Beef Wellington is incredibly rich and luxurious, though it is very hard to get it perfectly right!
If you’ve done the hard work to create a tasty beef wellington course, the last thing you want to do is serve it with some lackluster side dishes.
A good side dish will elevate the flavors within the main dish. There are lots of great examples that can make beef Wellington taste even better, but by the same token, there are lots of wrong ones which can make your main dish taste bland in comparison.
If you’re struggling to think of a side dish to pair with your beef Wellington, you’re in the right place!
You’ll find our pick of the best beef Wellington side dishes below.
Whether you prefer hearty ingredients that are full of flavor, or lighter dishes that complement the rich main course, you’re sure to find an option that suits your taste below.
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts may have garnered a bad reputation, but give them a chance! If you take the time to roast Brussels sprouts well, each little morsel will taste amazing.
Brussels sprouts have a nutty flavor and a creamy texture that works very well alongside beef Wellington.
They’re also very easy to prepare! Simply drizzle a little olive oil over them, add some grated parmesan on top, and add salt and pepper to season. Add to the oven and cook until they’re soft and tender.
You can also add a touch of balsamic vinegar to the mix. This will add a sweet touch that complements the richness of the main dish.
2. Carrot And Ginger Puree
If you’re not after a particularly filling side dish, but want to add some bright colors to your plate, try making a carrot puree.
This is a very simple recipe! Simple season and cook the carrots until soft, then blend to puree. The puree also consists of brown sugar and milk. These ingredients keep the puree creamy and sweet.
The ginger isn’t essential, but adding it will give the dish a pleasant warm touch. It’s best to use fresh ginger in this recipe, but you can use the ground version if this is unavailable.
3. Garlic Grilled Broccoli
Another vegetable that goes well alongside Beef Wellington is broccoli. This recipe coats the vegetables with garlic powder for a pleasant savory finish.
Don’t be afraid to grill the broccoli too much! A little charred touch will make the broccoli taste even better.
If you aren’t afraid of spice, red chili flakes will add a pleasant heat to the broccoli and the beef from the main course!
4. Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Beef wellington has several textures in one dish, but it’s mainly tender and soft. This is why a crunchy side dish, like carrots, works well to add a different layer to the main dish.
This recipe adds a brown sugar glaze over baby carrots. The sugar caramelizes the vegetables, emphasizing their innate sweet notes.
You can also add a squeeze of fresh lemon or orange to add a little acidity. This will cut right through the richness of the beef, rounding out the whole meal nicely.
5. Baked Sweet Potato
Regular potatoes are often paired with beef Wellington, but have you tried using sweet ones?
Sweet potatoes have a creamy texture and a gentle sweet flavor. This tastes great on its own, but also works well with the hearty notes from the beef course.
Baked sweet potatoes are very simple to prepare too. Just bake in the oven until crisp and tender, then add butter and seasoning. All you have to do next is dish up!
6. Colcannon – Irish Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes work well as a side dish to many meals, including beef Wellington! You can prepare your potatoes in several ways, but humble mashed potatoes will do the trick!
This Irish recipe elevates typical mashed potatoes by blending them with mustard, cabbage, and onions.
These ingredients give the mixture gorgeous savory notes, while the cream keeps the dish decadent – just the thing to pair with the grand main course!
Serve with some butter and chopped parsley for a tasty finish.
7. Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Add some colorful ingredients to your whole plate by pairing your beef Wellington with roasted vegetables.
This recipe oven cooks beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, and onions for a filling, yet flavorful side dish. The vegetables are bright enough to bring a smile to your face, but appetizing enough to please your taste buds!
Top with kosher salt, pepper, and fresh thyme to finish the dish off.
8. Asparagus And Hollandaise Sauce
Asparagus and hollandaise sauce is known as a traditional side dish, so it’s perfect to pair with a classic main, like beef Wellington!
The blend of crisp asparagus alongside the hearty hollandaise sauce tastes amazing, particularly when paired with the beef’s rich flavors from the main course.
Add a squeeze of lemon to tie the whole side dish together, as well as some cayenne pepper for a gentle spice!
9. Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes may sound complex, but the recipe is more simple than you think! All it calls for is sliced potatoes mixed with cream, cheese, and onions. That’s it!
This is a great option for when you want something easy to put together, but rich enough to pair with beef Wellington.
Make sure you slice the potatoes as thinly and evenly as you can. Thicker slices will take longer to cook through, while uneven pieces won’t do anything for the overall look of the dish.
You can also opt to swap the potatoes with red ones, as this gives the potatoes a sweeter flavor.
