5 Appetizing Sides To Accompany Beef And Broccoli On Any Occasion

Beef and broccoli is a delicious, healthy dish that is perfect for any occasion.

But what should you serve it with?

Here are some of our favorite side dishes to complement beef and broccoli perfectly!

What are beef and broccoli?

Beef and broccoli is a dish that is made with slices of beef and broccoli florets stir-fried in a wok or frying pan with other ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, and rice wine.

This dish typically calls for flank steak or sirloin steak because these cuts of beef have a medium tender texture that is perfect for thinly sliced and stir-fried recipes while being very affordable.

Beef and broccoli are believed to originate in Chinese cuisine, but this dish can be found in any cuisine now, from home kitchens to restaurants.

This dish is not only tasty but also healthy because it contains protein from beef and fiber with many other nutrients from broccoli.

Beef and broccoli are often served as the main course with other side dishes to complete a hearty meal.

What to consider when choosing a beef and broccoli side dish?

When choosing a side dish for your beef and broccoli, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

Beef and broccoli is often served with a starchy accompaniment

Beef and broccoli contain protein from meat and vitamins and minerals from vegetables.

What it is missing is the carb from a starchy dish.

So serving your beef and broccoli with a starchy side will be a great idea to make your meal hearty and more filling.

Moreover, the starchy texture and mild flavor of a starchy side can easily absorb the flavorful sauce of the beef dish.

Beef and broccoli work well with an Asian side dish

Another thing to keep in mind is that beef and broccoli are great on the side of an Asian accompaniment.

Some typical side dishes from Asian cuisine that are great to serve with a savory dish like beef and broccoli are steamed rice, noodles, or soup.

Something that is easy and quick to prepare is a plus

You should also choose a side dish recipe that is easy and quick to make.

Spending hours in the kitchen is not always a good idea, especially when you are short on time and everyone is waiting for your food.

Opt for something that can be prepared while you are cooking the beef and broccoli to save cooking time.

5 best side dishes to serve with beef and broccoli

It’s time to break down the five side dishes that we highly recommend you to serve with your beef and broccoli:

1.     Steamed rice

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Steamed rice is one of the most classic side dishes to serve with your beef and broccoli.

You can find steamed rice in every meal of many Asian families, such as Chinese,  Vietnamese, Korean, or Japanese.

This simple dish works amazingly with any savory recipe without breaking your budget.

The mild flavor and starchy texture of steamed rice make it perfect to balance the savory taste of beef and broccoli.

You can opt for white rice, which is more common and affordable, or brown rice, which is more nutritious, but rarer and more expensive.

2.     Noodles

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Noodles are another affordable and delicious companion for beef and broccoli.

This ingredient is made from rice flour, and it is commonly eaten in Asia.

Noodles are similar to pasta in Western cuisine, but they are milder in flavor.

Dried noodles can be boiled and served on the side of beef and broccoli.

3.     Quinoa

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Another starchy side that you can pair with your beef and broccoli is quinoa.

Quinoa is considered a healthier alternative to rice because this grain is lower in carbs and sugar, and contains more other nutrients.

Quinoa was not that popular, but it has become more and more widely known in every part of the world.

4.     Egg drop soup

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Egg drop soup is a Chinese soup that calls for beaten eggs in a broth, either a meat-based or vegan broth.

This simple but delicious soup is low in fat and calories, but it is a perfect side dish to serve with your beef and broccoli.

Remember to always serve this soup hot because it will be quite eggy when cooled down.

5.     Fruit salad

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If you think that a salad is boring and bland, this fruit salad can change your mind.

Bring different types of fruits together, chopped them equally, then mixed with your favorite dressing to have a delicious, colorful, and healthy side dish to serve with your beef and broccoli.

Some common fruit options for a salad are berries, grapes, olives, avocado, mango, or apple.

They can even bathe in their natural juices, or dressed with maple syrup, mayonnaise, or apple cider vinegar.

The bottom line

We have compiled the list of the five best side dishes to accompany your beef and broccoli.

In the end, it is up to you to opt for one or several side dish recipes to show up on the table with your beef and broccoli.

It’s time to experiment and choose the best dish you want to complement your beef and broccoli.