Beef dip, also known as French dip, is a classic sandwich loved for its savory, comforting flavors. Featuring thinly sliced roast beef nestled in a crusty roll and served with a flavorful au jus for dipping, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal on its own. However, finding the perfect side dishes can elevate your beef dip experience from simple to spectacular.
Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, planning a family dinner, or simply craving a well-rounded meal, choosing the right sides is key. You’ll want options that not only taste great but also complement the richness of the beef and the savory au jus. From light and refreshing salads to hearty starches and comforting soups, the possibilities are endless.
This guide explores 25 easy and delicious side dishes that pair perfectly with beef dip sandwiches. We’ve categorized them to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s a quick weeknight side or something special for a weekend feast. Get ready to discover your new favorite beef dip side dish!
Fresh & Flavorful Salads
A vibrant salad is an excellent way to balance the richness of a beef dip sandwich. The coolness and freshness of salad ingredients provide a welcome contrast, cutting through the savory flavors and adding a healthy element to your meal.
Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad
This Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad is a delightful mix of sweet and savory. The sweetness of ripe strawberries, combined with baby spinach and a tangy poppy seed dressing, creates a light and refreshing side. The creamy feta cheese and candied almonds add textural interest, making each bite a burst of flavor. This salad’s brightness is a perfect counterpoint to the rich beef dip.
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Herby Butter Lettuce Salad with Tahini Dressing
For a salad that’s both elegant and flavorful, try this Herby, Seedy Butter Lettuce Salad with Tahini Dressing. Butter lettuce provides a delicate base, while fresh herbs and a crunchy seed mixture add layers of taste and texture. The tahini dressing brings a nutty and creamy element that’s sophisticated and delicious. This salad adds a touch of gourmet flair to your beef dip meal.
Herby, Seedy Butter Lettuce Salad with Tahini Dressing for a refreshing side dish to beef dip
Super Green Sun-Dried Tomato Herb Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Packed with nutrients and flavor, the Super Green Sun-Dried Tomato Herb Salad with Crispy Chickpeas is a hearty salad option. Kale and arugula provide a robust green base, while sun-dried tomatoes add sweetness and chewiness. Crispy chickpeas offer protein and crunch, and the lemon vinaigrette brings a zesty lift. This salad is substantial enough to stand up to the richness of the beef dip, making it a satisfying pairing.
Roasted Garlic & Kale Caesar Salad
A twist on a classic, this Roasted Garlic & Kale Caesar Salad offers a robust and flavorful side. Roasting garlic mellows its flavor and adds a touch of sweetness to the Caesar dressing. Kale provides a sturdy green base that holds up well to the creamy dressing, and crispy bacon and croutons add satisfying crunch. The parmesan cheese complements the savory beef dip beautifully, creating a harmonious flavor combination.
Roasted Garlic & Kale Caesar Salad with parmesan cheese, croutons and bacon, a perfect salad side for beef dip
Greek Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
For a summery and refreshing option, the Greek Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette is an excellent choice. The juicy sweetness of watermelon, combined with salty feta, cucumbers, and olives, creates a delightful Mediterranean flavor profile. The basil vinaigrette adds an herbaceous note that ties everything together. This salad is light, hydrating, and wonderfully contrasts the savory beef dip, especially on a warm day.
Satisfying Starches
Starchy side dishes are classic partners for sandwiches, and beef dip is no exception. They add heartiness to the meal, complementing the protein and providing a comforting element.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Alexia Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer are a quick and easy side that everyone loves. Air frying ensures they become perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, without the added grease of deep frying. Sweet potato fries offer a touch of sweetness that contrasts nicely with the savory beef dip, and their crispiness is a textural delight alongside the soft sandwich.
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Easy One-Pan Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
For a more elegant potato side, consider Easy One-Pan Scalloped Sweet Potatoes. Thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a creamy herb sauce and topped with parmesan cheese create a comforting and flavorful dish. The creamy texture and subtle sweetness of the sweet potatoes pair beautifully with the savory beef dip, making for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
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Easy Potato Au Gratin
Classic and comforting, Easy Potato Au Gratin is always a crowd-pleaser. Tender potatoes layered in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce and baked until golden brown create a rich and decadent side dish. The creamy, cheesy potatoes are a wonderful complement to the savory beef dip, offering a comforting and familiar pairing.
