“What should I serve with steak and ale pie?” is a question we hear often—so we decided it was time to finally write a post about it!
Steak and ale pie is, arguably, one of the best meat pies you can make.
The combination of tender beef, rich gravy, and flavorful beer makes for a sensational dish that’s hard to beat.
- But what do you serve on the side?
- Do you need a side dish at all?
- And how do you make sure your side doesn’t overpower or clash with your main course?
In this post, we’ll walk through the process of choosing a fantastic side dish for your steak and ale pie.
By the end of it, you’ll know exactly what to choose for your next dinner party!
What to Serve with Steak and Ale Pie (15 Easy Sides)
Ah, steak and ale pie—what a great meal for when you want to keep it simple in the winter.
But if you’re serving friends or family, or just want to complete your meal, there are a few sides that go perfectly with this dish.
Let’s get started!
1. Buttered carrots
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/147563325281164535/Buttered carrots are the classic pairing with steak and ale pie.
They’re crispy and crunchy, buttery and sweet—and they work wonderfully if you’re trying to avoid stodgy mash or potatoes.
The texture of the carrots is great with the meaty filling of the pie, and the sweetness works to counteract some of the savory flavor.
2. Mashed potatoes
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/77264949849018067/Mashed potatoes are another classic pairing that’s still fantastic today.
See Also: what sauce goes with mashed potatoes?
With their smooth, creamy consistency and savory flavor, mashed potatoes are just right for soaking up all that delicious gravy from your pie.
They also happen to be great because they work well as a side dish on their own, too!
3. A nice salad
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/483996291209495622/A nice salad works best as a side with steak and ale pie if you want to keep things light.
A fresh salad is crisp and refreshing, just what you need when sitting down to a hearty meal.
Plus, it’s easy to put together—you can even make it in advance!
4. Coleslaw
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/985231157929795/Coleslaw goes great with steak and ale pie because the tangy bite of the dressing complements the richness of the meat and gravy in the pie itself.
It also provides a nice contrast in texture, since the meat is soft and the crust is flaky.
You can make coleslaw yourself by combining shredded cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, cider vinegar, and celery seeds in a bowl.
5. Roasted brussels sprouts
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/613474780497175459/Roasted brussels sprouts are a delicious side that even most picky eaters can get behind because they bring out the sweetness in these otherwise bitter vegetables by cooking them until they’re slightly crispy on the outside but still tender on the inside.
If you’re short on time, buy pre-shredded brussels sprouts so you don’t have to spend time slicing them before roasting them in the oven!
6. Fresh green beans with bacon
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/140806228593040/There’s really nothing better than fresh green beans to complement your savory steak and ale pie—especially when there’s bacon involved.
And here’s a secret we’ve learned over the years that makes this side dish even better: cook the bacon first, then use the rendered fat to sautee your green beans (Related: Canned Green Beans Recipes)!
The result is a side that is absolutely delicious and will have your guests fighting over who gets to take home leftovers.
7. Garlic bread
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44895327526683655/Garlic bread is pretty much the most versatile side—it goes great with anything and everything!
And it’s easy to make: just brush bread on both sides with butter and sprinkle garlic powder on top.
Then pop it in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
The result?
A crisp outside, soft inside, and an incredible flavor that will blow your mind!
8. Bread pudding
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/152981718583514867/Bread pudding is an amazing side because its sweet flavor really complements the savory notes in the steak and ale pie, while also giving it a satisfying texture that can only be achieved by taking bread and putting it into a crockpot with milk, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg (and whatever else you like), then cooking it until it’s ready to be served.
It’s honestly one of our favorites.
9. Steamed vegetables
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199636195979903386/As for steamed vegetables… well, they’re steamed vegetables.
They’re healthy; they taste good; they look good; they get the job done.
Steamed vegetables are always welcome on our tables!
10. Caramelized onions
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/102034747799197011/If you want a side that will make your guests go “WOW,” then consider caramelized onions on top of your steak and ale pie.
They add a special sweetness and richness to this already meaty dish!
11. Fried plantains
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/28358672647182201/Once you get the hang of cooking fried plantains, they taste amazing and go great with all kinds of meals.
Plantains are at their best when they are yellow with black spots, so that’s what you want to look for when you’re picking them out.
- The easiest way to peel a plantain is to cut off both ends, score the peel lengthwise from end to end, then peel back the skin like a banana.
- Then just slice them into 1/2 inch-thick pieces and fry them in oil until they start to caramelize.
They’re really easy to make and only take a few minutes!
12. Sweet potato fries
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/582653270549508927/If you have time for something that requires more prep work without being too difficult to make, consider baking some sweet potato fries.
- To prepare them, cut a peeled sweet potato into wedge-shaped slices and toss with olive oil and salt.
- Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes on each side for perfectly crispy fries.
13. Macaroni and cheese
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/114138171797712754/For an indulgent treat that’s always sure to please, combine macaroni noodles with butter and cheddar cheese for an irresistible side dish.
Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions and drain thoroughly.
Add butter and shredded cheese while the noodles are still hot so they melt easily.
14. Sauteed greens (spinach, broccoli, etc)
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/522347256786172948/You can buy pre-cut sauteed greens at most grocery stores, or you can cut your own up easily.
If you’re using baby spinach, just throw it in the pan with some garlic and oil.
If you’re using full-sized spinach or broccoli leaves, chop them up into small pieces that will fit on a fork easily.
Add those to the pan along with the garlic and oil and saute until they’re bright green but still firm—that should take no more than 3 minutes.
15. Mushroom risotto
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/18788523437646725/Risotto can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be hard!
In fact, this recipe is super simple: just grab some arborio rice and cook it with mushrooms of your choice (we love shitake).
Add chicken broth as needed to keep the rice from getting too dry.
Why Consider Serving Sides for Steak and Ale Pie?
Side dishes can add variety to a meal while also complementing the flavors of your main course.
Another advantage of serving side dishes is that they give you more food for less money, meaning larger portions with little financial impact.
They also give you more opportunities to let people customize their meals.
You could, for example, make rice pilaf – so people can choose whether they want plain white rice or the slightly more flavorful version.
Another advantage is that they are easy to prepare ahead of time.
Simply cook the side dish, put it in a container, and stick it in the fridge.
When you’re ready to serve dinner, reheat the side dish, and voila.
So consider making one or two side dishes when you make steak and ale.
What to Serve with Steak and Ale Pie (15 Easy Sides)
Ingredients
- Buttered carrots
- Mashed potatoes
- A nice salad
- Coleslaw
- Roasted brussels sprouts
- Fresh green beans with bacon
- Garlic bread
- Bread pudding
- Steamed vegetables
- Caramelized onions
- Fried plantains
- Sweet potato fries
- Macaroni and cheese
- Sauteed greens (spinach, broccoli, etc)
- Mushroom risotto
Instructions
- Pick any of the sides from this list to serve with your meal.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Be ready to munch in no time!
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.