Bushra Griffith
The Philly cheesesteak is a beloved sandwich, but what to serve on the side? Some say that the best sides are the classics: French fries, onion rings, and nachos. But there are many other options to consider, from salads to vegetables to potatoes. Salads can be green, like a simple garden salad with Italian dressing, or a cherry tomato salad, or they can be heartier, like a Greek spinach pasta salad or a potato salad with a mustard-vinegar dressing. Vegetables can be roasted, like broccoli or cauliflower, or fried, like crispy green beans. And potatoes can be roasted, like hasselback potatoes, or fried, like sweet potato fries or tater tots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salads | Potato salad, Greek spinach pasta salad, garden salad with Italian dressing, cherry tomato salad |
| Fries | French fries, sweet potato fries, air fryer shoestring fries, waffle fries, steak fries |
| Onion rings | Air-fried bacon-wrapped onion rings, blooming onion |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, cauliflower, crispy green beans, okra, mushrooms |
| Dips | Guacamole, sour cream, salsa, chipotle mayo |
| Other | Coleslaw, pasta, nachos, tater tots, chicken nuggets, cheese curds |
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What You'll Learn
Salads
Another option for a salad to serve with cheesesteaks is a simple mixed green salad with a balsamic vinaigrette. This salad can include ingredients such as romaine lettuce, baby spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado. The balsamic vinaigrette is a classic, tangy dressing that pairs well with the other ingredients.
If you're looking for something a little heartier, you can try a steak salad with potato rolls or cornbread muffins on the side. This salad can include ingredients such as arugula, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and blue cheese. The potato rolls or cornbread muffins add a bit of substance to the salad, making it a more filling option.
For a more unique flavour profile, you can try a steak salad with a creamy balsamic vinaigrette. This dressing is made with a combination of balsamic vinegar and creamy ingredients such as mayonnaise or yogurt, resulting in a rich and tangy flavour. This salad can include ingredients such as spinach, tomatoes, avocado, and red onion.
Finally, a steak salad with feta cheese is another option to serve with cheesesteaks. This salad includes mixed greens, avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. The feta cheese adds a tangy, salty flavour to the salad, and you can finish it off with a grind of freshly cracked black pepper.
Cheese Curds: A Hearty Serving Size
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Crispy sides
There are several crispy side dishes that you can serve with cheesesteaks to elevate your meal. Here are some ideas:
Fries
Classic French fries are a popular choice to serve with cheesesteaks. You can cook them in an air fryer to get that crispy, golden texture on the outside and fluffy inside. Waffle fries, steak fries, and sweet potato fries are some variations you can try.
Onion Rings
Onion rings are another crispy side that pairs well with the savoury flavours of cheesesteaks. You can wrap them in bacon or make a blooming onion in your air fryer as a fun, shareable alternative.
Tater Tots
Tater tots, especially when made from scratch in an air fryer, are crispy and salty. They are easy to freeze for future meals, so you can always have some on hand.
Potato Chips
Homemade potato chips are a perfect crispy side to add to your cheesesteak dinner. They are a hit with both kids and adults.
Salads
While salads may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of crispy sides, they can include crispy elements. For example, a Greek spinach pasta salad with fresh baby spinach, or a potato salad with a crispy element like bacon. You can also add a crunch to your salad with homemade croutons.
These are just a few ideas for crispy sides to serve with cheesesteaks. Experiment with different recipes and find your favourites!
Potato-based dishes
Cheesesteaks are a delightful meal, but with a great side, they can get even better. Here are some potato-based dishes that can be served with cheesesteaks:
Potato Salad
A potato salad might taste basic, but with a creamy mustard-vinegar dressing, it can become a mouthwatering version. This dressing is also much healthier than mayonnaise. The mustard dressing makes the salad tangy and flavorful. You can prepare this salad a day before so it sits for an extended time and tastes brilliant.
Crispy Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
You can make these fries at home, and they will come out exactly like your favorite fast-food fries! They’re crispy, golden on the outside, and perfectly fluffy inside. You can also cook different types of fries, such as waffle fries and steak fries.
Spiced Roasted Potatoes
These are thinly sliced potatoes that are roasted to perfection in the oven with a garlic butter sauce. They make an elegant side dish for your meal.
