What Side Dish Goes With Beef Tips? 15 Winning Pairings

Beef tips are a lean tender cut of meat that offers big, bold flavor. When seared to perfection and cooked to a mouthwatering medium-rare beef tips make a satisfying centerpiece to any meal. But the right side dishes can take your beef tips from great to spectacular.

The key is finding sides that complement, rather than compete with, the beef. You want something that enhances the flavor and textures already present. Through thoughtful pairing, you can create a cohesive plate where each component lifts up the next.

Here are 15 of my favorite side dishes to serve with beef tips:

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Let’s start with a classic Creamy mashed potatoes are a natural pair with beef tips. The fluffy, velvety potatoes complement the meat’s richness. Meanwhile, the potatoes happily soak up any beef juices or gravy I like to add roasted garlic and parmesan to amp up the flavor. Creamy mashed potatoes are pure comfort food at its finest.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

For a pop of color, Brussels sprouts roasted until crisp are just the thing. The caramelized edges offer a delightful crunch and nutty sweetness to contrast the savory beef. Toss the sprouts with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper before roasting. The residual oven heat gently softens the interior while crisping up the leaves. Brussels sprouts lend a fresh, seasonal vibe.

Creamed Spinach

Going green, creamed spinach is an elegant, flavorful choice. The natural sweetness of the spinach balances against the beef’s richness. I blend the spinach with onions, garlic, heavy cream, and nutmeg. The velvety sauce clings beautifully, making every bite irresistible. Creamed spinach is upscale comfort food at its finest.

Brown Butter Rice Pilaf

Nutty brown butter rice pilaf, studded with toasted almonds, makes a luxurious bed for beef tips. As the butter browns, it takes on a deep, toasted flavor. This adds warmth and richness to the pilaf without being too heavy. The chewy rice acts as a blank canvas, soaking up any juices from the beef. It’s simple but special.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

With their natural sweetness, roasted sweet potatoes are a delightful counterpoint to savory beef tips. I love maximizing that sweetness by roasting them with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and honey until completely tender. The mellow spices allow the potatoes’ sugars to caramelize and shine. This side straddles the line between sweet and savory beautifully.

Sautéed Green Beans

For an easy veggie, quickly sautéed green beans are a perfect choice. I sauté them over high heat with olive oil, garlic, and almonds until lightly blistered but still crunchy. The bright green freshness cuts through the richness of the beef tips. Chopped parsley adds a final punch of vibrancy. It’s a fast, foolproof pairing.

Buttered Egg Noodles

Simple buttered egg noodles soak up all the delicious beef juices in the most comforting way. I boil them briefly until just al dente, then toss with plenty of butter, fresh parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. The noodles provide a subtle, starchy backdrop for the succulent beef. Sometimes, simple is best.

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

For a lighter take, mashed cauliflower makes an enticing match for beef tips. I steam cauliflower florets until very soft, then mash with cream cheese, whole milk, roasted garlic, and chives. The cauliflower becomes so silky and creamy, you won’t miss the potatoes! It offers the same indulgent satisfaction without the carbs.

Potato Gratin

Taking things up a notch a classic potato gratin is a hearty choice. I layer thinly sliced potatoes with cream gruyère, garlic, and nutmeg in a baking dish. As it bakes, the potatoes soften while the cheese bubbles and browns. Two comfort foods together at last! The potato gratin is pure indulgence next to your beef tips.

Au Gratin Carrots

In the same vein, au gratin carrots make an unexpected but delicious pairing. The carrots are tender and sweet beneath a crispy, cheesy crust after baking. Their natural sugars caramelize to perfection under the broiler. The carrots hold their own next to the beef with a unique flavor and texture.

Garlic Bread

Warm, crusty garlic bread can never go wrong alongside beef tips. The interplay of crunchy bread and tender meat is simple perfection. I spread baguette slices with a seasoned butter of softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. After toasting, every bite bursts with herby garlic flavor. Mopping up meat juices is practically required.

Roasted Beets and Chickpeas

For something truly unique, this beet and chickpea combo adds striking colors and flavors. I toss cubed roasted beets with roasted chickpeas, fresh dill, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The pairing is unexpectedly delicious. The beets’ earthiness and the lemony chickpeas complement the beef beautifully.

Greek Salad

Cool, crunchy Greek salad is a bright counterpoint to hearty beef tips. I toss cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, kalamata olives, and feta with a red wine vinaigrette, fresh oregano, and lemon zest. Each bite bursts with tangy, salty flavors to cut the beef’s richness. A sprinkling of oregano brings out the Mediterranean essence.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Wheat berry tabbouleh is an excellent whole grain choice with its fresh parsley, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemon. For a twist, I make it with quinoa instead. The quinoa is fluffy with a slight crunch, soaking up all the garden flavors. Paired with beef tips, it provides a refreshing, protein-packed base.

Skillet Cornbread

Warm cornbread right out of the skillet is the epitome of simple comfort. My recipe has just cornmeal, flour, buttermilk, egg, butter, and honey. The honey lends a hint of sweetness to offset the saltiness of the beef. Crumbling the cornbread over the beef tips feels like heaven.

So there you have it—15 winning sides to take your beef tips to new heights! With options spanning from hearty to healthy, there’s something sure to perfectly complement your beef. The key is finding balance. Let these flavorful pairings inspire you to think outside the box. Then sit down to a seriously spectacular meal.