What to Serve with Prime Rib: 20+ Best Side Dish Pairings
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Take your prime rib dinner to new heights by exploring a medley of side dishes that perfectly complement the indulgent flavors of this classic roast. From hearty starches to garden-fresh vegetables and luscious sauces, we’ve curated a list of what to serve with prime rib that promises to make your feast truly exceptional.
What is Prime Rib & How to Cook It
Prime rib is a premium cut of beef that is known for its tenderness and flavor. Typically, a prime rib – also known as a rib roast – is not only a delicious piece of meat for any special occasion, but it’s also easy and straightforward to cook on the Traeger.
To learn more about what prime rib is and how to cook it like a pro, check out these two articles:
While you’re checking out those expert guides, don’t forget to add the following items to your shopping list so that you’re guaranteed the best results:
- Flavorful Pellets: We recommend pellets with robust flavor profiles like Hickory or Mesquite.
- Delicious Seasoning: Our Traeger Prime Rib Rub will provide your prime rib with a sweet and savory taste with its combination of rosemary and garlic.
- Meat Thermometer: To achieve optimum results, use the MEATER Thermometer to monitor internal temperature. Make sure to insert it in the thickest part of the roast.
What To Serve with Prime Rib
Prime Rib is a rich and flavorful meat that pairs best with side dishes that complement its robust taste. When you’re considering what to serve with prime rib, make sure to pair side dishes that will not only complement the flavor of the meat but also appetizers that will fit with the decadence of the meal.
Classic starches, vibrant vegetables, and savory sauces promise to elevate your prime rib and add a symphony of flavors to your dinner.
Starches
Pairing your prime rib with starches is a culinary practice that adds balance and completeness to your meal. Starches like potatoes and bread will not only complement the prime rib but will also help absorb the flavorful juices (and tasty sauces) from your meat.
Trying to decide what to serve with prime rib? Consider creamy, smoked scalloped potatoes.
This tasty side will provide your meal with a luxurious texture that contrasts perfectly with hearty prime rib. Its mild and buttery flavor is a perfect contrast to the rich and savory taste of the meat. For best results, bake these Traeger scalloped potatoes over mild cherry pellets so you get a touch of wood-fired flavor.
For another potato side dish, with a bit of a punch, roasted new potatoes are the perfect savory counterpart Tossed with butter, olive oil, and mustard seeds, these tasty tots are an easy and flavorful side.
Classic Yorkshire pudding is a traditional and favorite side for rib roast for a reason. With a crisp outside and tender inside, a Yorkshire pudding (or three) is a great pairing for your prime rib, especially since it’s ideal for soaking up the flavorful juices and au jus. Now, no drippings will go to waste.
Potatoes au gratin, is a classic French dish crafted from thinly sliced potatoes layered with cream and cheese.
For a Traeger take on this classic dish, use sharp cheddar cheese, cream, and butter, and bake to golden perfection over premium hickory pellets. With its soft and rich texture, this culinary masterpiece serves as an excellent accompaniment to prime rib.
Pro tip: Add some parsley or green onions to the sauce for added flavor.
Never underestimate a warm and buttery role. These rolls are soft, buttery, and slightly sweet and are a popular choice to serve with prime rib.
To amp up this popular side, top them with garlic flakes, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or flaky salt for even more delicious flavor. Make sure to follow our step-by-step guide to make these rolls Traeger-style.
Is there anything as classic as a baked potato? If you’re a fan of this tasty side dish, consider coating your potatoes in salt and oil before placing them directly on the grill grates.
This additional salt will not only enhance your baked potatoes with extra flavor and keep the interior nice and fluffy, but perfectly complement your prime rib in flavor and visual appeal.
A list of favorite starchy sides wouldn’t be complete without deliciously smoked mashed potatoes. This make-ahead recipe is a delightful twist on the classic side dish. Not only do these mashed potatoes offer the convenience of making them ahead, they’re also pre-portioned and look great on the plate.
Vegetables
When choosing what to serve with prime rib, keep in mind that veggies are your trusty sidekick for crafting a balanced and flavorful dinner. Whether they're kissed by the Traeger smoke through roasting, baking, grilling, or served fresh and raw, a variety of vegetables elevates your prime rib experience, ensuring a well-rounded and delicious meal.
Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic Parmesan Butter
Roasted cauliflower is an excellent side dish for prime rib, particularly when prepared with Traeger's whole cauliflower with garlic parmesan butter recipe. The smoky and charred notes from the Traeger grill infuse the cauliflower, adding depth and complexity. The robust taste of roasted cauliflower, coupled with the savory richness of garlic and Parmesan butter, provides a satisfying contrast to the tender and succulent prime rib.
The visual appeal of a beautifully roasted whole cauliflower also adds an elegant touch to the overall presentation of the prime rib meal.
Butter braised green beans make an excellent side dish for prime rib for several reasons. The buttery braising technique imparts a rich and savory flavor to the green beans, complementing the prime rib with a luxurious touch.
The addition of garlic and shallots deepens the flavor, creating a harmonious pairing with the robust flavors of prime rib.
If you’re an asparagus fan over a green bean fan, this easy recipe will also be a hit around the dinner table. Roasting asparagus imparts wood-fired flavor and enhances the overall taste experience when paired with prime rib. For additional zesty flavor, spritz it with lemon.
Creamed spinach might not have been your first thought when thinking of a side dish, but it’s a compelling classic for a reason. By following the steps in this recipe, you’ll get a rich and velvety texture with a cheesy and savory taste. The smoky essence from cooking on the Traeger Grill adds an extra layer of complexity to the dish.
