If you are looking for a hearty and homely meal, you cannot go wrong with beef stew. This delicious dish will warm you up, making it ideal for the winter months.

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What To Serve Alongside Beef Stew 14 Different Side Dishes

It will flood your home with warmth and an irresistible scent. Plus, it is quite simple to make and it tastes exquisite.

Though beef stew is mouth-wateringly amazing, it is even better when it is paired with a scrumptious side dish.

If you are struggling to decide what dish to make, we have selected 14 of the best options for you to try.

Mashed Potatoes

To many, mashed potatoes will be the obvious side dish when it comes to beef stew. This filling food is creamy. It will harmonize with the stew’s juices.

To us, this combination results in one of the best comfort meals. If you have had a hard day, you will instantly feel better after having mashed potato and beef stew.

Thankfully, mashed potato is not overly complex to make and only requires a few ingredients.

If you are contemplating making this side dish, this recipe by RecipeTin Eats will help you to make a mashed potato that is buttery and filled with flavor.

Brown Rice

Second, rice will be a wonderful side dish. Brown rice was chosen specifically because we believe that it better matches the flavors of beef stew.

Its nutty taste enhances beef stew without browning it out. Plus, brown rice is slightly more nutritional than white rice. For instance, it is a good source of fiber, magnesium, and iron.

Rice is also gluten-free, meaning that even sufferers of coeliac disease can safely consume it. This super simple recipe from Love & Lemons will help you to cook brown rice.

It also gives some useful tips as to how you can implement rice into a meal.

Baguette

Most types of bread will work well with beef stew, but a wholesome baguette is our top pick. The crunchy exterior will add texture to the dish, providing a contrast to the tenderness of the beef.

Plus, the baguette can soak up the juices of the stew. Therefore, this option will be great for people who want to pair their stew with a carbohydrate.

You can buy great baguettes from supermarkets, though homemade versions taste much better. Plus, they will make your home smell amazing.

We have chosen this baguette recipe from BBC Good Food because it is easy to follow. Moreover, it results in a baguette that is ideal for beef stew, namely because it is soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside.

Cauliflower Cheese

Do you love cheese? If so, you are bound to love cauliflower cheese. As the name suggests, this British dish places cauliflower in a creamy cheese sauce.

You can eat this side dish even if you are not the biggest fan of cauliflower since the flavor of the vegetable is made less potent thanks to the cheesy sauce.

Though you may think that cheese does not go with beef stew, trust us that this is a good match. The taste of cauliflower will certainly complement the taste of the beef.

If you are unfamiliar with this side dish, these instructions from Olive will help you to make it.

Roast Potatoes And Carrots

If you crave potatoes but do not want to mash them, you can instead roast your potatoes and add any complementary vegetables.

Though roasting vegetables can be fairly time-consuming, the delicious flavors that are created will definitely be worth it. These roast potatoes will be wonderful at absorbing the sauce of the stew.

Feel free to try roasting different types of potatoes, such as red and sweet potatoes. Doing so will add some color and vibrancy to the meal.

This outstanding recipe from Cooking Classy is one of our favorites, as it packs plenty of flavors into the side dish. This is achieved through garlic, rosemary, and thyme.

Simple Salad

This versatile side dish can be paired with a wide variety of meals. Plus, it is very straightforward to make, saving you time and hassle. Another advantage of a simple salad is that you can customize it.

This means that you can select whichever ingredients you prefer. Though common ingredients include lettuce, cucumber, onion, and salad, do not be afraid to push the boat out.

Overall, a simple salad will be a healthy accompaniment to your beef stew. If you want a salad that is easy to make, we encourage you to try this gorgeous recipe from A Couple Cooks.

Polenta

This creamy Italian dish will make for an adequate side dish to beef stew. Plus, its vibrant yellow coloring will make your dish more eye-catching and interesting.

Polenta tastes like corn (one of its main ingredients), with a subtly sweet flavor. If you have never made it before, it is worth trying.

Do you know how to make polenta? If you do not, these All Recipes instructions will enable you to make this creamy side dish.

