Steaks – plump, juicy, beefy, fatty, and delicious. Whether they’re grilled, broiled, smoked, or reverse-seared, they’re so good. The only question is, what to serve with your steak dinner? You’ve got the steak, now round out your meal with something fabulous! Here are 50+ side dishes to pair with your steak.
There’s a bit of an art to pairing sides with entrees – you don’t want flavors that are going to compete with each other, and you want to make sure that the textures and colors are also complementary. For example, you don’t want to serve a saucy side dish with a saucy entree.
But with steak, you’ve got much more freedom. Steaks are generally grilled, broiled, pan-seared, and sometimes even smoked or cooked in a sous vide, and most of the time, the steak is fairly simply presented with out too much fuss.
This means that you can choose the kinds of sides that you like best, and there are sooo many to pick from!
How To Pick Sides for Steak
I said you’ve got more freedom when it comes to pairing side dishes with your steak entree, but there are still some things you should consider.
- Is your meal fancy or casual? A fancy meal of expensive filet mignon will pair better with delicate sides like asparagus or beans. Casual steak meals can be as delish with mac and cheese as a fully-loaded baked potato.
- How much work do you want to do? Making steak can be tricky enough, so consider how much work you want to do in the kitchen. Simple sides for steaks, or those which can be prepared in advance may be easier than a la minute (last minute) side dishes or complicated ones.
- Do you want leftovers? Most sides will reheat fairly well, but you’re far more likely to have leftovers if your sides are more casserole-like.
- What kind of sides? Fancy steakhouses often serve just the steak with the sides an optional (and extra) expense. But traditional steak dinners are typically accompanied by a starch (like potatoes) and a vegetable. Do you want 2 vegetables? 1 starch and 1 veg? Or just the starchy side?
Starchy Steak Side Dish Options
Potatoes, corn, and pasta are all considered starch side dishes. And there are so many to choose from! Think about how hearty you want your meal to be, because the starch side dishes are where most of your meal filler is going to come from.
Vegetable Side Dishes for Steaks
From salads to sautes, there are so many different vegetable side dish choices. Go with what’s seasonal or splurge a little on exotic veggies to make a show-stopping side dish.
How to Choose the Best Side Dish for Steak?
There are a LOT of recipes below, in fact, there are more than 50 easy side dishes for your steak dinner, and you’ve got to pick what a) looks good to you and b) what you can handle. If you’re a novice cook, don’t go for the most complicated sides, and if you won’t have much time, stick to something simpler.
Happy eating, and pass the steak sauce, please! (Check out the Bourbon BBQ Sauce recipe at the end of the list for an amazing sauce that goes great with grilled steaks!)
50+ Easy Side Dishes For Steak Dinners
Creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-good, this show-stopping potato side dish recipe pairs perfectly with grilled or pan-seared steaks.
Packed with flavor, this chilled Mexican Street Corn Salad is the perfect make-ahead side to serve with your steak.
Light and delicate but with a hint of smoky flavor, Smoked Asparagus is the kind of smoked side dish that's made to impress!
Lighten things up with this scrumptious salad. Loaded with tender spinach, fresh asparagus, and crunchy fennel, the citrusy dressing puts this salad over the top!
Hot, creamy, and delicious, this Creamy Pasta with Ricotta and Tomatoes is like grown-up fancy mac and cheese.
If you love pasta, this is the side dish for you. Baked Feta Pasta is light, creamy, and fresh. Packed with tomatoes, feta, and herbs, it's an easy but impressive side dish.
Fresh basil, balsamic, and fresh ricotta turn this into a show-stopping side dish that's deceptively easy to prepare.
With a bit of heat and no lima beans in sight, this Texas Corn Succotash is one of those stupid good make-ahead recipes that will impress everyone.
Creamy, indulgent, rich, and so good, your guests won't believe how easy it is to make this Steakhouse Creamed Spinach!
Light and lemony, this no-fail lemon sauce transforms asparagus into a restaurant-quality dish.
A classic Wedge Salad is easy to prep ahead of time and this salad is the perfect light side dish for any steak meal.
Here's another light and lively cold side dish that'll turn your steak dinner into one no one will forget!
Crispy, crunchy, and oh-so-delicious, this Greek Salad might just steal the show! Make it ahead of time to make cooking the meal a little easier.
Jazz up your green bean almondine with bacon! So easy and so good, green beans will never be the same!
Cool, creamy, crunchy, and delightful, this Cucumber and Feta Salad is so gosh darn good with any kind of grilled meats!
These Hasselback Potatoes are a thinly sliced potato, seasoned to perfection, baked until the skin is crispy and then stuffed with bacon and cheese.
A fun twist on regular slaw, this mango coleslaw is perfect as a side for a steak dinner. Made with an oil-based dressing rather than mayo for a fresh and lighter taste.
These cheesy potatoes are stuffed with a creamy potato mixture and loaded with broccoli pieces. These make the perfect side dish to any meal.
You will want to add my easy Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms recipe to every dish! Ready in just 10 minutes, these spectacular garlic butter mushrooms make a perfect side dish for steak.
