42 Delicious Side Dishes For Your Steak Dinner

Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob


Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

When it comes to serving a special

steak dinner

, we like to set a beautiful table, light the candles, and make a gorgeous dessert for after—but wait, what about the sides? Whether you’re firing up the grill and hosting a

backyard barbecue

or celebrating an elegant occasion, no steak dinner is complete without some equally decadent side dishes.

We’re sharing our favorite side dishes for rounding out a homemade steak dinner, whether you’re in the mood for a fresh salad, buttery roll, or classic corn on the cob.


01


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Homemade Baked Beans

Baked Beans


Antonis Achilleos

These doctored-up baked beans are molasses-sweet and full of flavor. The base of the recipe is canned pork and beans, which bubble in the oven along with brown sugar, bacon, and onion. We also provided instructions for using dried beans.


02


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Best Ever Succotash

Southern Living Best Ever Succotash in the pan ready to serve

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle


Direct-from-the-farmer’s-market ingredients (think: lima beans, tomatoes, corn) pair wonderfully with steak. This healthy recipe has a few indulgences, like crumbled bacon and a pat of butter. Garden herbs make it even fresher.


03


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Pan-Fried Okra With Cornmeal

Pan-Fried Okra with Cornmeal Recipe


Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Eating your vegetables has never been so enjoyable—or easy. Simply sprinkle the okra with cornmeal while it is frying for a no-nonsense, light breading. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick.


04


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Roasted Tomato Macaroni And Cheese

Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese


Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Just when you thought

mac and cheese

couldn’t get any better, we brought out the tomatoes. The roasted veggies help cut the richness of the macaroni, which incorporates four different cheeses. The tomatoes’ acidity also pairs nicely with a meaty steak.


05


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Grilled Okra-And-Pepper Skewers With Dijon Dipping Sauce

Grilled Okra-and-Pepper Skewers with Dijon Dipping Sauce


Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Keep life simple and cook everything on the grill. Use baby okra and peppers for sweet and tender results. Serve with a creamy mustard sauce, which also makes a tangy dip for your meat.


06


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Party Potatoes

Party Potatoes - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Steak and potatoes make a classic combination. This luxurious casserole uses a mixture of Gruyère and Parmesan cheese to take it to the next level. Get started on Potatoes Patio about 90 minutes before you plan to serve dinner—some things are just worth it.


07


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Crispy Potatoes

Crispy Potatoes


Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

When the family requests meat and potatoes for supper, choose these crispy roasted spuds. To guarantee

crispy roasted potatoes

, choose a white potato that isn’t too waxy or too starchy like Yukon gold, red, or fingerling. Another pro tip: Don’t let your potatoes touch in the pan.


08


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Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

Skillet Green Beans


Photo: Hector Sanchez

Don’t blame us for including three potato recipes in a row; they are just that good. No doubt this one will make you shout hallelujah. This potato salad includes standards like sweet pickle and mayonnaise, as well as additions like diced pimiento, rice wine vinegar, and jalapeño peppers.


09


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Baked Zucchini Fries

Baked Zucchini Fries


Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Branch out from steak fries with


the healthy alternative. The zucchini fries are coated with a crust of Panko breadcrumbs and cheese that doesn’t turn gooey in the oven but instead gets crisp and nutty. Place the sticks on a wire rack so they can brown all the way around.


10


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Spicy Pineapple Slaw

Spicy Pineapple Slaw


Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Kellie Kelley; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Crunchy and colorful, this spicy slaw will add a welcomed kick to your decadent steak dinner. This slaw only needs to stand for 10 minutes before it’s ready to eat. It makes a light and refreshing topping for steak tacos or fajitas, too.


11


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Broccoli, Grape, And Pasta Salad

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad


Jennifer Davick

This

pasta salad

is a fan favorite, thanks to its combo of crunchy, tangy, sweet, and salty ingredients. You can adjust the mayo and sugar, depending on how sweet and creamy you like it. Broccoli, onions, and red wine vinegar keep it refreshing and lively.


12


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Southern-Style Collard Greens

Southern-Style Collard Greens


Photo: Jim Franco

We have no trouble eating our greens when they come prepared like

this

. Plus steak and Southern collards make an iconic duo. Cook them low and slow for up to two hours until the desired tenderness.


