What to Serve with Steak

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Tips for Making Sides to Serve with Steak

1. Use seasonal ingredients. Take advantage of produce in season to create fresh, flavorful, and healthy sides to serve with steak. Not only do they taste better but they’re also more budget friendly.
2. Consider make-ahead side dishes. For parties, prepare dishes like grains and mashed potatoes ahead of time so you can focus on the steak when it’s time to eat.
3. Cook steak last. Steak cooks quickly, and the flavor is the best when served hot and freshly rested. You can season and prepare your steaks ahead of time but wait until you’re almost ready to sit down at the table to cook the meat.
4. Simple is best. Let the steak shine in all its medium-rare glory. It’s totally okay to serve a simple side dish like a single-ingredient roasted vegetable and let the steak take all the credit for a delicious meal.

How to Plan a Menu Around Steak

• Decide what cut of steak and the cooking method. Are you going formal with a New York strip or something casual like flank steak for sheet pan fajitas will do? Your event will dictate the cut of steak needed, and from there, you can decide if you want to grill it outside or cook it inside in the oven, air fryer, or stovetop.
• Consider the size of your party. For a large group, I recommend a hearty but simple side dish like pasta or potatoes and a salad. For smaller gatherings, you can have fun and experiment with more elaborate sides such as risotto or stick to simple options like roasted vegetables if you’re short on time.
• Select side dishes for steak. Based on the cut of steak and how many people you are serving, you can start incorporating the sides. Think about the flavor profile of your steak. If you’re serving bold, flavorful steaks like T-bone or ribeye, you might want to choose sides with a more subtle flavor to balance it out. For a milder steak like filet mignon, you can go all out with more bold flavors like garlic mashed potatoes.
• Don’t forget other essentials. A flavorful sauce can really take your steak up a notch. In addition, don’t forget to offer fun beverages like raspberry iced tea and homemade lemonade. And finally, finish your night with a light dessert like Lebanese fruit cocktail. These small but important additions really make your meal extra special.

Different Types of Steak to Make

• Grilled Steak – Looking for that traditional charred flavor in your steak? You won’t go wrong with this classic. It’s tender and juicy, and I share instructions on how to grill it on an outside grill or indoor grill pan.
• Cast Iron Skillet Steak – Skip the grill and make steak in your cast iron over stovetop. It’s so easy but equally as good as a grilled steak, imo!
• Pan-Seared Steak – No grill or special skillet? No problem. You can still achieve tender steak in your favorite trusty pan using my simple technique. And cooking the steak directly in the pan helps you create a rich buttery sauce to go with it.
• Air Fryer Steak – If you love steak as much as I do but hate the mess and hassle of cooking it on the grill, you must try it in the air fryer. It’s so quick, easy, and makes the most delicious and juicy steak.
• Oven-Cooked Steak – There’s a secret trick that I love to use any time I cook steaks in the oven (spoiler: it’s using the broil setting). It’s foolproof and I love using a sheet pan to make things super easy.
• Garlic Butter Steak Bites – Made with sirloin cut, these steak bites give you the most bang for your buck. They’re more affordable than premium cuts like ribeye but equally delicious. The best part is they come together so fast.
• Flank Steak – This cut of steak is very different from NY strip or ribeye. It’s long, flat, and typically fibrous, which means it benefits from proper cooking methods. It’s usually great for dishes like fajitas, stir-fries, and steak salads. But it must be prepared right first. You can go the traditional route and make grilled flank steak. Or learn how to cook flank steak in the oven and then make sure you properly cut flank steak so it’s not chewy.

Best Sides to Serve with Steak

No matter the cut of steak or the cooking method you choose, one thing is universal – you gotta have something else to go with it!

Potato Side Dishes for Steak

Few side dishes are as comforting and loved as those made with potatoes. Their versatility is unmatched, making them a perfect accompaniment to any meal, and most notably steak. Plus, they can be prepared in 20 minutes or 50 minutes, depending on how much time you have to make dinner.

Veggie Side Dishes

These veggie side dishes for steak will perfectly round out your meal, making your night so good!

Other Sides to Serve with Steak

If you’re looking for hearty sides to serve with steak that goes beyond veggies, consider pasta, grain dishes, or chewy bread rolls.

How To Keep Food Warm

• Oven: As long as you’re not cooking anything in the oven, you can set it to 200°F and store dishes in there to keep them warm.
• Aluminum Foil: If your oven is not free, you can simply use aluminum foil, which has reflective properties that protects the food from light and oxygen. The foil reflects the thermal energy back to the food which maintains the moisture, flavor and texture.
• Crock Pots and Instant Pots: Think of recipes that can be made in your crock pot or Instant Pot that will keep warm during your event, like mashed poatoes. You can even use them to keep foods warm even if you don’t cook in them.
• Insulated coolers: You can use a cooler to keep food hot as well as cold. The insulation technology that keeps out the heat to maintain cold foods also works to trap heat in and keep food hot for hours at a time. You can even line the cooler with aluminum foil for even better results.

How To Store All the Leftovers

• Store leftover steak properly. Wrap the steak tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent air exposure and place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly, especially if your steak is medium rare or rarer.
• Follow the recipe instructions. Some dishes need to be refrigerated immediately, while others are fine to keep at room temperature for a bit. It’s always a good idea to check the storage instructions provided in the individual recipe post to make sure your food stays safe and fresh.
• Store wet and dry foods separately. This is such a simple but efficient tip. Store wet foods like cut tomatoes and salad dressings separately from dry ingredients like lettuce and cheese.
• Freeze for longer storage. Many recipes are freezer-friendly, making it easy to prepare and store meals in advance. This works especially well if you also freeze some side dishes, allowing you to have a complete meal ready to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipes cards to take you directly to those recipes.

For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: What to Serve with Burgers, Non-Boring Salads, The Best Potato Side Dishes, and Best Dinner Ideas for Summer.

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