What Starter Goes Well with Beef Wellington? 7 Delicious Options

Beef wellington is a real showstopper of a main course. The tender beef filet encased in golden puff pastry is impressive and luxurious. When serving beef wellington, you’ll want an appetizer that complements but doesn’t compete with the opulent entree.

As a food blogger and home cook, I love experimenting with appetizer and entree pairings Over the years, I’ve discovered some excellent starters that go perfectly with beef wellington In this article, I’ll share my top recommendations for starters that enhance the beef wellington experience.

Principles for Picking the Best Beef Wellington Starters

When deciding what starter goes well with beef wellington keep these two principles in mind

1. Choose a Light Starter

Beef wellington is a rich, heavy main dish. You don’t want to ruin everyone’s appetite with a big, decadent appetizer. Opt for lighter starters that whet the appetite instead of fill it up.

2. Avoid Very Meaty Starters

Since beef wellington already contains filet steak, you don’t need more meat in the appetizer. Meat-heavy starters would be too much with the beef entree. Go for lighter seafood, vegetarian or cheese options.

With those guidelines in mind, here are my top 7 recommendations for appetizers to serve before beef wellington:

1. Shrimp Cocktail

A classic shrimp cocktail is perfection before beef wellington. Chilled, plump shrimp with a zesty cocktail sauce provide a refreshing start to the meal. Shrimp cocktail requires no cooking, so it’s an easy option you can prepare ahead of time.

To keep it light, serve the shrimp over a bed of shredded lettuce rather than heavy toast points. Garnish with lemon wedges for an extra pop of brightness.

2. Smoked Salmon Bites

Another seafood appetizer that pairs beautifully with beef wellington is smoked salmon, served on bite-sized toasts or crackers. Top crackers or thin slices of baguette with a smear of creamy horseradish, a fold of smoked salmon, lemon zest, chopped dill and black pepper.

The saltiness and subtle smokiness of the salmon contrasts nicely with the richness that’s to come. It’s an elegant way to kick things off.

3. Goat Cheese with Onion Jam

Warm, creamy goat cheese served with sweet onion jam makes a stellar starter for beef wellington. The saltiness of the cheese and the sticky-sweet jam combine for a delightful flavor contrast.

For easy prep, buy a log of goat cheese and thawed onion jam from the store. Slice the cheese and serve with dollops of the jam, watercress and toasted baguette slices.

4. Butternut Squash Soup

A light vegetable soup is a fantastic way to start off a beef wellington dinner. The sweet creaminess of butternut squash soup balances the savory protein-packed entree.

Look for a quick stove-top butternut squash soup recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes. Ladle the soup into hollowed-out miniature pumpkins for an extra festive presentation.

5. Mushroom Crostini

Sautéed mushrooms on crostini bread offer great earthy flavors to lead into the umami of the beef wellington. Shiitake, cremini or oyster mushrooms work beautifully.

Sauté the mushrooms in butter or olive oil with shallots and herbs. Serve over toasted baguette slices and garnish with parsley. The preparation is quick and simple.

6. Endive Salad with Pears

For a light and refreshing starter salad, Belgian endive pairs splendidly with juicy pears, toasted walnuts and blue cheese. The crunchy greens, sweet pears, nutty walnuts and creamy dressing make a well-balanced salad.

Toss the salad ingredients together and plate them atop the endive leaves for a pretty presentation. This starter lets the beef wellington shine as the star of the show.

7. Baked Brie with Cranberry Chutney

Melted brie cheese with a tart cranberry chutney is a delightful appetizer for beef wellington dinner. The hot, creamy brie combined with the sweet-tart chutney is sure to impress guests.

Bake a wheel of brie wrapped in puff pastry until oozing, then serve with chutney and crackers or baguette slices. It’s indulgent but light enough not to spoil the main course.

Serving Tips for Beef Wellington Starters

When serving any of these appetizers before beef wellington, keep these tips in mind:

• Make portions small so guests don’t fill up too much.
• Avoid big, carb-heavy sides like bread basket or rolls.
• Let the starter mingle on the palate for a few minutes before serving the entree.
• Pair with a light, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
• Make preparations ahead of time for stress-free cooking day-of.

5 More Delicious Beef Wellington Starter Options

If you want even more appetizer ideas to go with beef wellington, consider these tasty options:

• Brussels sprout salad with pomegranate seeds
• Curried butternut squash bisque
• Prosciutto-wrapped melon balls
• Beet salad with goat cheese
• Crab cakes with remoulade

All make fine starters for the elegant beef wellington entree. Mix and match different options for variety if you serve beef wellington regularly.

The Perfect Starters for Beef Wellington

When searching for an appetizer to precede beef wellington, you can’t go wrong with lighter seafood, vegetable or cheese options. Shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, goat cheese with onion jam, butternut squash soup, mushroom crostini and endive salad with pears are all excellent choices.