Complementing Bold Beef Rendang with 45 Perfect Side Dishes

Beef rendang, the rich and intensely flavored Indonesian curry, deserves an equally delicious sidekick. The complex layers of spice and slow-cooked meat need sides that can hold their own. From rice and noodles to veggies and salads, I’ve discovered 45 excellent pairings for beef rendang.

Rendang is truly food for the soul. Tender, succulent beef simmers for hours in a sauce brimming with warming spices like chili, ginger, lemongrass and turmeric Traditional sides would be rice or breads like roti canai But don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons! Let’s explore some creative yet complementary options.

Top Contenders for Beef Rendang Pairs

To balance out the bold rendang, look for sides with these characteristics

Creamy or starchy to soak up sauce
Fresh and light to counter the richness
Crunchy textures for contrast
Fruitiness or acidity to cut through spice
Absorbing flavors like coconut or peanut

Here are some excellent categories to pull delicious pairings from

Rice and grains
Noodles
Veggies
Potatoes
Salads
Fruit dishes

Now let’s get into the specifics! Here are 45 sides I love to serve with beef rendang.

15 Winning Starchy Pairings

Carbs are essential for enjoying every last drop of rendang sauce. These starchy sides shine:

Coconut Rice – Lightly sweet, creamy rice infused with coconut. An Indonesian favorite.
Nasi Minyak – Malaysian rice cooked in butter and oil for flavor.
Lemon Turmeric Quinoa – Earthy, citrusy quinoa balances the spices.
Ghee Rice – Nutty, aromatic basmati rice. A simple classic.
Garlic Quinoa – Crisp quinoa with a punch of garlic.
Herb Mashed Potatoes – Creamy spuds made extra flavorful.
Southern Mashed Potatoes – The ultimate comforting side. Great for soaking up sauce.
Rosemary Garlic Potatoes – Crispy roasted potatoes with herbs.
Baked Potatoes – Simple, starchy vessel for rendang.
Cavatelli Pasta – Short pasta shells grab the sauce perfectly.
Zucchini Noodles – A lighter, low-carb alternative to pasta.
Egg Noodles – Tossed in a peanut satay sauce for more flavor.
Soba Noodles – Buckwheat noodles hold up well to the rich sauce.
Rice Noodles – Soak up rendang flavors nicely.
Chinese Handmade Noodles – Flavorful and homemade pride.

10 Veggie Favorites

Add nutrition and freshness by pairing beef rendang with a veggie side:

Stir Fried Water Spinach – Classic, quick spinach with garlic and soy.
Steamed Broccoli – Simple and healthy cruciferous crunch.
Garlic Sauteed Spinach – Wilted spinach in minutes.
Green Beans in Yuzu Vinaigrette – A Japanese twist on green beans.
Sesame Snap Peas – Buttery snap peas with toasty sesame seeds.
Sauteed Bok Choy – Quick cooking brings out bok choy’s sweetness.
Eggplant in Sambal – Silky eggplant smothered in spicy sambal sauce.
Stir Fried Eggplant – Seared eggplant with a sweet soy glaze.
Okra Fries – Crispy, crunchy breaded okra fries.
Sauteed Mushrooms – Meaty, earthy mushrooms.

10 Satisfying Potatoes and Salads

Cooling, creamy potato and salad sides contrast beautifully with hot rendang:

Gado Gado Salad – This Indonesian salad has veggies galore.
Pineapple Cucumber Salad – Fruitiness counters the rich curry.
Greek Salad – Feta, olives, tomatoes for freshness.
Cucumber Raita – Cooling Indian yogurt side.
Apple Slaw – Tangy, creamy slaw with apple.
Bok Choy Salad – Crunchy noodle salad with ginger dressing.
Grilled Potato Salad – Smoky, tender potato salad.
Smashed Hasselback Potatoes – Crispy, melty potatoes.
Potato and Egg Curry – Potato chunks in an aromatic curry sauce.
Masala Potatoes – Spiced crispy roast potatoes.

