The 8 BEST Rice Side Dishes for Steak!
Looking for some inspiration for the best rice side dishes for steak? Get ready to dive in, because you’re in the right place!
Rice can be a delicious and hearty accompaniment for meat, and it’s just a case of selecting a few extra ingredients so you can create something that’s full of flavour and worthy of a place at the table at your next steak night.
Whether it’s for a special meal to serve up at a dinner party, or just something quick but delicious for a weekend meal for your family, there’s something here to suit your needs.
The best rice side dishes for steak
The best rice side dishes for steak include Greek lemon rice, garlic butter rice, spiced tomato rice, kimchi fried rice, mushroom risotto, cowboy rice salad, coconut coriander lime rice, and Mexican rice.
Some of these are so simple that you won’t even have to make a trip to the supermarket, as you probably already have all the ingredients you need in your pantry!
Read on to get more details and discover the best, tried and tested recipes for you to make tonight…
1. Greek lemon rice
If you love Mediterranean flavours, I highly recommend trying this recipe for Greek lemon rice.
With onions, garlic, fresh lemon juice, and fresh herbs, it’s bright, summery, zesty, and proof that rice certainly doesn’t have to be boring.
Add a sharing bowl of Greek salad to the table, and you’ve got a feast that’s perfect for celebrating special occasions on warm evenings.
2. Garlic butter rice
Garlic butter rice is a simple side dish, but it definitely doesn’t compromise on flavour.
The garlic is sweet, crisp, and pairs perfectly alongside your favourite cut of steak.
In fact, this rice dish is also a great match for a wide variety of meals including roast chicken and pan fried salmon, so you’ll definitely want to make it again!
You can tweak this recipe according to your own personal tastes, so you can add some more garlic if you like.
It’s a good idea to follow the recipe exactly when making it for the first time, so you can work out just how close it is to being exactly what you’re looking for, and then alter from there.
If you need a little more butter, you can always swirl some more through at the end.
3. Spiced tomato rice
This spicy tomato rice is made with cinnamon, turmeric, and fresh green herbs, and it’s a Persian dish that brings elements of both sweet and savoury to the plate.
It’s a fabulous option if you like to experiment with different cuisines and explore the different taste combinations that they have to offer.
I like to serve this rice piled in the middle of a bowl or a plate, and add sliced steak on top.
(Need some more ideas for your steak nights? Be sure that you also check out my guides to the best pasta side dishes for steak, the best salads to serve with steak, and the best potato side dishes for steak!)
4. Kimchi fried rice
If you’re a lover of Korean food, a great option for rice side dishes for steak is this beautifully spicy kimchi fried rice.
It has bacon for some added smokiness, and the mushrooms add some interesting texture to the dish.
My favourite part about this as a side for steak is that you can add a dippy fried egg on top, which works so well for dipping in pieces of sliced steak!
If you like, you can omit the bacon.
In fact, this rice is super versatile and you can add in any veggies you have in the fridge that need using up. It’s a handy way to get in your 5 a day.
5. Mushroom risotto
For an elegant and sophisticated dinner that’s perfect for a dinner party, try pairing creamy mushroom risotto with your favourite cut of steak.
You’ll cook short grain rice on the hob whilst stirring in broth, and add mushrooms and parmesan cheese to create an irresistible side dish.
The whole process will take around 35 minutes, and though it is a pretty hands-on process, it’s worth the effort when you want to impress.
It’s really important to ensure you’re using the correct rice.
Arborio is best for risotto, as it develops a lovely creamy consistency as it cooks.
Though you can use other types of rice in a pinch, it’s well worth taking a trip to your local store if you want to create the very best results!
6. Cowboy rice salad
This cowboy rice salad is a super fun choice for a rice side dish for steak, and it delivers some serious Wild West vibes!
Inspired by the famous cowboy caviar recipe, it’s made with nutritious brown rice and is jam packed with plenty of veggies and finished with a zesty lime dressing.
The brown rice gives the salad a deliciously nutty flavour, though you can substitute it for white rice if you prefer.
One of the best things about this choice is that it can be prepared the day before and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
This makes for a quick and easy dinner on the evenings when you don’t have a load of time to dedicate to preparing the family meal.
7. Coconut and lime rice
It’s so easy to make this coconut and lime rice recipe! All you’ll need is rice, desiccated coconut, fresh coriander, and lime juice.
It’s fresh and zesty, and it’s so good when served with a steak and a side salad or your favourite steamed green vegetables.
This is a really simple side dish that won’t take up much of your time, but is a nice alternative to serving just plain rice.
8. Mexican rice
This restaurant style Mexican rice is simmered in chicken stock and tomato sauce with a variety of different spices for a warming and satisfying kick.
It’s on the table in around 30 minutes without too much hassle, so it’s a good choice for busy weeknights.
Honour the Mexican vibes by serving up tortilla chips, guacamole, and salsa as an appetiser.
Want more ideas for steak night? Take a look at what to serve with chimichurri steak.
Rice accompaniments for steak
Rice doesn’t have to be boring! Ditch plain white rice and try these tasty accompaniments for your next steak night:
- Greek lemon rice
- Garlic butter rice
- Spiced tomato rice
- Kimchi fried rice
- Mushroom risotto
- Cowboy rice salad
- Coconut lime rice
- Mexican rice
Fancy something sweet to round off the meal?
Before you go, take a look at the best desserts for a steak dinner, and what to serve with braised steak!
