What Type of Meat to Serve with Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are delicious eaten on their own, but they are even better when you add some meat to the equation. The best part is that you don’t have to give up your favorite baked potato recipe when you add meat. Instead, you can work some of that juicy, savory, smoky, salty, and sweet meat into the equation and make a crowd-pleasing meal in the process.
Here are some guidelines for what type of meat to serve with baked potatoes.
Turkey and Ham
Turkey and ham are a classic combination since Thanksgiving, and for good reason. They are both hearty and meaty, and their flavor blends really nicely when cooked together.
The key to success when pairing these two ingredients is to use a fully cooked turkey. When you use a prepackaged, ready-to-eat turkey, you’re ensuring that your guests get a savory, flavorful meal, with the added bonus of reduced preparation time.
A good way to take advantage of this is by purchasing a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. All you have to do is pop the meat off the bone, shred it, and then use it in place of turkey in your favorite savory recipes.
Pork Chops
Pork chops are a great alternative to ham when serving with potatoes. The key to success here is to use bone-in pork chops. The flavor of bone-in pork chops really comes through when you are sauteing them in a pan, and it’s what gives them that authentic pork chop taste.
If you don’t feel like going out to the grocery store, you can also buy pork chops pre-cooked at the meat counter. They are convenient, quick, and easy to cook, and everyone loves them.
Salmon and Other Seafood
Salmon, flounder, cod, and other types of fish all work really well when paired with potatoes. The best part about serving salmon and other seafood with potatoes is that it’s a meal that the entire family can enjoy.
Salmon is a rich fish that pairs really well with hearty vegetables, such as the potatoes that are used in this recipe. Other seafood that goes great with potatoes includes clams, oysters, and mussels.
Beef or Chicken Fajitas
Fajitas are a meal that are great for large groups, and they are even better when you add some beef or chicken to the equation.
Fajitas are a delicious meal made from strips of meat cooked in a special sauce. The best part about fajitas is that they are really easy to make. All you have to do is buy some meat, cut it into strips, and then marinate it in a delicious fajita sauce.
Once the meat has been marinated, all you have to do is cook it and then serve it with peppers and onions. You can even top off the fajitas with avocado slices if you’d like.
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Bacon is a savory meat that goes great with seafood and even hummus.. Shrimp is a great seafood choice to add to your menu, and when you wrap it in bacon, your dinner is going to be a crowd-pleaser.
You can purchase shrimp already peeled and deveined, or you can purchase it raw and shell it yourself. Either way, shrimp goes great with potatoes.
Lamb Chops or Stew
A nice, hearty lamb stew is a perfect choice when you’re craving some meat with your potatoes. You can purchase stew meat already stewed or you can purchase it raw and just cook it with some vegetables.
Either way, lamb and potatoes are a savory match made in heaven.
Veal Stew or Ragù
Veal stew is a classic Italian dish that uses tender cubes of veal in a sauce that has tomatoes, garlic, and spices. Ragù is the Italian word for meat sauce, and it’s what you use to make veal stew.
Vegetarians can easily make veal ragù by using vegetable broth in its place. Vegetarians also shouldn’t fret too much about this, as the other flavors from the other ingredients in the dish will still come through nicely.
Shrimp or Scallops Scampi
Shrimp and scallops are a great combination when you’re craving some seafood with your potatoes. Shrimp is sweet and savory, with a meaty texture that goes great with potatoes.
Scallops are a type of shellfish that are very similar to shrimp, but they are denser and firmer, making them a better choice for casseroles and stews.
Steak and Potatoes
Steak and potatoes are a classic combination that most people think of when they think of steak. Although most steakhouses don’t use steak and potatoes as an appetizer, they are a great way to use leftover steak.
Wrapping Up: Get Cooking!
Now that you’ve seen the various ways to cook potatoes with meat, it’s time to put those skills to use and come up with some delicious potato recipes.
Try one of these 15 best potato recipes with meat, and you’ll soon be able to enjoy two of your favorite comfort foods at the same time.