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Crockpot Three Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Simplify your meal prep with Crockpot Three Cheese Mashed Potatoes. Using a crockpot frees up oven and stovetop space, and keeps the mashed potatoes warm until serving. The combination of three cheeses creates extra creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes that are incredibly comforting. Mashed potatoes are a classic side for sandwiches, and the cheesy richness here enhances the beef dip experience.
Creamy Pesto Rigatoni with Chili Garlic Breadcrumbs
For a pasta side dish that’s both creamy and flavorful, try Creamy Pesto Rigatoni with Chili Garlic Breadcrumbs. Pesto adds a vibrant, herbaceous flavor, while the creamy sauce provides a luxurious texture. Chili garlic breadcrumbs offer a spicy crunch that elevates the dish. This pasta side is more substantial and flavorful than plain pasta, making it a delightful partner for beef dip.
Creamy Pesto Rigatoni with Chili Garlic Breadcrumbs, a flavorful pasta side for beef dip sandwiches
Homemade Potato Chips
Nothing beats the satisfying crunch of Homemade Potato Chips. Making your own chips allows you to control the thickness, seasoning, and level of crispiness. Freshly made potato chips are far superior to store-bought and provide a simple yet perfect crunchy side to the soft beef dip sandwich. Their salty, savory flavor is a classic pairing.
Garlic Parmesan Herb Butter Polenta Fries with Lemon Aioli
For a unique and flavorful fry option, try Garlic Parmesan Herb Butter Polenta Fries with Lemon Aioli. Polenta fries are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, offering a different texture from potato fries. The garlic parmesan herb butter adds richness and flavor, and the lemon aioli provides a tangy dipping sauce. These polenta fries are a sophisticated and delicious alternative to traditional fries, and their robust flavor stands up well to beef dip.
Garlic Parmesan Herb Butter Polenta Fries with Lemon Aioli, a unique and flavorful side for beef dip
Seasoned Tater Tots (Frozen)
For a fun and easy side, Seasoned Tater Tots (Frozen) are always a hit. Seasoning frozen tater tots elevates them from basic to delicious. Crispy and golden brown, tater tots are a nostalgic and satisfying side dish. Their simple, savory flavor and crispy texture make them a crowd-pleasing accompaniment to beef dip.
Comforting Soups
Soup and sandwiches are a classic pairing, and the right soup can enhance the comforting nature of a beef dip meal, especially on a cooler day.
Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup is a healthy and flavorful soup option. Roasting cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness, and blending it into a creamy soup creates a velvety texture. Garlic, nutmeg, and white beans add depth of flavor, and using cashews makes it dairy-free while maintaining richness. This soup is light yet satisfying and provides a warming contrast to the beef dip.
Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup, a healthy and comforting soup side for beef dip
French Onion Soup
For a truly classic pairing, serve French Onion Soup alongside your beef dip sandwiches. The rich, savory broth, sweet caramelized onions, and toasted bread with melted cheese on top create a deeply flavorful soup. French onion soup shares similar savory notes with beef dip, making them a harmonious and comforting combination, and it echoes the French culinary theme.
Crisp & Refreshing Slaws
Slaws offer a crunchy, refreshing, and often tangy counterpoint to the richness of beef dip. Their crisp textures and vibrant flavors cut through the savory elements, providing a welcome contrast.
Healthy Napa Cabbage Slaw
Healthy Napa Cabbage Slaw is a light and simple slaw that’s quick to prepare. Napa cabbage provides a delicate crunch, and the dressing is often lighter than traditional mayonnaise-based slaws, focusing on fresh flavors. This slaw adds a refreshing crispness and lightness to the meal, balancing the richness of the beef dip.
Healthy Napa Cabbage Slaw, a light and refreshing slaw for beef dip sandwiches
Simple Healthy Slaw
Simple Healthy Slaw focuses on fresh ingredients and a light dressing. Cabbage and carrots provide crunch and nutrients, and a garlicky lemon dressing offers a tangy and bright flavor without mayonnaise. Toasted seeds add texture and nutty flavor. This slaw is a healthy and refreshing option that complements the savory beef dip without being heavy.
