What to Serve with Beef Stroganoff

While beef stroganoff is a Russian dish, it’s enjoyed all over the world, especially in my house! I love cooking it because of how happy it makes my family. And with these fabulous sides, I can easily transform our dinner into an unforgettable affair.

Beef stroganoff is made with fork-tender beef and earthy mushrooms covered in a rich sour cream sauce. Okay, typing that alone already made me drool!

But, while this creamy and meaty dish is delicious, it’s also so very rich. You definitely must serve a few sides to offset those salty and savory flavors. And that’s what we’re here for! 

Here are 14 savory side dishes that will transform your beef stroganoff into an unforgettable meal.

1. Rice

Since beef stroganoff is tremendously rich, you’ll need a neutral dish to tone down that flavor. And for many, rice is the only way to go.

I can’t blame them. I mean, just imagine that thick and creamy sauce coating that delicate white rice – sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?

2. Egg Noodles

There are two kinds of people: those who eat stroganoff with rice, and those who eat it with egg noodles. If you’re the latter, I hear you.

Like you, I love the contrast of chewy egg noodles and tender beef! And that creamy sauce, oh how excellently it goes with the noodles too. Phenomenal.

3. Bread

Now, if you don’t want rice or egg noodles to accompany your entrée, there’s always bread. And what I love about bread is I can use it to soak up that delectable stroganoff sauce.

Plus, when you pair that bread together with stroganoff, you can also make a beautiful sandwich! You can use whatever bread you like, but I like serving Sourdough toast, rye bread, and garlic bread with beef stroganoff. 

4. Mashed Potatoes

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: mashed potatoes go well with any entrée, and beef stroganoff is no exception. It’s another carb option if you don’t want to eat your stroganoff with rice, noodles, or bread. 

5. Roasted Potatoes

Another perfect match with beef stroganoff is roasted potatoes. The crisp on the outside and tender on the inside potatoes complement the savory and tender beef beautifully. 

6. Baked Sweet Potatoes

Apart from potatoes, sweet potatoes are also fantastic with beef stroganoff! Because it’s sweet, it offers a nice contrast to the rich dish. 

And boy, are they easy to prepare! There are many ways to cook sweet potatoes, but for beef stroganoff, I recommend baking them in the oven. Then spread some butter on top of those beauties and they’re done!

If you want to give them more flavor, you can also season them with garlic, thyme, and basil. Either way, they’ll taste great with your main dish.

7. Braised Red Cabbage

Braised red cabbage is a common Russian side dish, so it only makes sense to serve it with beef stroganoff. It’s filling, nutritious, and will not overpower the star of your meal. It even gives the meal a nice pop of color, too!

To make just braise that pretty cabbage with sugar and apples. The sweetness in the dish adds a wonderful contrast to the savory stroganoff.

8. Green Beans with Bacon

Here’s a light and healthy side that can counterbalance the richness of beef stroganoff. There are a variety of ways to cook and flavor green beans, but a simple saute with bacon already makes a wonderful dish to accompany your entrée.

9. Asparagus

Whether you roast or steam asparagus, it will serve as a wonderful accompaniment to beef stroganoff. You can season it with salt and pepper and call it a day, or wrap them in bacon for a smoky flavor – totally up to you! 

10. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower

This side dish is so insanely delicious, it might surprise you to know that it only takes 10 minutes to prepare. It’s perfect if you’re cooking on a busy weeknight, but still want to make a healthy side dish for your beef stroganoff.

Just coat those dainty florets with parmesan cheese and roast them in the oven. I’m telling you, it tastes fantastic, even the kids won’t be able to say no to it. 

11. Broccoli

Here’s another cruciferous vegetable that tastes terrific with beef stroganoff. And, just like the previous entry, is also incredibly easy to prepare.

Remember, you’re already having such a flavorful meal with the beef stroganoff as the star, so you don’t need any bold flavors for your sides. So, just steam these green babies and flavor with salt and pepper and you’re good to go. It’s simple, nutritious, and gives a wonderful pop of color to the meal!

12. Fresh Salad

Since beef stroganoff is super decadent, it’s nice to pair it with a simple and refreshing side. What better way to do this than with a bowl of fresh salad.

Not only will it give a nice crunch and color to the tender beef, but it will also add nutrition to your meal.

Now, since stroganoff is a Russian dish, why not serve a Russian salad to go alongside it? The combination of cucumber, scallions, tomatoes, and dill serves as a wonderful match to the rich and creamy dish.

13. Spiced Apple Cider 

Beef stroganoff is ridiculously savory, so sometimes all you need is a nice beverage to cut through that richness. And that’s nothing a nice mug of spiced apple cider couldn’t do.

To make, pour a gallon of cider into a pot. Add cloves, a cinnamon stick, an orange slice, and a whole allspice. For sweetness, stir in ½ cup brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for one hour. Yum.

14. Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream

And finally, to end the meal we’ve got a sweet and sinful dessert that no one can say no to. A classic apple pie is complete with crisp apples, a buttery crust, and a sweet and spicy cinnamon-sugar syrup.

And, if you’re feeling a little more indulgent, you can top that impeccable pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The perfect end to any meal.