The best sides for Philly Cheesesteak are Garlic Dill Pickles, Cherry Tomato Salad, Roasted Broccoli Rabe, Parmesan Zucchini Spears, and Honey Mustard Three-Bean Salad.
Garlic Dill Pickles - Philly cheesesteak is a huge meal with a lot of greasiness.
For a lighter option, try Honey Mustard Three-Bean Salad. Try a honey mustard three-bean salad; it's the perfect sweet complement to your greasy Philly cheesesteak.
Philly cheesesteak is the ultimate all-American sandwich that packs a powerful punch.
It's incredibly filling, and the melted cheese makes for a buttery flavor; it's a tempting snack.
Pat Olivieri, a south Philly hot dog vendor, created this incredible combo in 1930 when he decided to add some grilled beef to an Italian roll.
The scent was so enticing that it caught the attention of a cab driver who was passing by.
And thus, the Philly Cheesesteak was born.
Today, we'll discuss the best side dishes that go with a traditional Philly cheesesteak.
Read ahead to learn more.
10 Best Side Dishes for Philly Cheesesteak
1 - Garlic Dill Pickles
Philly cheesesteak is a huge meal with a lot of greasiness.
Don't get us wrong; we love it; that's what makes junk food so appealing in the first place.
But if the grease becomes too much, you might want to balance it with a dash of garlic dill pickles.
It's fresh; it's tangy, and delightfully zesty.
And the garlic aftertaste is simply yummy.
A few bites of these zingy garlic dill pickles will knock off the grease overload and hit you with a refreshing crunch.
And the best part is that they can last for weeks; just stock them in the fridge.
If the garlicky tang is appealing, consider how similar flavors work with seafood by checking garlic butter shrimp side ideas for inspiration.
2 - Cherry Tomato Salad
No sandwich is complete without some fresh, juicy tomatoes, and Philly cheesesteak is no different.
Add some cherries to the mix, and we're looking at something super exciting.
A plate of cherry tomato salad is a rejuvenating side dish for your Philly cheesesteak.
It adds a sweet flavor to the mix, and with some extra diced cucumbers, it makes for a desert-like flavor.
The lightness of the salad goes with the heavy meat-filled sandwich perfectly.
You can even include some crumbled feta for a special punch.
We love nibbling on some freshly made cherry tomato salad after all those meaty bites; we hope you do too.
For a brighter, spicier tomato option, compare this salad with cherry salsa side ideas that bring extra heat and acidity.
3 - Roasted Broccoli Rabe
Looking for an easy-to-make veggie side dish for your Philly cheesesteak? Why not try some roasted broccoli rabe?
We know that the Philly Cheesesteak is absolutely scrumptious, but it can become too unhealthy after a point.
Roasted broccoli rabe, or rapini, becomes a balancer, as it is filled with healthy nutrients.
Rapini is bitter, but some complementary add-ons like garlic or lemon produce an exciting result.
If it's still too bitter, just add some orange juice to the mix.
We guarantee you will love this sweet & sour mixture.
It's a wholesome side dish you can whip up in a few minutes, and it tastes great with a Philly cheesesteak.
If roasted greens appeal, try contrasting textures with sweeter veg courses like roasted carrots side pairings alongside the sandwich.
4 - Parmesan Zucchini Spears
Parmesan Zucchini Spears is another entry in the 'healthy side dish' category.
And it's super easy to make.
Just slice up some zucchini into quarter-length pieces and evenly sprinkle some delicious parmesan.
Toss it in the oven and let it heat for a couple of minutes until you get that light brown crust.
The parmesan will ensure you get a crisp side dish with lots of crunchiness.
Add some fresh herbs like oregano or basil to get that grass-like taste.
Enjoy your low-carb parmesan zucchini spears as you gorge on that ginormous Philly cheesesteak.
For more parmesan-forward sides that match the cheesy theme, see chicken parmesan side ideas that translate well to vegetable dishes.
5 - Honey Mustard Three-Bean Salad
If you're tired of the usual leafy salad that only includes boring veggies and greens, then we have something better for you.
Try a honey mustard three-bean salad; it's the perfect sweet complement to your greasy Philly cheesesteak.
Honey mustard three-bean salad has an exciting combo of chickpeas, green & kidney beans mixed into a honey mustard paste.
And the best part is you can prepare it within 30 minutes.
The honey brings a sweet and tangy element to the beans, and we can't stop loving it.
The sweet & tangy flavors balance each other out, giving it a rare punch that goes amazingly well with a Philly cheesesteak.
If sweet-heat combos appeal, compare the dressing here with sides listed under honey sriracha chicken side pairings for complementary contrasts.
6 - Cilantro Lime Slaw
Lime always brings a light, refreshing element to any meal, and it's no different with cilantro lime slaw.
