Roast beef is a classic main course for any occasion from Sunday family dinners to holiday feasts. The savory robust flavors of the tender, juicy beef make it a perfect pairing for a sweet decadent dessert. Choosing the right dessert to follow roast beef can be tricky. You want something that will complement the flavors of the meat without overpowering them. Here are 10 dessert ideas that go fantastically with roast beef.
Simple Yet Satisfying – Fresh Fruit and Sorbet
Nothing cleanses the palate after a hearty roast beef dinner like fresh fruit. The sweet juices and zesty flavors are the ideal contrast Berries, melons, citrus fruits and tropical options like mango, pineapple or kiwi work well For extra decadence, enjoy the fresh fruit with a scoop of sorbet. Lemon, raspberry and mango sorbets pair nicely without being too heavy. The fruit provides natural sweetness while the sorbet adds a refreshing chill. This light dessert lets the great taste of the roast beef shine.
A Classic Combination – Chocolate Cake
You can’t go wrong pairing roast beef with chocolate cake, one of the most beloved flavor combinations. The bittersweet chocolate is the perfect counterpoint to the savory meat. Opt for a fudgy cake with dark chocolate frosting or a moist chocolate torte filled with ganache. For textural interest, add a crunchy chocolate crumble topping. Serve slices of chocolate cake alone or with vanilla ice cream. The ice cream’s creamy vanilla base helps cut through the rich chocolate. This dessert duo is sure to satisfy any chocolate lover.
An Elegant Ending – Crème Brûlée
For an elegant finish to your roast beef meal, Crème brûlée is a fabulous choice. Custard with a brittle burnt sugar topping, this refined French classic has an amazing luxurious texture. The subtly sweet custard provides a nice contrast to the beef without overwhelming it. Crème brûlée comes in many flavor varieties that pair well. Try classic vanilla bean or flavors like coffee, chocolate, coconut, pistachio or lemon. Top with fresh berries if desired. With its upscale flair, crème brûlée is ideal for impressing dinner guests.
Keep it Simple – Panna Cotta
Panna cotta is an Italian cooked cream dessert with a pudding-like texture. Meaning “cooked cream” in Italian, it’s made by simmering cream milk and sugar with gelatin to set it. The silky smooth treat has a wonderful pure creaminess that’s not too rich or sweet after a hearty roast. Garnish with fresh fruit sauce chopped nuts or chocolate shavings. Vanilla, caramel or almond flavored panna cottas pair particularly nicely. You can also layer ingredients like berries between cream layers for a beautiful presentation. Easy to make ahead, panna cotta is a fantastic fuss-free dessert choice.
Crowd-Pleasing Carbs – Bread Pudding
Warm, comforting bread pudding is a delightful way to use leftover bread or rolls from your roast beef dinner. This classic dessert combines bread pieces with egg custard, milk and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg before baking to soft, moist perfection. Bread puddings are often made with croissants or brioche but any bread works. You can add mix-ins like raisins, chocolate or nuts too. Serve bread pudding on its own or with ice cream, fruit sauce or whipped cream for extra decadence. The interplay of the creamy filling and soft bread offers the perfect sweet finale.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth – Molten Lava Cake
Warm chocolate molten lava cake is an indulgent option for dessert after roast beef. These individual mini cakes have a melting fudgy center, delivering an irresistible liquid chocolate core when you cut into them. Ridiculously decadent and chocolaty, the cakes provide a rich sweet treat to satisfy your dessert cravings. Drizzle with raspberry sauce for some tart fruitiness to balance the chocolate. Serve lava cakes warm right out of the oven with vanilla ice cream to allow the melted chocolate center to pour over each bite. Be prepared to swoon over the amazing chocolate intensity!
Keep it Fruity – Baked Apples
For a naturally sweet, lighter dessert, baked apples are a fantastic choice with roast beef. Tart, juicy apples are cored and filled with yummy additions like raisins, nuts, brown sugar and cinnamon before baking until tender. The mixture bakes down into a sweet apple pie-like filling. Pair the warm baked apples with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a perfect fruit dessert. The apples offer a touch of sweetness without overdoing it after the hearty main course. For a fun twist, use apple slices to top a cheesecake or bread pudding too.
Dreamy and Delicate – Crème Caramel
Crème caramel is a lovely custard dessert that pairs beautifully with roast beef. Also known as flan or caramel custard, this velvety smooth, lightly sweet egg custard is topped with a layer of meltingly tender caramel. The custard has a refined, sophisticated flavor that won’t compete with the beef but offers enough richness to satisfy your sweet tooth. The caramel echoing the savory Maillard flavors achieved in roasted beef provides a wonderful contrast of flavors and textures. Crème caramel makes an elegant, impressive yet easy dessert for your special roast beef dinner.
Keep it Simple – Panna Cotta
Panna cotta is an Italian cooked cream dessert with a pudding-like texture. Meaning “cooked cream” in Italian, it’s made by simmering cream, milk and sugar with gelatin to set it. The silky smooth treat has a wonderful pure creaminess that’s not too rich or sweet after a hearty roast. Garnish with fresh fruit sauce, chopped nuts or chocolate shavings. Vanilla, caramel or almond flavored panna cottas pair particularly nicely. You can also layer ingredients like berries between cream layers for a beautiful presentation. Easy to make ahead, panna cotta is a fantastic fuss-free dessert choice.
A Showstopping Finale – Tiramisu
A spectacular way to end a roast beef dinner is with a decadent tiramisu dessert. This iconic Italian treat features layers of ladyfingers dipped in espresso syrup, sweet mascarpone cheese and cocoa powder. The interplay of flavors and textures – rich creaminess, bitter coffee, sweet cocoa and spongy ladyfingers – is absolutely heavenly. Tiramisu requires some work so it’s perfect for fancy dinners. The mailnard flavors beautifully accentuate the residues of roasted beef without overwhelming. Coffee notes in the tiramisu also aid digestion after a big meal. This crowning dessert is sure to impress!
Roast beef dinners deserve an amazing dessert. Fresh fruit, chocolate cake, crème brûlée, bread pudding, baked apples and tiramisu all pair wonderfully with juicy, tender roast beef. Keep it simple with options like panna cotta or fruit sorbet or go decadent with molten lava cake. With so many fantastic choices, there’s no limit to the perfect sweet endings for your savory beef meal. Finding that special dessert to follow up your roast will have everyone eagerly anticipating the final course!
