What to Serve with Beef Tenderloin: The 23 Ultimate Choices

March 15, 2023
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Curious about what to serve with beef tenderloin? From various potato dishes to onion tarts, the options are numerous!

As a professional chef, I have done a lot of research into finding side dishes for main courses, beef tenderloin included. So, I can offer you a long list of options here.

In this post, you will find the most delicious and inspired recipe options to choose from. Let's get started!

What to Serve with Beef Tenderloin

What to Serve with Beef Tenderloin: Top Choices

Here are the best side dish recipe ideas that you can try out when serving classic beef tenderloin!

1. Mashed Potatoes

The main thing to keep in mind about beef tenderloin is that it has a mild flavor. As such, your side dish recipes should be similarly mild so that they don't overpower your perfectly prepared tenderloin.

This is why traditional mashed potatoes is such a great choice here. It is delicious and creamy but will not fight for attention with your beef tenderloin.

The key to the perfect mashed potatoes is about choosing the right seasonings. If you want, you can go simple and basic with just salt and pepper. However, it can be fun to dress this traditional side dish up.

For instance, why not add chopped up roasted garlic into the mix? Want a bit of a bite to your mashed potatoes? Then, add in some onions and chives, and even some sour cream. Oh, and top it off with shredded cheese and bacon bits for that unforgettable finish!

Mashed Potatoes With Egg Feed

Related Reading

2. Roasted Potatoes

If a mashed potato dish isn't your thing, then perfectly roasted potatoes should be next up on your list. Don't be afraid to play around with a little bit of flavor when it comes to this side dish.

Toss your potatoes with some oil, dried or fresh herbs, and even spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. There's no need to worry - while these ingredients add flavor to the potatoes, it isn't overwhelming and your beef tenderloin will undoubtedly take center stage.

If you want a little bit of a different side dish, then consider roasted sweet potatoes. The sweetness will add an interesting twist to the herbs and spices and will complement the beef tenderloin beautifully.

Potato Wedges on a Metal Tray

3. Twice Baked Potatoes

If you imagine that twice baked potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes are the same, then think again!

You start off by baking whole potatoes. Then, you cut each potato in half and scoop out the fluffy insides. This is mixed in with sour cream, cheddar cheese, milk, green onions, and seasonings.

Then, you pile this back into the potato jackets and top with cheese, green onions, and bacon. Then, you bake everything for a few more minutes.

This is a great side dish if you want something more substantial but still don't want to have to deal with too much fuss or prep work beforehand.

Carved Potatoes In A Ceramic Tray

4. Duchess Potatoes

If you are planning a dinner party, then here is a fresh and fancy take on potatoes! This is going to involve some effort but when your guests are impressed by your final results, you will be glad that you went that extra mile.

You start off by boiling the potatoes. Once they are done, you add salt, pepper, nutmeg, heavy cream, and egg yolks to the mix.

Mash and mix until it is all well combined.

Scoop this potato mix into a piping bag and then pipe out into a pattern onto a baking sheet.

Bake for about 20 minutes until browned.

Meat and Duchess Potatoes

5. Roasted Green Beans with Lemon, Garlic, and Parmesan

This recipe takes green beans to the next level! Toss the green beans with some olive oil, sliced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, parmesan, and kosher salt.

Then, roast until done. Take the green beans out and toss with even lemon juice and parmesan.

Want to add some crunch into the mix? Toast some pine nuts and add these in before serving.

It will add a nice tart freshness that will balance out the buttery flavor of the beef tenderloin.

Green Beans and Ground Beef

6. Green Bean Casserole

This is probably as traditional as you can when deciding what to serve with beef tenderloin. As an added bonus, this is a simple recipe with the most basic ingredients.

Simply sauté the beans and mushrooms and then make up a creamy sauce from broth and cream. Place all of this is in a casserole dish and then pop into the oven until the green bean and mushroom casserole begins to bubble.

The one thing that absolutely must be added to this casserole are spice spiked fried onions. Slice onions into circle and then toss with spiced panko bread crumbs. Then bake until crunchy.

Top the casserole off with the onions - you will not regret this added effort!

Green Bean Casserole

7. Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots

This is a truly inspired way of preparing roasted carrots. First, you melt honey and butter in a pan and then add in the minced garlic. Let this cook for a while until it thickens.