10 Sweet and Tangy Fruity Sides

The natural sweetness of fruit balances rendang’s deep flavors deliciously:

Pineapple Sambal – Spicy and tangy pineapple condiment.
Pineapple Fried Rice – Sweet pineapple kicks up fried rice.
Mango Cucumber Salad – Juicy mango pairs nicely.
Watermelon Feta Salad – Sweet, salty, juicy.
Papaya Lime Salad – Bright, tropical salad.
Guava Salad – Pineapple guava adds tang.
Tropical Fruit Salad – A medley of sweet coconut, mango and berries.
Plum Salad – Tart plums cut through the rendang.
Lemon Sorbet – Tart and refreshing citrus dessert.
Mango Sticky Rice – Sweet, coconutty sticky rice dessert.

Tips for Serving Beef Rendang

Allow time for the rendang to stew slowly to tender, fall-off-the bone perfection.
Scoop the rendang over rice or noodles to allow sauce absorption.
Garnish with chopped cilantro, chili slices, lime wedges and satay sauce.
Let sides like slaws, salads and sambals marinate while the rendang cooks.
Fry up some shrimp skewers or chicken satay for extra protein.
Stagger cooking times so everything finishes together – sides can be chilled until rendang is ready.
Leftover rendang makes an amazing filling for sandwiches, omelets or jackfruit tacos the next day!

Beef rendang deserves sidekicks as rich, complex and satisfying as itself. With the perfect pairing, this Indonesian curry becomes an even heartier, well-rounded meal. Now get cooking up this soulful dish!

How To Make Beef Rendang – Indonesia’s No. 1 Beef Curry | Naz It Up

FAQ

How is rendang served?

Rendang is usually served with steamed rice, though I have had it served with nasi minyak, rice cooked with ghee, and nasi lemak, rice cooked in coconut milk. I’ve also eaten rendang with lemang, a delicious sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes leaning against an open flame.

What is the signature dish of rendang?

Rendang, a spicy Malaysian meat dish, is slowly stewed for hours in coconut milk and aromatic spices that has been carried on and perfected over hundreds of years. Rendang or more specifically Rendang Daging is the most famous beef recipe in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

What cut of beef is best for rendang?

Beef – You can use any slow cooking cut of beef for this recipe but chuck is best. As with all slow cooked beef recipes, the fattier beef, the juicier the meat will be when cooked. Gravy beef and beef cheeks are also good. Brisket will work but has less fat throughout so not as juicy.

Why is beef rendang so good?

It’s basically a philosophical term that refers to a special process, which makes beef tender, dry, and flavorful. The complex cooking process gives rendang a very unique and delicious taste. And that is why, on 14th April 2021, CNN highlighted Rendang as the 11th spot in their list of World’s 50 Best Foods.

What is a good side dish for beef rendang?

Nasi lemak is a great side dish for beef rendang because it is both flavorful and filling. Steamed broccoli is a great side dish for beef rendang because it is healthy and provides a crunchy contrast to the tenderness of the beef. Additionally, steamed broccoli in the dish helps to balance out the flavors and makes it a more complete meal.

What food goes well with kimchi?

Foods that go well with kimchi are Korean barbecue pork, avocado toast, Korean dumplings, shrimp pineapple fried rice, braised short ribs, cheese omelette, kimchi loaded fries, beer-battered fish tacos, chicken wings, Korean sushi rolls.

What to serve with beef rendang Curry?

Malaysian roasted cauliflower is a tasty and simple side dish that goes well with What To Serve With Beef Rendang Curry. This dish is rich with fragrant spices, giving it an excellent compliment to the curry’s robust flavors. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the cauliflower into small florets and rinse them thoroughly. Drain well.

What wine goes with beef rendang?

While the classic rule of red wine with red meat holds true, there are other factors to keep in mind. For those who prefer wine, a rich and bold Shiraz with dark fruity flavors is an excellent pairing with beef rendang. Alternatively, a crisp and cold white wine like chardonnay can complement chicken rendang.