What to Serve with Beef Stew for a Dinner Party: 15 Winning Sides

Beef stew is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for chilly weather and cozy dinners. But when you’re hosting a dinner party, you want more than just a bowl of stew – you need side dishes that will impress your guests! The good news is beef stew pairs well with a variety of flavors and textures. In this article, I’ll share 15 amazing side dish ideas to serve at your next beef stew dinner party.

Why Beef Stew Makes a Great Dinner Party Main

Before jumping into the sides, let’s look at why beef stew is an ideal dinner party choice:

• It’s comforting and familiar. Most people have fond memories of eating beef stew, so it brings up feelings of warmth and nostalgia.

• It’s budget-friendly. You can make a big batch of stew without breaking the bank, which is great when you’re feeding a crowd.

• It’s easy to make ahead. Stew can be prepared 1-2 days in advance and reheated before serving. This allows you to get some cooking done before the big event.

• It satisfies all tastes. With tender beef, vegetables and a flavorful broth stew offers something for everyone. It’s family-friendly but still sophisticated enough for a dinner party.

• It pairs well with many flavors. The rich stew can be balanced out with light, bright side dishes. But you can also go all-out comfort food with your sides if you prefer.

Now let’s look at 15 amazing sides that will perfectly complement beef stew at your next dinner party!

1. Cheesy Garlic Bread

Warm, buttery garlic bread is a no-fail side dish. Melting cheese on top takes it over the top. The crunchy bread soaks up the flavorful stew broth beautifully. Make it ahead of time, then bake it off while the stew finishes reheating.

2. Dinner Rolls

For soaking up every last drop of the delicious stew broth, you need some kind of bread. Dinner rolls, like Parker House rolls, are soft, fluffy, and perfect for the job. Bake them fresh the day of your dinner party.

3. Twice-Baked Potatoes

Creamy, cheesy twice-baked potatoes are comfort food at its finest. They pair perfectly with stew for the ultimate hearty meal. Make them ahead and bake just before serving.

4. Honey Glazed Carrots

For balance, include a veggie side like honey glazed carrots. The natural sweetness offsets the savory stew. Sauteing the carrots in honey and butter gives them an irresistible glossy sheen.

5. Classic Caesar Salad

A crisp, fresh Caesar salad adds a refreshing crunch and lighter contrast to the rich stew. Make a dressing from scratch for maximum flavor. Just toss the romaine, croutons, and parmesan right before dinner.

6. Skillet Cornbread

Cast iron skillet cornbread straight from the oven may steal the show! The cornbread and stew are both satisfying soul food classics that taste amazing together.

7. Butternut Squash with Brown Butter and Sage

Roasting cubed butternut squash brings out its natural sweetness. Tossing it in browned butter and fresh sage adds nuttiness and aromatic flavor. This impressive side is simple to make ahead.

8. Green Beans Amandine

For a pop of color, try green beans amandine. Blanched green beans are tossed in browned butter, slivered almonds and lemon – a fancy yet easy side dish.

9. Cheddar Biscuits

Warm, fluffy, homemade cheddar biscuits will have your guests begging for more. They’re the ultimate comfort food accompaniment for beef stew. The cheesy flavor takes them over the top.

10. Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

For a savory side, saute shredded Brussels sprouts with diced bacon, garlic, and Parmesan. The salty, smoky bacon pairs perfectly with the stew.

11. Winter Salad with Pomegranate

Make a winter salad with pomegranate seeds, orange segments, toasted walnuts, and a honey vinaigrette. The combination of flavors and textures balances the hearty stew beautifully.

12. Potato Gratin

For a rich, decadent side dish, you can’t go wrong with potato gratin. Sliced potatoes are baked with cream, garlic, and cheese for pure comfort.

13. Buttery Dinner Yeast Rolls

Fluffy yeast rolls like Hawaiian rolls excel at soaking up the juices from stew. Butter them up for extra indulgence your guests will love. Best of all, you can make the dough ahead of time.

14. Scalloped Potatoes

For creamy potato heaven, make scalloped or au gratin potatoes. Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with cream, garlic, and cheese then baked until bubbly and golden.

15. Popovers

Light, airy popovers have a tender, custardy interior that provides the perfect contrast to the hearty stew. Serve them fresh from the oven, right as your guests sit down to dinner.

Tips for Serving Beef Stew at Your Dinner Party

• Make extra stew so guests can take home leftovers. Provide containers, if you can.

• Have broth and stew meat separated so people can control brothiness.

• Offer hearty bread and lighter salad options to satisfy all preferences.

• Set out hot sauce, shredded cheese, etc. for topping individual portions.

• Keep stew piping hot in a slow cooker or on the stovetop at low heat.

• Add candelabras, flowers, or other decor to make your table festive.

• Play some relaxing piano or jazz music in the background to complement this cozy dinner.

Plan an Unforgettable Dinner Party

Beef stew makes the ultimate comforting dinner party meal. With flavorful meat, tender veggies, and rich broth, it’s sure to satisfy. Round it out with sides like cheesy bread, classic salads, or decadent potatoes and biscuits. Your guests will be raving about the food all night long. Just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand for sopping up the heavenly stew broth!