Toss the carrots in this honey butter garlic mixture before roasting until done.

The sweetness, garlicy taste, and the carrots work so incredibly well together. It is also a wonderful side dish to serve with beef tenderloin.

Roasted carrots with honey drizzle

8. Roasted Butternut Squash with Lime Vinaigrette

Roasted butternut squash is such a mild yet delicious side dish for beef tenderloin. However, you may be tired of eating it the same old way. If so, here is how you can put a new spin on an old favorite.

Toss your butternut squash with olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper to taste. Then, roast until done.

In the meantime, combine lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes. When the butternut squash is done, toss it with the vinaigrette.

Roasted Butternut Squash

9. Grilled Asparagus

I know that most people are used to making roasted asparagus, but I would argue that grilled asparagus is just as good, if not better.

When grilling the asparagus, there is just a bit more control. This makes it easy to get asparagus that is equal parts tender and crispy.

What's more, it is one of the easiest side dishes to serve with beef tenderloin.

Just toss the asparagus with oil, salt, and pepper. Then grill until done. You can serve with lemon wedges if you like.

Asparagus Bacon Grill

10. Roasted Pumpkin Salad

The great thing about roasted pumpkin salad as a side dish is that you can customize it anyway that you like.

Once you have roasted the pumpkin, you can toss it with a wide variety of ingredients. It can be a simple salad with just spinach and blue cheese.

Or, you can dress things up arugula, balsamic vinegar, and honey.

And, feel free to add ingredients like pomegranate seeds, cranberries, and nuts into the mix as well.

Green Veggies and Pumpkin Salad

11. Garlic Butter Mushrooms

Want delicious side dishes but don't want to expend too much time or effort? Well, then this is the recipe for you.

All you have to do is melt the butter and then sauté the mushrooms in it - season with desired ingredients. When nearly done, add in the garlic and cook until it is aromatic.

You can also top with parsley if you like.

Fried mushrooms on frying pan

12. Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are a great option for beef tenderloin. While they bring their own deep flavor, it isn't robust enough to take the attention away from the beef tenderloin.

Here, you separate the stalks of the mushrooms from the cap. Mine the stalks and sauté them with with some garlic and onion.

Combine this with your favorite cream cheese and green onions. Stuff the mushroom caps with this and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes.

If you feel like this is a little too heavy and want something lighter, stuff the mushrooms with bruschetta instead.

Once again, remove the stalks. You can choose to sauté them or discard them, it is up to you.

Brush the mushroom caps with butter and garlic and then bake for up to 20 minutes. In the meantime, make the bruschetta.

Finely dice tomatoes, garlic, and desired herbs. Then toss with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Stuff this into the mushroom caps and serve.

Mushroom Stuffings

13. Grilled Mushrooms

If you are tired of sautéed mushrooms but still want a hearty side dish for beef tenderloin, then grilled mushrooms are the way to go.

Best of all, they are so easy to make as well. Make up a marinade with soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and a dash of pepper. Let the mushrooms sit in this for about half an hour.

Then place on bamboo skewers and grill until done.

This works especially well if you have a summertime dinner party and want to keep the entire menu nice and light.

Grilled Mushroom

14. Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a bit of a controversial vegetable. However, if you don't like them or simply think that baking is the only way to go here, you are in for a lovely surprise!

Not only is sautéing a wonderful new way of preparing brussels sprouts, it is also a lot faster.

Heat oil in a pan and when it is hot, add in halved brussels sprouts. Let the veggies sit here for several minutes until that one side is nicely browned. Then season and stir until the rest of the veggies are browned too.

Take off the heat and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. It is as easy as that!

Crispy Brussel Sprouts

15. Broccoli Gratin

Even people who don't like broccoli will have a hard time saying no to broccoli gratin.

Start by roasting the broccoli.

In the meantime, cook butter and garlic together, until fragrant and then take off heat. Add in seasoned Panko breadcrumbs into the mix and combine well. Then, mix in some cheddar cheese and parmesan. Combine well again.

Toss the broccoli in this mixture so that it is well coated. Then broil for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.

This classic dish takes a surprisingly short time and is a great addition if you are trying to keep things simple.

Bowl of Sliced Broccoli

16. Marinated Herb Tomato Salad

A tomato salad may sound boring but there is a way to spice things up.

