Ooohhh, beef stroganoff. Who can ever say no to your fork-tender beef strips and creamy sauce?
Not us, for sure.
We are huge fans of the dish’s buttery, creamy, earthy, and rich flavors. Just the thought of it is making us drool!
If you’re as crazy about stroganoff as we are, you most probably also love serving this dish to your family and friends.
You might also be wondering– what is a good side dish for beef stroganoff?
Since we’re experts in all things beef stroganoff, we’re here to share with you some of our best pairings.
Check out our fantastic side dish ideas below!
Heavy Side Dishes
Starchy and carb-heavy side dishes will make your beef stroganoff meal well-balanced but, most of all, more filling. So if you want to tame its rich taste and boost its filling factor, here are the sides you should try:
1. Egg Buttered Noodles
Beef stroganoff with egg noodles is the most popular combination in the US, and for lots of good reasons!
The main reason why this combo works is because the mild flavor of egg noodles won’t get in the way of the rich taste of your beef stroganoff. But more than that, the buttery egg noodles soak up the beef’s sauces, so it delivers a medley of flavors you’ll enjoy.
Let’s also not forget about the noodles’ chewy texture, which goes oh so well with the beef’s tenderness.
Serving beef stroganoff with buttered noodles may seem pretty basic, but this is one pairing you won’t go wrong for sure.
Get recipe: saltandlavender.com
2. Pappardelle
All pasta will perfectly complement the saucy beef stroganoff. One of our favorite pasta to pair with it is pappardelle.
Like buttered egg noodles, it provides an excellent foundation that will allow the delicious flavors of the sauce to shine.
The big difference is that pappardelle contains more starch and carbohydrates than egg noodles to make a much more filling meal when served with stroganoff.
3. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes—the classic comfort food and one of the most versatile side dishes you can ever serve with beef stroganoff. That’s why this is just the perfect alternative if you don’t want to eat your main dish with pasta.
More than its creamy texture, the best thing about mashed potatoes is it goes so well with any type of sauce—especially with the beef stroganoff sauce. It soaks it up and gives it a richer and creamier texture.
Pro Tip: Add garlic and rich sour cream sauce to your mashed potatoes to boost their flavor and make them even creamier.
4. Roasted Potatoes
Are creamy side dishes not your cup of tea? We get you. With that said, may we recommend a better alternative—roasted potatoes.
We love the most about roasted potatoes because they add a crispy and crunchy texture that the stroganoff desperately needs. But, on the other hand, the stroganoff will give the roasted potatoes a rich flavor that it deserves. Indeed, a match made in heaven!
- Pro Tip: Coat your potato cubes with a mixture of garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, paprika, olive oil, salt, and pepper to boost its flavor.
5. Baked Sweet Potato
If you’re on the lookout for a healthier alternative to potatoes, go for sweet potatoes. The good news is its sweet flavor balances the richness of the stroganoff, making it a more well-rounded meal.
But wait, there’s more.
It’s also so easy to cook sweet potatoes. You need to slice the sweet potatoes in the middle (but only halfway) and then smear butter on top. Bake for only a few minutes, and you’re good to go.
6. Bread
Are you more of a bread than a pasta or potatoes person? We get you.
What we like about bread is it’s the best at soaking up all the flavors of the sauce. Plus, there are many bread types that you can choose from—crusty to soft and chewy garlic bread.
When it comes to stroganoff, our go-to would be loaves of crusty bread, as those deliver a crunchy and chewy texture perfect for the stroganoff’s sauce.
Pro Tip: You might also ask so what bread to serve with beef stroganoff? If you want to take your bread and stroganoff combo to another level, go for cheesy garlic bread.
7. Garlic Rice Pilaf
If you loved the idea of serving beef stroganoff with garlic bread, here’s another option for you: garlic rice pilaf. This is also the best option if you find plain rice to be a bit boring.
This rice dish is like no other and may probably be one of the most flavorful rice recipes you can ever taste.
For this, you only need 4 ingredients: rice, vegetable broth, garlic, and butter. Just mix everything, and you get fluffy and flavorful rice that will match the sauce of the beef stroganoff pretty well.
8. Lemon Rice Salad
There’s no doubt that beef stroganoff is delicious and rich, but let’s admit it, all its flavors can get overwhelming at times.
Lucky for you, you can serve it with lemon rice salad. The refreshing taste of lemon will indeed balance all of it.
Here’s how you make it:
- Cook rice in chicken broth and shallots. Afterward, add lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper, red onion, garlic, and cilantro.
- All the spices and vegetables used will deliver a burst of flavors you wouldn’t expect but will surely enjoy.
Pro Tip: Add a bit of grated parmesan on top for an unexpected cheesy twist.
Light Side Dishes
If you’re on a diet or you’re just not a fan of carbs, you can always go for light and refreshing sides to serve with beef stroganoff such as the following:
9. Braised Red Cabbage
Here’s a Russian dish that’s often served with beef stroganoff. Aside from the fact that they are both Russian dishes, braised red cabbage will lend a tangy and refreshing flavor to your meal.
That’s not all. The vibrant purple shade of red cabbage will surely add a pop of color to your meal and make it look more enticing.
- Pro Tip: Top off the red cabbage with parsley or other fresh herbs to add a touch of green to your plate.
10. Braised Swiss Chard
If you loved our braised red cabbage recommendation, you’d also enjoy braised swiss chard.
