What to Serve with Steak

How do you like your steak? Burnt to a crisp, or still practically mooing? The answer doesn’t matter as long as you know what to serve with steak. There are hundreds of steak side dishes to enjoy. In this article, we’ll look at 21 options, ranging from steak sauce all the way through to some healthy sides for steak, so you are bound to find one that you love. Knives and forks at the ready? Let’s dive in.

21 Best Steak Side Dishes

Knowing what goes well with steak is crucial to serving and pairing up the perfect dish. So many options to choose from but where do you start. Well, that’s where our handy side dish list will come in useful. Choose one or many of these tasty sides to present a meal you can be proud of.

1. Hasselback Potatoes

What do you get if you cross a baked potato with a French fry? The answer is Hasselback potatoes, and they are amazing. Both baked potatoes and French fries are obvious sides for meat, why not make a dish that combines all of the outstanding elements? Simply cut lines 1/8” apart in the top of your potatoes, rub with olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper and then bake for 45-60 minutes. Top with butter, cream cheese or whatever you like. Crispy and soft all at the same time.

2. Garlic Butter Mushrooms

Some things are just a match made in heaven. Steak and mushrooms are one of these things. Mushrooms are juicy and delicious, just like steak! It is quite common to see garlic butter as a sauce option for steak in a fancy restaurant, so why not get the best of both worlds and combine the two! You can vary the style in which you serve garlic butter mushrooms. Go for finely diced mushrooms and maybe finish with a splash of cream or serve one giant portobello mushroom full of garlicky butter.

3. Garlic Butter Potatoes

Are you noticing a theme here? We love steak and steak loves garlic. Potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to steak. Their soft and slightly floury goodness is just perfect for mopping up any escaped juices from your steak. They are straightforward to make, just boil some new potatoes, drain when cooked and stir in a large knob of butter with crushed garlic cloves. We like to make our potatoes go a little crispy by finishing off in the oven for 10 minutes.

4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

No, we aren’t talking about soft balls of sulfurous mush, brussels sprouts are so much more than that. Cut the sprouts into halves vertically. Toss with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in a hot oven for around 35 minutes, or until the outer leaves start to brown. You’ll be rewarded with a slightly crispy sprout full of vitamins and goodness.

5. Mashed Potatoes

Easy, quick and straightforward. You can go for plain old mashed potatoes or pimp them up to make them really sing. An excellent serving idea is to make a simple pan of mashed potatoes. Then, once cooled, place the mash in a piping bag and make little round patties. Brush with butter then place in the oven until the tops go dark brown. Toasty, savory potato on the outside giving way to soft and creamy goodness within.

6. Roasted Broccoli

If you are looking for healthy sides for steak, then broccoli is an ideal choice. If you are stuck for time, you could just boil it, but broccoli deserves some love. Toss with olive oil, a crushed garlic clove and a large pinch of dried chili. Place in a 350F oven and bake for around 20 minutes. You still want the broccoli to have a little bit of ‘bite’ so don’t overcook it.

7. Balsamic Roasted Carrots

Carrots are sweet, and the balsamic vinegar only emphasizes this, along with a generous helping of maple syrup. Mix equal amounts of balsamic and syrup in a bowl. Wash and chop your carrots into 3” batons and toss with the ingredients in the bowl. Roast for 30 minutes and then finish with a pinch of salt and pepper and a large chunk of butter.

8. Roasted Vegetables

Steak is beautiful, but a splash of color on the plate is always welcome. If you are holding a dinner party and want a super easy and healthy side for steak, give them a go. Just toss a mix of vegetables in olive oil, with some seasoning and bake for 35 minutes. Keep your chopped vegetables all the same size to prevent any burning.

9. Sweet Potato Fries

As steak sides go, sweet potato fries are iconic. You’ve got the savory of the steak along with the sweet of the sweet potatoes. The best bit is that you get a little broom to clean your plate. Cut a sweet potato into 1/8” fries, Parboil for around 3 minutes to get a soft fry. Drain then cover in oil and bake for 25 minutes in a 350F oven. They are also great for dipping in your steak sauce!

See Also: What to serve with ribs

10. Rosemary Roast Potatoes

Things don’t have to be complicated to make something that looks really classy and tastes fantastic. Cut small potatoes into halves and boil in salted water for 5 minutes. Allow to steam dry after draining. Toss in an oven pan with a large knob of butter, a couple of smashed cloves of garlic and generous sprig or two of rosemary. Bake for 40 minutes turning once. If you don’t have fresh rosemary, dried will work just as well.

