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Steak is one of those meals that just screams good food. The tender, juicy inside. The perfectly seared and seasoned exterior.
Whether you’re eating out at a restaurant or grilling up a homemade ribeye for date night, there’s nothing quite like a steak dinner.
But as great as a steak can be on its own, no meal is complete without some good sides. So just what are the best things to serve alongside a steak dinner? Here are 11 of the best side ideas to serve with your steak.
The 11 Best Sides To Have With Steak
Roasted Veggies
While this side may be simple, it’s one of the best options to accompany a steak. The best thing is, there is barely any prep involved.
All you need to do is peel your vegetables, drizzle them in oil, add some seasonings, and you can go ahead and put them in the oven. The best veg to use mostly comes down to personal preference, but carrots, parsnips, and cubed potatoes are some of the best choices.
For seasonings, a mix of herbs and spices will really make your veg stand out. Salt, black pepper, rosemary, and sage are the best options, with flavors that perfectly complement your steak.
To step things up a notch, drizzle some balsamic vinegar on top before you start roasting your veg. It will reduce down to a sticky and tangy glaze that works wonders with the umami of the steak.
Garlic Butter Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a great accompaniment to steak due to their earthy taste and ability to soak up flavors. These garlic butter mushrooms switch that all up to 11 for a mouth-watering side that you might be more excited about than the steak!
You can make a simple garlic butter by whisking together melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, and thyme in a bowl.
From there, you can either soak the mushrooms in the garlic butter while you wait for the over to preheat, or spread them out on a baking sheet and pour the mixture on top. Bake them until they are tender and golden-brown.
These mushrooms are absolutely incredible with steak or even on their own, and the only downside is that you’ll eventually run out!
Mac and Cheese
The great thing about mac and cheese as a side dish for steak is that you can make it as gourmet or as easy as you’d like. Even a helping of store bought box mac and cheese will taste just fine next to your steak.
However, if you have the time to prepare we’d suggest taking your mac and cheese game up a notch. Something like a smoked mac and cheese with lobster can really elevate your special dinner.
And if you want to double down on beef, a brisket mac and cheese is also a great choice to impress your guests.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Another simple yet delicious side, grilled corn on the cob is a great addition to your steak.
The sweet and buttery corn works wonderfully with the natural flavors of steak and helps serve as a bit of a palate cleanser to keep things fresh.
If cooking corn on the cob is too time-consuming (it can take up to 45 minutes in the oven!), you can use sweetcorn off of the cob instead. Add a little bit of butter and a pinch of smoked paprika to take it to the next level.
For a fresher side, mix the sweetcorn with red onion, tomato, cilantro, and lime juice to make a zesty sweetcorn salad.
Here’s a handy tip for you: instead of waiting until the corn is cooked to add some butter, you should coat the cobs in garlic butter and wrap them in tin foil before you grill them. You can thank me later!
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic side that really needs no explaining. Creamy, smooth, and incredibly versatile, a good mash is just what you need to turn your steak into a full meal.
Mashed potatoes give you a lot of options in terms of personalizing them to your tastes.
Adding some cheese will give the mash a thicker texture along with a deliciously-cheesy flavor. A dollop of yoghurt in place of cream gives it a nice tang as well as being a healthier option.
You can even fry up some onions and add them in for a twist on the original, or use them to make a caramelized onion gravy that tastes incredible with both the mashed potatoes and your steak.
Fresh Slaw
If some of the options on this list so far feel a bit too heavy, then a slaw is just what you need. Light, fresh, and tangy, a good slaw is great when paired with steak. Again, this recipe is easy to tweak to suit your preferences, so feel free to swap ingredients in and out as you see fit.
You can make a simple coleslaw in just a few minutes. Shred some red cabbage, carrot, fennel, and shallots, then mix them in a bowl with a mayonnaise dressing and you’re good to go.
Alternatively, swap out the fennel and mayo for some thinly sliced sweet peppers and a dressing made of vinegar, oil, sugar, mustard and spices for a sweet and tangy Jamaican-style slaw.
For even more of a twist, why not make an Asian-style slaw? For the veg, combine your cabbage with sweet peppers, edamame and bok choy. Then add a zingy sauce such as teriyaki or hoisin, and sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds on top to finish.
Steak-Cut Fries
As the name suggests, these fries are made to be served with steak.
The main difference between steak-cut fries and regular french fries is their shape. While french fries are long and thin, steak-cut fries are cut into much thicker, chunkier slices.
To make your fries a bit healthier, bake them instead of frying. This removes the oil from the equation and helps cut down on their calorie count. Baking them with the skin on also helps them get extra crispy!
Serve your fries alongside your steak to mop up any juices, or dip them in the sauce of your choice.
Onion Rings
You’d be hard-pressed to find a steakhouse that doesn’t offer onion rings on the side. They are a classic accompaniment to steak and are easy to make at home.
Start off with a large onion, and cut thick slices horizontally (perpendicular to the line between the top and bottom of the onion). Separate the rings of the onion, and coat them in the batter. Then, deep fry until golden and serve.
Because onion rings are a fairly simple recipe, there are plenty of variations you can make. Adding beer to the batter is one of the most popular choices, but you can also add spices like paprika or cayenne pepper to the batter to give your onion rings a kick of heat.
Alternatively, you can skip the batter altogether and instead coat the onion in breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier exterior.
Sweet Potato Fries
Looking for something a bit healthier than regular fries without skimping out on great taste? Then some skin-on sweet potato fries are the perfect alternative.
Not only is this side nutritious as well as delicious, but it’s also incredibly simple to make. Simply slice up some sweet potatoes into fry shapes, drizzle them in a bit of oil, and bake. You’ll be left with crispy skin and a wonderfully fluffy interior.
While you can add whatever seasonings you like, a simple sprinkle of salt and pepper will give the fries a nice little kick that won’t overshadow the flavor of your steak.
Scalloped Potatoes
Is it too obvious that I like potatoes? They are just so versatile and delicious that you can serve them in practically any form for a great side.
That said, these thinly sliced potatoes are in a league of their own – and a classy side for a nice filet mignon. Layer them in a casserole dish, coat them in milk and/or cream, and bake them until delectably soft and creamy. To elevate them even further, add some chopped pieces of crispy bacon and spring onion.
Alternatively, you can make potato au gratin. This is a similar recipe, but it includes grated cheese and breadcrumbs for an even more decadent dish.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts might not be to everyone’s liking, but they sure go well with a good steak.
If you’re not a fan of their taste normally, then this recipe might just change your mind.
A large part of their unpopularity comes from their bitter and acidic taste – however, roasting sprouts helps to reduce this for a more mellow flavor. Even better, shredded Brussel sprouts let this cookout, even more, to leave you with a mildly sweet and nutty taste.
Shred some Brussels sprouts, drizzle them in a generous amount of olive oil, and add some bacon to really let this side shine. Now just try and tell me that sprouts are gross!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it – 11 of the best side ideas that you can serve with steak!
All of these recipes are easy to make and go great with the natural flavors of your steak. Whether you want the light freshness of slaw, the comforting taste of mashed potatoes, or the pure decadence of garlic butter mushrooms, there is something for everyone here.
Whichever recipe you choose to make (or even a combination of several!) you’re sure to find something that you love and that pairs perfectly with your delicious steak.
Bon appetite!