Homemade Potato Chips
All you need are potatoes, oil, and salt to make a batch of homemade potato chips. These can be the perfect addition to your next dinner, and kids and adults alike will love them.
Tater Tots
Why buy frozen tater tots when you can make them from scratch? These air fryer tater tots are crispy and salty, and easy to freeze for future meals.
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Healthy options
When serving cheesesteaks, there are several healthy side options to choose from. One option is to serve a salad, such as a potato salad with a mustard-vinegar dressing, a pasta salad, or a green salad with an Italian dressing. Alternatively, you could serve roasted broccoli, steamed broccoli with a homemade cheese sauce, or cauliflower bites with a dip. Other healthy options include cherry tomato salad, sautéed mushrooms, or coleslaw. If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, you could try air fryer shoestring fries, tater tots, or sweet potato fries.
For a healthier option that doesn't skimp on flavour, try roasted buffalo cauliflower. Cauliflower florets are tossed in a buffalo sauce and oven-roasted until tender. This dish is packed with flavour and has a satisfying crunch that pairs well with the soft steak and gooey cheese of the cheesesteak. You can also serve them with a tangy dipping sauce for added flavour. Another option is crispy green beans, which are lightly battered and fried to golden perfection. These beans provide a textural contrast to the cheesesteak and can also be served with a dipping sauce.
If you're looking for a refreshing side dish, consider making a Greek spinach pasta salad. This salad combines fresh baby spinach, pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and feta cheese, all tossed in a homemade vinaigrette dressing. It's a perfect light option to balance out the richness of the cheesesteak. Another refreshing option is creamy jalapeño corn, which is a tasty and easy side dish. The corn and diced jalaños are coated in a creamy, flavourful sauce that will add a touch of spice to your meal.
Lastly, a classic side dish that pairs well with cheesesteaks is coleslaw. It's creamy, juicy, and nutritious, and its crunchy texture goes well with the softness of the cheesesteak. You can also serve it with a dollop of guacamole on the side, made with ripe avocados, tomatoes, lime, and cilantro. This adds a zesty and smooth contrast to the savoury flavours of the cheesesteak.
Dips
There are a variety of dips that can be served with cheesesteaks. Here are some ideas:
One option is to serve a dip with crispy green beans. The green beans can be lightly battered and fried to a golden perfection, providing a textural contrast to the soft steak and gooey cheese. A tangy dipping sauce, such as a creamy mustard-vinegar dressing, can be the perfect complement to the crispy green beans.
Another option is to serve a variety of dips with sides such as sweet potato fries, onion rings, French fries, or tater tots. These dips could include a chipotle mayo, a spicy ketchup, a creamy garlic dip, or a tangy barbecue sauce.
For a healthier option, you could serve a dip with steamed broccoli or roasted buffalo cauliflower florets. A rich and creamy cheese sauce or a tangy blue cheese dip could be a perfect pairing with these vegetable sides.
Additionally, if you're looking for a more unique dip option, you could try a pepperonata dip. This classic Italian sauce is made from bell peppers, tomatoes, and aromatics, and pairs well with sandwiches and grilled meats.
Lastly, a simple and refreshing dip option could be a guacamole made with ripe avocados, tomatoes, lime, and cilantro. This zesty and smooth dip can be served with sides such as chips or nachos, or simply as a dollop on the side of your cheesesteak.
Frequently asked questions
There are a variety of side dishes that go well with cheese steaks. Some of the most popular options include French fries, onion rings, and nachos. Other options include salads, such as a potato salad or a green salad, and vegetables, such as broccoli or cauliflower.
A potato salad with a mustard-vinegar dressing is a good option to serve with cheese steaks. Other salad options include pasta salad, Greek spinach pasta salad, and a simple garden salad with Italian dressing.
Yes, there are several vegetable side dishes that can accompany cheese steaks. Some options include crispy green beans, roasted buffalo cauliflower, steamed broccoli with cheese sauce, and sautéed mushrooms.
Yes, there are numerous other side dishes that can be served with cheese steaks. Some options include sweet potato fries, chicken nuggets, tater tots, coleslaw, and guacamole.
