Setting the table for a big ribeye steak dinner means pulling out at least two or three great sides. You’re not limited to what the steakhouses serve when you’re in charge of the menu. There’s something for every diet and taste preference here on this list of top side dishes for ribeye steak.
Table of Contents
What Should I Serve with Steak?
It’s traditional to serve at least one type of starch with a steak to balance out all the protein a cut like a ribeye provides. This can be bread, pasta, potatoes, or rice. For a second side dish, consider a vegetable or other non-starch dish that adds flavor and fiber for good digestion. Of course, you’re free to have two starches or any two sides you like best with your steak.
Potato Sides
Steak and potatoes are such a classic pairing they’re often used as a shorthand for any other two things that go well together. Try these all-time favorites or put a new twist on the same old spud.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashing some Russets and mixing in milk and butter will result in a perfectly good side dish for your ribeye steak. But of course, you can always go further by swapping milk for heavy cream, adding in roasted garlic, or topping the dish with crumbled bacon and chives.
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Popping a scrubbed sweet potato in the hot oven transforms a humble root vegetable into a caramelized, complex side dish worthy of a grilled steak. After roasting, slice the jackets open and toss in a few pats of butter while they’re still steaming hot inside.
Scalloped Potatoes
This dish combines thinly sliced potatoes with herb-flavored cream sauce for a casserole that bubbles away in the oven while you’re focused on preparing the steaks. For a cheesy twist, make au gratin potatoes by adding cheese between the layers of potato slices.
Boiled Potatoes
English roast and steak dinners often call for boiled potatoes as a side dish. Use baby or fingerling potatoes for creamy spuds that explode in your mouth with flavor and soft texture. Don’t forget to add some chopped parsley and melted butter over the top when they’ve been drained.
Cajun French Fries
Any cut of french fry is improved with a dash of Cajun seasoning. For the best results, use an air fryer or deep fryer to get them nice and crispy.
Pasta Sides
The best pasta sides for ribeye steak will be creamy and savory, with the heartiness to cut through the umami of the meat.
Mac and Cheese
Whether you favor a smooth stovetop version or a thicker baked mac and cheese, it’s the ideal side dish to nestle beside a grilled steak.
Avocado Pasta
Transform mashed avocado, fresh basil, and garlic into a pasta sauce that everyone can enjoy. This side dish is easily kept vegan, making it a good inclusion if you’re trying to share your meal with others who won’t be enjoying the steak.
Bread Sides
No need to become a master baker to enjoy these side dishes straight from the oven. Simply look in the frozen aisle of your grocery store or try a mix.
Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
Easily mixed up from a dry mix with a few wet ingredients added, drop biscuits have the crunchy exterior and cheesy interior you need to soak up the juices of a steak. Make sure to add a little extra granulated garlic over the top of the biscuits to really amp up the flavor.
Cornbread Muffins
Cornbread muffins are another good option that can start with a dry mix. Choose a sweet variety if you’re a fan of Northern-style cornbread, or cook up some bacon drippings to make a more savory Southern version. Top it all off with a variety of flavored butter.
Dinner Rolls
Available in almost every freezer case, yeasted dinner rolls add steakhouse flair to your home steak dinner. If you’re good at making bread or pizza dough from scratch, try using your favorite recipe to make small rolls and keep them coated with melted butter as they bake for a tender crust.
Onion Rolls
Top frozen or from-scratch dinner rolls with melted butter, finely chopped onion, and granulated garlic. The savory topping will brown as the rolls bake, adding another element of delicious flavor to your ribeye steak dinner.
Vegetable Sides
Flavorful vegetables keep your meal from being too heavy while adding color and texture to the plate. All of these vegetable sides will please picky eaters and you won’t find them left on the plate when dinner is over.
Oven-Roasted Vegetables
Cut up your favorite vegetables, such as peppers and onions, mushrooms, or zucchini. Coat them with oil and let them roast while the steaks are grilling.
Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Boost the intense flavor of oven-roasting broccoli by topping it with black pepper and Parmesan cheese at the end of cooking.
Honey Roasted Carrots
Carrots shine when their natural sugars are highlighted with the addition of honey and spicy crushed red pepper. Try some orange juice in the roasting mixture to bring out the citrus hints in these root vegetables.
Sauteed Green Beans
Toss fresh green beans in a pan with a few tablespoons of water, then switch to olive oil or butter as the water evaporates. Top with almonds or breadcrumbs for a fancy twist.
Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions
There’s no quicker steakhouse side dish than mushrooms and onions quartered and sauteed in a pan with butter. Top the steak directly with this mixture or serve it on the side along with your favorite starch.
Grilled Brussels Sprouts
Brussel sprouts are hardy enough to go on the grill alongside the steak, especially on a mesh rack to protect them. Try wrapping the sprouts in bacon before putting them on the grill.
Air Fryer Asparagus
The air fryer quickly transforms the humble asparagus spear into a crispy, deeply flavorful French fry alternative. Make sure to spray the individual spears with a little oil before adding seasonings.
Baked Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Drape that bacon around your asparagus and pop them in the oven with a splash of water in the pan to create a side dish that will wow dinner guests. For best results, cook this in the spring when fresh asparagus is at its best.
Boiled Corn on the Cob
Summer steak dinners deserve the sweetest corn on the cob of the season. Simply pop the shucked ears into a large pot of salted water for a tender bite every time.
Classic Coleslaw
There are so many ways to mix up coleslaw, but a classic mayonnaise and vinegar dressing with a hint of dill and a sprinkle of sugar will work best for ribeye steak.
Salad/Rice Sides
Salad helps lighten up the steak dinner and adds contrast to the sizzle of freshly cooked premium beef.
Potato Salad
Don’t feel limited to the picnic style of potato salad that is heavy on mayonnaise and boiled eggs. Try a German potato salad with oil and vinegar or a bacon and pickled pepper variation for a hearty side that has more spice.
Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine and crunchy croutons topped with a creamy dressing work together so well that the Caesar salad is available at almost every steakhouse. Add plenty of cracked black pepper to the dressing when pairing this side with a ribeye steak.
Wedge Salad
The wedge salad is eye-catching, but it’s also fun to eat. Slice a thick triangle of fresh iceberg lettuce and coat it with a powerful blue cheese dressing. Make some bacon crumbles from scratch for topping it.
Kimchi Fried Rice
Fried rice is fun enough as a side dish for steak. Adding in spicy and savory kimchi just kicks it up another notch for the adventurous eater. You can start with frozen fried rice and add kimchi from the deli case to quickly whip up this dish without a lot of extra effort.
Conclusion
There are dozens of ribeye steak sides to choose from for your next special dinner. The key is to combine them so that you’re satisfied without feeling too full, especially if you choose a larger cut of meat. With some practice, you’ll put a personal touch on each side dish that truly highlights the flavor of the steak. Don’t forget the many options for adding steak sauce or gravy as well, especially if you’re serving your ribeye with mashed potatoes.