might have noticed that there are a fair few different salad suggestions here to pair with baba ganoush. That’s because the fresh crunch of a salad just works so well with the bold flavour of your creamy dip, and a quinoa salad is no different here.
Simply cook your quinoa according to packet instructions, and add your favourite veggies. Good suggestions include tomatoes, peppers, red onions, and even avocados. This is a great opportunity to use up any leftovers that you might have lurking in the back of your fridge!
Finally, dress with some lemon juice and some chopped herbs, such as mint or coriander.
6. Roast lamb
What could give your creamy baba ganoush a real barbecue feel? What could make it irresistible to meat lovers and vegetarians alike? Roast lamb is the answer!
The flavours work so well together, and it’s a real treat of a meal for the warm summer months when you might want to cook and eat outdoors.
Of course, this option for what to serve with baba ganoush requires more preparation and skill, but for a special meal, it’s definitely worth the effort.
I recommend this recipe for perfect roast lamb. I like to ensure that it’s cooked pink so it’s deliciously tender and flavoursome every time, but it’s all down to personal choice!
7. Pitta bread
Pitta bread is a must-have for dipping into that delicious baba ganoush. It’s even better when served fresh and hot, straight from the oven.
If you have some time available, try making your own pitta breads. The result will be authentic, light, and fluffy, and nothing quite compares to the smell wafting through your home.
Be sure to add some fresh juicy tomatoes and some red onion slices. The result is a simple meal that’s bound to satisfy even the most discerning of foodies.
8. Grilled halloumi cheese
Greece has blessed us with some truly wonderful culinary gifts, and many of them work really well as a side dish for baba ganoush.
One such example is grilled halloumi cheese. Its high melting point means that it retains its gorgeously firm texture when grilled, whilst also taking on a beautifully charred and flavour from the grill pan.
Slice your cheese into 1/2 inch thick slices, and drizzle with oil and ground black pepper. Get your grill pan piping hot, then cook the cheese slices for around 3 minutes on each side, or until cooked to your liking.
9. Chicken kebabs
Chicken kebabs are a quick and easy dinnertime option that appear on my meal plan at least once every couple of weeks.
Just marinade your chicken in your favourite spices, thread on to skewers with veggies like onions and peppers, spritz with a little oil, and bake in the oven for around half an hour or until cooked through.
Check out my piri piri skewers recipe for further kebab inspiration.
10. Vegetable crudités
Vegetable crudités are the ideal choice for what to serve with baba ganoush, as they’re so good for dipping!
They’re also really easy to prepare. Just chop up the likes of carrots, cucumbers, and peppers, and you’re good to go.
Serve on a platter and sit back and enjoy the vibrant colours. Paired with your baba ganoush, this can be a starter, a main course, or a snack.
Which of these side dishes and accompaniments for baba ganoush will you be trying?
Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts – I love hearing about your adventures in the kitchen!
