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Home » Side Dishes

Published: Oct 9, 2023 by Anne Aslanides

What to Serve with Tri-Tip Steak: 40 Great Side Dishes

Tri-tip is a delicious and tender cut of beef that, at least on the west coast, is often sold as a whole muscle. Because of the size it is often called a Tri-tip Roast on the meat packaging, and can be roasted or slow cooked like a traditional roast. However, because of where the muscle is located it is a more tender cut than most roasts, and can be cooked and served as a steak using just garlic powder, salt, and pepper- or your favorite dry rub.  This was first done in Santa Maria, California, which is why sometimes you'll hear it called a Santa Maria steak. You can prepare your tri tip this way on the grill, in the oven, or my favorite way, sous vide.

Whether you're planning to serve your tri tip at a backyard barbeque, having guests over for a dinner party, or just making a weeknight dinner, finding the best side dishes to serve with your steak makes the meal so much better. From classic and comforting potatoes to fresh salads and flavorful vegetable dishes, you're sure to find some sides here that will please your crowd.

No time to read now? Pin this list for later!

Grid of 8 images with center spot reading "40 foods to serve with Tri Tip" and 8 photos of mushrooms, sweet potatoes, zucchini, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, bread, shrimp, and broccoli.

What to Serve with Tri Tip Steak

No matter if you're craving potatoes, vegetables, salads, rice, or beans, you'll find some great ideas you're sure to enjoy.

Appetizers

If your tri-tip is the main event for a holiday dinner or dinner party, you may want some foods to nosh on before dinner too.

Skillet with stuffed mushrooms on a kitchen towel with green onions to the side.

Stuffed Mushrooms - Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe

Stuffed mushrooms are a great appetizer for any gathering, and these pair well with steak if there are any left come dinner time. Spoiler alert: there probably won't be!

5 tempura shrimp on a white plate with sauce in small dipping bowl

Costco Frozen Tempura Shrimp

Is there anything easier than heating up store bought appetizers? Maybe, but not much! Adding shrimp to your appetizer menu gives you a surf and turf feel with minimal effort.

Avocado Deviled Eggs garnished with bacon on a wood serving tray.

Avocado Deviled Eggs

Easy to make ahead, just squeeze your filling into the egg halves shortly before guests arrive for a fun twist on the traditional appetizer.

Image for Loaded Potato Skins

Loaded Potato Skins

Photo Credit: www.corriecooks.com

A steakhouse classic, potato skins are baked until they are crispy and then filled with cheese, bacon, and sour cream. Potato skins are a fantastic way to use up leftover potatoes, so you can do most of the work ahead of a holiday.

Vegetables

Your Tri Tip has the protein covered. To balance the meal, I like to serve it with a vegetable or two. Here are some great options!

Skillet filled with caramelized mushrooms and onions on a kitchen towel.

Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms

Individually, these are great with steak. Together? Quite possibly the perfect side dish for steak!

Cheesy broccoli on a white plate with potatoes and chicken in the background

Air Fryer Broccoli and Cheese Sauce

Broccoli and cheese are a match made in food heaven. This one features a simple 2 ingredient cheese sauce.

White bowl with zucchini and squash in it on a kitchen towel with lemon slices

Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash

Cooking summer squash in the air fryer is the best of both worlds- crisp outsides with tender insides. If you need to use a regular oven, place them on a wire rack on top of your baking sheet for similar results.

Roasted red peppers in a glass bowl with kitchen towel around it.

Air Fryer Roasted Red Peppers

Like onions and mushrooms, peppers just go well with steak! While this is written for red peppers, you can swap it for any color bell peppers you have.

Bowl of creamed spinach with homemade croutons in front of other dishes.

Creamed Spinach with Croutons

Photo Credit: mangiawithmichele.com

Classic and crave worthy, this Creamed Spinach recipe is quick and easy and will become your new favorite. Don’t skip the croutons-they make the dish!

Image for Miso Glazed Mushrooms

Miso Glazed Mushrooms

Photo Credit: mikhaeats.com

If you enjoy restaurant Miso dishes, I've got good news. Miso paste is becoming easier to find in mainstream grocery stores, which is handy for making lots of great dishes like these garlicky mushrooms!

