The traditional wiener schnitzel doesn’t come with sides, so you’ll want to choose carefully when deciding what to serve with wiener schnitzel. Here are some of the best options and their nutritional content per serving.
You should eat between 2-3 servings of vegetables and 1-2 servings of carbohydrates when you eat wiener schnitzel, depending on how many calories you’re trying to cut back on that day or week.
Here is the list of what to serve with wiener schnitzel!
1. German Potato Salad
This is the first on our list of what to serve with wiener schnitzel. German potato salad is one of the most common side dishes to offer with wiener schnitzel.
It doesn’t contain mayonnaise-like typical potato salad in America. Instead, a dressing made of vinegar is mixed with the potatoes.
The bacon and mustard give the salad a tangy flavor with a smoky and spicy bite. Although it is typically served heated, you can also serve it chilled.
Is this something you’d be interested in trying? To make it!
- Peel and cube potatoes into 1⁄2-inch pieces.
- Boil in water until soft but not mushy.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Drain well and then place in a bowl.
- Stir in mayonnaise, chopped onions, celery, parsley, pickles, and hard-boiled eggs (optional).
Meanwhile, the mixture should be moist but not soupy or wet. Refrigerate it overnight before serving so that the flavors can blend together.
2. Spaetzle
This is the next on our list of what to serve with spaetzle. A tiny German dumpling called a spaetzle is formed from a straightforward egg batter. It is a typical side dish for wiener schnitzel when served in Germany.
The dumplings are cooked by parboiling them and then toasting them until they begin to brown. They can be served plain or with a touch of lemon and some cheese on top.
However, when I serve them with schnitzel, I prefer to dunk them in a cheese sauce. You may improvise with your kitchen tools to create these small dumplings, which are quite simple to prepare.
- Cook the spaetzle in boiling salted water until they float to the top. Stir them occasionally, so they don’t stick together.
- Rinse with cold running water for about 30 seconds so the spaetzle cools off and stops cooking from the heat of the water. Drain well before serving.
3. Wild Rice Pilaf
Wild rice is a hearty grain that can be paired with wiener schnitzel. It’s flavorful and filling enough to stand on its own, and it pairs well with sausage or bacon when you’re looking for an extra protein source.
If you’re feeling indulgent, top the wild rice pilaf off with sautéed mushrooms and onions. You can’t go wrong with wild rice pilaf if you are wondering what to serve with wiener schnitzel.
4. Rotkohl
The side dish of choice in Germany is Rotkohl. Made from shredded, cooked red cabbage and sauerkraut, it is often seasoned with caraway seeds, cloves, allspice, bay leaves, or brown sugar.
This delicious side dish complements wiener schnitzel well because the sweetness balances out the meat’s richness.
5. Veggie Gratin
This dish is an elegant and hearty gratin, perfect for any occasion. It can be assembled a day in advance and refrigerated until baking, meaning it’s also simple enough for a weeknight dinner. This is what to serve with wiener schnitzel for the ultimate comfort meal.
6. Pasta Pomodoro
This dish is a great option for those who want something hearty but simple. It is made by sautéing garlic in olive oil and then adding canned whole tomatoes. The tomatoes are crushed and simmered until the desired consistency is reached.
Meanwhile, you boil water for the pasta and cook it according to the package directions. Once both items are finished cooking, toss them together with basil leaves until coated.
7. Mushy Peas
This is what to serve with wiener schnitzel. Wiener schnitzel is a traditional German dish that consists of veal cutlets pounded thin and fried in bacon fat. It’s traditionally served with a lemon wedge, browned butter, and fresh parsley.
Also, Mushy peas are an excellent side dish for this dish. They have a similar taste as the beans used in the recipe for wiener schnitzel, but their texture is less mushy and more firm. This gives them a great texture when served as a side dish.
If you’re looking for other side dishes to serve with this meal, consider boiled potatoes or sauerkraut because they, too, are made from fermented cabbage which goes well with veal cutlets.
8. Gurkensalat
Gurkensalat is an Austrian dish that is served as a side dish with wiener schnitzel. It tastes great when it’s cold and pairs well with the hot, crispy breaded cutlet. Gurkensalat can not be left out on the list of what to serve with wiener schnitzel.
To make this dish, you only need one peeled cucumber, finely grated onion, salt, and pepper. Add a little mayonnaise or sour cream if you want more creaminess. Mix all of the ingredients together and enjoy!
9. Mediterranean Couscous
If you want a Mediterranean twist on side dishes, try cooking couscous or rice in chicken broth. This will flavor the dish and add some needed moisture.
Vegetables such as spinach, onion, and garlic can be added for additional nutrients and flavor. There are so many different variations of couscous that you could experiment with what flavors best compliment your wiener schnitzel.
10. Sauteed Green Beans
Wondering what to serve with wiener schnitzel? Green beans are a delicious and healthy side dish that can be served as a complement to wiener schnitzel. They take very little time to cook, making them a great last-minute addition to the meal.
Sauteeing green beans are simple; you only need a large pan and some butter (or oil) for frying, salt and pepper for seasoning, and the green beans. Melt about two tablespoons of butter in the pan over medium heat, then add in the green beans.
Next, cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally. The green beans should start turning bright green, almost like they’re withering away from being cooked too long.
Season with salt and pepper before removing from the pan onto paper towels or into a serving bowl.
11. Tuscan Mushrooms
You can always count on serving wiener schnitzel and Tuscan mushrooms to impress the crowd. A thick, garlicky cream sauce is applied to these Tuscan mushrooms. Then you have what to serve with wiener schnitzel.
Sauté a pound of mushrooms in a mixture of oil and butter until they are browned. Add salt, garlic powder, and some thyme if you want.
Stir it around so the mushroom bits coat the pan, and then pour in some white wine (or water if you’re out). Let this simmer while your schnitzel cooks. When it’s done, pour the mushrooms over the top.
12. Hasselback Potatoes
These baked potatoes are cut at a slant, coated in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roasted in the oven until golden brown.
They make a great side dish for wiener schnitzel because they’re both hearty enough to stand up to the chicken.
To make it!
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
- Wash and peel 4 medium size russet potatoes
- Cut each potato lengthwise into four even slices so they look like mini pizzas
- Arrange them on a baking sheet with their skin side down
- Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown
13. Arugula Salad
Arugula is a superfood, and it’s also delicious. You can serve arugula salad on its own or put it on top of your wiener schnitzel.
It’s easy to make, too!
- Mix olive oil and lemon juice in a large bowl for the arugula salad.
- Add arugula (or any other leafy green), diced tomatoes, sliced almonds, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss until everything is well combined.
- Lay out the leaves of your bread on a baking sheet and brush them with olive oil so they won’t dry out when you toast them under the broiler later on.
Conclusion
Wiener schnitzel is the name of a popular Austrian dish, originating in Vienna and made with veal, which translates as a Viennese slice or Viennese schnitzel—it’s basically just veal cutlets breaded and fried until crispy.
But what to serve with wiener schnitzel? You’ll probably want to accompany your Wiener schnitzel with some side dishes!
We hope you will find this list of what to serve with wiener schnitzel helpful in your next meal. Enjoy!
