The traditional pork pie is a savory picnic favorite in Britain. With its flaky hot water crust pastry filled with spiced ground pork, pork pies make a satisfying snack or appetizer. But the deliciousness of a pork pie depends greatly on what you serve alongside it.
The right accompaniments can enhance the flavors of the pork pie while cutting through its richness. In this article, we’ll explore over 20 fantastic pairings to take your pork pie experience to the next level. From classic condiments to fresh salads, cheese, baked goods, and beverages, these recipes will inspire you to create a stellar pork pie platter.
A Guide to Pairing Sides with Pork Pie
Before diving into specific pairings, let’s look at some general tips for pairing side dishes with pork pie:
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Complement the flavor profile – Pork pies have a savory, rich taste. Sides that add acidity, creaminess, crunch, or other contrasting notes enhance the experience.
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Consider texture – Soft, crunchy, creamy pairings prevent the pork pie from feeling too dense. Vary textures for contrast
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Add color – Incorporate colorful vegetables, fruits, and other sides to brighten up an all-beige pork pie plate
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Think beyond savory – A touch of sweetness balances the saltiness of pork pie. Fruits, sweets, and some condiments provide this.
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Watch the richness – Too many rich fatty sides can overwhelm. Add lighter choices like salads to refresh the palate.
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Go seasonal – Highlight what’s fresh! Let seasonal produce guide your side dish selections.
With these tips in mind, let’s look at 21 delicious options for what to serve with pork pie!
21 Perfect Pairings for Pork Pie
1. Pickles and Chutneys
A spoonful of chunky pickle or fruit chutney served alongside pork pie lends a delicious sweet-and-sour contrast. The acidity balances the fattiness. Try Branston pickle, piccalilli, apple chutney, or onion marmalade.
2. Spicy Mustard
Adding a dollop of spicy mustard, like English mustard or Dijon, perks up pork pie with a sinus-clearing kick. The zing cuts through the richness beautifully.
3. Cornichons
These tart, crispy little French pickles pair flawlessly with cured and fatty meats like pork pie. Their bright acidity and crunch liven up the palette.
4. Coleslaw
Cool, creamy coleslaw with its blend of crunchy cabbage and carrots makes a refreshing counterpoint. Jazz it up with apple, raisins, or caraway seeds mixed into the dressing.
5. Potato Salad
Like coleslaw, potato salad offers temperature contrast. The starchiness of the potatoes balances the rich pork pie nicely. Opt for a mayo-based or vinegar-forward version.
6. Sauerkraut
Fermented, tangy sauerkraut served alongside pork pie adds a probiotic punch. Its salty, pickled flavor cuts the fattiness.
7. Celery Sticks
Offer crisp, fresh celery sticks on your pork pie platter. They provide crunch and let you scoop up any drippings or toppings.
8. Crackers
Crackers, like plain water crackers or rye crispbreads, lend a dry, toasty crunch and carb balance. They also serve as a tasty edible platter for pork pie slices.
9. Cheese
A sliced sharp cheddar, crumbly Lancashire, or creamy blue cheese amps up the savory umami factor. The creaminess contrasts the dense meat pie.
10. Grapes
Fresh grapes offer bursts of sweet juice and fruitiness between salty, rich bites of pork pie. Green and red grapes both pair well.
11. Apple Slices
Apples are a classic mate for pork. Tart green apples sliced thin give palate-cleansing acidity and fruitiness alongside hearty pie.
12. Roasted Beets
Earthy, sweet roasted beets lend color and a tangy edge thanks to their vinegar dressing. Their minerality acts as a hearty side for pork-based treats.
13. Baked Beans
Think British picnic! Traditional baked beans, either homemade or from a can, make an easy, crowd-pleasing side. Their sauce provides sweetness.
14. Potato Chips
For an indulgent crunch, serve your pork pie with classic potato chips or kettle chips. The starch, grease, and salt balance the pie’s richness.
15. Salad Greens
Don’t neglect simple greens! Fresh salad leaves dressed lightly with lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs cut through the decadence.
16. Quick Pickle Radishes
Thinly sliced radishes quick-pickled in vinegar and sugar for just 15 minutes offer zippy peppery crunch. Their bright pink hue pops on the plate.
17. Savory Hand Pies
Mini hand pies, like empanadas filled with beef or chicken, provide a playful twist on the concept. Their portability pairs perfectly.
18. Grain Salads
Nutty grains like farro, barley, or quinoa tossed with vinaigrette make satisfying small plates. Hearty and protein-rich, they complement pork pie.
19. Beer Mustard
For homemade flair, stir up beer mustard! Blend brown or pale ale with mustard powder, honey, and spices for a perfect pie dipper.
20. Fruit Chutney
Whip up your own fruity chutney by cooking down apples, pears, cranberries, onions, and warming spices like cinnamon and clove. Sweet-tart perfection!
