What To Serve With Swedish Potato Sausage: A Guide to Perfect Pairings

Swedish potato sausage, also known as potatiskorv, is a beloved dish in many Swedish-American households. This tasty sausage is made from a mixture of ground pork and grated raw potato, stuffed into a sausage casing. The potato acts as a binder and helps make the sausage very moist and flavorful.

While Swedish potato sausage is delicious on its own, it’s even better when served with complementary side dishes. The right sides can enhance the flavors of the sausage and make for a more interesting and balanced meal. Here are some of my favorite pairings for Swedish potato sausage.

Traditional Sides for Swedish Potato Sausage

There are certain classic side dishes that just seem to go perfectly with Swedish potato sausage. These traditional pairings likely originate from the meal customs of Swedish immigrants in America. Here are some ideas to try:

• Lingonberry jam – Tart lingonberry jam provides the perfect tangy counterpoint to the rich, savory sausage. Cranberry sauce also works nicely.

• Mashed potatoes – Skip regular mashed potatoes, which would be too starchy with the potato-filled sausage. Opt for mashed rutabaga or celery root instead.

• Quick pickled beets – The bright, acidic flavor of pickled beets cuts through the sausage’s richness. Other pickled veggies like cucumbers or green beans also pair well.

• Sauerkraut – The pleasant sourness of sauerkraut complements the sausage beautifully. Red cabbage slaw works similarly.

• Spaetzle or egg noodles – These tender little German-style noodles make an excellent starchy side for soaking up the sausage drippings.

• Applesauce – The sweet tartness of homemade applesauce balances the sausage’s hearty flavor.

Creative Ways to Serve Swedish Potato Sausage

Beyond the customary pairings, there are lots of creative ways to serve Swedish potato sausage and liven up your meal:

• Breakfast – Add scrambled eggs and toast for a hearty breakfast sausage.

• Omelets or frittatas – Chop up the sausage and add it to egg dishes for a savory bite.

• Sausage sandwiches – Layer the sausage with sauerkraut, mustard and cheese on rye bread.

• Casseroles or hotdishes – Mix chopped sausage with veggies, pasta or rice in a baked casserole.

• Soups – Slice the sausage and add it to hearty bean or vegetable soups.

• Pizza – Use sliced sausage as a fun topping along with mushrooms, peppers and onions.

• Pasta sauce – Brown the sausage and simmer in tomato sauce for a quick meaty pasta topper.

• Potato pancakes – Grate potato sausage into potato pancake batter for extra flavor and moisture.

• Potato salad – Chop up the sausage and fold it into creamy potato salad for a picnic twist.

Veggie Sides to Lighten Up Your Meal

Since Swedish potato sausage is fairly heavy, balance it out with some lighter cooked vegetable sides. Here are some tasty options:

• Green beans – Saute green beans with olive oil, garlic and broth for a simple side.

• Peas – Buttery peas with fresh mint brighten up the sausage’s richness.

• Roasted root veggies – Roots like carrots, parsnips and sweet potato caramelize beautifully when roasted.

• Steamed broccoli – Top steamed broccoli with lemon juice and parmesan for brightness.

• Braised cabbage – Sweet and tangy braised red cabbage complements the sausage.

• Sauteed peppers and onions – Cook down bell peppers and onions into a flavorful peperonata side dish.

Salads for Crunch and Acidity

The freshness and acidity of vegetable salads prevents the meal from feeling too heavy. Try these salad ideas:

• Potato salad – As mentioned above, add chopped sausage to potato salad.

• Beet salad – Toasted walnuts add crunch to tangy beet salad.

• Cabbage slaw – A vinegar-based slaw with carrots and onions makes a tasty crunchy side.

• Greek salad – Feta, olives, tomatoes and cucumber taste wonderful next to the sausage.

• Apple and fennel – Thinly sliced fennel and apple with lemon dressing provides crisp freshness.

What Will You Serve with Your Swedish Potato Sausage?

With all these delicious pairing ideas, the hardest part will be choosing what to serve! Try out some of these suggested sides next time you make Swedish potato sausage. Or get creative and experiment with your own combinations. No matter what you pick, the important thing is enjoying time with friends and family over some comforting, delicious food. Skål!