11 Best Salad To Serve With Beef Tenderloin You’ll Love
I’ll never forget the time I served cold mashed potatoes as a side dish for my husband’s birthday dinner. I was so proud of myself for making something that was both special and delicious. Unfortunately, my husband didn’t share my enthusiasm.
In fact, he thought the potatoes were absolutely tasteless. He actually told me that they were the worst side dish he’d ever eaten alongside his beef tenderloin and that he would have just preferred a nice salad. Needless to say, I was pretty embarrassed. Thankfully, my amazing Chocolate Mocha Cake was able to save the day (and my dignity).
So, if you’re looking to avoid a situation like mine, then read on for a list of the best salads to serve with beef tenderloin. And trust me, these salads are so good that they might just steal the show!
So let’s get down to business.
Best Salad To Serve With Beef Tenderloin
- Roasted Beet and Citrus Salad
- Kale Salad
- Pasta Salad
- Coleslaw
- Traditional German Potato Salad
- Roasted Pumpkin Salad
- Cobb Salad
- Classic Italian Panzanella Salad
- Arugula Salad
- Waldorf Salad
- Spinach Salad
Roasted Beet and Citrus Salad
First up, is roasted beet and citrus salad! This salad is an excellent salad to serve with beef tenderloin. The earthy flavors of the beets pair perfectly with the rich taste of the beef, and the citrus adds a lovely pop of brightness. Plus, the vibrant colors are just beautiful.
To prepare this salad, simply slice some beets into thin wedges and roast them in the oven until nice and tender. Next, arrange the beet wedges on a platter with some oranges, grapefruits, and pomegranates. Afterward, drizzle with a simple dressing made of olive oil, lemon juice, and honey.
Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste, and you’re good to go! This salad can also be served as a light lunch or a tasty appetizer.
Kale Salad
Next up is another of my favorite salad to have with beef, which is kale salad. Now, I know some of y’all are thinking, “Why kale? That stuff is barely even food.” But trust me, it goes so well with beef.
The bitterness of the kale cuts through the richness of the beef, and the textures complement each other perfectly. Plus, it’s really easy to prepare. Just chop up some kale and toss it with your favorite dressing.
For instance, I like to add a little bit of crumbled bacon or shredded cheese for extra flavor, but you can dress it up however you like. And, served with a nice piece of crusty bread, this salad makes a perfect meal.
Pasta Salad
Well, perhaps you need a heartier salad to serve with your beef, then look no further than pasta salad. This dish is filling enough to be a meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with beef.
Frankly, there are so many different ways to make pasta salad, so feel free to get creative. However, I always like to start with a base of cooked pasta, fresh vegetables, and a simple vinaigrette.
Then, from there, you can add whatever ingredients you like. For example, some shredded chicken or grilled shrimp would be delicious. Or, if you’re feeling really bold, you could even add some jalapenos in there!
Coleslaw
Following that salad, it’s coleslaw. Yes, I know that this is often thought of as a summer food. However, it actually makes a great winter salad as well.
To prepare this salad, simply mix together some shredded cabbage, carrots, diced apples, and raisins. Then dress it with mayonnaise and vinegar. And, if you want to get really fancy, you could even add in some crumbled blue cheese.
This salad is a wonderful salad for beef tenderloin because it’s crunchy, sweet, and tangy all at the same time. Plus, it’s really easy to make ahead of time, which is always a bonus
Traditional German Potato Salad
Now, this ain’t no boring ol’ green salad, y’all. This is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs German Potato Salad that’s perfect for a big hunk of meat like Beef Tenderloin.
From experience, the key to this salad is in the dressing. It’s a vinegar and oil dressing, with a little sugar to balance it out. I like to use good-quality apple cider vinegar, but you can use whatever type of vinegar you have on hand.
And, the other secret ingredient is bacon. I mean, let’s be real here, everything is better with bacon. You’ll want to cook the bacon until it’s nice and crisp, then crumble it up into the salad.
As for the potatoes, I like to boil them until they’re just tender. You don’t want them to be too soft or they’ll fall apart when you mix everything together. Once everything is prepped, just toss it all together and give it a good stir.
Also, if you’ve got some time, let it sit for an hour or so to let the flavors really meld together. But if you’re in a hurry, it’s still mighty tasty even if you eat it right away. This salad pairs well with just about anything grilled.
Roasted Pumpkin Salad
Next up, I have roasted pumpkin salad. And, I know some people may be saying “Pumpkin? In a salad?” But trust me, it’s so good.
The sweetness of the roasted pumpkin pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of beef tenderloin. Plus, it’s a really pretty dish to look at.
To make this salad, you’ll need to roast some pumpkin slices in the oven. Then, once they’re nice and tender, you can add them to a bed of greens. I like to use baby spinach or arugula, but you can use whatever type of green you like.
Then, top it with some crumbled goat cheese or feta, diced apples, and roasted almonds. And, for the dressing, I like to use a simple balsamic vinaigrette. But you could also use a honey mustard dressing or even a ranch dressing.
Cobb Salad
This next salad is a sure winner! And, in my opinion, cobb salad is definitely a beefy salad to serve alongside your beef tenderloin. This hearty dish features all the ingredients of a classic American steakhouse salad, including iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, and blue cheese.
But what really makes the Cobb salad special is its use of roasted beef. The chuck roast is slow-cooked with garlic and onions until it’s incredibly tender, then shredded and used as the base for the salad. The result is a flavorful, filling s