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 salad that’s perfect for any meat-lover.
And if you’re looking for even more ideas for what to serve with your Cobb salad, why not try pairing it with a grilled steak or roasted chicken?
Classic Italian Panzanella Salad
Following the Cobb salad, we have a classic Italian Panzanella salad. This is a bread salad that’s typically made with stale bread, tomatoes, onions, and herbs.
But I like to give it a little twist by using grilled bread. It gives the salad a nice smoky flavor that goes really well with beef tenderloin.
Basically, to make this salad, you’ll need to grill or toast some bread slices. Then, add them to a bowl with diced tomatoes, onions, olives, and basil.
For the dressing, I tend to use a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing. But you could also use a vinaigrette or any dressing you prefer.
Arugula Salad with Grilled Peaches
Up next I have Arugula salad with grilled peaches. This is a really simple salad that comes together in no time at all. And, it’s the perfect way to use up any leftover peaches you may have.
To make this salad, you’ll need to grill or roast some peaches until they have beautiful grill marks. Then, add them to a bed of arugula or any other green you like.
I also like to add some crumbled goat cheese, diced avocado, and roasted almonds. And for the dressing, I usually use a red wine vinaigrette. But you could also use a honey mustard dressing, the salad will still be amazing.
Waldorf Salad
Yet another of my favorites is a Waldorf salad. This is a really classic salad that’s perfect for any occasion. And, it goes great with beef tenderloin.
Generally, the salad is made with apples, grapes, celery, and nuts. And, it’s usually dressed with mayonnaise or yogurt.
But I like to give it a little twist by adding grilled chicken. The chicken really adds some heartiness to the salad and makes it a meal in itself.
And if you’re looking for even more protein, you could also add some hard-boiled eggs or crumbled bacon.
Spinach Salad
Let me just tell y’all straight, I’m no health nut, but I do like me a good spinach salad from time to time. And it just so happens that spinach salad goes real nice with beef tenderloin.
Just make sure you prepare the salad properly, none of that iceberg lettuce for me, thank you very much.
So, you’ll want to start with a base of fresh baby spinach leaves, then add in some diced red onion, crumbled bacon, and hard-boiled eggs. For the dressing, I like to use a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of Dijon mustard. But of course, feel free to use your favorite dressing.
Here are a few additional Salads to pair with your Beef Tenderloin:
- Broccoli Salad
- Caprese Salad
- Garden Salad
- Caesar Salad
FAQ
What do you serve with beef tenderloin?
The best salads to serve with beef tenderloin are the Cobb salad, classic Italian Panzanella salad, arugula salad with grilled peaches, Waldorf salad, and spinach salad.
What is a good side dish for beef tenderloin?
Some good side dishes for beef tenderloin include roasted potatoes, sauteed vegetables, mashed potatoes, and rice.
What is the best way to cook beef tenderloin?
The best way to cook beef tenderloin is to roast it in the oven at a high temperature. This will ensure that the meat is cooked evenly and remains juicy.
How much beef tenderloin do you serve per person?
Typically, you would serve eight ounces of beef tenderloin per person. However, this may vary depending on the size of the roast and the number of people you are serving.
Conclusion
All things considered, these are some of the best salads to serve with beef tenderloin. I hope you found this article helpful and that you’ll be able to find a salad that you love.
What have you got to lose, except for those extra holiday pounds, by trying out one of these salads? I know I’ll be making at least one of them for my next dinner party.