Not everyone knows what beef wellington is, but if you do, then you know it is worth the time preparing it. Still, this recipe calls for an equally tasty side dish or appetizer. Instead of ruining a complex meal, find out what options are out there for you.
Keep on reading to learn all the best side dishes for beef wellington. Remember that these recipes can all be made from the comfort of your home at any time!
What Is Beef Wellington?
This dish is originally from the United Kingdom, and it consists of a steak coated with pâté and a mushroom mix. The steak is then wrapped in a puff pastry and baked. In some variations, the wrapping will also contain a crepe or ham.
In most cases, the dish contains a pâté from foie gras. You can wrap a whole tenderloin, bake it, and then slice it once done. However, some people prefer slicing their tenderloin before baking.
The origins of the dish are uncertain, but for the most part, historians accredit the name to Arthur Wellesley, who was the first Duke of Wellington. Still, the dish became popular much later, and many think the name was just an attempt at patriotism. Variations of beef wellington will use sausage or salmon instead of beef and include more vegetables in other cases.
Nutrition Facts
One slice of beef wellington (116 g) has the following nutritional content (*):
- 427 calories
- 22.2 g protein
- 31.8 g fat
- 11.7 g carbohydrate
- 0.464 g fiber
- 0.139 g sugar
- 10.4 mg calcium
- 3.83 mg iron
- 23.2 mg magnesium
- 196 mg phosphorus
- 311 mg potassium
- 211 mg sodium
- 17.4 µg vitamin A
- 96.3 mg cholesterol
Although it seems like a simple and healthy dish, beef wellington can be high in various things. On the one hand, it contains fat, carbohydrates, and sodium because of its preparation method. On the other hand, it is relatively high in protein too.
Best Beef Wellington Sides Dishes You Can Make
Below are some options for side dishes that you can serve with beef wellington at any time!
#1. Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts will never be the wrong choice, especially when it comes to glazed ones. You can pretty much add any other veggie into the mix if you want, although it is not necessary.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your glazed Brussels sprouts:
- Preheat your oven to 400 °F.
- Wash and clean your Brussels sprouts. Trim the ends and cut them in half.
- Chop your onion and set it aside.
- Add the Brussels sprouts to a bowl. Stir in olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Place your sprouts on a lined baking sheet along with the onion.
- Roast for 20 minutes, moving the Brussels sprouts halfway.
- In the meantime, mix the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce in a bowl.
- Remove the baking sheet and pour the mixture over the vegetables.
- Continue roasting for another 10 minutes.
- Allow your Brussels sprouts to sit for 5 minutes before serving them.
- Serve your glazed Brussels sprouts hot on the side of your beef Wellington.
#2. Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
These roasted parmesan potatoes are always a good idea when it comes to finding the right side dish for your beef meal. You can always add more cheese if you want to.
Ingredients:
- 10 red potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your roasted parmesan potatoes:
- Preheat the oven to 375 ° F.
- Coat a baking dish with some baking spray or oil.
- Wash and clean your potatoes. Cut each one in half.
- Mix the olive oil, parmesan cheese, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Place the potatoes on the baking dish. Pour the oil and cheese mixture on top. Toss well.
- Roast your potatoes for 20 minutes.
- Turn the potatoes and roast for another 10 minutes.
- Serve warm on the side of your beef Wellington.
#3. Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
Who does not like Hollandaise sauce? It is complex and delicate, and when it comes to asparagus, it goes perfectly well.
Ingredients:
- A bunch of asparagus
- ½ cup butter
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your asparagus with Hollandaise sauce:
- Wash and clean your asparagus. Chop the tough ends off.
- Add the butter to a saucepan, allow it to melt for a couple of minutes.
- Put the egg yolks, lemon juice, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a blender. Blend for about 30 to 45 seconds.
- Stir in the melted butter and blend for a few more seconds. Cover the sauce to keep it warm.
- Add water to a saucepan, place a steaming rack inside. Allow the water to boil and place the asparagus on the rack.
