21 Best Salads to Serve with Beef Stew

We all know that salad is the perfect side dish for beef stew, but what if you’re looking for something a little more… exciting?

Luckily, we’ve got 21 of the best salads to serve with your next pot of beef stew.

From kale salads to pasta salads to fruit-based salads, there’s sure to be something here that will make your next meal the most flavorful it’s ever been.

See Also:

• What to Serve with Beef Stew? 25 Best Side Dishes
• Beef Stew Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Beef Stew

What Salad to Serve with Beef Stew?

A classic beef stew and salad combination are red wine vinaigrette dressing and a side of spinach salad. The red wine vinaigrette dressing is made with red wine vinegar, shallots, salt and pepper, olive oil, garlic and honey.

This dressing will not only complement the flavors in the stew but also create a beautiful contrast with the green color of the spinach.

Another option for pairing your beef stew with a salad is to serve it with a light Italian wedge salad.

This type of salad consists of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, sliced cucumber, red onion rings and shredded Parmesan cheese.

It is tossed with Italian vinaigrette dressing which has olive oil as its main ingredient but also contains vinegar, garlic powder and sugar.

You can also serve your beef stew with a Greek salad since both dishes have similar ingredients such as feta cheese (which adds saltiness), olives (which add crunchiness), tomatoes (which add tangy flavor) and onions (which add pungency).

But, the thing is…

Whether you like a simple tossed salad or something more unique like grilled zucchini or corn salad, there’s something here for everyone.

And if you’re looking for something even more special than a side dish, try serving one of these salads as a main course!

The possibilities are endless!

1. Carrot-celery slaw

This may just be the most delicious way to eat raw carrot and celery ever.

With a tangy dressing that combines honey, mustard, and lemon juice, this slaw will make your mouth water as soon as you smell it.

It pairs perfectly with beef stew because the sweetness of the carrots complements the savory taste of the beef.

See Also: 15 Best Substitutes for Celery in Stew Recipes

2. Cucumber salad

This simple salad is perfect for using up leftover cucumbers from your garden or grocery store.

You can swap out vinegar for lemon juice or lime juice for a different flavor profile that will also go well with your beef stew.

3. The Cobb Salad

This salad is perfect for serving alongside your beef stew because it’s hearty, but still light enough that you won’t feel like your stomach is going to explode after eating it.

Plus, the combination of ingredients is delicious!

4. Greek Salad

Greek salad is another great option for pairing with your beef stew because it’s full of vegetables and healthy fats from olives and feta cheese.

Plus, it has an incredibly fresh taste that pairs well with savory dishes like stew in general (and especially this one).

5. Caesar Salad With Chicken

A classic Caesar salad goes really well with beef stew because the vinegar brings out some of the richness in the dish while cutting through some of its fattiness as well (which can be off-putting if you’re trying to watch your weight).

Plus, if you add chicken breast strips into the mix too then you’ve got yourself a pretty healthy meal on your hands!

6. Winter greens salad

The bitterness of winter greens is perfectly balanced by sweet dried cranberries and crunchy pecans in this salad—it’s full of flavor without being heavy or overpowering!

This salad goes perfectly with beef stew because it cuts through some of the fattiness of the meat while still maintaining its own flavor profile (so you can taste both).

7. Kale and barley salad

A hearty salad full of kale, spinach, protein-packed barley, and crunchy cashews will help keep your body warm during cold winter months.

This salad pairs well with beef stew because both dishes are hearty enough on their own but combine well together for an even more satisfying meal.

8. Coleslaw

This traditional coleslaw recipe is made with tangy ingredients like vinegar, sugar, and salt—and fresh vegetables like cabbage and carrots.

The crunchy texture of this salad makes it a great addition to any meal—especially if you’re serving up some hearty beef stew!

9. Potato Salad

This classic potato salad has all the flavor of your favorite summer picnic side dish—but don’t worry, it’s just as good in the winter!

To ensure that this salad goes well with beef stew, we recommend adding some fresh herbs like parsley or dill for a little extra pizzazz.

10. Quinoa Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

This colorful salad is a great choice for your next dinner party.

The quinoa provides a hearty texture, while the cranberries add sweetness and tartness to balance out the savory flavors of stew.

11. Spinach Salad

This is one of our go-to salads when we need something delicious and healthy to eat.

It’s got a great texture and crunch, plus it’s easy to make—just throw some spinach on top of some chopped nuts and cheese, then add some dressing.

12. Waldorf Salad

We love this recipe because it’s so simple: apples, celery, and walnuts come together with just enough dressing to make this salad tasty without being too heavy or filling.

It also makes for great leftovers!

13. Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are another great way to use up leftovers from dinner the night before, but they’re also delicious on their own!

Try adding cooked chicken or ham if you want some extra protein in your meal.

This recipe is also very versatile: add more or less of any ingredient depending on what’s available in your pantry at the moment!

14. Arugula Salad

Arugula salads are another classic option for serving with beef stew—they have a nice peppery bite that will really wake up your taste buds after having eaten all that heavy stew!

Try this one out when you’re looking for something filling yet light at the same time!

15. Romaine Lettuce with Chicken and Bacon

This salad is a great way to use up leftovers from dinner the night before, as you can throw in whatever you have on hand.

See Also: Leftover Chicken and Bacon Recipe

It’s also a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables, since they’ll be less likely to notice that they’re eating them!

If you’re cooking for a crowd, this is an easy recipe to scale up or down.

You can make just enough for one person, or make enough for the whole family!

16. Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is a great way to get some fresh produce into your diet during the winter months when fresh produce isn’t as accessible as it is during other times of year.

You can make this salad as simple or as fancy as you’d like: simply cut up some fruit and toss it with some dressing, or mix together all sorts of different fruits and nuts and top with whipped cream!

17. Macaroni Salad

If you’re looking for something lighter than pasta salad, macaroni salad might be more your speed!

This recipe is super easy—just cook some noodles and mix them with mayo, sour cream, green onions, celery (and anything else you like).

18. Tomato Salad

Tomato salads are the perfect accompaniment to almost any lunch or dinner—they’re healthy, delicious, and really easy to make!

You can even make them ahead of time so they’re ready when you get home from work (just keep them refrigerated).

They’re also great as a side dish at BBQs or other parties!

19. Garden Salad

Garden salads are always a good idea—they’re tasty, healthy, and can be paired with just about anything in your fridge!

Add some avocado slices for extra creaminess, or toss in some chickpeas for an even heartier meal.

This recipe is also very versatile: add more or less of any ingredient depending on what’s available in your pantry at the moment!

20. Broccoli Salad

This salad is perfect for anyone who loves broccoli—or even if you don’t love broccoli but need some veggies in your life!

It’s easy to throw together and can be prepared ahead of time so that all you have to do before serving is toss everything together with dressing ingredients and serve!

21. Jicama Slaw

Jicama slaw is an underrated salad that pairs perfectly with hearty, warm dishes like beef stew.

It’s crunchy and fresh with a bit of sweetness from the apples and jicama—the perfect combination!

Try this recipe for a simple version that won’t take much time to prepare: Jicama Slaw from MyRecipes.