What To Serve With Liver & Onions: 12 Best Sides!
Liver and onions is one of those meals that you either love or you hate.
Since you’re reading this, it’s fairly safe to assume that you’re in the lovers camp.
Well, that or you’re just trying to win some brownie points with someone who likes to indulge in a little offally goodness.
Either way… Welcome.
Pull up a chair, read carefully, and prepare to take a few notes.
I’m about to walk you through the 12 absolute best choices for what to serve with liver and onions.
In less than 5 minutes, you’ll be armed with a plethora of delicious sides and accompaniments that will turn your next meal into something worthy of
Without any further ado, let’s get down to it…
1. Mashed potatoes
For many, liver and onions is the ultimate in comfort food.
And comfort food always, in my humble opinion, calls for a side serving of creamy mashed potatoes.
Don’t cut any corners here. Use lashings of butter and cream, and you’re in for a real treat.
For the fluffiest potatoes, choose Maris Piper or King Edwards.
If you like, add a little mustard and plenty of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Minted peas
This recipe for minted peas is simple but delicious, and so quintessentially British, making it a lovely option for what to serve with liver and onions.
Some of the peas are kept whole whilst some of them are blitzed in a food processor, creating an interesting mix of textures for your plate.
The addition of a little garlic butter, shallot, and mint adds fresh and vibrant flavour that will lighten your main course.
(For more classic comfort food inspiration, take a look at what to eat with oxtails!)
3. Roasted carrots
You really can’t go wrong with a side serving of roasted carrots. They couldn’t be any easier to prepare, either.
Boil up the brightest carrots you can get your hands on for around 5 minutes, drain, leave to steam for a few minutes, then toss in a big roasting tray with olive oil, honey, red wine vinegar, and plenty of seasoning.
Roast for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender, lightly charred, and deliciously melty.
You don’t need to bother with peeling the carrots, unless they’re a little old and gnarly looking.
Just give them a quick scrub and they’ll be good to go. It’s easier, and they’ll look wonderfully rustic.
4. Brussel sprouts with bacon
Sprouts get bad press, and this is likely thanks to the overbuild varieties that you were forced to eat every Christmas as a child.
When prepared with a little love and finesse though, they can be super tasty.
They’re also high in fibre and vitamins C and K, so you know you’re getting some goodness into your loved ones at dinnertime.
This sprouts with bacon recipe takes just two ingredients and some seasoning, and creates a fabulous side dish for liver and onions.
5. Oxo roast potatoes
Once you’ve tried these Oxo roast potatoes, you might never again return to your usual roasties recipe.
They’re parboiled to start with to ensure they’re super fluffy inside, before being tossed with an Oxo beefy stock cube and roasted in the oven or the air fryer until you get tons of crispy bits.
They’re deeply savoury, and the ideal accompaniment when you want a hearty and satisfying dinner.
Make sure you take the time to give them a good old shake in a colander after the boiling stage.
This is part of the secret to the crispy bits!
6. Braised red cabbage
First of all, red cabbage just looks so pleasing on a dinner plate, and really adds an extra wow factor to any main course that you serve it with.
Most importantly though, it’s a delight to tuck into. It’s slightly sweet, slightly crunchy, and adding a mix of fragrant spices and a generous dash of red wine really takes the flavour to the next level.
If you like, add some bacon for extra impact.
7. Dirty rice
Okay, so let’s move away from the more traditional options for what to serve with liver and onions, and take a slightly more creative route!
If you’ve never tried dirty rice before, it could be one of the best things you do this month.
It’s a fabulous way to use up any leftover bits of meat and vegetables that you might have, by simply frying them up with a big pan of rice and lots of spices.
It traditionally includes liver in the recipe, but it also makes a great side dish for a modern twist on liver and onions.
For more side dish ideas, take a look at what to serve with dirty rice.
8. Roasted cauliflower
It’s all too easy to over-boil cauliflower and end up with a bowl of unappetising mush.
When it’s roasted in the oven though with some olive oil and seasoning, it retains a pleasing crunch and makes for a quick, easy, and budget friendly accompaniment for any meal.
Grab the biggest, fullest head that you can find at the greengrocers, and cut off slices, so it resembles steak.
It looks really impressive on the plate, and it’s another genius way to get your kids to enjoy their vegetables!
9. Red wine mushrooms
Everyone knows that mushrooms work so well with the bold flavours of steak, so why not try them with your liver and onions?
The earthy, woody taste is a great pairing for offal, and if you like, you can make things that extra bit special by using whatever exotic mushrooms you can get your hands on in your local supermarket or delicatessen.
This red wine mushrooms recipe is a lovely one to have in your culinary toolkit.
10. Bubble and squeak
Bubble and squeak is a classical British dish, and it’s typically made by frying up leftovers.
Back when I was growing up, we’d often have bubble and squeak on a Monday teatime, to use up left over bits and bobs from the previous day’s Sunday roast.
Mashed potato and cabbage are the most common ingredients, though you can get as creative as you like, based on what you have in your pantry.
It’s a quick and frugal option for what to serve with liver and onions.
11. Yorkshire pudding
Yorkshire puddings improve pretty much any meal you can think of!
If you’re only serving them alongside roast beef, you’re missing out on some real treats.
I even make a batch when I’m cooking a curry, as an alternative to naan breads.
They’re also lovely with liver and onions.
You could make a giant Yorkie and serve the rest of your dinner inside it, like something you might find in a traditionally British pub.
12. Homemade chunky chips
A portion of home cooked chips will always go down well when you’re serving liver and onions.
They’re easy to make, and they’re sure to be popular with everyone at the table.
They don’t have to be unhealthy, either. Bake in the oven with a spritz of low calorie cooking spray if you’re trying to keep an eye on your calorie consumption.
If you’re a fan of liver and onions, you’ll love it even more with a couple of these side dishes added to your meal.
Which ones are your favourites, and which new ones will you be trying next?
