Philly cheesesteak is one of the most popular beef sandwiches. It’s made of thin, tender beef piled on toasted, buttery hoagie rolls, then topped with melted cheese or Cheez Whiz. But people don’t stop at that – they fill it with even more incredible toppings, like caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, and peppers.
With so many possible toppings, Philly cheesesteaks can be very loaded. Thus, if you want to add a side or two, it’s best to go simple and light. Classic choices vary from French fries to salads, and you’ll discover more sides for Philly cheesesteak here!
1. Air Fryer French Fries
These air fryer French fries live up to the standards of a perfect fry: thin, crisp-tender, crunchy, and delicious. But it goes the extra mile by being less oily and much healthier than the usual deep-fried French fries; thus, you can snack on this guilt-less! These taste delicious even without a dip, but you can try dipping this in cheese sauce or Cheese Whiz to match your Philly cheesesteak.
2. Potato Wedges
Potatoes have an incredibly soft flesh that often gets lost when cooked as fries. Thus, make these potato wedges if you want to bring the best of both worlds – crispy skin and a fluffy interior! These wedges’ flavor is also more complex than fries because it’s tossed in paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Lastly, a recipe for a two-ingredient dipping sauce is included!
3. Homemade Salt and Vinegar Chips
Another potato snack that’s perfect with Philly cheesesteak is chips! I’m specifically talking about American chips, which are extra crunchy, paper-thin discs. While most of us get our chips from the bag, you’ll go the extra mile once you’ve had these homemade salt and pepper chips. The balance of sweet and sour flavors leaves you licking your fingers and begging for more!
4. Deep Fried Onion Rings
With these deep-fried onion rings, you can hear that satisfying crunch and taste that sweet onion flavor beneath the thick coating. The fact that it’s deep fried may concern the health conscious, but there are many alternative recipes like air fried or baked. However, deep frying is the original method, so if you want the flavors to be as authentic as they can be, give it a go!
5. Homemade Refrigerator Pickles
While these refrigerator pickles are listed as a side dish, they’re also a fantastic topping for your Philly cheesesteak! Whichever way you have it, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy the fresh, sweet, salty, spicy, and sour flavors it contributes to your main dish. Do note that you must make this at least a day in advance for the seasonings and brine to penetrate the pickling cucumbers.
6. Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Is your Philly cheesesteak missing some heat, crunch, and nutrients? These baked buffalo cauliflower bites will deliver everything you need and more! They’re a healthy alternative to buffalo wings, which can be dense and oily. Thus, the batter and sauce are made from scratch following a recipe that uses much less fat to avoid that. But don’t worry – it’s still as spicy as you expect it to be.
7. Fried Okra
Opt for some fried okra if you want the crunch and nutrients without the heat. This southern delicacy is bite-sized, so each one is fun to pop into your mouth and munch on. As the main element is okra, you might be concerned that these treats taste slimy. However, this recipe ensures it won’t be a concern, so enjoy these healthy snacks with no gross factor!
8. Garden Salad
A light side salad is terrific with Philly cheesesteak because it makes you feel satisfied without being overwhelmed. It’s highly customizable, so you can use any veggie or greens you have on hand. You can also prioritize your palate over convenience by choosing your favorites over what’s in season. But if you don’t want to go out of the box, the provided recipe is perfect.
9. Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
When talking about salads, you’ll usually think of fruits and veggies. However, did you know that you can make a salad out of pasta? This recipe shows you how to combine colorful rotini pasta with meats, veggies, pasta, and a homemade Italian dressing. This simple treat is served chilled, and you can take advantage of that refreshing feel by having this on a hot day, with Philly cheesesteak, of course.
10. Potato Salad
Speaking of refreshing salads, potato salad is a classic summer treat because of its chill and creamy flavors. As evidenced by the recipes above, Philly cheesesteak is impeccable with potato side dishes. However, potato salad stands out from the rest because it tastes much fluffier and more tender, with no crisp textures or skins. It’s also combined with more ingredients, so the overall flavor profile is incredibly complex.
11. Apple Salad with Raisins and Walnuts
Do you have several apples on hand? Then there’s only one choice for a Philly cheesesteak side dish: apple salad with raisins and walnuts. As the name implies, this recipe is an overload of sweet and tart flavors, refreshing juiciness, and crisp textures. But hold on – there’s more than all those because this recipe also has spinach, cheese, celery, red onions, and a homemade yogurt dressing.
12. Kale Avocado Salad
Healthy greens and creamy fruits are a fantastic combination. You can taste that for yourself by making this kale avocado salad. This bright and light dish is excellent for dense, protein-packed foods like Philly cheesesteak. Besides the kale and avocado, there are pine nuts, lemon, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in the dressing and salad itself. Thus, expect several layers of flavor and texture.