With its nutritional content, it’s a truly great addition to any meal. But more than that, it will give your meal a punch of flavor when you season it with herbs and spices of your choice, then cook in olive oil.
11. Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Brussels sprouts might be the last thing that would come to mind when you think of beef stroganoff side dishes. After all, it’s not the most popular vegetable in the world.
But trust us when we say it’s one of the best vegetable side dishes you can serve with beef stroganoff.
Why? For one, roasting gives the brussels sprouts a caramelized exterior which delivers a satisfying crunch that plays nicely against the tender beef chunks and chewy mushrooms.
- Pro Tip: To enjoy a sweet, salty, creamy, and cheesy side dish, we recommend coating the brussels sprouts with brown sugar before roasting it, then top it with bacon bits and blue cheese.
12. Garden Salad
Sometimes, the simpler the side dish is, the better. That’s why we made sure we included this classic side dish in the list. In addition to the fact that this is simple to make, the refreshing taste of green salad pairs well with the decadent taste of beef stroganoff.
The simplest ingredients for this are Romaine Lettuce, chopped tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers, onions, balsamic vinaigrette, or the classic garden olive dressing. You should also not forget about croutons, which can put a crunchy spin on your meal.
- Pro Tip: Try serving stroganoff with a traditional Russian salad of scallions, dills, tomatoes, and cucumber.
13. Asparagus
Roasted asparagus will make any meaty dish seem fancy and more colorful. You’ll mostly see roasted asparagus sides, but plenty of ways to upgrade this simple vegetable side.
Of course, there’s always the option of just seasoning it with salt and pepper and roasting it to perfection.
One more option is to drizzle asparagus with lemon juice olive oil and add minced garlic before roasting.
Another one is you can try wrapping the spears with bacon before roasting it for a smoky flavor and salty treat.
- Pro Tip: Regardless of which option you choose, topping off the asparagus with parmesan will be a nice touch.
14. Roasted Cauliflower
Since we’re already on the subject of roasted vegetables, we might as well talk about roasted cauliflower.
This vegetable has a grainy texture that you can’t find in any other vegetables. When roasted, it will also have a caramelized exterior and a slightly sweet flavor that would be a nice contrast to the savory stroganoff.
- Pro Tip: Put parmesan cheese on top of the florets before roasting so you can enjoy a sweet and salty combination.
15. Dill Pickle
Considering that the delicious Beef Stroganoff is a Russian dish, it’s a must that you try serving it with homemade dill pickles.
No matter how much you love beef and creamy sauces, too many bites of beef stroganoff can certainly overwhelm your taste buds. The dill pickles will give your taste buds a refreshing break and cleanse your palate in between bites.
- Pro Tip: Make sure to make extra dill pickles so you can also use them on your sandwiches. They can be excellent healthy snacks too.
16. Apple Slaw
If the idea of serving refreshing sides piqued your interest, apple slaw might be another healthy side dish that you’ll be interested in.
The traditional coleslaw recipe is already refreshing, but the apple-y twist of an apple slaw will inject a fruity touch to your meal.
- Pro Tip: Add jalapeño to your slaw for a slightly spicy kick.
17. Apple Pie with Vanilla
There’s no better way to end your satisfying meal than a delectable dessert like apple pie.
Apple pie may seem like a simple dessert, but it’s got a wide range of textures and flavors that will surely satisfy you. In fact, even the kids will love it!
- Pro Tip: Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel syrup on top to make it extra refreshing.
Good Beverages
Beef stroganoff pairs well with a fruity red wine, such as a Zinfandel. The Zin has flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and pepper that will compliment the beef and mushrooms in the stroganoff.
For something a little different, you could also try Syrah or Malbec. Both of these wines have dark fruit flavors that will pair well with the richness of the stroganoff sauce.
FAQs
You can make beef stroganoff better by using a higher-quality beef, such as filet mignon. Or you can also make it better by using fresh herbs, such as thyme and parsley, instead of dried herbs.
And finally, you can make it even better by adding a touch of cream to the sauce.
The most popular cut of meat for beef stroganoff is tenderloin. It is a relatively lean cut of meat and has a delicate flavor that goes well with the creamy sauce.
Other good choices for beef stroganoff include flank steak, skirt steak, or hanger steak. These are all cuts that are relatively low in fat and have a lot of flavor. They may be a bit tougher than tenderloin, so they may need to be cooked for a little longer.
Beef Stroganoff is Russian. It was created by the Russian chef and takes its name from one of his aristocratic relatives, the Stroganovs. (*)
The dish is made from beef sautéed with onions and mushrooms, then simmered in a sauce made from sour cream, Dijon mustard, white wine or cognac, and Worcestershire sauce. Some variations also call for tomato paste or paprika. (*)
Beef Stroganoff is Russian. It was created by the Russian chef and takes its name from one of his aristocratic relatives, the Stroganovs. (*)
The dish is made from beef sautéed with onions and mushrooms, then simmered in a sauce made from sour cream, Dijon mustard, white wine or cognac, and Worcestershire sauce. Some variations also call for tomato paste or paprika. (*)
So, What To Serve With Beef Stroganoff?
There are a lot of sides that would go well with beef stroganoff. You can choose between carb-rich filling sides to light and refreshing sides.
We’ve already provided you with a comprehensive list of pairings. Now, it’s up to you to choose which ones would suit your taste. Let us know which one you liked the most in the comments section!