Image for Mixed Vegetable Casserole

Mixed Vegetable Casserole

Photo Credit: cravingsomethinghealthy.com

This mixed vegetable casserole is easy to make, with creamy green beans, corn, peas, and carrots.

Image for Roasted Carrots & Asparagus with Lemon & Thyme

Roasted Carrots & Asparagus with Lemon & Thyme

Photo Credit: naturallieplantbased.com

These roasted carrots and asparagus are highlighted with lemon, thyme, and garlic, for a simple and delicious vegetable.

Image for Garlic Green Beans Recipe

Garlic Green Beans Recipe

Photo Credit: www.garlicandzest.com

Fresh green beans blanched and seasoned with simple ingredients.

Image for Balsamic Roasted Vegetables - Make Delicious Roast Veggies!

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables - Make Delicious Roast Veggies!

Photo Credit: cupcakesandkalechips.com

Balsamic vinegar adds a ton of flavor, and is sure to tickle your taste buds in this roasted veggie mix.

Potatoes (and sweet potatoes)

Possibly the most versatile vegetable, this starchy root is great mashed, scalloped, boiled, fried, and even served cold!

A plate of air fried mashed potatoes with butter melting on top, and raw potatoes and garlic in the background.

Air Fryer Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a great companion for nearly any dish! These air fryer ones are prepared in your air fryer or oven and then mash right along with the garlic you roasted with them to pair with your tri-tip steak.

Photo of roasted sweet potato slices on a white plate.

Roasted Sweet Potato Slices

Topped with brown sugar that caramelizes on top, these roasted sweet potato slices are the sweet to compliment your savory steak.

A white bowl filled with crock pot sweet potatoes and topped with butter that is melting.

Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

When you have a large group to cook for, oven space can be at a premium. That makes it handy to whip out your slow cooker for these mashed sweet potatoes, which cook and mash right in the ceramic insert of your crock pot.

Image for Slow Cooker Baby Potatoes

Slow Cooker Baby Potatoes

Photo Credit: www.flavorfuleats.com

Speaking of saving on oven space, these herbed baby potatoes are cooked in your crock pot, and the insert is even your mixing bowl. One dish and easy- perfect for busy days!

Silver baking tray filled with smashed potatoes adn topped with chives.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Photo Credit: www.delicioustable.com

The edges of the potatoes get crispy golden brown, and are so good topped with butter! This is also one that's fun for kids to help "smash" if you have little helpers.

Image for Oven Baked French Fries

Oven Baked French Fries

Photo Credit: beginwithbalance.com

You can't go wrong with classic fries. These ones bake up right in your oven with simple ingredients.

Image for Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Photo Credit: grandbaby-cakes.com

Most mashed potato recipes lean on the butter and cream. While these have those too, there's just as much (or more) sour cream than either of those for a slight tang and great flavor.

Image for Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Photo Credit: gypsyplate.com

Another twist on the classic mash, these cheesy potatoes are a great way to compliment your steak.

Image for Gratin Dauphinois (a French Potato Side Dish)

Gratin Dauphinois (a French Potato Side Dish)

Photo Credit: www.christinascucina.com

This french potato gratin is adapted from Julia Child's recipe. While some french dishes can be intimidating, this one is easy as long as you have a mandoline for slicing the potatoes!

Image for Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Photo Credit: cookingorgeous.com

The best way to cook frozen french fries is in your air fryer- it gives you a great crisp without the hassel of deep frying.

Image for Classic Baked Potatoes

Classic Baked Potatoes

Photo Credit: www.smartypantskitchen.com

Nothing pairs better than a delicious steak and restaurant-quality baked potato! Anecia spills the secrets for a steakhouse quality spud from picking them in the grocery store to baking them directly on the oven rack.

Image for Instant Pot Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Instant Pot Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Photo Credit: cookingwithcurls.com

Another great appliance for potatoes when you're short on stove space or time is the instant pot. These ones are creamy and rich with greek yogurt, butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese.