- Cover the saucepan and steam the asparagus for 5 minutes or until tender.
- Serve the asparagus warm with Hollandaise sauce on top and more on the side.
#4. Mashed Potatoes with Skins
Mashed potatoes are always a nice touch when adding flavor without overpowering your meal. In this case, leaving the skins can also make your mashed potatoes stand out.
Ingredients:
- 8 to 10 yellow potatoes
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ stick butter
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your mashed potatoes with skin:
- Wash and clean your potatoes. Dice them and place them in a large saucepan.
- Add water and salt to the saucepan. Bring the water to a boil, and then reduce the water to a simmer.
- Cook your potatoes for about 20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes but immediately return them to the saucepan. Turn the heat on low, add the butter, and mix well for a couple of minutes.
- Stir in the milk, heavy whipping cream, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue stirring everything for 5 more minutes.
- Serve your mashed potatoes with skin warm on the side of your beef Wellington.
#5. Sauteed Mushrooms and Shallots
This recipe has a complex flavor, but it is very easy to make. You can add more vegetables or seasoning as you like too.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 shallots, chopped
- ⅓ cup sherry
- 1 tablespoon thyme
- ½ tablespoon oregano
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your sauteed mushrooms and shallots:
- Clean your mushrooms and cut the stems off.
- Chop your shallots as well. Set them aside.
- Pour the olive oil into a saucepan, add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Stir in the shallots and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and cook them for 5 more minutes.
- Stir in sherry, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Allow the sherry to thicken and deglaze, making sure to scrape the browned bits from the bottom. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Serve your sauteed mushrooms and shallots warm on the side of your favorite beef Wellington recipe.
#6. Lemon and Parsley Couscous
Couscous is something that many consider boring. However, this recipe is savory and sour with a delicious aroma and delicacy.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup couscous
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your lemon and parsley couscous:
- Pour the olive oil in a saucepan along with the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds.
- Lower the heat, add the chicken broth and water. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Season with lemon juice, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Add the couscous, turn off the heat, and cover the saucepan. Allow the couscous to sit and absorb the liquid for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Uncover, add the parsley and thyme. Fluff using a fork.
- Serve your lemon and parsley couscous warm with beef Wellington on the side.
#7. Creamed Spinach
When it comes to any beef recipe, creamed spinach is always a given. You can always count on this recipe to satisfy everyone.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 8 tablespoons cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your creamed spinach:
- Add water and salt to a large pot. Stir in the spinach and cook it for about 30 to 45 seconds.
- Drain the spinach and allow it to cool down.
- Melt the butter in a skillet. Add the garlic and onion—Cook for 5 more minutes.
- Stir in the milk, whipping cream, and cream cheese. Simmer everything for a few minutes.
- Season with red pepper flakes, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the spinach and parmesan cheese. Stir for a couple more minutes.
- Serve your creamed spinach warm on the side of beef Wellington.
How Can I Pick The Perfect Beef Wellington Sides?
Beef Wellington is a delicious dish that takes dedication and time. You can serve it on its own, but that might not be enough for everyone. Instead, try one of these side dishes that complement your meal.
To keep your beef Wellington shining, go with something simple but tasty. We recommend mashed potatoes with skin, which are a classic that never disappoints. You can also try the lemon and parsley couscous that is aromatic and citrus simultaneously.
For a side dish that adds complexity to your beef Wellington, you can go with something a little denser. Try the glazed Brussels sprouts that are sweet and umami. The asparagus with Hollandaise sauce is another classic but a gourmet one at that.
Finally, you can go with any side dish that adds flavor and is easy to make at home. The roasted parmesan potatoes and creamed spinach will always go well with beef. You can also try the sauteed mushrooms and shallots to bring out something different in your meal.
Conclusion
Since your beef Wellington takes time to prepare, you should plan on what you will make to go with it too. Try any of these recipes together or separately, and they will make your meal more complete. Enjoy your beef Wellington and delicious side dishes as well!
*image by Nikolay_Donetsk/depositphotos
