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
Cheesy Skillet Domino Potatoes

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.

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Green Beans Almondine

Snappy blanched green beans served with sautéed shallots and buttery sliced almonds.

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.

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.

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.

5 / 40

Sweet corn kernels simmered in butter and cream is better than anything from a can.

6 / 40

Easy 10-Minute Garlic Broccolini

Think of broccolini as broccoli’s lazier — and arguably much tastier — cousin.

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.

8 / 40

Butter-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These melt in your mouth sweet potatoes are nothing like the standard roasted spuds your used to.

9 / 40

Spinach Soufflé Recipe

There's nothing more impressive than a towering, cloud-like soufflé filled with spinach and cheese.

10 / 40

Parmesan Potatoes

Melted Parmesan takes these roasted potatoes to a whole new level.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

21 / 40

The Best Twice-Baked Potato

Watch out, these velvety potatoes might just steal the spotlight at dinner.

22 / 40

Sautéed Swiss Chard

Any variety of swiss chard is wonderful is this simple side dish preparation.

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.

24 / 40

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

29 / 40

Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes

Garlic confit improves just about everything, including these buttery mashed potatoes.

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.

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.

32 / 40

Honey Butter Glazed Butternut Squash

This three-ingredient fall side goes well with almost everything.

33 / 40

Cabbage wedges are seared, then baked until the leaves become meltingly tender and caramelized just enough around the edges.

34 / 40

Creamy Parmesan Zucchini

A simple zucchini casserole with a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce.

35 / 40

Roasted Beet Salad

Roasted beets mixed with argula, pumpkin seeds, and crumbled feta makes for the perfect holiday side salad.

36 / 40

Oven Roasted Potatoes Go to Recipe

37 / 40

Cauliflower au Gratin

Cauliflower baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a buttery, crisp topping.

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.

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.

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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