Beef tenderloin is often considered the crème de la crème of cuts for its unparalleled tenderness and buttery texture. As one of the most expensive cuts of beef, tenderloin is usually reserved for special occasions like Christmas, Thanksgiving, anniversaries, and birthdays.
While the beef tenderloin itself offers incredible flavor and texture the side dishes served alongside it play an equally important role in crafting a memorable beef tenderloin dining experience. The right sides can enhance the flavors of the beef provide texture contrast, and round out the overall meal.
In this article, we’ll explore 25 delicious side dish options to serve with beef tenderloin along with tips for preparing tenderloin and pairing suggestions.
Understanding Beef Tenderloin
Beef tenderloin, also known as filet mignon, refers to a cut of meat from the short loin of the cow.
Located in an area of the animal that doesn’t get much movement, the tenderloin has very little fat and connective tissue, resulting in its signature tenderness and buttery smooth texture It offers a clean, pure beef flavor since there is minimal intramuscular fat to impart additional flavor
On average, plan on serving around 6 ounces of beef tenderloin per person. You may be able to get away with slightly less depending on the heartiness of your side dishes.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Beef Tenderloin
When working with such a tender and expensive cut of meat, you’ll want to make sure you cook it properly to get the most out of its flavor and texture. Here are some tips:
- Allow the meat to come to room temperature before cooking so it sears evenly.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices. Let the seasoning penetrate for at least 40 minutes before cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature:
- 125°F – 130°F for medium rare
- 135°F – 140°F for medium
- 145°F – 150°F for medium well
- Roast in the oven at 425°F, sear on the grill or stove top, or pan fry.
- Let rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Best Vegetables to Serve with Beef Tenderloin
Vegetables make for classic accompaniments to beef tenderloin, adding color to the plate and natural sweetness to balance the savory meat.
Glazed Sweet Potatoes and Butternut Squash
Roasting sweet potatoes and butternut squash brings out their natural sugars before glazing with a sweet and spiced apple cider glaze. The tender vegetables pair beautifully with sliced beef tenderloin.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli and Green Beans
For variety, roast a medley of Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and green beans together on a sheet pan until caramelized. Toss with a balsamic glaze for a sweet and tangy contrast to the beef.
Caramelized Root Vegetables
A show-stopping mix of roasted carrots, parsnips, turnips, and celery root wedges tossed in an herb-infused maple balsamic glaze.
Mushroom Stuffed Portobellos
Meaty portobello mushroom caps stuffed with a savory mix of sauteed vegetables, cream, and cheese. A deliciously earthy pairing for steak.
Classic Green Bean Casserole
A Thanksgiving staple, green bean casserole offers comfort along with fresh green bean crunch and crispy fried onions. Made from scratch, it’s easy to prepare.
Potato Pairings for Beef Tenderloin
Potatoes are another excellent pairing with beef tenderloin. They soak up the delicious pan juices and their starchiness provides contrast to the tender meat.
Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
Sliced potatoes baked in a cheesy cream sauce until bubbling and golden. Sharp cheddar and Parmesan offer a tasty crust.
Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery mashed russets and Yukon golds are simple yet completely satisfying, especially when loaded with garlic, cheese, and bacon.
Twice-Baked Potatoes
Scoop out baked potatoes and mix their flesh with cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and green onions before stuffing back in the potato skins and baking until hot and crispy.
Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Simple yet delicious, cubed red potatoes roasted in olive oil with lots of seasoning become crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.
French Fries
For steak frites, thick-cut fries fried to golden perfection offer a necessary indulgence and vehicle for dipping pan sauces.
French Onion Smashed Potatoes
Tender baby potatoes smothered in melted Gruyere and sweet, caramelized onions. An upscale roasted potato recipe.
Comforting Sides for Beef Tenderloin
For special occasions, feel free to get a little decadent with your sides. These comforting, creamy dishes complement tenderloin beautifully.
Lobster and Shrimp Mac and Cheese
An incredibly rich mac and cheese loaded with tender lobster and shrimp baked until bubbling and crispy on top. Surf and turf at its finest!
