What are Cracker Barrel Sides? A Complete Guide to the Best Side Dish Offerings

Hey there! If you love the comforting, homestyle cooking at Cracker Barrel as much as I do, you know how tempted you can get staring at the enticing sides menu trying to decide what to order. With so many tasty options, it can be hard to choose! As a seasoned Cracker Barrel fan, let me walk you through all the delicious side dishes they offer to help you customize your perfect down-home meal.

An Extensive Variety of Side Choices

One of the best things about Cracker Barrel is the huge selection of side dishes you can mix and match to build your ideal plate. Whether you like hearty classics like mashed potatoes and gravy, lighter veggies like broccoli, or fun indulgent sides like cheesy Hashbrown Casserole, you‘ll find something to satisfy.

Cracker Barrel currently boasts over 30 different side dishes on their online menu ranging from fried okra and sweet whole baby carrots to potato salad and cinnamon apples. And that‘s not even counting the complimentary starter Biscuits and Corn Muffins!

The sides draw inspiration from traditional Southern and Appalachian home cooking, focusing on fresh vegetables, creamy cheeses, and old-fashioned recipes. Cracker Barrel‘s head chef and kitchen team sources high-quality seasonal ingredients to craft these comforting sides made from scratch daily.

According to Cracker Barrel‘s website, their culinary team "takes pride in our made-from-scratch cooking" using real ingredients like smoked ham hocks in the greens and beans or crisp Granny Smith apples in the Fried Apples side. This homemade flavor makes a difference you can taste!

Hearty Vegetable Sides

Cracker Barrel serves up a hearty helping of freshly prepared vegetables with their entree plates. Seasonal veggies straight from the farm add homegrown flavor to balance out the meat and carbs.

Here are some of my personal favorite veggie sides to brighten up any Cracker Barrel meal:

• Green Beans – These tender green beans simmered up with smoked ham hocks have been on the menu for over 50 years! The touch of smoky pork flavor takes basic beans to the next level. I like to order an extra helping.

• Fried Okra – Crispy deep-fried okra spears served with a creamy ranch dipping sauce. The light crispy batter lets the okra‘s natural flavor shine. An iconic Southern specialty dish!

• Sweet Whole Baby Carrots – These tiny young carrots are gently cooked and lightly seasoned with a hint of brown sugar glaze. Sweet and healthy.

• Steamed Broccoli – A lighter option, the fresh broccoli florets are lightly seasoned and steamed just until tender. Ask for a lemon wedge to brighten up the flavor.

• Seasonal Roasted Veggies – A hearty medley of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions, and squash are tossed in olive oil and herbs and roasted to caramelized perfection. The vegetable mix varies by season and availability.

• Corn on the Cob – Sweet juicy corn, available grilled, boiled, or roasted depending on the season. Slather with creamy butter and get ready for those corn nibblets to get stuck in your teeth!

• Apples or Applesauce – For a sweet contrast, go for Granny Smith apple slices or smooth homemade applesauce. Both pair nicely with savory dishes.

Satisfying Starches and Other Favorites

In addition to fresh veggies, Cracker Barrel serves up hearty portions of delicious starches like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and hashbrowns along with other comforting sides. Here‘s the scoop on some of my indispensable faves:

• Hashbrown Casserole – This cheesy casserole loaded with potatoes, onions, corn flakes, and melted cheddar cheese is hands-down my number one! I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It‘s baked fresh in-house.

• Mashed Potatoes and Sawmill Gravy – These creamy homestyle mashed potatoes get topped with Cracker Barrel‘s signature pork sausage gravy that‘s out-of-this-world delicious! My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

• Macaroni and Cheese – Ooey, gooey…need I say more? This 3-cheese baked mac with melty cheddar, Monterey Jack, and American cheese will satisfy any cheese lover. Consider adding crumbled bacon on top!

• Cheddar Broccoli Casserole – Broccoli florets and penne pasta baked in a creamy cheddar sauce and topped with corn flake crunchies. A tasty lighter spin on mac and cheese.

• Fried Apples – Sweet cinnamon-sugar apples fried up right on the stovetop. This old-fashioned side adds a hint of sweetness and fruitiness.

• Dumplins – Fluffy, pillowy dumplings made from scratch to accompany chicken, beef, or pork entrees. Perfect for soaking up the savory potliquor gravy. Authentic home cooking!

No Cracker Barrel meal is complete without a basket of piping hot Buttermilk Biscuits straight from the oven. I always slather mine generously with butter and strawberry jam. And don‘t forget the signature Corn Muffins – they make a mighty fine vessel for honey butter. Yum!

Lighter Salads and Fruit Sides

Not in the mood for heavy starches or fried foods? Cracker Barrel also offers lighter salad and fresh fruit options on the regular and "Lighter Fare" menus. These are perfect on their own as a meal or paired with an entree for balance.

• Garden Salad – Crisp lettuce, juicy grape tomatoes, cool cucumbers, sweet red onions, cheddar cheese, and croutons. You can even add grilled chicken or crispy fried chicken on top for extra protein.

• Apple Pecan Salad – A delicious blend of mixed greens, sweet apple slices, tangy blue cheese crumbles, spiced pecans, chewy dried cranberries, all tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette. One of my go-to lighter options!

• Fresh Fruit Cup – A refreshing medley of fresh melon chunks, red grapes, juicy strawberries, and blueberries. It‘s diced fruit bliss in a cup! Add a dollop of yogurt for a quick healthy snack or dessert.

Pairing Sides with Entrees for a Delicious Meal

One of my favorite things about Cracker Barrel is getting to customize my meal by selecting complementary side dishes to go with my entree. With so many options, the possibilities are endless!

Here are some of my suggested side pairings for Cracker Barrel‘s most popular entrees:

I like to balance out fried entrees with fresh veggies or salad. Starchy sides pair nicely with chicken or meat dishes. And fruit or slaw cuts through the richness. Mix and match to find your perfect side combo!

Satisfy Your Side Dish Cravings at Cracker Barrel

Well there you have it, a complete rundown of the extensive variety of side dishes offered at Cracker Barrel! From hearty classics like cheesy Hashbrown Casserole to lighter Fresh Fruit Cups and Garden Salads, you‘re sure to find options to satisfy any craving.

It‘s always so hard to choose just one or two sides for my meal. Next time you visit a Cracker Barrel, explore the menu and try out a new side or two! Let me know what delicious combo you create.

Happy eating, friend!