The brisket sandwich, piled high with thinly sliced, tender, spice-rubbed smoked meat, is a masterpiece of flavor and texture. It’s smoky, savory, peppery, and delightfully rich. But a mistake many make is focusing solely on the meat.
Truly, the star cannot shine without its supporting cast. Choosing the right brisket side dishes is not just about filling out the plate; it’s about creating crucial contrasts that reset the palate and elevate every smoky bite.
Whether you’re enjoying your dish at one of the best smoked meat restaurants, or mastering your home smoker, you need balance. We’re diving into the essential, comforting, and hearty pairings that define the perfect brisket experience.
The Essential Foundation: Cutting the Fat
The first rule of pairing anything with rich, fatty smoked meat brisket is simple: fight fire with ice. You need sharp, acidic, and cool elements to cut through the richness and cleanse your palate. These are non-negotiable staples that belong on every deli plate.
- Dill Pickles: These are the mandatory palate cleanser. The assertive sourness from the brine is critical; it immediately cuts through the oiliness of the smoked meat. The cold, crisp crunch of the pickle spear provides a sharp textural break, resetting your taste buds between bites of the rich brisket.
- Coleslaw: Coleslaw offers two forms of relief: temperature and texture. Served chilled, it cools the heat from the steamed brisket. Whether it’s a tangy vinegar slaw or a creamy, slightly sweet preparation, the shredded cabbage and dressing act as a refreshing buffer against the strong spice and pepper crust. It is a fundamental component and one of the truly best sides with brisket.
Comfort and Crunch: The Potato and Onion Family
Once the palate is balanced, it’s time for comfort. The second tier of ideal brisket side dishes focuses on adding satisfying crunch and starchy substance to the meal.
- Fries: The reliable, salty classic provides a critical structural base. Hot, crispy fries are the ultimate vehicle for soaking up stray meat drippings, sauces, or mustard, turning them into a flavorful extension of the sandwich itself.
- Onion Rings: These offer a sophisticated, sweeter alternative to the basic fry. The contrast between the crunchy, seasoned batter and the soft, sweet interior of the onion provides a textural counterpoint to the peppery bark of the smoked meat, enhancing the overall savory profile.
- Sweet Potato Fries with Mayo: This elevated choice brings a unique sweet-and-savory dynamic. The mild, earthy sweetness of the sweet potato actively complements the deep, smoky flavor of the brisket, rather than simply standing next to it. Dipping them in a rich, cool mayonnaise (or spicy aioli) adds an extra layer of creamy decadence.
- Potato Pancakes (Latkes): A true nod to classic deli tradition, these are the heartiest potato option. Unlike light fries, latkes are dense, savory, pan-fried cakes with crispy, oil-infused edges and a soft, onion-laced interior. They offer a rustic and more substantial comfort food base that pairs exceptionally well with the robust flavor of the brisket.
The Hearty & Regional Specialty: Poutine
When you want a side dish that crosses the line into a full, indulgent meal, you turn to the ultimate Canadian classic: Poutine. This pairing is especially relevant when discussing the best smoked meat in Montreal.
Poutine is a beautiful mess of textures and temperatures: crispy French fries are topped with squeaky, cold cheese curds, and then generously smothered in hot, savory brown gravy. The combination of hot gravy, cold curds, and crispy potatoes is addictive on its own, but it truly shines with the addition of high-quality meat.
Poutine is highly customizable, often featuring various toppings. For brisket, the most popular choice is “Smoked Meat Poutine,” where the fries are piled high with delicious, tender chunks of the smoked brisket. This hearty creation combines the salty, comforting starch of the fries with the deep, smoky spices of the meat, creating a rich, textural comfort food that ensures you leave completely satisfied.
Where to Find the Perfect Sides: The Dunn’s Difference
If you’re asking who truly does the best smoked meat sides, we believe the answer is right here at Dunn’s. For almost 100 years, we haven’t just focused on smoking the meat; we’ve perfected the entire experience. We understand that the best plate is built on a careful balance of contrasts.
We take immense pride in ensuring every side dish lives up to the quality of our signature smoked meat. Our dill pickles are precisely cured to provide that essential sour bite. Our coleslaw is always fresh and tangy, offering the necessary coolness. And, of course, our perfectly crispy fries and our legendary Smoked Meat Poutine are crafted to be the ultimate comfort food companions. We don’t just serve sides; we serve the complete, authentic Montreal smoked meat experience, perfected over decades.
Conclusion
The magic of enjoying smoked meat is ultimately found in the balance of textures and flavors. When you choose your pairings, you are striving for a perfect culinary tension: the sharp acidity of a pickle against the meat’s rich fat, the comforting starch of a potato offsetting the intense smoky spice, and the indulgence of poutine providing a hearty, regional flourish.
Stop settling for a mediocre plate and demand a complete experience that satisfies every craving. If you’re ready to try the genuine article, paired with the perfect coleslaw and pickles, there is only one destination: head to Dunn’s Famous for the best smoked meat in Montreal.
Key Takeaways
- Sides are not optional; their primary function is to introduce acid and coldness to actively cut through the heavy fat and intense smoke of the brisket.
- Dill pickles and coleslaw are essential for cleansing the palate between savory bites, preparing you for the next taste of meat.
- Sides like fries, onion rings, and potato pancakes provide the necessary grounding weight and comforting crunch to complement the brisket’s soft, tender texture.
- The regional specialty, Poutine, allows for an indulgent meal, especially when the smoked brisket itself is added as a premium topping.
- A top deli understands that the entire plate must be perfect. At Dunn’s, the focus is on perfecting the balance of every side to deliver the complete, authentic smoked meat experience.
