What Should You Serve with Wagyu?

Wagyu beef is ultra premium, top-tier food. So it may be daunting for some when deciding what else to pair with the high end beef to make for a delectable meal. Thanks to the Wagyu experts at The Meatery, we can provide a road map to satisfaction by way of what sides, appetizers and wine to pair with your Wagyu cut.

APPETIZERS

Start strong, finish strong. Starting off with a great appetizer helps determine the route your Wagyu steak meal is going to take. Here’s a couple apps that ensure you’re on your way to destination delectable.

• Charcuterie plate w/ cheese, salami, prosciutto.
• Thinly sliced baguette w/ jam, olives, fresh fruit.

The charcuterie plate opens up your palate to the saltiness of the slices meat, while the cheese primes it for the buttery Wagyu goodness. As for the baguette’s trimmings, such components will provide a good contrast to the savory and lush properties of Wagyu beef.

SIDES

Don’t get too caught up in the details here. Just make sure your side dishes are just what side dishes already should be — excellent compliments to your main dish.

• Sautéed Brussel sprouts, asparagus or spinach seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil/butter.
• Leek.
• Sautéed mushrooms.
• Baked potatoes.
• Salad made of fresh peas, herbs, and flat-leaf parsley with a drizzle of olive oil.
• Rice Pilaf.

These side dishes will help lift the richness and smokiness of the Wagyu beef.

WINE

It’s not rocket science, though many seem to treat wine pairings as such. For the most part a good steak is typically served with a red wine to balance and complement the richness of beef. Think red wines with robust tannins and higher acidity.

• Beringer
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Syrah
• Shiraz

A good rule of thumb to go by: the rarer the steak, the stronger the wine. Japanese sake is also an excellent choice to pair with your Wagyu beef.

DESSERT

You’ve hit the home stretch, so to finish as strong as you started, go with a dessert that you already know will bring your meal to a delicious close. Preference is king here as a fruity, tart dessert or a rich chocolatey pie both serve as tremendous compliments to your Wagyu experience. So at this point, do you!