21 Steak Side Dishes for Grilled, Pan-Fried or Oven-Cooked Steak
Steak is one of those meals where the sides can make such a difference. You can keep it really simple with fries or mashed potatoes, or add a couple of different sides and turn it into more of a proper meal.
I’ve put together some of my favorite side dishes for steak, with plenty of potato recipes because steak and potatoes just belong together! There are also salads, veggies, slaws and a few slightly different options if you fancy trying something new.
These are good for everything from steak on the grill in summer to a cosy steak dinner at home. Just pick a couple that sound good and you’ve got dinner sorted.
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
- Lots of choice – I’ve included everything from mashed potatoes and fries to salads, corn and veggies, so you can pick whatever works with the rest of your meal.
- Nothing too complicated – Steak is usually the star of the show, so you don’t really want to spend ages messing around with the sides.
- Plenty of potato recipes – Because you really can’t go wrong with steak and potatoes! There are a few different ones here depending on what you fancy.
- Some lighter options too – If steak and fries feels a bit too heavy, there are salads, slaws and vegetables that work really well instead.
- Good for different times of year – Some of these are perfect for a summer steak on the grill, while others are much more suited to a cosy steak dinner when it’s cold outside.
1. Antipasto Salad
This is a good one if you want something fresh alongside your steak but still with plenty of flavor. It’s packed with Italian-style ingredients and works really well with a simple grilled or pan-fried steak.
GET THE RECIPE2. Apple Walnut Salad with Blue Cheese
The sweet apple works really nicely with the salty blue cheese, and the walnuts give it a bit of crunch too. It’s a good one to serve with steak when you want something fresh on the side rather than more potatoes.
GET THE RECIPE3. Blue Cheese Dip
Steak and blue cheese are such a good combination, so this one makes an easy extra for the table. Serve it on the side for dipping your steak or fries into, and I doubt there’ll be much left.
GET THE RECIPE4. Chopped Grinder Salad
This is packed with crunchy lettuce, plenty of flavor and all those classic Italian-style extras. It’s really good with steak when you want something fresh on the side but still want it to feel a bit more substantial.
GET THE RECIPE5. Nacho Fries
These are a fun change from plain fries, especially if you fancy something a bit more loaded on the side. The cheesy, seasoned topping works really well with steak and makes the whole meal feel a little more indulgent.
GET THE RECIPE6. Potato Salad with Feta Cheese
This is a nice change from the usual creamy version, with salty feta adding loads of flavor without making it too heavy. It works especially well with grilled steak and is a handy one for summer dinners or cookouts.
GET THE RECIPE7. Potato Skins
Crispy on the outside and loaded with all the good stuff, these make steak night feel a bit more fun. They’re definitely not the lightest option, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want with a good steak.
GET THE RECIPE8. Red Cabbage Slaw
This adds a nice bit of crunch and freshness next to a rich steak, especially if you’re cooking outside in the summer. It’s also handy because you can make it ahead and just pull it out when dinner’s ready.
GET THE RECIPE9. Sour Cream and Onion Potato Salad
This one is creamy, tangy and really easy to serve alongside a simple steak. I love it for summer dinners too because you can get it made earlier and leave it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
GET THE RECIPE10. Waldorf Salad
The crunchy apples and celery are really nice alongside a rich steak, and the creamy dressing brings it all together. It’s a slightly different choice if you’re bored of serving the same old potatoes or fries every time.
GET THE RECIPE11. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries
These come out really crispy with hardly any fuss, and the garlic and parmesan make them a bit more interesting than plain fries. They’re such an easy one to throw together while the steak is cooking.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 4–5 medium potatoes
- 1/3 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/3 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 oz Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into evenly sized fries — not too thin, to avoid over-drying during cooking.
- Rinse the fries several times in cold water or soak them for 15 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain well and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- Place the dried fries in a bowl. Add olive oil, salt, paprika, pepper, and garlic granules. Toss to coat evenly.
- Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, shake the basket well to flip the fries and promote even crisping.
- Continue air frying for another 15–20 minutes, until golden and crispy. Total air fry time: about 40 minutes.
- Transfer the hot fries to a serving bowl, sprinkle with grated Parmesan, and toss gently. Serve immediately, optionally topped with fresh herbs.
12. Angel Hair Coleslaw
This is really light and crunchy, so it’s a good one when you don’t want anything too heavy alongside your steak. It’s especially nice for summer dinners or when you’ve got the grill going.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 (10 oz) bag angel hair shredded coleslaw mix
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, celery seed (if using), salt, and pepper.
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Add the coleslaw mix and toss until everything is evenly coated.
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
13. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
You really can’t go wrong with creamy potatoes alongside a good steak, and the extra garlic makes them even better. They’re especially good when you’ve got plenty of steak juices or sauce to spoon over the top.
14. Loaded Mini Baked Potatoes
These are basically all the best bits of a loaded baked potato, just in a smaller and much more fun version. They’re really good with steak and you can pile on as much cheese, bacon and sour cream as you like.
15. Slow Cooker Baked Beans
These are rich, smoky and a little bit sweet, so they work really well with a simple grilled steak. I also love that the slow cooker does most of the work, especially if you’ve already got plenty going on with the rest of dinner.
GET THE RECIPE16. Air Fryer Summer Squash
This is a really easy way to get some veggies onto the plate without making another pan dirty. It cooks quickly, gets a little golden around the edges and works especially well with a simple grilled steak.
17. Braised Collard Greens
These are great if you want something a bit more comforting than a salad or slaw, but still want some greens on the plate. They cook down until really tender and go especially well with a juicy steak and mashed potatoes.
18. Collard Greens Salad
This is a fresher way to serve greens with steak, especially when you don’t fancy anything warm or too heavy. It’s got plenty of crunch and works really well alongside a simple grilled steak.
GET THE RECIPE19. Honey Butter Skillet Corn
This is sweet, buttery and really easy to throw together while the steak is cooking. It’s a lovely one for summer especially, and the little bit of sweetness works surprisingly well alongside a savory steak.
20. Crockpot Swamp Potatoes
These are proper comfort food and a really easy side when you don’t want to be juggling loads of pans. Everything cooks together in the slow cooker, so they’re especially handy when you want to concentrate on getting the steak just right.
21. Baked Brussels and Carrots
These are really easy to throw onto a sheet pan and let the oven do the work. The carrots add a bit of sweetness and the sprouts get lovely around the edges, which is so good next to a juicy steak.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss vegetables with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Spread on a baking tray.
- Roast 20–25 minutes until tender.
- Drizzle with balsamic or honey if desired.
There are so many good sides you can serve with steak, so you definitely don’t have to stick with plain fries every time. Go for potatoes, veggies, salad or something a little more indulgent and you’ve got plenty of easy ways to finish off your steak dinner.