Apple Slaw Recipe
Adding fruit to slaw brings a touch of sweetness and complexity. Apple Slaw Recipe combines crisp apples with cabbage and a flavorful dressing, creating a slaw that’s both crunchy and sweet-tart. The sweetness of the apple slaw provides a lovely contrast to the savory beef dip, and its crisp texture is a welcome addition.
Apple Slaw Recipe with shredded apple and cabbage, a sweet and crunchy side for beef dip
Vibrant Vegetables
Adding a vegetable side dish is a great way to round out your beef dip meal, adding nutrients and fresh flavors.
Simple Green Bean Almondine with Bacon
Simple Green Bean Almondine with Bacon elevates green beans with classic flavors. Crisp-tender green beans are tossed with sautéed onions, garlic, bacon, and toasted almonds. The bacon adds savory depth, and the almonds provide a delightful crunch. This green bean dish is flavorful, easy to make, and provides a healthy vegetable component to your beef dip meal.
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Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings
For a fun and indulgent vegetable side, Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings are a great choice. Air frying makes them healthier than traditional deep-fried onion rings while still achieving a satisfying crispiness. Sweet onions coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs become golden and crunchy. Onion rings are a classic side for sandwiches, and their crispy texture and savory-sweet flavor are a delicious pairing with beef dip.
Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings, a crunchy and tasty vegetable side dish for beef dip
10-Minute Instant Pot Steamed Carrots
10-Minute Instant Pot Steamed Carrots are a super quick and easy vegetable side, perfect for busy weeknights. The Instant Pot cooks carrots perfectly tender in just minutes. You can keep them simple with a sprinkle of parsley or add a touch of sweetness with brown sugar. Steamed carrots are a healthy and simple side that adds a touch of sweetness and color to your beef dip meal.
Air Fryer Broccoli
Air Fryer Broccoli is a fantastic way to cook broccoli quickly and make it irresistibly crispy. Air frying gives broccoli a slightly charred and crispy texture that’s far more appealing than boiled or steamed broccoli. Seasoned simply, air fryer broccoli is a healthy and flavorful side that adds a touch of bitterness and a satisfying crunch to balance the beef dip.
Air Fryer Broccoli, a healthy and crispy vegetable side for beef dip sandwiches
Other Delicious Sides
Beyond the usual categories, here are a few more unique and tasty side dish ideas to serve with beef dip.
Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Curds
Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Curds are a fun and indulgent appetizer or side dish. Air frying makes them perfectly golden brown and gooey inside, just like restaurant-style cheese curds. Served with dipping sauces like ranch or marinara, cheese curds offer a cheesy, savory, and slightly tangy element that’s a delightful treat alongside beef dip, especially for a casual meal.
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Creamy Pasta Salad
Creamy Pasta Salad is a classic side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a simple family dinner. Loaded with peas, bacon, and a creamy dressing, pasta salad is both comforting and flavorful. The creamy, slightly tangy pasta salad provides a cool and satisfying contrast to the warm beef dip, and its familiar flavors make it a crowd-pleasing choice.
Creamy Pasta Salad with bacon and peas, a classic and comforting side for beef dip
Roasted Asparagus, Feta, and Orzo Salad
Roasted Asparagus, Feta, and Orzo Salad is a fresh and flavorful salad that’s a bit more unique than a simple green salad. Roasted asparagus adds a nutty depth, orzo pasta provides a satisfying base, and feta cheese brings a salty tang. This salad is light yet flavorful, and the combination of roasted vegetables, pasta, and feta makes it a well-rounded and interesting side dish to complement beef dip.
See full recipe!
Now you have a fantastic list of 25 delicious side dishes to serve with beef dip! Whether you’re in the mood for a light salad, hearty potatoes, comforting soup, or something else entirely, you’re sure to find the perfect pairing to create a memorable meal. Enjoy experimenting with these sides and discovering your own favorite combinations with this classic sandwich.
If you’re ready to make the main course, here’s a recipe for easy and delicious French Dip Sandwiches:
