Roast beef is a popular dish that is generally served on special occasions and holidays.
It is most often consumed in the United Kingdom but can be found in many other countries across Europe, such as France and Germany.
The meat of roast beef comes from the upper part of cow legs (the rump), which makes it more tender than most cuts of beef, and it does not contain much fat or connective tissue, making it easy to eat and soft on the stomach.
Roasting beef with a good marbling of fat adds flavor and keeps the meat from drying out.
The flavor of roast beef varies from region to region due to different spices used in cooking and the quality of meat that is available.
In addition, some countries use different cuts of beef for their roasts.
It is a dish that can be enjoyed alone, but vegetables often accompany it to provide balance.
The most common side dishes for roast beef are potatoes, carrots, and green beans.
In this article, we will introduce you to 7 different side dishes that are best served with roast beef.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Roast Beef?
Have you ever eaten roast beef with only potatoes or green beans on the side? If not, you should try it.
Roast beef is still delicious all by itself, but when served with different types of side dishes, the meal becomes even more impressive.
Another reason to serve roast beef with side dishes is that you can vary the vegetables according to their availability, as well as your family’s preferences.
Also, side dishes for roast beef can be healthy.
For example, you can prepare steamed vegetables instead of frying them in oil to make the meal even more nutritious.
When deciding what side dishes you would like to serve with your beef, think of varieties and combinations that will look good on the plate and go well together.
Some popular combinations include baked potatoes and carrots, roasted potatoes and green beans, or mashed potatoes with peas.
Depending on when you have to prepare your side dishes for roast beef, you can make some of them beforehand (such as baked vegetables) and store them in the fridge until you are ready to serve lunch.
On the other hand, if you want everything to be freshly prepared, you can begin cooking the vegetables and potatoes as soon as the beef goes into the oven (while it is roasting, of course).
If you do not want to cook vegetables, you can also serve simple side dishes such as coleslaw or a garden salad.
What to Serve with Roast Beef – 7 BEST Side Dishes
So, what to serve with roast beef besides potatoes and carrots? You have a lot of options – here are seven best side dishes for roast beef:
1 – Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are popular side dishes for roast beef.
They are easy to make and quite filling.
Make sure to choose large baking potatoes or small/medium new potatoes so that you do not have to cut them into smaller pieces, which can get messy.
You can also prepare the potato skins if you like your food to be hearty.
There are many ways to serve baked potatoes.
You can try various toppings or fill the potato with cheese, baked beans, broccoli, and other vegetables before baking it according to your family’s taste.
You can add different spreads or sauces, such as butter, sour cream, or ketchup.
It is also possible to prepare baked potatoes in advance and store them in the fridge until you can serve lunch.
Just make sure that they do not get damaged by storing them with ingredients (such as raw meat) that give off a strong odor.
2 – Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire pudding is a staple side dish for roast beef.
It is easy to make and is made from simple ingredients, such as flour, eggs, and milk – no special pastry skills required.
The batter is prepared in advance and then poured into the oven just before putting the meat in.
You can also prepare this side dish together with the meat, but it is usually cooked separately.
The secret of cooking perfect Yorkshire pudding is to use a really hot oven and pour the batter into the boiling pan containing beef fat or oil.
This way, you will get crispy edges while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
Yorkshire pudding goes excellent with roast beef because it absorbs some meat juices, so you do not need to use any gravy.
3 – Honey Dijon Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are pretty popular in Britain, and they go great with roast beef.
You can prepare them in several ways, but the best ones include dijon mustard and honey.
This side dish is prepared quickly and requires only a few ingredients: Brussels sprouts, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.
First, you cook the Brussels sprouts in a pan for a few minutes and then add Dijon mustard to them.
You can adjust the amount of mustard depending on your family’s preference.
Add salt and pepper to taste, and then drizzle with olive oil before serving.
This side dish goes great together with roast beef, and it can be prepared in advance.
4 – Maple Glazed Carrots
Maple syrup and carrots are one of the most popular side dishes for roast beef.
This recipe requires simple ingredients, but the taste is outstanding.
You will need dark brown sugar (light brown sugar can also be used), fresh carrots, maple syrup, salt, and cilantro.
First, you need to cook the carrots until they become soft.
You can boil or steam them, but sautéing is the best way to prepare this dish because it gives the carrots a fantastic flavor.
Add salt, maple syrup, and dark brown sugar to taste.
You need to cook the carrots for about 5 minutes after adding maple syrup and brown sugar.
When they are ready, garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.
5 – Southern Squash Casserole
Another staple side dish for roast beef is squash casserole.
Squash can be prepared in different ways, but this recipe requires simple ingredients and minimal cooking time.
This side dish works best if you use fresh squash instead of a frozen one because it has a better texture.
This way, you get a crispier and more flavorful side dish.
You need fresh squash, roasted red peppers (or use the ones that come in a jar in olive oil), onions, garlic cloves, salt, and pepper.
First, you need to cut the squash into pieces and boil it until soft.
You can also steam or sauté it if you prefer.
Then add garlic cloves and cook until the garlic turns golden brown.
Next, you need to spread it onto a baking dish (or put it in an oven-safe pan) and add roasted red peppers, onions, salt, and pepper.
Bake for about 20 minutes until all ingredients are cooked.
Serve hot with roast beef.
6 – Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach is yet another popular side dish for roast beef.
This side dish is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients.
You will need heavy cream, garlic cloves (minced), butter, fresh spinach (preferably baby spinach), salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese (the authentic recipe also includes nutmeg).
First, you need to cook the spinach either in a pan or in a microwave oven.
You can add garlic, cloves, salt, and pepper to taste.
In a separate pot, melt butter and add heavy cream while mixing continuously.
Add Parmesan cheese to taste (and optionally add nutmeg) and wait until it starts boiling.
The creamy sauce will be ready when it starts boiling and turns into a rich and creamy liquid.
Pour the sauce over spinach and mix before serving.
7 – Cucumber Tomato Salad
Last but not least, we have cucumber tomato salad.
This is a great side dish for roast beef, and it requires minimal effort and only a few ingredients.
You will need ripe tomatoes (chopped), cucumbers (deseeded and chopped), pepper, salt, basil leaves (chopped), extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic cloves (minced).
First, you need to marinate the cucumbers and tomatoes with salt for about 10 minutes.
Then add pepper, chopped basil leaves, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic.
Mix well before serving, and enjoy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, roast beef goes great with any of the dishes listed above.
Depending on your preference, you can choose between different side dish ideas.
For example, if you don’t like a particular type of vegetable, simply remove them from the recipe or replace them with other ingredients that are more to your liking.
Enjoy.
What to Serve with Roast Beef? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Baked Potatoes
- Yorkshire Pudding
- Honey Dijon Brussels Sprouts
- Maple Glazed Carrots
- Southern Squash Casserole
- Creamed Spinach
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
- Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!