Green Beans

Though this side dish is very simple, it is also incredibly effective. Not only are they straightforward to make, but green beans are also nutritious.

They are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as being relatively high in protein. If you are health conscious and looking for a beneficial side dish for your beef stew, look no further.

To make a simple green beans recipe that has been flavored with lemon, follow these steps by Jamie Oliver.

Couscous

Next, though couscous may not be as commonly used as a side for beef stew as some of the other items in this list, it is nonetheless a great option.

Its distinctive texture makes it perfect for absorbing the stew. Furthermore, its nut-like flavor combined with the subtle hints of sweetness will provide an interesting contrast to the beef stew.

If you are willing to try Moroccan couscous, this recipe by Well Plated will create a mouth-watering side dish.

Onion Squares

If you do not already have an onion squares recipe, we thoroughly encourage you to attempt this classic method from PunchFork.

If you love the taste of onions, these squares will be right up your street. Their lightweight and soft feel results in them absorbing sauces. This is why they are an ideal side dish for beef stews.

Balsamic Salad

If you are searching for a healthy side dish but are bored of simple salads, you may want to craft a balsamic salad. Flavored with balsamic vinegar, you will likely either love or hate this salad.

Regardless, we urge you to try making it if you love deep and rich flavors. Aside from this flavor, a salad is an ideal side dish because of its many nutrients and vitamins. Our favorite balsamic salad recipe is this flavorsome one from Taste of Home.

Soft Biscuits

Another option worth exploring is making soft biscuits. You can use these biscuits to absorb any remaining stew juices. If you desire an excellent recipe, we suggest these fluffy homemade biscuits from Natasha’s Kitchen.

Their light and fluffy texture means that they are really enjoyable to eat. Plus, their subtle flavors will not detract from the beef stew.

Roast Parsnips

If you have enjoyed pairing your beef stew with roast potatoes and vegetables, you may also find roast parsnips to be an enjoyable accompaniment.

They have an earthy taste to them that will be mirrored in the stew’s ingredients. Parsnips that have been roasted in honey will also have a luxuriously sweet taste to them.

If this appeals to you, we urge you to make these honey roast parsnips from Flawless Food

Yorkshire Puddings

Finally, this side dish from the United Kingdom will work wonders when matched with a beef stew. Yorkshire puddings are usually served with roast dinners, sausages, or stews.

They will be capable of holding any of the stew’s sauce, soaking them in its delicious flavor. You can even purchase or make massive Yorkshire puddings, which can hold the entirety of the beef stew.

If you are unfamiliar with Yorkshire puddings, they are similar to the American rolls known as popovers. Since you may be unable to buy them from a store, here is a classic Yorkshire pudding recipe from BBC Food.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Make Beef Stew Tender?

The best way to guarantee that the beef is tender is to cook it on low heat over a long time. Doing so will ensure that the meat restraints the majority of its moisture.

You may also want to use a meat tenderizer before you start cooking. These products are designed to soften the meat.

Should You Serve Beef Stew On A Plate Or Bowl?

Honestly, you can use either a bowl or plate when eating beef stew. Though bowls may look less refined, they are probably better at retaining the liquid.

The utensil you use will be affected by the formality of the meal. If you are eating alone in an informal setting, you may opt for the bowl due to its convenience.

Meanwhile, you may choose the plate if you are hosting a dinner party. Which utensil you utilize will also depend on what sides you have, as some will be better suited to a bowl or plate.

What Is A Stew?

This heart dish is a mixture of various foods, such as meat and vegetables, that have been cooked in a gravy.

Usually, they will be cooked at a low temperature in order to bring out the best in the flavors.

Final Thoughts

As demonstrated by this list, there are several different side dishes for you to consider when you next make beef stew.

This list shows that there is a wide range of textures and flavors available to you.

With any luck, we will have helped you to find the perfect side dish for your stew.

What To Serve Alongside Beef Stew: 14 Different Side Dishes

Knowing what side dish to pair with your beef stew can be tricky. To aid you, we have selected 14 incredible side dishes for you to serve with your stew.

Ingredients

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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!