Cooking Guide

7 Side Dishes Improve Your Beef Tenderloin With The Healthiest And Tastiest Salads

When serving beef tenderloin as t main course, it’s important to pair it with the right salad.

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A bad pairing could lead to an unbalanced dinner, making it seem like your guests are either eating too much protein or not enough vegetables.

Luckily, there are tons of delicious side salads that complement beef tenderloin perfectly.

See below for seven of my favorites!

What is beef tenderloin?

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Beef tenderloin is a cut of meat from the steer, and it’s located between the rib and loin.

It’s a lean cut with very little fat, so it’s great for those who are trying to watch their cholesterol.

It is also the most tender cut of beef that can melt in your mouth if properly cooked.

Therefore, it’s a great choice for cooking for people of all ages.

However, due to these characteristics, the beef tenderloin is also the most expensive and thus not ideal for everyday eating.

For this reason, many people cannot afford it unless it is a special occasion.

Beef tenderloin can be cooked in numerous ways, such as grilling, baking, pan-searing, or stir-frying, but it should always be cooked to medium or medium-rare to not become tough or dry.

What to consider when choosing a salad to serve with beef tenderloin?

What makes a good salad side dish?

Here are some things that help you choose the perfect salad for your beef tenderloin:

The salad should be fresh and vibrant in color

This will help contrast the rich taste and dark color of your main course while also enhancing its flavor.

A light dressing is preferable; anything too heavy can clash with all that delicious beef fat that’s been seeping into your mouth throughout dinner.

What kind of dressing do you want?

Do you prefer creamy dressings or vinaigrettes?

A light dressing is preferable, but it doesn’t mean a creamy one doesn’t work.

Just don’t opt for something too thick and creamy because it can clash with all that delicious beef fat that’s been seeping into your mouth throughout dinner.

If you choose one type of dressing, try pairing it with complementary toppings like avocado or red onion for added interest.

How many people are eating at once?

You’ll want to make sure there’s enough food for everyone without overindulging anyone (or vice versa).

So take into account the number of guests that you have invited to your party to make the sufficient salad.

7 best salad recipes to serve with beef tenderloin

Are you wondering what salad will be best on the side of your succulent beef tenderloin?

Here we go:

Caesar salad

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Caesar salad is a classic, but it’s also one of the simplest salads to make.

You’ll need chopped Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and the Caesar dressing (either homemade or store-bought).

The dressing is creamy and rich, but it doesn’t have a lot of oil or fat.

Meanwhile, the lettuce is crisp and fresh, but not overwhelming.

It’s a great balance of flavors and textures that will complement the beef tenderloin without overpowering it or competing with its own flavors.

Traditional German potato salad

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The potato salad is a traditional German dish and is often served as a side dish with beef tenderloin.

The potato salad is easy to make, and it’s a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.

Potato salad can be served warm or cold.

For an even tastier version of this recipe, you can add some fresh dill weed or chives when mixing the dressing ingredients together so that they get mixed throughout the potatoes instead of only being placed on top once they have been prepared.

This filling salad can also help you feel fuller longer and keep your bowel movements regular.

Tricolor baby beets and pickled shallots

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Tricolor baby beets and pickled shallots make a great salad for beef tenderloin because the flavors complement each other so well.

The earthy beets are a great contrast to the rich flavor of the beef, and the acidity of the pickled shallots cuts right through all that richness.

The crunchy texture of the shallots adds a nice textural component as well.

This is also a great dish to serve at parties, it’s colorful, it’s easy to make ahead of time and transport, and it’s delicious.

If you’re looking for something that will go with just about anything on your menu, this recipe is perfect!

Cobb salad

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You’re right to be concerned about having Cobb salad with beef tenderloin.

Cobb salad is a great choice for any occasion, but especially for a dinner party where you want to serve something that everyone will enjoy.

The combination of ingredients in Cobb salad is perfect for balancing out the flavors in a beef tenderloin dish.

First, let’s start with the dressing: it’s made up of an oil-based dressing and an acid-based dressing, which means that it’s going to have a little bit of bite and a lot of flavor to cut through the richness of the meat.

This also means that it’ll keep your guests from feeling like they need another bite of steak after their first one—they’ll still be satisfied by the salad, even if they love steak.

Next, let’s look at how much protein is in each component: avocados are packed with healthy fats, croutons add crunchy texture, eggs are high in protein and good fats, chicken provides lean protein and texture contrast against the other ingredients, cheese provides protein as well as flavor (and dairy products tend to pair well with red meat).

So when you put all these things together into one dish, you’ve got yourself a balanced meal!

Kale salad

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Kale is a healthy, leafy green that has become incredibly popular in recent years.

It’s easy to prepare and can be added to a variety of dishes as either a side or as the main event.

Kale can also be used as an ingredient in salads, which is why we’re suggesting it here.

This veggie has a lot of vitamins and minerals that are good for you, but it’s also delicious!

It’s hearty and crunchy with just the right amount of chewiness.

The sweetness of apple cider vinegar balances out the bitterness of the kale, while still letting its flavor shine through.

And the lemon juice adds a fresh brightness that makes it perfect for pairing with a rich cut of beef like tenderloin.

Asparagus and grapefruit salad

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One of my favorites is Asparagus and grapefruit salad when served with beef tenderloin.

This salad is light, refreshing, and delicious, and of course, it pairs perfectly with a beef tenderloin.

The grapefruit in this salad gives it a sweet citrus flavor that perfectly complements the savory steak.

It also adds some brightness to the dish.

The asparagus provides crunchy texture and freshness that makes this salad an excellent complement to a juicy piece of meat.

This recipe calls for olive oil, which adds another layer of flavor to your meal by rounding out the sweetness from the grapefruit with an earthy richness from its taste profile.

You can also use balsamic vinegar or lemon juice instead of olive oil if you prefer a different flavor profile—either way will make this dish taste great!

Baby spinach with croutons

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The last option is baby spinach with croutons.

This is a fantastic salad to serve with beef tenderloin.

Baby spinach is a leafy green that’s low in calories and high in vitamins A, C, and K.

It’s also a great source of calcium, iron, and folate. It’s also a good source of antioxidants like beta-carotene and lutein.

Croutons are crunchy little nuggets of bread that add texture to salads.

They’re usually made from whole grains, which means they provide your body with lots of fiber—fiber helps you stay full longer by slowing down digestion and helping you feel fuller longer.

This combination results in an interesting, healthy, and delicious salad to enjoy with your beef tenderloin on any occasion.

Conclusion

A salad doesn’t mean to be boring and bland.

A good salad has some sweetness, some acidity, and sometimes even some spice.

And who knows?

You might even discover that making your own dressing is just as easy as buying one at the store.

Whether you’re looking for something light or rich, I’ve got you covered with these seven delicious salads that will pair well with beef tenderloin!

Emily W.

Emily Wong is an Asian-American food writer the founder of Cookindocs.com. With nearly 8 years of experience, she has a passion for making cooking accessible to everyone and sharing her personal experiences with food. Emily's vision for Cookindocs.com is to create a community of food lovers who are passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing their experiences with others. Read my story
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