13


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Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls

Southern Living Make Ahead Freezer Friendly Yeast Rolls in a basket to serve

Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Micah Morton, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner


These Buttery Yeast Rolls will take your steak dinner from good to great. Your dinner guests will appreciate the extra effort you took to prepare braided and knotted rolls, which can be enhanced with bagel seasoning, fresh herbs, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. You’ll appreciate the warm aroma of yeast in your kitchen.


14


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Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Joanna Gaines Mashed Potatoes


Amy Neunsinger/Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines

Our list wouldn’t be complete without this classic side. This

mashed potatoes recipe

features a swirl of buttermilk and creme fraiche for an extra indulgent punch. For the fluffiest potatoes, dry them over heat before mashing.


15


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Angel Biscuits

Angel Biscuits - Southern Living

Emily Laurae


Angel biscuits are a heavenly cross between a Parker house roll and a buttermilk biscuit. We added in some cornmeal for a wonderful Southern twist. The dough can be prepared up to a week in advance, saving you time when you’re ready to prepare dinner.


16


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Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots


Iain Bagwell

If you can find multicolored carrots, this side will look that much more elegant. Either way, you’ll relish the naturally sweet and earthy flavor of roasted carrots with a honey and spice dressing. The oven does most of the work, leaving you free to keep a close eye on your steak.


17


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Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Southern Living Slow Cooker Green beans in a bowl to serve

Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle


Call in the slow cooker to prepare your

green beans

while you focus on cooking a perfectly seasoned steak. Fresh green beans, crispy pan-fried bacon, and yellow onions come together for a side that reminds us of the traditional green beans our grandmothers used to make.


18


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Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


The mild cabbage flavor in this Smashed Brussels Sprouts recipe pairs nicely with a steak dinner. This cooking method is designed to result in a crispy exterior and soft and sweet interior. Blanch the Brussels sprouts in boiling salted water until soft, smash them flat, season them with garlic and salt, and roast them in the oven.


19


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Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad

Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad


Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

You won’t even miss the mayonnaise when you taste this potato salad. The lively lemon-dill vinaigrette brings out the flavors in the main course. In addition to the classic potato-green bean combo, we added sliced radishes and dill sprigs for extra freshness.


20


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Oven-Roasted Corn On The Cob

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob


PHOTOGRAPHER: FRED HARDY II, FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL, PROPS STYLIST: CHRISTINA BROCKMAN

This recipe is just the solution you need when you want to deepen the flavor of your corn without firing up the grill. Slather the ears in butter and herbs, then wrap them in foil to roast in the oven. After 20 minutes, the corn will have soaked up all that flavor.


21


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Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread

Southern Living Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread after baking

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox


A cast-iron skillet gives cornbread a brown, crispy crust that will complement your chargrilled steak. Buttermilk and shredded Cheddar make this

cornbread recipe

nice and moist. Remove the seeds from the peppers before adding them to the batter for a milder cornbread. For a spicier cornbread, keep the seeds in.


22


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Creamed Spinach

Southern Living Creamed Spinach in a bowl to serve

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless


This traditional and beloved steakhouse side is the ultimate indulgence. This recipe has a classic take but enhances the flavor with nutty brown butter. Use frozen spinach for lightning-fast preparation, or cook down fresh greens before preparing.


23


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Herbed Potato Stacks

Herbed Potato Stacks - Southern Living

HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ; PROP STYLING: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER; FOOD STYLING: WILLIAM SMITH


Our Test Kitchen has outdone itself with this utterly elegant roasted potato side. Not to worry: a mandoline and muffin tin make it quite easy to prepare. Impress your guests by serving Herbed Potato Stacks for a fancy steak dinner.


24


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Grilled Wedge Salad With Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Dressing

Grilled Wedge Salad with Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Dressing


Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

You’ll feel like you’re in a five-star steakhouse when you sit down to this salad. Believe it or not, iceberg lettuce is made for the grill because its high water content keeps it from drying out and shriveling over the flames. Drizzle with our homemade Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Dressing to make it truly special.


25


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Tomato, Peach, And Corn Salad

Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad Recipe

GREG DUPREE; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: CAT STEELE


Bring out the subtle sweetness of beefsteak tomatoes with this unlikely combination of summer produce. Colorful and simple, all you need is four ingredients and our

Honey Vinaigrette

dressing. Use firm, uncooked tomatoes and corn, but ripe and juicy peaches.