Start off by marinating your tomatoes in red wine vinegar, oil, garlic, shallots, and salt and pepper. Let the tomatoes sit in their marinade for about 20 minutes.

Then, toss with shredded fresh herbs and crumbled feta cheese.

This is another one of those side dishes that is light, tasty, and is perfect for when you don't want something that is going to take ages to make.

Sliced Tomatoes and Green Leaf Salad

17. Greek Salad

If you are tired of garden salads and are looking for something fresh to make, look no further!

As with any other salad, it is up to you to choose what goes into it. Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, green leaves, etc.

However, if you do want to keep things as authentic as possible, then you should consider adding in some Kalamata olives and feta cheese. Keep the dressing simple with olive oil and a sprinkle of dried oregano.

The minimalism of this salad will work beautifully with the tenderloin.

Healthy Vegetable Salad

18. Arugula Salad

Sure you want to keep your side dishes on the milder side but maybe you still want a bit of a kick to it.

If so, arugula salad is the perfect way to do this. The peppery leaves punch enough of a pack that all you need to do is to drizzle a bit of lemon juice and honey, along with some seasoning.

If you want a bit more of a crunch, then consider adding in some apples, nuts, or even cranberries.

Even with the additions, you are going to find this salad nice and light.

Vegetable Salad With Brown Bread On The Side

19. Yorkshire Pudding

Now, Yorkshire pudding is probably a bit of a novelty to you as it is most popular in the UK. Trust me when I say that it is ultimate accompaniment to beef tenderloin, though.

These are mild in taste but are still filling enough to round out a meal. You should be warned that these can be a bit time consuming but it is certainly a recipe that you should consider for your dinner.

The batter is made from flour, eggs, and milk. This is drizzled into a muffin pan and then baked.

The puddings are done when they have fluffed up and turned golden brown.

Yorkshire Pudding With Grilled Veggies

20. Stuffed Roasted Red Peppers

This is another great option when you want something filling to go with your beef tenderloin.

When it comes to stuffed peppers, you can add almost anything that you like. If you want to up the health factor, then chop up some zucchini, sweet corn, and even some bell pepper if you like.

I like to add in some cooked wild rice and tomatoes as well. This recipe typically calls for ground meat but since this is a side dish for beef tenderloin, I tend to skip it.

You sauté the ingredients ahead of time, seasoning as you desire. Then, cut the tops off the bell peppers and scoop out the insides.

Fill the interior up with the rice and veggie filling. Top with a slab of cheese and bake for 30 minutes.

Stuffed Red Pepper

21. Rice Pilaf

If you want a more substantial pairing to your beef tenderloin, then rice is the way to go. Of course, you can't really eat plain rice can you? Especially not with tenderloin as the main course!

This is why rice pilaf is the perfect option here. It is filling, brings its own flavor to the mix but the beef tenderloin is still left to shine.

Cook the rice in stock with garlic, onion, and various spices to add flavor into the mix. You can also stir in raisins, cranberries, or even nuts to add some texture as well.

Rice Pilaf on a Black Ceramic Plate with a Fork and Knife

22. Baked Feta Pasta

Yes, you probably have seen this recipe on your socials but it is far from a gimmick! This goes great with beef tenderloin as the overall taste is pretty mild but you still get that lovely creamy sauce.

Not to mention, with the pasta, it makes a full meal.

Toss the tomatoes and feta with some oil, seasoning, and herbs. Then, bake for about 40 minutes.

Shortly before this part of the dish is done, cook the pasta. When the cheese and tomatoes are done, add the pasta, and mix well.

Cooked Pasta on Brown Wooden Bowl

23. Onion Tart

This is another one of those side dishes that can take some effort to make. However, if you are looking to impress guests, then it is a good way to go.

First, blind bake the pie crust.

While this is happening, sauté the onions for about 30 minutes.

Then, combine eggs, cheese, and cream. Mix in the onions and pour into the pie shell. Bake for 30 minutes.

Freshly baked tart on wooden board

Wrapping It Up

If you wanted to know what to serve with beef tenderloin, you now know the answer. The only thing left for you to do is to narrow down the list for your top options. Then, you will be able to put the perfect meal together whenever you cook beef tenderloin!

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Pitmaster Central is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca etc) and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Keep Reading
Copyright 2024 Pitmaster Central, all rights reserved.