Image for Easy Roasted Potato Salad

Easy Roasted Potato Salad

Photo Credit: www.primaverakitchen.com

While this dish could have gone under the salad category, this isn't your traditional mayo based potato salad- instead it leans on a mustard vinegarette.

Rice, Pasta, and Breads

The first carbohydrate you think of with steak is probably potatoes, but these delicious side dishes are also a great addition to your table!

Sliced focaccia bread with roasted garlic topping on a cooling rack.

Shortcut Focaccia Bread with Premade Pizza Dough

Made with just store bought pizza dough, olive oil, and sea salt, no one has to know you didn't make this tasty bread from scratch.

Image for Best Homemade Biscuits

Best Homemade Biscuits

Photo Credit: afarmgirlskitchen.com

Now, if you do want to make bread from scratch, these simple homemade biscuits are a great choice.

Finsihed cheddar shells in instant pot ready to serve.

How to Make Instant Pot Boxed Mac and Cheese

For a busy weeknight, boxed mac and cheese just hits the spot. Making it in the instant pot allows you to focus on the main dish.

Image for Coconut Jasmine Rice

Coconut Jasmine Rice

Photo Credit: simplymadeeats.com

An easy and flavorful rice made with coconut milk and lime juice. It also features cilantro, which you can either mix in or leave on the side if you or a guest has the soap gene.

Image for Butter Rice

Butter Rice

Photo Credit: simplelivingrecipes.com

Sauteeing garlic and onion to add in with the rice while it cooks adds a bunch of flavor to a simple side dish that's both easy and delicious.

Image for Sweet Cornbread Recipe Cast Iron Skillet – Fit Mama Real Food

Sweet Cornbread Recipe Cast Iron Skillet – Fit Mama Real Food

Photo Credit: www.fitmamarealfood.com

A sweet corn bread goes well with, well, just about anything.

Salads

Sometimes when it's hot, a crisp salad is the perfect side to this delicious cut of meat.

Image for Easy Garden Salad Recipe

Easy Garden Salad Recipe

Photo Credit: garlicsaltandlime.com

Chopped fresh romaine and classic veggies like red onion with a simple vinaigrette, or dressing of choice. Add all of your favorite toppings!

Image for Prasini Salad (Greek Green Salad)

Prasini Salad (Greek Green Salad)

Photo Credit: twocloveskitchen.com

A simple and traditional Greek salad, this features romaine, feta, dill, and green onions. The dressing is as easy as a DIY one gets- olive oil, lemon juice, plus salt and black pepper.

Image for Colorful Corn & Avocado Salad

Colorful Corn & Avocado Salad

Photo Credit: littlenomadsrecipes.com

This corn, avocado, and feta cheese salad is great way to use your corn on the cobb.

Image for Delicious Berry Mandarin Tossed Salad

Delicious Berry Mandarin Tossed Salad

Photo Credit: fluxingwell.com

Berries, bacon, and a savory sweet dressing make a great side or first course with your juicy steak.

Image for Sweet and Tangy Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe

Sweet and Tangy Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe

Photo Credit: www.reneeskitchenadventures.com

If you're grilling your tri tip in the summer, there is just something about macaroni salad that screams summer grillout.

Baked Beans & Chimichurri Sauce

To be honest these just don't really fit in the other categories nicely, but my goodness, they deserve to be mentioned.

Image for Baked Beans with Bacon

Baked Beans with Bacon

Photo Credit: cookingwithcurls.com

Baked beans with bacon combines the sweet and savory flavors of bacon, pinto beans, brown sugar, molasses, barbecue sauce, peppers, spices, and your favorite dark beer to create the perfect side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks, and family dinners.

Image for Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Photo Credit: flavorthemoments.com

Made in just a few minutes, this parsley based sauce offers a mild kick with red pepper flakes to take your tri tip to the next level.

I hope this list gives you some great ideas and that you love everything you try! If after you have leftovers and need some tri tip recipes to use them, give this tri tip pasta a go, or make tri tip sandwiches the next day.

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