The 16 Best Side Dishes for a Prime Rib Dinner

Special Dishes for a Special Occasion Meal

Bacon roasted Brussels sprouts

The Spruce

 

Prime rib is a special occasion-worthy cut of beef that's perfectly suited for Christmas feasts, New Year's Eve dinners, or any time you want to serve a celebratory meal. With the main course in the oven, there's only one more thing to do: prepare side dishes that pair with the succulent, rich, meaty flavor of prime rib.

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  • 01 of 16

    Gordon Ramsay's Yorkshire Pudding

    Gordon Ramsay's Yorkshire Puddings

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    Yorkshire pudding is an essential part of a traditional British prime rib dinner. You can think of it as something between a popover and a soufflé, with beef drippings used to coat the muffin tin for extra meaty richness. Gordon Ramsay's Yorkshire pudding recipe produces beautifully puffed, golden brown and crispy Yorkshire puddings.

  • 02 of 16

    Truffled French Fries

    Truffled french fries sprinkled with grated cheese and herbs

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    For a decadent take on steak frites, serve your prime rib with truffle french fries. Use a good quality truffle oil and waxy yellow potatoes to get the crispiest, most addictive fries.

  • 03 of 16

    Butternut Squash and Apple Casserole

    Butternut squash and apple casserole

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This crumble-topped butternut squash and apple casserole is a holiday crowd pleaser. Sliced winter squash and apples are spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, then baked with a crunchy, buttery topping. Its rich sweetness pairs nicely with the intense savoriness of steak.

  • 04 of 16

    Creamed Spinach

    Creamed spinach

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    Creamed spinach is a rich and delicious side dish that pairs very well with roasted beef. This velvety version is luxuriously creamy and only calls for five ingredients, with Parmesan cheese giving the greens big flavor.

    Continue to 5 of 16 below.
  • 05 of 16

    Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

    Bacon roasted brussel sprouts

    The Spruce

     

    Bacon roasted Brussels sprouts are a must for any holiday dinner. This simple recipe needs only three ingredients—plus a bit of salt—and pairs well with meat as well as other side dishes.

  • 06 of 16

    Porcini Mushroom Risotto

    Porcini Mushroom Risotto

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    For a really special dinner, serve a creamy mushroom risotto with your prime rib. This recipe calls for earthy porcini mushrooms cooked in rice with a decadent sauce made of butter, garlic, shallots, wine, cream, and Parmesan cheese.

  • 07 of 16

    Horseradish Sauce

    Horseradish sauce drizzled over roast beef on baguette

    The Spruce

    Take your prime rib dinner to the next level with a restaurant-quality horseradish sauce. Serve it at room temperature in a gravy dish, or a pretty bowl with a silver spoon for a fancier presentation.

  • 08 of 16

    Spinach Soufflé

    Spinach soufflé

    Simon Smith-Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

     

    A savory spinach soufflé is sure to impress. This outstanding recipe creates a light, airy, and delicious side dish that you'll be proud to serve during the holidays or any special dinner.

    Continue to 9 of 16 below.
  • 09 of 16

    Creamed Peas With Mushrooms and Onions

    Creamed peas with mushrooms and onions

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

     

    Creamed peas with mushrooms and onions is a comforting dish for everyday dinners, but it still feels dressed up enough to serve with prime rib. The creamy sauce will have everyone reaching for some crusty bread.

  • 10 of 16

    Twice-Baked Potatoes With Cream Cheese and Chives

    Twice-baked potatoes with cream cheese and chives

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Twice-baked potatoes look nice as part of a special meal and pair perfectly with beef. You can bake the potatoes up to a day ahead to save time, then just make the filling and bake them before the meal.

  • 11 of 16

    Savory Spinach and Mushroom Strudel

    Savory spinach and mushroom strudel

    The Spruce / Allyson Kramer

     

    This savory spinach and mushroom strudel looks beautiful when cut into slices and served alongside prime rib on a plate. Mushrooms, spinach, onions, and tofu combine to create a rich yet healthy filling. It's also lovely as an entrée for vegetarian guests.

  • 12 of 16

    Maple Glazed Squash Rings

    Maple glazed squash rings

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

     

    Squash rings are glazed lightly with maple syrup and butter and then roasted to make a delicious vegetarian dish. It's a very simple recipe to make but looks pretty enough on a platter to be part of a special meal.

    Continue to 13 of 16 below.
  • 13 of 16

    French Potato Gratin Dauphinoise

    French Potato Gratin Dauphinoise

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    This French potato gratin Dauphinoise recipe uses the traditional French cooking method of baking sliced potatoes in milk, cream, and cheese to create a heavenly side dish that smells out of this world. The best part? It can be made ahead and reheated at mealtime.

  • 14 of 16

    Sesame Green Beans

    Sesame green beans

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    Fresh or frozen green beans can be used to make simple yet tasty sesame green beans side dish that is gently flavored with teriyaki, garlic, and sesame seeds. You can toast the sesame seeds before adding to emphasize their naturally nutty flavor.

  • 15 of 16

    Rosemary Roasted Baby Potatoes

    Rosemary roasted baby potatoes

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    Just a few simple ingredients—potatoes, fresh herbs, garlic, and good quality olive oil—are needed to make rosemary roasted baby potatoes. For a more colorful dish, use half baby red and half baby Yukon gold potatoes. You can also toss in chopped, crispy bacon after roasting.

  • 16 of 16

    Nigel Slater's Fried Cauliflower

    Nigel Slater's fried cauliflower along with salsa verde

    The Spruce

    James Beard Award-winning food writer Nigel Slater created this fried cauliflower recipe to turn the humble vegetable into a holiday-worthy dish. Cauliflower is fried, spiced up with paprika, and served with a tasty salsa verde made with plenty of fresh herbs, mustard, garlic, capers, olive oil, and lemon juice.