Butternut Squash Risotto
A creamy arborio rice studded with roasted butternut squash, fried prosciutto, and fresh herbs for an upscale risotto worthy of fine dining.
Popovers or Yorkshire Pudding
The classic popover gets an upgrade with beef drippings or jus baked inside yielding an irresistibly savory accompaniment.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty bread slathered in garlicky, herbed butter and baked with melty mozzarella is a beef lover’s dream pairing.
Salad Sides for Beef Tenderloin
Fresh, crisp salads help balance the richness of beef tenderloin. These options add color, crunch, and acidity to your meal.
Arugula and Watermelon Radish Salad
Thinly sliced radishes lend vibrant color and spice to delicate arugula greens, feta, and toasted walnuts dressed in a citrus vinaigrette.
Grilled Wedge Salad
The steakhouse classic with crisp iceberg wedges, smoky bacon, blistered cherry tomatoes, and chunky blue cheese dressing.
Charred Broccolini and White Bean Salad
Quickly charred broccolini and cannellini beans dressed simply with lemon juice, olive oil and shaved Parmesan.
Classic Caesar Salad with Parmesan Crisps
Chopped romaine lettuce tossed in lemony Caesar dressing and topped with crunchy homemade croutons and Parmesan crisps.
Essential Sauces for Beef Tenderloin
Don’t forget the sauces! Bold condiments like horseradish cream and bearnaise sauce complement beef tenderloin wonderfully.
Horseradish Cream Sauce
For an eye-watering, sinus-clearing punch, whip up a quick blender horseradish sauce with sour cream, Dijon, lemon, and herbs.
Classic Bearnaise Sauce
An elegant French sauce made of egg yolks, white wine vinegar, shallots, tarragon, butter, and lemon juice. Rich yet refreshing with steak.
Sweet Endings for Beef Tenderloin
Finish off your spectacular meal with a decadent dessert like molten chocolate fondue or a light and fruity panna cotta.
Dark Chocolate Fondue
Dip bite-size pieces of pound cake, brownies, and fresh fruit into a dark, creamy chocolate fondue for a sweet cap to a special meal.
Mango Panna Cotta
A refined, silky panna cotta infused with sweet mango puree and vanilla bean. Elegant enough for a dinner party.
With the wide variety of side dishes available, from hearty potatoes to fresh vegetables to indulgent pastas, you can craft the perfect beef tenderloin dinner menu for any occasion. Use the tasty tenderloin as your canvas and build spectacular flavor combinations with your vegetable, starch, and sauce selections. Enjoy!
Internal Temperature Guide For Doneness
Depending upon how you like your beef, this recipe will take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes in the oven. The best way to know when your beef has reached the desired internal temperature is with a meat thermometer. My favorite meat thermometer is a digital meat thermometer since it’s so precise!
At a Glance Guide:
- 120-125F Rare
- 130F-135F Medium Rare
- 145-150F Medium (This is how I like it and the temperature used for these photos)
- 150F Medium Well
- 160F Well Done
The PERFECT tenderloin Roast #steak
FAQ
What sides go well with tenderloin?
Tender baby spinach, mixed in a flavorful cream sauce, makes one of the best and easiest side dishes for your beef tenderloin dinner. Tender asparagus baked under creamy Alfredo sauce until bubbly and browned. Sweet, jammy roasted carrots get a salty, crispy Parmesan crust.
How many people will a 2 lb beef tenderloin feed?
1 1/2 pounds of beef will comfortably feed 4 people; 2 pounds will feed six. You can stretch it to feed a few more people if you are serving the tenderloin with several other dishes on the table. When buying your tenderloin roast, make sure the butcher removes the silver skin.
What’s a good side dish for filet mignon?
- Vegetables : Some of the classics are sautéed mushrooms, roasted asparagus, sauteed green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted broccoli, or steamed broccoli.
- Starches : My all-time favorite is a side of creamy mashed potatoes.
What to make with a beef tenderloin?
Relatively quick-cooking and arguably the most tender cut of beef, tenderloin makes for a magnificent roast, succulent stir-fry, or tasty grilled skewers. It’s also especially lean and free of connective tissue, lending itself to raw and ultra-rare applications like steak tartare and beef poke.