From Brussels sprouts to asparagus to mashed potatoes, I’ve rounded up 12 of the best side dishes for beef Wellington to make your dinner a feast. Beef Wellington is that scrumptious dish we order at the restaurant when we’re feeling a bit fancy. This dish is the epitome of sophistication. First, there’s the mouthwatering seared beef tenderloin smeared with a thin layer of pâté. Then it’s topped with duxelles, an umami paste made of mushroom, shallots, butter, and sherry. Finally, it’s encased in golden puff pastry that’s baked to perfection. One bite will give you an explosion of flavors and textures. If you’ve ever seen a cooking show judged by Gordon Ramsay, you’ll know how challenging a great-tasting beef Wellington is to achieve! That said, you don’t want to put your effort (not to mention, money) to waste by serving it with some subpar side dish.
Side Dishes for Beef Wellington
As far as what goes well with beef Wellington, you’ll want to be sure to serve dishes that will complement the complex flavors and textures of your beef. You should give it the spotlight it deserves, so it’s best to pair it with a simple side dish that won’t clash or overpower its exquisite goodness. Here are 12 of the best sides for beef Wellington. Enjoy!
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
You might be wary of serving Brussels sprouts with your expensive entree because of their bad reputation, but hear me out. Brussels sprouts, when roasted to perfection, are like little bites of heaven. In fact, they actually have a sweet, creamy, nutty, and earthy flavor that will work excellently with beef Wellington. They’re easy to make, too! Just toss them with butter or olive oil, parmesan or Asiago cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Pop them in the oven and cook until tender. If you’re feeling a little experimental, try this alternative: mix Brussels sprouts with garlic and shallots, and coat them in balsamic vinegar. And then roast them until caramelized. This recipe will still give you the earthy side, but with savory and sweet notes.
2. Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
While beef Wellington has a variety of textures, it’s mostly soft and tender. So, you might want to give your meal a bit of crunch in the form of baby carrots. For me, there’s no better option than these tender and buttery Cracker barrel carrots. Adding brown sugar helps to caramelize them, bringing out their natural sweetness. It’s so simple. In fact, you only need one pot and about 15 minutes.
3. Roasted Root Vegetables
Give your beef Wellington a nutritious and colorful side by pairing it with some roasted beets, parsnips, carrots, and more. They’re not only vibrant, but flavorful as well. These veggies are sweet, earthy, and crunchy, and work wonderfully with the tender Welly.
4. Carrot Puree with Ginger
Alternatively, if you want to give your beef Wellington a touch of brightness minus the crunch, you can puree the carrots instead. It’s easy! Just cook the carrots with seasonings until tender, then puree. The ginger is optional, but it adds such a wonderful warmth that I highly recommend it! Place a dollop of this refreshing mixture next to your Welly, and you’ll have a stunning dish.
5. Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
Beef Wellington is a classic dish, so it makes sense to serve it with an equally classic side. Nothing better fits the bill than simple asparagus with hollandaise sauce. The combination of crunchy sauteed or steamed asparagus topped with rich and creamy hollandaise is all you need to complement your phenomenal entree.
6. Grilled Broccoli Recipe
Here’s another veggie that pairs well with Beef Wellington – broccoli. To prepare, just give this cruciferous veg a good char by grilling it. A little bit of a black char never hurts, in fact, it will even elevate the flavors of your broccoli to a new level.
7. Frisée Salad with Bacon, Croutons and Poached Egg
Or actually, any fresh salad. Salad is great with the decadent beef Wellington because it’s simple, refreshing, crunchy, and not to mention, nutritious! Any combination of greens, nuts, fruits and veggies, protein, cheese, and dressing is great, but this is my favorite! The mix of crispy lettuce and salty bacon with that wonderful runny yolk is just chef’s kiss Of course, there are plenty of alternatives, such as:
Frisee with pears, hazelnuts, blue cheese, and cranberry vinaigrette.Radicchio, escarole, Swiss chard, shallots, pomegranate seeds, parmesan cheese, and a honey, balsamic, mustard, and extra virgin olive oil dressing.
8. Risotto with Mushrooms
Apart from vegetables, starches also pair well with beef Wellington. Plus, starchy dishes are heavy, so they’re great at satisfying your hunger. A decadent serving of risotto infused with earthy mushrooms is perfect for beef Wellington. It’s delicious, filling, and just as elegant as your main. Want to give it an even more umami flavor? Top it with some shaved truffles! The flavor combination is just to die for, plus it makes the dish even more luxurious.
9. Irish Mashed Potatoes
Whether it’s fine or casual dining, potatoes will always be a great accompaniment to any meal. The humble potato is so versatile, there are a plethora of ways to prepare it. But a serving of simple mashed potatoes is more than enough, even for the most magnificent beef Wellington. You can opt for the most basic recipe with milk, sour cream, and butter, but you can also give it a little kick by infusing it with garlic. Add some greens and a few bits of bacon and you might forget all about the beef!
10. Scalloped Potatoes
You’re already putting in a lot of effort making beef Wellington, so you might as well go fancy with the side dish, right? Actually, scalloped potatoes only sound fancy. They’re really just sliced spuds with onions, cream, and cheese. Of course, they still taste phenomenal, especially if you add some Gruyere to the mix!
11. Wild Rice Pilaf
Now, we can’t talk about starchy sides without bringing up rice. It’s an easy-to-prepare dish that pairs well with any protein-loaded entree, and beef Wellington is no exception. But instead of making simple steamed rice, kick things up a notch by making this colorful wild rice pilaf instead. And although it looks complicated, all you need is some cranberries, pecans, sprouts, and the right wild rice mix. Cook the rice, saute everything else and toss it together. How easy is that?
12. Perfectly Baked Sweet Potato
I’ve already featured two potato dishes on this list, now it’s time to give its sweet cousin the spotlight. Just like the potato, the sweet potato also makes a wonderful side dish for beef Wellington. And it doesn’t require a lot of effort to prepare. Just bake them and slather with butter and you’re ready to go. Click on a star to rate it!
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