Grilled Romaine Salad with Blue Cheese & Bacon Dressing
There’s nothing like a crisp salad to go with a juicy prime rib. For a Traeger spin on this tasty salad, place the romaine halves on the grill grate after drizzling them in olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.
While we always recommend making your own blue bacon dressing, you can always opt for a similar store-bought version to save on time.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Indulge in the perfect combination for a roast rib dinner – prime rib, Brussels sprouts, and bacon. Create the ideal trio by whipping up Traeger's roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, and your culinary masterpiece is complete!
Make sure to toss the sprouts in a bit of balsamic vinegar towards the end of cooking to add more depth to the dish.
You heard it here first, green bean casserole isn’t only for Thanksgiving. With fresh green beans, homemade mushroom-cream sauce, and crispy bacon, this modern take on a holiday classic will add color and flavor to your dinner table.
Sauces
While prime rib is delicious on its own, a sauce – whether it’s the zesty kick of horseradish, the savory richness of an au jus, or an aromatic garlic butter – can take each bit of prime rib to another level.
Au Jus
Consider the classic au jus for a go-to sauce for your prime rib. Made from the natural juices released during the cooking of the prime tib, these flavorful drippings will not only enhance the flavor of the prime rib, but will keep the slices moist and tender.
Pro tip: Make sure to store the au jus and the meat together for your leftovers.
To learn how to make this delicious sauce, read our article.
Horseradish Sauce
Another classic sauce to pair with your prime rib is a creamy horseradish. Aromatic and spicy horseradish contrasts the rich and savory flavor of prime rib, which is why it’s a long-standing partner to the juicy prime rib.
You can discover how to make a delicious homemade horseradish sauce (and prime rib!) by following the steps in this recipe.
Mushroom Cream Sauce
Another creamy sauce option for your prime rib is a rich mushroom cream sauce. While you can usually find this tasty sauce with a peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin, it’s the perfect option for a robust rib roast due to its versatility and umami flavors. Get some inspiration for this peppercorn steak cream sauce.
Mustard Cream Sauce
The mustard cream sauce featured in this Traeger recipe is a superb companion for prime rib, adding a burst of flavor and elegance to each bite. The tangy and savory notes of the mustard perfectly complement the richness of the prime rib, while the creaminess of the sauce provides a luxurious texture, making it an exceptional choice for those seeking a combination of bold flavors and culinary sophistication.
Red Wine Reduction
Another exceptional sauce choice for prime rib is a red wine reduction (made on your Traeger of course). To create a red wine reduction, start by heating red wine, shallots, and herbs in a pan on the grill and let it simmer until by half, then add a little broth (plus any juices from your roast) and reduce again until it can coat the back of a spoon. If you like, add a knob of butter and swirl till melted. Bonus: By making the sauce on the Traeger, you will get a subtle infusion of wood-fired flavor that will add a sophisticated flavor to your rib roast.
Garlic Herb Butter
Sometimes, simplicity is key when it comes to dressing your prime rib. By pairing your roast with savory garlic butter, you’ll enrich the meat with a symphony of robust flavors that will make every bite moist and indulgent.
Chimichurri Sauce
Modernize your prime rib by adding a vibrant chimichurri sauce. By following the sauce steps for the sauce in this recipe, your meal will be bursting with fresh herbs, garlic, and zesty vinegar that will not only add a refreshing element to your prime rib, but it’ll also help cut through some of the meat's richness.
What To Do with Leftover Prime Rib & Sides
Now that you’ve planned out your prime rib meal, you’ll need to figure out how to store your meat and leftovers. If you’re planning on indulging in more prime rib within a few days of your dinner, store it in the fridge in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. If you’d rather enjoy this dinner at a different time down the road, make sure to store in the freezer in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
Pro tip: Record the storage date on the container so that you can keep track of how long it’s been freezing.
If you want to reinvent your prime rib, make sure to read our article about all the different ways you can serve leftover prime rib.
With this collection of starch, vegetables, and sauces, you’ll never wonder what to serve with prime rib ever again. Happy grilling!
Traeger Potatoes Au Gratin
by Traeger Kitchen
10 Reviews
Prep Time
20 Min
Cook Time
1 Hr
Serves
6
Pellets
Hickory
This Traeger take on a well-loved side dish brings wood-fired flavor to the forefront. Our potatoes au gratin recipe features cheesy and creamy sliced potatoes baked until golden brown.
Ingredients
main
| 2 Tablespoon | Unsalted butter, softened |
| 1 1/2 Cup | heavy cream |
| 1/2 Cup | whole milk |
| 2 Tablespoon | all-purpose flour |
| 4 Clove | garlic, minced |
| 1 Teaspoon | kosher salt |
| To Taste | freshly ground black pepper |
| 4 Medium | russet potatoes, scrubbed |
| 1 Cup | grated sharp cheddar cheese |
1
When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 500˚F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. Grease a casserole dish with softened butter.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, flour, garlic, salt, and black pepper to taste.
3
Slice the potatoes as thinly and uniformly as possible. Arrange a third of the potatoes in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour a third of the cream mixture over the potatoes. Repeat to make 2 more layers. Cover the baking dish with foil.
4
Place the baking dish on the grill grates, close the lid, and cook for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, close the lid again, and bake until golden brown and bubbling, about 20 minutes more. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top of the potatoes. Close the grill and bake until the cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes. Enjoy!
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