40 Easy Sides to Serve with Beef Tenderloin

updated Dec 8, 2023
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cheesy skillet domino potatoes in a pan with a scoop taken out
Credit: Photo: Chris Simpson; Food Styling: Jessie YuChen

Beef tenderloin is an annual tradition on my family’s holiday menu. Covering the beef tenderloin in a salt crust makes roasting it easy and fast, which leaves me with plenty of time to make delicious side dishes. Our table almost always includes bread like biscuits or rolls for soaking up roast juices, but it also needs a potato side dish (or two or three) and a few vegetables too. Here are 40 of my favorite side dishes to serve with beef tenderloin.

1 / 40
Green Beans Almondine
Snappy blanched green beans served with sautéed shallots and buttery sliced almonds.
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2 / 40
Cacio e Pepe Potato Gratin
Thinly sliced potatoes get tossed with a flavorful cream sauce, layered with plenty of Pecorino Romano, and baked until browned and bubbly.
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3 / 40
Creamed Spinach
Tender baby spinach, mixed in a flavorful cream sauce, makes one of the best and easiest side dishes for holiday dinners.
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4 / 40
Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions
Combine sautéed mushrooms and onions with the slight acidity of lemon juice and white wine for a dish that bursts with umami.
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5 / 40
Creamed Corn
Sweet corn kernels simmered in butter and cream is better than anything from a can.
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6 / 40
Easy 10-Minute Garlic Broccolini
Think of broccolini as broccoli’s lazier — and arguably much tastier — cousin.
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7 / 40
French Onion Mashed Potatoes
Stir onion soup mix and sour cream into mashed potatoes for an easy side dish that will outshine the main course.
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8 / 40
Butter-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These melt in your mouth sweet potatoes are nothing like the standard roasted spuds your used to.
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9 / 40
Spinach Soufflé Recipe
There's nothing more impressive than a towering, cloud-like soufflé filled with spinach and cheese.
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10 / 40
Parmesan Potatoes
Melted Parmesan takes these roasted potatoes to a whole new level.
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11 / 40
Bourbon-Glazed Carrots
Buttery, brown sugar- and bourbon-glazed carrots are what you pair with dinner when you’re going for something fast and fancy.
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12 / 40
3-Ingredient Roasted Dijon Potatoes
Not only do these potatoes have the ultra-crispy, crackly edges you love, but they also have a little added tang and go with everything.
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13 / 40
Dauphinoise Potatoes
Dauphinoise potatoes is how the French say casserole of potatoes, heavy cream, and cheese. It’s delicious and also incredibly easy to make.
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14 / 40
Garlicky Parmesan Sweet Potatoes
Thick chunks of sweet potato are roasted, then dusted with a snowy layer of nutty Parmesan cheese that crisps up under the broiler.
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15 / 40
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Garlic
Take your standard roasted Brussels sprouts routine (olive oil, salt, pepper) from good to memorable by adding two ingredients you probably already have around: lemon and garlic.
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16 / 40
15-Minute Buttered Balsamic Mushrooms
When beef tenderloin is on the menu, you can take the least expensive, most everyday mushrooms and transform them into a vegetable side that feels decidedly elegant.
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17 / 40
3-Ingredient Garlicky Red Potatoes
Thick chunks of red potatoes are tossed with a generous dusting of garlic powder, then finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon before they hit the table.
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18 / 40
Garlicky Roasted Broccoli
This broccoli takes just a few minutes to throw into the oven and emerges toasty around the edges and garlicky and a little spicy.
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19 / 40
Potato, Squash & Goat Cheese Gratin
For a gratin that's totally irresistible yet isn't swimming in cream and cheese, give this one a try. It mixes in some goat cheese for a hint of creaminess and tangy flavor.
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20 / 40
Roasted Rutabaga in Brown Butter
It doesn't take a lot to turn a humble rutabaga into a winning side. A little nutty brown butter will do the trick.
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21 / 40
The Best Twice-Baked Potato
Watch out, these velvety potatoes might just steal the spotlight at dinner.
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22 / 40
Sautéed Swiss Chard
Any variety of swiss chard is wonderful is this simple side dish preparation.
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23 / 40
The Creamiest Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed cauliflower isn't just a replacement for mashed potatoes — try this hearty side with merits all its own.
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24 / 40
Mushroom Rice

This mushroom and herb-flecked skillet is made rich and creamy with a generous pat of butter and chicken or vegetable broth.

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25 / 40
Fennel, Carrot, and Leek Gratin
Fennel, carrots, and leek are mixed with an aromatic Parmesan cream sauce and topped with pecan breadcrumbs for the ultimate veggie gratin.
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26 / 40
Roasted Parmesan Asparagus

Add a little Parmesan and garlic to the roasted asparagus and you a crave-worthy side that take practically no time to whip up.

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27 / 40
Caesar Roasted Broccoli
Toss roasted broccoli with Caesar dressing, then shower it with toasted breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese for the ultimate side dish.
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28 / 40
Make-Ahead Holiday Salad
Layer crunchy greens, sweet date-pickled onions, and crisp fried shallots up to a full day in advance for the ultimate holiday salad.
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29 / 40
Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes
Garlic confit improves just about everything, including these buttery mashed potatoes.
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30 / 40
Easy, Classic Roasted Root Vegetables
A simple formula for roasting any mix of root vegetables — be it carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, or rutabagas.
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31 / 40
Cheesy Skillet Domino Potatoes
Thin slices of potatoes are doused in a cheese-bolstered cream mixture and baked in a skillet until it becomes a crispy and tender gratin-like dish that everyone will love.
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32 / 40
Honey Butter Glazed Butternut Squash
This three-ingredient fall side goes well with almost everything.
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33 / 40
Melted Cabbage
Cabbage wedges are seared, then baked until the leaves become meltingly tender and caramelized just enough around the edges.
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34 / 40
Creamy Parmesan Zucchini
A simple zucchini casserole with a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce.
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35 / 40
Roasted Beet Salad
Roasted beets mixed with argula, pumpkin seeds, and crumbled feta makes for the perfect holiday side salad.
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37 / 40
Cauliflower au Gratin
Cauliflower baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a buttery, crisp topping.
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38 / 40
Green Bean Salad with Farro and Crispy Shallots
Adorned with toasty nuts, fried shallots, and radicchio, this green bean salad is a beautiful addition to your table, anytime of year.
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39 / 40
Cabbage Wedge Gratin with Blue Cheese and Bacon
Cabbage wedges baked in heavy cream until tender are topped with bacon bits, blue cheese, and walnuts.
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40 / 40
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
These baked sweet potato boats prove that a little extra time in the oven can pay off.
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