10. Frisée Salad With Bacon Vinaigrette
Any sort of salad will taste great next to beef Wellington. No matter what ingredients you use in your salad, the side dish will be crunchy and refreshing.
Complex salads, like this recipe, are ideal. They’re full of ingredients that add to the luxurious nature of the beef Wellington.
This salad uses frisée lettuce as the base, along with bacon and red wine vinegar. The mix of crisp lettuce leaves and savory bacon highlights the salty notes from the Wellington.
The red wine vinegar also adds a sweet zing to the salad, which also brings out the rich notes from the beef.
You’ll also be adding poached eggs to the salad. The runny yolk will pair amazingly with the bacon, adding a velvety touch to the crisp, salty rashers.
Keep some extra olive oil and red wine vinegar on the side to dress as needed!
11. Lemon Infused Couscous
Lemon and couscous don’t always go together, but this recipe adds Parmesan cheese for a creamy touch. The three ingredients meld together well to create a lighter side dish that is full of flavor.
The lemon gives the side dish a nice acidity which can be a welcome break from the hearty main course. Grated Parmesan prevents the dish from being too light, giving the couscous a slightly indulgent feel.
Add some chopped parsley and lemon zest on top to finish, as well as extra Parmesan cheese for any cheese fans at the table.
12. Mushroom Risotto
If you want to stay true to the richness of the beef Wellington, try pairing it with this decadent mushroom risotto.
Starchy foods are hearty and satisfying, so you’ll be full well after your meal. Risotto is an elegant dish that is also full of tasty flavors. You’ll be adding butter and Parmesan cheese to make the risotto indulgent.
The mushrooms have a creamy consistency and a nutty flavor which elevates the juicy notes of the beef.
If you want to add more savory notes to the risotto, add some shaved truffles to the dish. This makes the risotto even more lavish, while giving the dish some pleasant umami flavors.
13. Dauphinoise Potatoes
Here’s another side dish for fans of potatoes! Dauphinoise potatoes are packed with indulgent ingredients, like heavy cream, mustard, and cheddar cheese.
The mustard and thyme add a gentle spice to the potatoes, preventing the cheese and cream from being too overbearing.
The cheddar has a nice natural flavor and creamy consistency, which adds a nice contrast to the firm, yet soft potatoes.
This side dish is certainly decadent, making it a great addition to a hearty dish like beef Wellington!
It’s best to use fresh thyme and garlic in this recipe, as this will help the dish taste as great as possible.
14. Green Beans Caesar Salad
A traditional Caesar salad is packed with scrumptious features. It has crunchy salad leaves, tangy Parmesan cheese, and a tantalizing dressing.
This recipe adds green beans to the salad to give the dish an additional crunch. The olive oil and vinegar coat each ingredient to make the salad sweeter overall.
This contrasts with the sharp flavors of the Parmesan, which also highlight the slightly sweet notes coming from the main course.
You’ll also be adding breadcrumbs to the salad to make it feel more luxurious. Keep some breadcrumbs on the side with some extra Parmesan to add as necessary.
15. Wild Pilaf Rice
Another starchy ingredient that pairs well with beef Wellington is rice. Rice dishes are simple to put together and work well with many protein dishes.
Instead of preparing plain steamed rice, go all out and make this bright wild pilaf rice dish. It may seem complex, but as long as you have the right ingredients, it’s relatively simple to put together!
The mix of savory ingredients, like garlic and brussels sprouts, against the sweeter ones, like cranberries and sweet potatoes, makes this side dish extremely lavish.
It’s full of lighter flavors that bring out the richness of the main course.
Simply prepare the rice, saute the other ingredients, and mix them. Simple, easy, and extremely delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional courses like beef Wellington go well with classic side dishes. Asparagus and hollandaise sauce is a great example.
The crunchy vegetables and creamy sauce help to highlight the lavish notes from the main course. Mashed potatoes or glazed balsamic carrots also work well as a simpler option.
The beef wellington’s pastry bottom can become soggy if the mushroom and beef juices fall on the base during cooking.
To avoid this, keep cooking the mushroom filling until the liquid has completely evaporated. You can use paper towels to blot the mushrooms for additional protection too.
Brushing the bottom crust with a beaten egg will create a seal between the filling and pie dough, ensuring the crust remains flaky and crisp.
Beef wellington has English origins, so traditional English desserts tend to pair well with its hearty flavors.
Examples include apple crumble, raspberry trifle, and sticky toffee pudding. These are all decadent and full of sweet flavors, working well alongside the sumptuous main course.
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