Prime rib is a classic holiday dish. It’s also a great option for any special occasion, but especially during the holiday season. The only problem? You have to serve it with something. And what exactly do you serve with prime rib?
To answer that question, we’ve gathered together some of the best sides to serve with prime rib.
25 Best Sides To Serve With Prime Rib
1. Hash browns
Hash browns are an excellent choice because they’re crispy, salty, and packed with flavor. They go well with beef as well as other meats like chicken or pork. Try topping your hash browns with diced onion, bell peppers, or even just butter for a simple yet tasty accompaniment to your meal!
2. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are another classic side dish that goes well with prime rib. They’re creamy and smooth and have just enough starchiness from their starchy ingredients (potatoes) to give them an interesting texture while still being soft and delicate enough to melt in your mouth as you eat them. They’re also easy to make—just boil some potatoes until they’re soft enough for mashing then add butter or cream cheese until they reach your desired consistency before serving them.
3. Steamed vegetables
We recommend serving your prime rib with steamed vegetables like asparagus and greens. Steaming vegetables will allow them to retain that fresh, crisp texture that you want to experience with your dinner. Try pairing steamed vegetables with a creamy dressing for a truly delectable side dish!
4. Roasted potatoes
If you’re looking for a side dish that has a similar flavor profile to prime rib, try roasting potatoes alongside it. Roasting potatoes is a great way to use your prime rib meat—and it will complement the meat’s general flavor profile as well!
5. Creamy mash potatoes
If you’re looking for a side dish that will complement your prime rib, try serving mashed potatoes with creamy gravy or sauce. This is true of any dish that has sauce or gravy on it.
6. Steamed Broccoli
Broccoli is a great option for pairing with steak or other red meats because it’s so rich in vitamins A and C, which help boost the immune system. Steaming your broccoli will keep it from becoming soggy and wilted, which will make it easier to pair with anything else on your plate.
7. Cauliflower Mash
This side dish is great because it has a similar consistency to mashed potatoes without all of the carbs! It’s also super easy to make—just boil cauliflower until tender, then drain it and mash with butter, salt, pepper, and milk until smooth. You can use any type of milk you like best; whole or skim both works well here!
8. Spinach Salad
Spinach salads are a classic side dish that pairs well with anything from chicken to beef to pork—and they’re loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C which helps fight free radicals that cause aging skin cells and wrinkles!
9. Creamed spinach
This is one of my personal favorites! It’s so simple, yet so delicious. Just boil some fresh spinach in heavy cream until it’s nice and soft, then add some salt and pepper and you’re good to go!
10. Baked beans
You can never go wrong with baked beans when you’re serving up a big chunk of meat like prime rib, because the sweet flavor of the beans offsets all that rich beefiness in a way that makes them taste even better together than they would alone on their own (not that there’s anything wrong with eating baked beans by themselves).
11. Green Bean Casserole
This classic casserole is perfect if you want something more than just potatoes on your plate! It’s also really simple to make—just throw everything into one pan (including some bacon!) and bake until the green beans are tender-crisp.
12. Green beans amandine
This tasty take on green beans is made by adding almonds to sauteed onions and garlic before tossing them in butter and adding them to green beans before finishing with salt and pepper for extra flavor! Serve these over mashed potatoes or even alone as an appetizer option for your holiday meal!
13. Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Lardons
Brussels sprouts are usually thought of as being difficult to cook, but this recipe proves that they can be done right—and done well! The addition of bacon lardons adds a savory, smoky flavor to these delicious and healthy veggies.
14. Sourdough Or Focaccia Bread
A classic side item to serve with prime rib—and pretty much any meal—is a fresh loaf of bread! This goes especially well with the creamy richness of mashed potatoes and the fattiness of prime rib!
15. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes are a great side dish to serve with your prime rib. They’re easy to make and they go well with the meat. If you’re looking for a way to dress up your mashed potatoes, try adding some smashed garlic cloves. Garlic adds a little bit of bite and is delicious when served with meat.
16. Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire pudding is a traditional English dish that is served with roast beef, lamb, and other meats, but it’s also perfect for serving with prime rib. It’s made by frying batter in butter and then serving it alongside the meat so that it absorbs all of the juices from the meat. The batter becomes crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside.
17. Steak Fries
The texture and taste of steak fries go perfectly with the rich and savory flavor of prime rib. Thinly sliced potatoes are deep-fried until crisp and golden brown, then seasoned with salt. They’re best served hot out of the fryer, but you can also bake them to reheat them at your party if needed.
18. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Brussels sprouts have been given a bad rap for years, but they’re actually quite delicious when prepared properly. This recipe combines roasted brussels sprouts with crispy bacon for an incredible side dish that complements any meaty meal.
19. Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese
Asparagus is an underappreciated vegetable that’s packed full of nutrients and vitamins. It’s also incredibly easy to prepare, which makes it perfect for weeknight meals or holiday get-togethers. This simple recipe calls for olive oil and garlic powder as a seasoning, but feel free to experiment by adding lemon juice or red pepper flakes if you want more flavor!
20. Glazed Carrots
Carrots are a great side dish with prime rib because they’re sweet and crunchy, which is a nice contrast to the rich meat. You can also serve them alongside another vegetable, like peas or green beans, for some color and to make the plate look more appealing.
21. Mushroom Risotto
Mushrooms and prime rib go well together because they have a similar texture. The mushrooms will add some earthiness to your plate while also providing some bulk, which will help you feel fuller faster.
22. Roasted Acorn Squash
Acorn squash is perfect for holiday dinners because it can be prepared in advance and reheated in a low oven just before serving. It has a sweet and nutty flavor, which complements the rich flavor of prime rib perfectly. If you have time, roast the squash ahead of time, then toss it with butter, maple syrup, salt, and pepper before serving.
23. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is another classic side dish that pairs well with prime rib. The original recipe calls for canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions, but there are healthier versions out there that use fresh or frozen green beans instead of canned ones. You can make your own cream of mushroom soup or use store-bought options if you prefer not to spend time in the kitchen making this dish from scratch on Thanksgiving Day!
24. Asparagus
Asparagus makes a great side dish because it has a unique flavor that pairs well with steak but isn’t overpowering like some other vegetables might be (like broccoli or Brussels sprouts). It also pairs well with any type of meat—not just prime rib!
25. Macaroni and cheese
Macaroni and cheese are also great because it’s got a creamy texture that complements the tenderness of prime rib perfectly. The creamy texture also helps to balance out the dryness inherent in eating lots of meat at once—so if this is an issue for you then macaroni and cheese is a great choice!
Conclusion
The best sides to serve with prime rib are mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and macaroni and cheese.
Mashed potatoes are a classic accompaniment to prime rib because they’re creamy and gooey, which helps cut the dryness of the meat. The mashed potatoes also add texture and substance to the plate overall.
Creamed spinach is another classic accompaniment for prime rib because it’s creamy, too—but it offers some green color to balance out all that red meat on your plate.
Macaroni and cheese is a great side because it’s rich and creamy, but also substantial enough to stand up well against the meat. It’s also a kid favorite!