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Serving Cornish Game Hens? 15 Best Side Dishes to Try

Serving Cornish Game Hens? 15 Best Side Dishes to Try

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We provide a list of 15 sides to complement roasted Cornish game hens. These options offer a range of textures and flavors, including creamy starches, bright salads, and roasted vegetables, with varied effort levels to suit weeknight meals or special occasions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Chives creamy
  • Roasted Root Vegetables with Rosemary earthy
  • Green Beans Almondine with Lemon Zest crunchy
  • Herb-Infused Gravy rich
  • Crispy Dinner Rolls with Butter crunchy
  • Citrus Arugula Salad with Parmesan bright
  • Creamy Polenta with Parmesan creamy
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze tangy
  • Tangy Cranberry Sauce with Orange tangy
  • Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms chewy
  • Honey Glazed Carrots with Thyme sweet
  • Classic Caesar Salad with Parmesan Croutons creamy
  • Buttered Egg Noodles with Parsley creamy
  • Warm Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms earthy
  • Herbed Butter Cornbread Muffins crumbly

Equipment

  • Sheet pan for roasting vegetables
  • Mixing bowl for salads and dressing
  • Cutting board for chopping ingredients
  • Serving platter for plating the meal

Method
 

  1. Assess what the main dish already provides—if it has starch, focus on vegetables and fresh sides.
  2. Choose 2-3 sides that fill different gaps: one vegetable, one starch or bread, one sauce or dip.
  3. Start the longest-cooking side first. Prep quick items like salads while the oven works.
  4. Balance temperatures—pair hot roasted vegetables with a cold slaw or chilled dip.
  5. Plate the main dish with sides arranged around it. Drizzle sauce or add garnish last.

Notes

Add a fresh salad and keep it chilled before serving. This prevents the plate from becoming too heavy and maintains balance with the rich hen.

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