Cool and refreshing, this light salad has a herb-citrus dressing that's so light and flavorful!
Grilled broccoli is one of those simple side dishes we love to throw on the grill and serve up with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a generous shower of grated parmesan. Four ingredients, 10 minutes, and a hot grill is all you need!
Our 2-Minute Creamy Caesar Dressing brings this tableside classic to your family dinners with ease. We use a hand blender and it’s done in a snap!
Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil is so easy and mouthwateringly delicious! Three ingredients are all you need to make grilled corn on the cob.
This warm zucchini salad is fresh, flavorful, and comes together in less than 10 minutes. It's perfect with red meat to balance out the meal.
Easily roast asparagus in a pan with a bit of butter and some seasonings. It's the perfect side dish for almost any meal.
Made of spinach seasoned with garlic, spring onion, and soy sauce, this stir fry spinach is a tasty addition to any meal. It only takes 10 minutes, making it a great option for your holiday menu or as a side for any weeknight dinner.
Crispy, herb-infused potatoes are so easy to make and pair so well with any kind of steak.
Salt potatoes are a Syracuse tradition! New potatoes are boiled with lots and lots of salt so they are extra creamy inside.
Air fryer yellow squash is tender and delicious. This simple side dish is quick, easy and perfect for serving with a steak dinner.
Cheesy parmesan mashed potatoes are a perfect complement to any steak dish! Ready in 45 minutes!
Always a huge hit! These sweet potato wedges are easy, tasty and go perfectly with steak.
Lightly roasted mushrooms mixed with a tangy oregano vinaigrette creates a delicious side dish for steak dinner.
Super easy 10 minute salad with tiny tomatoes, arugula and pomegranate. This salad is a refreshing match with steak.
Maple glazed carrots are a delicious, easy side dish for any meal. Ready in minutes, these tender carrots are sweet with a hit of heat from red pepper flakes.
Hawaiian macaroni salad is the perfect side dish to any plate lunch. Tangy elbow macaroni tossed in a mayonnaise sauce and served chilled. A delicious dish that is sure to be loved.
Lemon Butter Rice is bursting with tangy lemon and salty soy sauce flavor. This lemon rice recipe makes the best side dish and it’s only made with 4 easy ingredients. If you love sour lemons then you will love this rice.
Roasted Green Beans With Garlic - A Versatile And Healthy Weeknight Dish
Easy to prepare, Roasted Green Beans with Garlic is a healthy side dish you can make in only 20 minutes.
These roasted mini potatoes are quick and easy to throw together. The perfect side for roasts, BBQs and mains when you need some roasted carby goodness.
Creamy, smooth, and slightly sweet, this parsnip puree makes the perfect accompaniment to steak and can be made ahead of time and simply reheated when it comes time to serve.
Creamy orzo with spinach and parmesan is the perfect accompaniment to steak and is also a perfect little bowl of creamy comfort food all by itself or with lots of added veggies. Easily made ahead of time, and always a hit with the whole family.
Super creamy and cheesy! This easy side dish is perfect for potlucks. Save time by using hash browns!
This Jamaican Steamed Cabbage is a flavorful dish that can be paired with most anything.
This Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad Recipe is what happens when you can’t get to Walmart to get your favorite deli pasta salad, going one step further by using healthier ingredients too!
This Pear Gorgonzola Salad is made by tossing arugula and radicchio in a balsamic vinaigrette and topping with creamy Gorgonzola, pears, and glazed walnuts.
Salad Shirazi is an easy tomato and onion-based salad. It is low-carb, keto and paleo-friendly. Serve it with some steak, grilled meat or chicken for a complete meal.
Pan Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with bacon, pecans, garlic and maple syrup for the best fall side dish. Easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes, these crispy, caramelized sprouts are perfect for Thanksgiving or a busy weeknight.
Get a restaurant-quality meal at home with some everyday ingredients, a pot, and 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Fire up your taste buds with these easy quinoa stuffed peppers! Made with only eight ingredients these vegan stuffed peppers pack quite a punch!
This Oven Roasted Broccoli recipe is a simple side dish that is tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper then roasted in the oven. It is then finished with the juice and zest of a lemon and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan.
These restaurant-style Crispy Baked Potatoes may take some time to bake, but they couldn't be simpler to prepare!
Chipotle Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1/4 cup water `
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 4 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Add the bourbon and the diced onion to a small pot and set it on medium-high on the stove. Simmer the onion and bourbon for about 5 minutes or until it has reduced by about half.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pot, mix well, and simmer for another 5 minutes to blend all the flavors.
- Blend the mixture in your blender or with an immersion blender. If using a blender, cover the top of the blender with a kitchen towel to protect you in case the hot sauce sprays out.
- Return the sauce to the pot and simmer it on low for another 5 minutes, then cool and use with your favorite pork recipes!
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Fresh spices make the world of difference. Chipotle powder and paprika both lose strength the older they are.
- There’s dark brown sugar and light brown sugar. You can use either, but dark brown sugar has more molasses in it which gives the pork BBQ sauce a richer flavor.
- Bourbon gives this sauce a nice sweet flavor, but you could also use dark rum.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
