Jerk pork is a delicious and flavorful alternative to jerk chicken. While they share the same spices the taste can be quite different, so it is only natural to wonder what the best sides to serve are going to be.
This wonderful dish goes well with a lot of sides, as you will see.
See our best ideas for what to serve with jerk pork.
1. Rice and Peas
This is the traditional side that you might be used to if you’ve had a lot of jerk chicken in the past.
Rice and peas pair just as well with pork and should be considered as the strongest contender for a side if you’re looking for something quick and tasty.
You can take the rice to the next level by making it egg fried, then add in the peas, stir well, and serve. Delicious!
2. Coconut rice
For an alternative to the usual rice and peas, you can try coconut rice. This mild and creamy side dish goes so well with jerk dishes because it helps cool the mouth a little, so it could be a strong contender if you make your jerk spicy!
Coconut goes so authentically with other foods from the Caribbean and it adds its unique flavor with plenty of depth to your dish.
3. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes baked in the oven until chewy on the outside and soft on the inside make the perfect jerk pork accompaniment.
Cut it straight down the middle and add a little butter, serve it on the side and enjoy smooth velvety bites of potato between or with mouthfuls of spicy pork.
4. Corn on the cob
Corn on the cob makes an excellent side to go with jerk pork and it can be served alone or alongside something else like rice and peas.
Simply cook them with your preferred method (boiled or grilled), we prefer grilled, and then add a little butter to add some extra creamy flavor.
5. Macaroni cheese
Mac and cheese is a great side dish for a lot of foods, but it goes especially well with anything spicy.
Combine some extra creamy mac and cheese with your jerk-seasoned pork and you’ll be raving about it for days.
6. Red beans and rice
Red beans and rice is a great alternative to rice and peas for serving with your jerk pork.
A staple dish in Creole cuisine, this Louisiana fare is delicious and spicy in its own right. You can go a little lighter on the spices with this to ensure the jerk remains the focal point.
The main thing about this side for jerk pork is the wonderful textures and natural flavor of the beans that go so well with rice and pork in general.
7. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a luscious side dish that you’d be silly to overlook when it comes to jerk pork.
Mouthfuls of crunchy and creamy slaw go so well with spicy pork, the textures can be very complimentary, the flavors combine well in new and interesting ways.
Serve coleslaw with your jerk pork and crispy french fries for a real feast.
8. Eggplant
If you like eggplant then you’ll love this side dish for jerk pork! It is filling and can work all on its own or with something like rice and peas.
Dice eggplant into evenly sized chunks and then fry in a little oil until soft. The soft and slightly chewy texture is almost creamy and takes on the flavor of the jerk spice while also cooling it a little in the mouth.
9. French fries
Crispy french fries are great with spicy foods like jerk pork or jerk chicken. The crunchy texture is really enjoyable and then you’ve got the soft potato inside which cools the mouth a little. Make sure to opt for the skinny type of fries and the textures will work even better.
Try serving french fries with an extra side like coleslaw or try some sauces for dipping. Want our advice? Mango-based sauces and even mango chutney works well with fries and jerk pork.