Elevate Your Beef and Broccoli Night: 12 Delicious Side Dish Pairings

Beef and broccoli is a classic Chinese takeout dish that has become a staple in many households. The savory, saucy beef pairs perfectly with the fresh, crisp broccoli florets. But while beef and broccoli is delicious on its own, the right side dishes can take this meal from basic to spectacular.

In this article, we’ll recommend 12 tasty side dishes that complement beef and broccoli wonderfully With the perfect pairings, you can create a restaurant-worthy dinner at home. Let’s dive in!

Complement with Rice or Noodles

Rice or noodles are natural pairings for Chinese food, and beef and broccoli is no exception. Steamed white rice is a traditional pairing that soaks up the savory sauce beautifully. For a nutty aromatic option go for jasmine rice.

Noodles like lo mein or chow mein also work well. The soft, chewy texture contrasts nicely with the beef and broccoli. Plus, noodles absorb all that delicious flavor. For the ultimate comfort food bowl, serve your beef and broccoli over fried rice.

Add a Light, Bright Side Salad

While beef and broccoli makes a hearty, satisfying meal, it can be quite heavy. A fresh, light salad balances out the flavors. It also adds some veggies to your plate. We recommend a simple Asian veggie side salad.

Thinly sliced cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and red onion tossed in a tangy rice vinegar dressing does the trick. You can also add other veggies you have on hand like bell peppers, edamame, or water chestnuts. Top it off with crushed peanuts or sesame seeds for extra crunch.

Include Some Steamed or Stir-Fried Veggies

If you’re looking for a hot vegetable side, consider quick-cooking veggies like bok choy, snap peas, or asparagus. Simply steam or stir-fry them until just tender but still crisp. Toss them with a bit of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.

Broccoli, snow peas, baby corn, and water chestnuts also make excellent beef and broccoli companions. They provide fresh contrast to the hearty main dish. For added texture, throw in some roasted cashews or peanuts.

Try a Flavorful Soup

A warming bowl of soup completes the Chinese takeout experience. Hot and sour soup offers the perfect savory, spicy complement to beef and broccoli. The intense flavors of chilis, vinegar, and white pepper cut through the rich sauce.

For something milder, go for egg drop soup. Wispy beaten egg floats through the savory chicken broth for the ultimate comfort food. Wonton soup also makes a great pairing, with juicy pork-filled wontons in an aromatic broth.

Whip Up Some Dumplings from Scratch

Homemade dumplings may sound intimidating, but they’re actually quite straightforward. And they make the perfect side for soaking up all that luscious beef and broccoli sauce.

Ground pork or chicken dumplings simmered in broth are super simple, yet impressive. For pan-fried potstickers, fill wonton wrappers with a mix of pork, shrimp, veggies, and seasonings for a tasty explosion of textures and flavors.

Indulge in Some Fried Goodness

Crispy, savory fried foods are natural companions for saucy beef and broccoli. Spring rolls, crab rangoon, and egg rolls all fit the bill beautifully. You can fry them up at home, or pick up a package of frozen appetizers from your grocery store to save time.

Crispy fried wontons are another quick and easy option. Simply use store-bought wonton wrappers and fill them with a dollop of cream cheese, ground pork, or whatever flavors you fancy.

Add Some Veggie Variety with Cauliflower Rice

Looking for a lower carb option? Cauliflower rice is the perfect keto-friendly side for beef and broccoli. Simply pulse raw cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice grains.

Cook the cauliflower rice until tender, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and your other favorite spices. You can also add peas, carrots, green onions, or other diced veggies for color and freshness. It soaks up the sauce beautifully!

Switch It Up with Quinoa

For a protein-packed side, try quinoa instead of rice. This super grain has a pleasantly chewy texture and nutty flavor that pairs well with beef and broccoli.

Cook it in chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor. Then stir in chopped green onions, carrots, bell peppers, or other veggies you enjoy. Drizzle with a bit of sesame oil and soy sauce, and sprinkle on some chopped peanuts or cashews.

Satisfy Your Starch Craving with Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes may seem unconventional, but their creamy comfort pairs surprisingly well with saucy beef and broccoli. Russets or Yukon golds both work nicely here.

Jazz them up with garlic, Parmesan cheese, sour cream, or bacon bits. Or go classic with just butter, milk, salt, and pepper. However you make them, some fluffy spuds complement the Asian flavors beautifully.

Add Some Green with Sautéed Spinach or Kale

Leafy greens provide color, texture, and nutrients. Sautéed spinach is simple and delicious – just wilt it in olive oil with garlic and season with salt and pepper. Garlicky sautéed kale also balances the beef and broccoli wonderfully.

For heartier greens, try bok choy, Chinese broccoli, or Napa cabbage. Stir-fry them quickly with soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. The slight bitterness offsets the rich sauce perfectly.

Bake Up Some Garlic Bread

Warm, crusty garlic bread is comfort food at its finest. It also helps sop up every last drop of that tasty beef and broccoli sauce. Choose a French baguette, Italian loaf, ciabatta, or other artisan bread.

Slice it, brush with butter or olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic powder or minced fresh garlic. Pop it in the oven until golden brown. The savory garlic flavor complements the Asian dishes flawlessly.

Cool Off with a Crisp Cucumber Salad

A light veggie side provides contrast to the hearty main dish. For simplicity, you can’t beat a cucumber salad. Slice cucumbers and toss with rice vinegar, a bit of sugar, salt, and pepper.

Jazz it up with sliced onion, bell pepper, or tomato. You can also add Asian flavors like sesame oil, soy sauce, crushed red pepper, and cilantro. The cooling crunch perfectly balances the hot beef and broccoli.

Beef and broccoli deserves more than just a basic side of plain white rice. With the right complementary dishes, you can create a restaurant-caliber Chinese feast at home. Noodles, stir-fried veggies, dumplings, and salads all make excellent additions to this classic dish.

So next time you’re cooking up this tasty combo, try one of these 12 side dish pairings. Your taste buds will thank you! With the perfect complements, beef and broccoli becomes an even more crave-worthy meal.