Santa Maria pork roast is an incredibly flavorful main dish, bursting with tangy, peppery, garlic-infused flavor. With its tender, juicy meat and addictive blend of seasonings, it definitely steals the show! But every star player needs a strong supporting cast.

That’s why it’s so important to find side dishes that complement and enhance the Santa Maria pork roast, rather than compete with it. The right sides will take your meal from good to sensational.

After cooking many hearty Santa Maria pork roasts for my family, I’ve discovered 10 side dishes that pair perfectly with this specialty regional dish. These sides enhance the roast’s bold flavors and textures, add color and nutrition to the plate and provide satisfying contrast and balance.

Keep reading for my lineup of the 10 best side dishes to serve with Santa Maria pork roast!

1. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes are my go-to pairing with Santa Maria pork roast Their natural sweetness balances the roast’s tangy spices beautifully

I like to slice purple sweet potatoes into rounds, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them at 400°F for 20-25 minutes. The high oven heat caramelizes their sugars, intensifying their sweet flavor.

As the pork roast rests, the roasted sweet potatoes finish cooking to an irresistible tenderness. Their vibrant color and texture creates a perfect complement to the savory, shredded pork meat.

2. Garlic Green Beans

For a lighter and healthier side dish, I love serving garlic green beans alongside Santa Maria pork roast. Their fresh, green flavor and satisfying crunch provides the perfect contrast.

To make garlic green beans, I sauté or steam green beans until just tender. Then I sauté minced garlic and red onion in olive oil until fragrant. Toss the green beans with the garlic oil, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

The bright, peppery flavor of the garlic green beans balances the rich unctuousness of the pork. It’s a match made in heaven!

3. Classic Coleslaw

Cool, crisp coleslaw is another excellent pairing for Santa Maria pork roast. The tangy cabbage provides a refreshing counterpoint to the roast’s heat.

I make a simple creamy coleslaw by tossing shredded cabbage and carrots with a dressing of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper. The sour cream-based dressing pairs wonderfully with the pork.

For some extra zip, I’ll sometimes add diced jalapeño and green onion. The coleslaw cuts through the rich fattiness of the pork for the perfect bite.

4. Cranberry Pecan Brussels Sprouts

If you want a side dish with more substance, cranberry pecan Brussels sprouts are a fantastic choice. They add color, crunch, and nutty sweetness to balance the roast.

I slice Brussels sprouts thinly, then sauté them in olive oil until just tender. Toasted pecans and dried cranberries add delicious texture and tangy flavor. The sweet and nutty flavors mesh beautifully with the spicy, savory pork.

5. Grilled Corn on the Cob

For a classic barbecue side, nothing beats grilled corn on the cob with Santa Maria pork roast. Grilling brings out the corn’s natural sweetness to balance the meat’s heat.

I simply brush shucked corn with olive oil and grill until lightly charred, 10-15 minutes. A spritz of lime and sprinkle of cotija cheese adds zesty flavor.

The smoky charred corn kernels pair perfectly with the spice-rubbed shreds of juicy pork roast. It’s the taste of summer!

6. Classic Mashed Potatoes

You can’t go wrong pairing Santa Maria pork roast with creamy, comfort-food mashed potatoes. They provide the perfect blank canvas for the roast’s dynamic flavors.

After boiling and mashing russet potatoes with butter, milk, and seasonings, I’ll often stir in roasted garlic or herbs for extra flavor. The velvety texture and mild taste complements the pork beautifully.

Mashed potatoes are a familiar and satisfying side dish for soaking up the incredible juices and spices of Santa Maria pork roast. It’s a hearty, comforting meal.

7. Herb Rice Pilaf

For a sophisticated starch, try an herbed rice pilaf with your Santa Maria pork. The fluffy rice soaks up the roast’s delicious juices while providing a neutral complement.

I make rice pilaf by sautéing onion and garlic in olive oil, then adding rice and broth. Once cooked, I stir in fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, rosemary, and lemon zest.

The aromatic, herby rice pilaf pairs wonderfully with the spice-packed shreds of pork roast. It balances the rich meat with bright flavors and fluffy texture.

8. Cornbread

Warm, buttery cornbread is a quintessential pairing for Santa Maria pork roast. Its grainy sweetness soaks up the meat juices perfectly.

I bake cornbread with cornmeal, flour, buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter for incredibly moist, tenderloaf. For fun, I’ll add canned corn kernels, chopped jalapeños, or shredded cheddar cheese.

A slice of fresh cornbread is ideal for sopping up the delicious pan drippings and juices from Santa Maria pork roast. The sweet corn flavor accentuates the meat’s smoky spices.

9. Fresh Garden Salad

For a light and healthy accompaniment, I’ll whip up a fresh garden salad with colorful vegetables, nuts, and a zesty dressing. It balances the rich roast with freshness.

I’ll toss together mixed greens, tomatoes, shredded carrot, sliced cucumber, and red onion. Topped with toasted walnuts or pecans and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette, it’s so fresh and delicious.

The crisp salad greens serve as a perfect palate cleanser between bites of succulent Santa Maria pork roast. The contrast of flavors and textures takes the meal to the next level.

10. Baked Beans

What barbecue meal would be complete without a side of baked beans? Their sweet and smoky flavors are a quintessential match for Santa Maria pork.

I make homemade baked beans by simmering navy beans in barbecue sauce, brown sugar, onions, mustard, and spices. They’re sweet, tangy, and irresistibly tender.

With its signature blend of seasonings, Santa Maria pork roast already contains the quintessential flavors of barbecue. Baked beans accentuate and complement those spices for finger-licking deliciousness!

Conclusion

Santa Maria pork roast is so unbelievably tasty, you want side dishes that enhance its amazing flavor, rather than compete with it. That’s why roasted sweet potatoes, garlic green beans, classic coleslaw, and other fresh, contrasting sides make the perfect complements.