Beef stew is a rich, hearty dinner dish. And if you're looking for what to serve with beef stew to complete the meal, we've got lots of delicious recipes for you!
When the temperatures drop and there's a chill in the air, there's nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup. And one of my favorites to make every soup season is beef stew.
We love to make the classic French Beef Bourguignon. And when we're short on time, we love making this Instant Pot Beef Stew.
Beef stew is a rich and hearty dish that can stand as a meal on its own, but pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate the experience.
So we've got 25+ recipes for what to serve with beef stew, to create a complete, balanced, delicious meal!
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🌟 Choosing a side dish for beef stew
When thinking about what to serve with beef stew, it’s essential to complement the warm, savory flavors of the stew without overwhelming them.
Side dishes that provide contrast, like fresh, crunchy vegetables or buttery, starchy sides, can create a well-rounded meal. Whether you're looking for something light and refreshing or warm and comforting, there are plenty of options to enhance your beef stew dinner.
Also, consider the flavors of your particular stew recipe. If it's a traditional beef stew with root vegetables and herbs, you'll want sides that balance out the richness. Crisp salads or roasted vegetables offer a refreshing contrast, while breads like garlic toast or soft dinner rolls soak up all the delicious broth.
🍽 Beef stew serving FAQs
Yes! Beef stew actually improves in flavor when made a day or two in advance, as the ingredients have more time to meld together. You can reheat it slowly on the stove or in a slow cooker before serving.
A slow cooker is an excellent tool for keeping beef stew warm without overcooking it. You can also serve it in a Dutch oven with a lid and keep it on low heat.
You can serve beef stew in bowls with a side of crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or over rice. For a more casual setup, you can create a self-serve buffet where guests can ladle the stew into bowls and choose from a variety of side dishes.
Yes, beef stew freezes well! Allow it to cool completely, then store it in airtight containers or freezer bags. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months and reheated for an easy meal later.
🚫 Dishes to avoid serving with beef stew
While many sides complement beef stew, there are a few types of dishes that may not work well.
- Avoid serving overly creamy sides, as they can make the meal too rich.
- Sweet side dishes, such as sweet potato casseroles, may clash with the savory and umami flavors of the stew.
- Acidic or highly spiced sides can overwhelm the flavors of the beef stew.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
There are two main wines I always recommend pairing with classic beef stew recipes: Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah (also known as Shiraz).
- Cabernet Sauvignon - With its bold tannins and dark fruit flavors, Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic pairing for beef stew. The wine’s structure complements the stew's richness, while its acidity cuts through the hearty meat and vegetables.
- Syrah/Shiraz - Syrah or Shiraz offers deep, peppery flavors with hints of dark berries and smoke, making it an excellent match for the robust flavors of a well-seasoned beef stew.
Best dishes to serve with beef stew
Here are 25+ recipes that would be delicious to serve with beef stew. Let us know in the comments which ones you've made and how they went with the meal!
Beef Stew Side Dishes
🥔 Potatoes
Potatoes are the ultimate classic side dish to serve with beef stew and Beef Bourguignon.
We love to serve beef bourguignon or our Instant Pot beef stew over big spoonfuls of this creamy Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes.
Beef stew with whipped sweet potatoes makes for a rich, delicous meal.
Smashed potatoes are a great side dish for almost any family dinner.
Serve beef stew with this classic baby potato salad with bacon, and watch the meal get gobbled up quickly!
Roasted potatoes are a great side to serve with hearty beef stew.
🍞 Bread
A crusty loaf of bread, rolls, or rustic loaves are perfect for beef stew. Choose bread that can hold up to the stew's hearty broth without becoming too soggy.
This classic Italian bread has lovely spices and herbs to enjoy on its own, but it's also so delicious when dipped into a big bowl of beef stew.
These garlic parmesan knots are easy to make while the beef stew cooks up!
Fast and super easy, air fryer garlic bread completes the meal in no time at all.
There's nothing quite like a fresh loaf of homemade French bread. It's perfect to serve with beef stew.
These Filipino pandesal rolls are great for dipping into beef stew to soak up all those big flavors.
A bread that's as rich as Beef Bourguignon, this Guinness Brown Bread is great to serve alongside the beef stew. Simply spread some butter over each slice and enjoy!
🥦 Vegetables 🌽
Roasted vegetables like carrots, green beans, or Brussels sprouts offer a wonderful contrast to the soft, tender textures of the stew while providing a burst of freshness.
Serve a side of corn with basil lime butter to balance the richness of beef stew with some sweetness.
Rich beef stew and creamy confetti corn make a hearty, satisfying meal.
Air fryer corn ribs are a fun finger food side dish to serve with beef stew.
Crispy bacon and caramelized Brussels sprouts match the umami of a big dish like beef stew.
This lighter preparation of Brussels sprouts adds a refreshing contrast to the heavier, richer beef stew.
I love serving these roasted and glazed carrots as a side dish to beef stew.
Broccoli cooks up quickly and deliciously in the air fryer.
A nice healthy side dish to go with beef stew, these green beans cook up quickly and easily in the Instant Pot.
The air fryer makes zucchini and yellow squash slices nice and crispy. So good with beef stew!
A classic preparation of asparagus that goes well with big bowls of warm beef stew.
Instant pot cabbage soaks up those delicious flavors of beef stew, making it a great vegetable side dish.
🥗 Salads
A fresh salad with crisp greens and a tangy dressing is a great way to add freshness and balance to any meal with beef stew.
This arugula and pear salad is perfect for fall and soup season!
With peppery arugula and nutrient-dense quinoa, this salad is worthy of serving alongside beef stew.
This salad adds a nice contrasting crunch to a meal with beef stew.
This light and refreshing salad lends a nice contrast of flavors and textures to balance beef stew.
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