Preparing it is easy; just grab a coleslaw mix pack from the store.
Prepare the dressing with some cilantro, greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic, and green onions.
Throw everything in a blender and pulse it until it's complete.
Add some mayo, salt & pepper, celery seeds, and apple cider vinegar to the mixer for the sauce.
If you want a sweetener, you can go with some honey.
Cilantro lime slaw releases a tasty citrus flavor that makes the Philly cheesesteak feel less overwhelming.
Overall, it brings a zesty tang to go with all that meat and cheese.
Add some seeded chili pepper for a spicy twist.
For more citrus-herb sidedishes that echo this slaw, review cilantro lime chicken side pairings for additional zesty ideas.
7 - Fried Okra
Fried okra is a beautiful southern side dish that goes incredibly well with the Philly cheesesteak.
Ok, we know okra doesn't have the best reputation among foodies.
But trust us; this is one salty treat you will love to munch on.
Philly cheesesteak, although delicious, is incredibly slimy and somewhat oily.
The crisp fried okra, which has a tender inside, balances everything to give you a perfectly well-rounded meal.
The mild taste, the grassy textures, and the sweet mix brings an explosion of flavors.
We love the extra layer added by the cornmeal batter, which combats the original taste of the okra.
Overall, it makes your boring Philly cheesesteak into a supreme meal with various flavors.
For more crunchy fried accompaniments that contrast the sandwich, consider chicken fried rice side suggestions which highlight crisp textures and savory touches.
8 - Avocado Fries
We know that french fries are the go-to side dish for just about anything.
But have you ever tried avocado fries?
This distant cousin of the french fry brings an exciting twist to the family tree.
Also, it works as an amazing side dish to a Philly cheesesteak.
Avocados taste kind of nutty, with a touch of creaminess that makes for a wholesome flavor.
They also have a buttery texture and carry a grassy undertone.
Compare that to the rich, meaty flavor of the cheesesteak, and you can see why this is an interesting combo.
Deep-fried avocados balance the heavy cheesesteak and give you something crispy to munch on the side.
The coating wears down the fruity avocado flavor, making it a great french-fry alternative.
9 - German Potato Salad
Need something interesting to breathe life into your cheesesteak? Why not try a German potato salad?
Instead of using the same old creamy mayo, we'll use a mustard-vinegar dressing for this rendition.
Add some bacon grease to the dressing, and we really have something juicy in our hands.
Mixing vinegar punch with some tangy mustard brings a wonderful 'zing' to the flavor.
This ensures that the combination isn't overfilled with creaminess, considering how heavy the Philly cheesesteak already is.
Overall, it makes for a great surprise and a zappy flavor that will last with you for a long time.
10 - Southern Macaroni Salad
Southern Macaroni Salad is a classic picnic side dish in the South.
It's a creamy, zesty, and sweet salad that has small bite-sized pieces of tender macaroni noodles swimming in a delicious mix of mayonnaise, mustard, diced onion, celery, and bell pepper.
This unique combination of flavors and textures counterbalances Philly cheesesteak sandwiches with its creaminess and sweetness - making it the perfect pairing for hot roast beef between two slices of bread.
Southern Macaroni Salad is the perfect accompaniment to add taste and texture to any summer meal.
10 Sides That Enhance Philly Cheesesteak
The Philly Cheesesteak is a fantastic meal filled to the brim with juicy meat, soft bread, and the greasy aftertaste we enjoy.
After all, grease and oil are the best parts of this all-American meal.
However, we admit that this special meal can be too bland or creamy at times.
This is why it's important to have a side dish that can tackle these elements and provide a balanced and well-rounded combination.
We have listed the top ten side dishes that go amazingly well with Philly cheesesteak.
Each of them comes with its own unique features and brings a nice mix into the combo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garlic Dill Pickles Philly cheesesteak is a huge meal with a lot of greasiness. Add some cherries to the mix, and we're looking at something super exciting.
Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.
Look for sides with brightness or acidity to cut through richness. Garlic Dill Pickles Philly cheesesteak brings the right contrast.
A squeeze of citrus or a vinegar-dressed salad achieves a similar effect if you want something lighter.
A good side dish either contrasts or goes with the dominant flavor. If the main is rich and savory, something with acidity or crunch balances the plate without competing.
Can side dishes be swapped based on dietary needs?
Yes.
Most classic pairings have easy swaps - substitute roasted vegetables for grain sides, or use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for a lower-carb option.
The 12 BEST Sauces That Goes with Philly Cheesesteak and bread choices both shape the meal. sauces for Philly cheesesteak overview pairs with many sides. best bread for Philly cheesesteak recommendations shows which loaves stand up to heavy fillings.