21. Fresh Bread
No picnic pairing beats a fresh baked baguette, crusty roll, or slice of sourdough for dipping into mustard and pork pie drippings. Yum!
With this diverse list of 21 sides for pork pie, you can craft a show-stopping picnic platter or appetizer board. Mix and match complementary textures, flavors, colors, and recipes based on your mood and menu.
5 Easy Pork Pie and Pairings Platters
To spark your inspiration, here are 5 suggested pork pie platters with delicious sides:
Platter #1 – The Classic
- Pork pie
- English mustard
- Cornichons
- Coleslaw
- Sliced sourdough bread
Platter #2 – The Pickle Lover
- Pork pie
- Assorted pickles – dill, pickled onions, chow chow
- Marinated olives
- Cheddar cheese
- Crackers
Platter #3 – The Garden
- Pork pie
- Fresh seasonal crudité – carrots, celery, radishes
- Herbed yogurt dip
- Grape tomato skewers
- Mixed salad greens
Platter #4 – The Potluck
- Pork pie
- Potato salad
- Baked beans
- Mango chutney
- Cheddar cheese straws
Platter #5 – The Grazing Board
- Pork pie
- Spicy beer mustard
- Assorted cheeses – smoky gouda, fresh chèvre, stilton
- Crackers and breads
- Fresh and dried fruits
- Roasted nuts
- Cornichons
With endless options for creating a sensational pork pie platter, you can craft a custom spread for any occasion. Use these suggestions as a jumping-off point for your own creative pairings.
Complementary Beverages for Pork Pies
In addition to side dishes, beverages deserve consideration for rounding out your pork pie experience:
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Tea – Hot tea, iced tea, and Arnold Palmers pair nicely with traditional British pork pies. The tannins cut through the sodium and fat.
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Beer – Many beers work well with meat pies thanks to shared malty notes. Go for English beers like pale ale, ESB, or brown ale.
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Hard cider – Dry or semi-sweet cider offers refreshing carbonation and fruitiness to wash down bites of pork pie.
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White wine – Choose a crisp, acidic white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to balance the richness.
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Ginger beer – For those avoiding alcohol, ginger beer gives a lively bite along with ale-like vibrancy.
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Sparkling water – Simple bubbly water cleanses the palate in between bites of savory pie.
Opt for beverages that won’t overpower the star of the show – the pork pie! Light, acidic, and moderately carbonated choices tend to pair best.
Tips for Serving Success
To help your pork pies and pairings look as good as they taste, keep these serving tips in mind:
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Chill pies and refrigerated sides like slaws ahead of time for food safety. Take them out 15-30 minutes before serving.
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Arrange pairings in small dishes scattered around the main platter holding the full pork pies.
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Spear grape tomatoes, fruits, and other round items onto skewers or picks for easy grabbing.
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Slice the pork pies ahead of time for no-fuss serving.
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Provide small knives and forks for slicing and spreading soft cheeses.
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Supply napkins and wet wipes to tidy up sticky fingers.
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Use a variety of platters, boards, and tiered stands at different heights to display the foods.
With stellar sides and clever presentation, your pork pie will be the shining star of your picnic or appetizer spread!
FAQ About Serving Pork Pies
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about serving pork pies:
What are the most traditional sides to serve with pork pie?
The most traditional accompaniments are English mustard, pickles like Branston or piccalilli, cheese, and fresh bread. These classics complement the pork pie beautifully.
Can I make substitutions for ingredients in the suggested pairings?
Absolutely! Swap out any ingredients you don’t have for similar foods. Such as creamed horseradish for English mustard or dill pickles for cornichons. Get creative!
What drinks pair well with pork pie?
Pork pies pair excellently with English beers and ciders, crisp white wines, bubbly waters, tea, and ginger beer. Avoid heavy, tannic reds that could overpower the subtler pie flavors.
Should I serve pork pies warm or cold?
Traditionally, pork pies are served fully cooled or cold. The jelly filling needs to set up through chilling to reach the proper texture. Warm pies may be mushy.
Can I prepare pork pie platters ahead of time?
You can prep platters 1-2 hours before serving. Store cold/room temp foods together on a single tray or plate. Keep meats chilled separately and assemble just before guests arrive.
Savor the Savory Combo of Pork Pie and Pairings
A stellar pork pie deserves equally tasty accompaniments. With this guide covering over 20 complementary sides, creative platters, and serving tips, you can take your pork pie experience to new picnic perfection.
Surround the savory pie with a medley of pickles, slaws, cheeses, crunchy veggies, juicy fruits, and other vibrant pairings. Delight your guests with interactive boards full of delicious variety.
So next time you bake up a classic pork pie, don’t neglect the pairings. With the right mustard, chutney, salads, or other sides, you can craft a well-rounded flavor profile that keeps your palette enthralled from first bite to last.