14 Savory Side Dishes for Roast Beef

Transform your roast beef into an unforgettable meal with these 14 savory side dishes.

Roast beef is a succulent dish you serve on special occasions. It’s not the cheapest dish, so you save them for fancy celebrations. Now, of course, if you’re serving something so luxurious, you don’t want to mess up on the sides.

But don’t worry, because you don’t have to wrack your brain figuring out what to serve with roast beef. We’ve come up with 14 savory side dishes that pair perfectly with roast beef.

1. Roasted Potatoes

Roast beef and roasted potatoes are such a classic combination. I love how the crisp and creamy potatoes complement the tender and juicy beef.

To get the creamiest roasted potatoes, here’s the secret: steam them before you roast them! Doing so will make the potatoes perfectly crisp on the outside and oh so fluffy on the inside.

2. Crispy Potato Wedges

Here’s another fantastic potato dish that tastes amazing with roast beef: potato wedges. They are crisp, savory, and hearty.

Plus, it’s a fantastic finger food that you can dip in ketchup or bbq sauce. That perfect blend of sweet, savory, and salty.

3. Scalloped Potatoes

By now it’s pretty obvious I’m a big fan of potatoes. What can I say, they’re really good! So, here’s another potato dish that’s just as good and worthy to be served with your elegant main.

The key to the best-tasting scalloped potatoes is to slice them as thinly as you can! Then layer them with butter and onions, soak them in milk, and pop it in the oven.

4. Sweet Potato Casserole

Apart from potatoes, its sweet cousin also makes a great side dish for roast beef. It’s got that delightful sweet flavor going on, which offers a stunning contrast to the richness of your entrée. So go ahead, make a sweet potato casserole that’s perfectly seasoned with basil, thyme, and garlic.

5. Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts may not be your first or second option as a side dish, but did you know that these cruciferous veggies taste delicious when you cook them properly?

All it needs is a little bit of honey, Dijon mustard, and butter, and they’ll taste oh so phenomenal. Or you can keep it simple and mix in some crispy bacon.

Quick Tip: For best results, roast these in the oven at 400 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes. These bite-sized pieces of goodness are crispy, caramelized, and oh so delish!

6. Balsamic Mushrooms

Mushrooms have a wonderful earthy flavor, which complements the richness of the roast beef.

While a simple side of sauteed mushrooms is already delightful, here’s something that will make it even more fantastic: cook it with garlic, olive oil, white wine, and balsamic vinegar. This will create a beautiful sauce that’s just lip-smackingly delicious.

7. Maple Glazed Carrots

Maple glazed carrots are sweet and crunchy, which gives a nice balance to the tender and savory roast beef. Not only is it delicious, but it also adds a wonderful contrast to your main entrée.

Plus, it’s super easy to prepare! Just 40 minutes and a few ingredients are all it takes – carrots, maple syrup, and butter. 

8. Green Beans

Green beans are a staple in my household. They might not taste the greatest on their own, but you can easily enhance their flavor by adding just a few ingredients.

For instance, you can flavor your green beans with some smoky pancetta and caramelized shallots. You’d be surprised what these two ingredients can do to your humble vegetable.

Or how about some brown sugar and bacon? The sugar will enhance the sweetness of the beans, while the bacon will give it that wonderful savory flavor.

If you want a creamy side dish, just add some cream to your green beans! Add some mushrooms and onions for an even tastier dish.

9. Yorkshire Pudding

Unlike other puddings, the Yorkshire pudding is rich and savory, not sweet. It tastes a lot like a dinner roll and is meant to be paired with roast beef. The perfect way to eat it is to pour that thick roast beef gravy all over it. Yum.

10. Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is sweet and nutty – flavors that complement the rich and savory roast beef. It may seem like a lowly veggie, but with the infusion of spices and other ingredients, it can become just as elegant as your main dish.

To make, saute squash and onions in butter until tender. Season with salt and pepper, and top with parsley and roasted pecans. The pecans give the tender veggie a wonderful crunch.

Here’s another fantastic way to elevate your butternut squash: roast it and top it with goat cheese and herb oil.

11. Asparagus

Some oven-roasted asparagus is more than enough to round out your roast beef meal. It’s crisp and refreshing – a perfect contrast to your tender and rich roast beef.

It also gives your plate that pop of color. Add some green onions and season with butter, salt, and pepper for extra flavor.

12. Artichokes

Artichokes taste similar to asparagus, so it only makes sense that it’s also on the list of great sides to serve with roast beef. While boiling artichokes will give you a nice nuttiness and crunchiness, there are other ways to cook them to make them taste even better.

Brown your artichokes to bring out their natural sweetness. Mix it with lemon, olive oil, and wine for more flavor.

You may also braise the artichokes and coat them in a lemon and olive oil dressing. 

Here’s an important tip when preparing artichokes: remove the outer leaves because they are way too tough to eat and have a hairy matter called choke. 

13. Rice

Roast beef is such a rich and flavorful protein, you’ll want a humble starch to mellow down its umami-ness. So, why not serve some steamed white rice on the side?

If you want to make things more interesting, you can kick things up a notch by adding some almonds, apricots, and parsley to your rice.

White rice is heavy on the calories, though, so if you want a healthier alternative, try making cauliflower rice! It’s surprisingly tasty, but with a fraction of the carbs.

Flavor your cauliflower rice with garlic powder to give it spice and some Asiago cheese to give it a touch of nuttiness and creaminess. 

Another healthy alternative is quinoa. It’s equally filling, but it’s a lot better for the body. Give your quinoa more flavor and color by adding your favorite roasted veggies. 

14. New York Style Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce

What better way is there to end your luxurious roast beef dinner than with a thick and decadent slice of cheesecake?

It’s rich, creamy, and everything you could want in a dessert. Top that New York Cheesecake with a sweet and tangy strawberry sauce, and you’ve got yourself a cake to die for.