26


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Roasted Pepper-Tomato Salad With Crispy Black-Eyed Peas

Southern Living Roasted Pepper-Tomato Salad With Crispy Black-Eyed Peas

Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray


Crunchy, roasted black-eyed peas make a delicious topping for juicy heirloom tomatoes and roasted red peppers. Toss in some flat-leaf parsley for color and creamy goat cheese to temper the balsamic-mustard vinaigrette. You can make the black-eyed peas ahead and store them in an airtight container to keep them crispy.


27


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Sautéed Squash And Zucchini

Southern Living Sauteed Squash and Zucchini in a serving bowl

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen


This

essential summer dish

only takes 15 minutes to prepare—just what you need when you’ve left the side until the last minute. If you have summer squash, onion, and garlic on hand, you’ve got the makings of an easy vegetable to accompany your New York strip or ribeye.


28


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Chopped Kale Salad With Toasted Breadcrumbs

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis


This lightened-up Caesar salad swaps in nutritious kale and Greek yogurt. Unlike with most salads, the leftovers get better by the day as they soak up the dressing. Also, spend a little extra time tossing this salad to massage the dressing into the greens.


29


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Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Southern Living Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes in a bowl to serve, topped with butter and thyme leaves

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely


Made with half potatoes and half cauliflower, this light and fluffy mash is a great way to sneak in an extra vegetable serving. Once you taste the marriage of the two, you may find they add up to something much better. The creamy mixture is loaded with flavor from buttermilk, plenty of butter, smashed garlic, and fresh chives.


30


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Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Mushrooms

Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle


These succulent Stuffed Mushrooms can be served as an appetizer or right on the plate with your steak dinner. There’s something about their earthy, umami flavor that goes so well with a seared slab of meat. In this recipe, the mushrooms are filled with garlic-herb cheese spread and topped with panko bread crumbs and Parmesan.


31


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Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli


Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This simple preparation requires no bells or whistles. When roasted properly, broccoli florets turn crunchy, caramelized, and a little nutty. We provide plenty of tips on how to achieve that.


32


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Smashed-Cucumber Salad

Southern Living Smashed Cucumber Salad in a bowl to serve

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely


Why smashed, you ask? Because smashing the cucumbers allows them to soak up the dressing, lending this salad the juiciness of a marinade in record time. This recipe uses small Persian cucumbers and a splash of sherry vinegar and olive oil.


33


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Summer Orzo Salad

summer orzo salad in a dark blue bowl


Photographer and Prop stylist: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

This orzo salad features plump tomatoes, crunchy pistachio and cucumbers, and the zest of basil pesto and feta. If that doesn’t already make you hungry, add in all your own favorites. Charred corn, greens, or beans are among the many ingredients you can try.


34


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Creamed-Corn Grits

Creamed-Corn Grits

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely


Much like polenta, grits can serve as a creamy base to soak up all the juices from your steak. This recipe uses cream cheese and fresh corn kernels for an unforgettable variation. Top with scallions and melted butter when you plate this dish.


35


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Classic Grilled Corn On The Cob

Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob


Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

This recipe is a no-brainer when you’ve already planned to fire up the grill. Let the natural corn flavors shine with this fresh and flavorful choice. Pull back the husks and use them as a handle while grilling.


36


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Sweet Potato And Cabbage Slaw

Southern Living Sweet Potato-and-Cabbage Slaw in a bowl to serve

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely


Sweet potato replaces matchstick carrots in this super-Southern slaw.


37


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Simple Roasted Okra

Southern Living Roasted Okra on a platter to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Sliced in halves and coated with smoky spices, okra is the perfect partner for your favorite steak.


38


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Grilled Asparagus

grilled asparagus on a platter with a serving fork

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Quick-cooking asparagus eagerly absorbs smoke from the grill, making it a stellar side for steak.


39


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Tomato And Watermelon Salad

Southern Living Watermelon Tomato Salad in a bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


With a heavy protein like steak, you need a light and refreshing salad like this one to balance our your meal.


40


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Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Cheese, bacon, and plenty of creamy potatoes…what’s not to love?


41


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Spiced Up Shoestring Fries

Southern Living Spiced-Up Shoestring Fries on a plate to serve with chipotle mayonnaise.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely


Turn your dining room into a French bistro and serve your steak with french fries!


42


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Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes served in a baking pan

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless


Every steak loves a good potato side dish, and this creamy, cheesy gratin delivers big time.