11. Garlic Bread

We’ve already talked about how fantastic steak and garlic is. Combine this with hunks of warm, savory bread, and you’ll be in heaven. You can make it by slicing notches in a large loaf and adding wedges of garlic butter, or for a quick and easy solution, toast slices of bread in a pan and rub with a raw garlic clove.

12. Green Beans

Green beans on their own can be a little bland, show them some love! Cook the beans in the usual manner and finish with a helping of butter, some toasted almonds and a small pinch of garlic powder. A squeeze of lemon is optional but well worth it.

13. Duck Fat Fries

Duck fat does something to potatoes, they go extra crispy. Make sure your fries are cut thick! Parboil for around 5 minutes, drain and rest until the outer sides go powdery. Toss with duck fat in an oven tray and bake until they are golden brown and crispy. Great for steak sauce

14. Peppercorn Sauce

Cliched? Yes. Tasty? Absolutely. We just had to include this classic steak side. Fry a finely sliced shallot in butter until soft, add a tablespoon of peppercorns and cook until fragrant. Add a splash of red wine and some heavy cream along with a pinch of salt. Cook until thick.

15. Creamed Spinach

Steak served with greens is always a hit as are spinach recipes you make at home! Spinach is full of iron and tastes terrific. Saute spinach leaves until soft, add a crushed garlic clove and a spoonful of butter. Tip a splash of milk and a handful of grated cheese into the pan and stir. A simple steak side that tastes divine!

16. Onion Rings

When these crunchy sweet rings sit in the steak juices, they go a little soggy, that’s a good thing. Right? Cut an onion into thick rounds and dredge in seasoned flour. Dunk in a simple batter of cornflour, white flour and ice-cold water. Deep fry for 2 minutes until golden.

17. Simple Side Salad

Simple solutions can often be the best. This one will allow your steak to be the star of the show! Not many ingredients here. A few lettuce leaves, sliced tomato and perhaps a few rings of sliced red onion. Toss with olive oil and salt and pepper. Healthy steak sides don’t come much more ‘skinny’ than this.

18. Grilled Asparagus

Steak can be quite heavy, so why not go for something light and tasty. The key to asparagus is not to overcook it. For a delicious steak side, heat a griddle pan until it is smoking. Add your asparagus and cook for 2 minutes, then flip and repeat. Coat in butter before serving

19. Cheesy Dauphinoise Potatoes

With this dish, you get the advantage of a creamy sauce. Add sliced potatoes to an oven tray and layer with handfuls of grated cheese. Once you reach the top, add enough cream to cover the potatoes and bake for 40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

20. Mint Buttered Peas

As simple steak sides go, this is great. Cook petit pois until just tender. Drain and tip into a large bowl. Add a knob of butter and a handful of chopped mint along with a scant squeeze of lemon juice. Serve whilst hot and steaming

21. Baked Crispy Kale

Let’s finish green! For a crunchy savory taste crispy kale is top of the list. It’s effortless to make. Take whole kale leaves and spread on an oven tray. Scrunch with olive oil until it is coated, sprinkle with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar and bake for 8 minutes until crispy.

Conclusion

The hardest thing about choosing what to serve with steak is that there are so many great options. The beauty of steak side dishes is that you can use them to brighten the plate, mop up juice or bring out the flavor of the meat. What is your favorite steak side? Let me know in the comments below.

FAQs

What are some classic side dishes to serve with steak?

Classic side dishes for steak often include staples such as mashed potatoes or baked potatoes, grilled vegetables or a side salad, garlic bread or dinner rolls, and creamed spinach or sautéed mushrooms.

What type of wine pairs well with steak?

Steak is typically paired with red wines, specifically those with high tannins like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. The high tannins in these wines are excellent at softening the fat in the steak, which helps to intensify the flavors.

Can I serve seafood with steak?

Absolutely, serving seafood with steak is a common practice and is often referred to as a “surf and turf” meal. The most common combinations include steak with shrimp, lobster, or crab.

What are some unique side dishes to serve with steak?

If you’re looking to serve unique side dishes with your steak, consider options such as a quinoa salad, roasted beetroot with goat cheese, sweet potato fries, or truffle mac and cheese.

What are some light side dishes to serve with steak?

For those looking for lighter side dishes, you might want to consider a fresh salad with a light vinaigrette, steamed vegetables, grilled asparagus, or cauliflower rice alongside your steak.

What desserts pair well with steak?

After a rich main course like steak, a light and refreshing dessert can provide a nice balance. Consider serving a fruit sorbet, a lemon tart, or mixed berries with cream for dessert. Remember, the best sides for steak depend on your personal preferences and dietary needs. Happy cooking!