11 Best Vegetable Sides for Philly Cheesesteak
As decadent as Philly cheesesteak is, you can always make it even more mouth-watering, turning it into a meal that is simply out of this world. Even though you don’t need any sides for it, it sure is nice to add a little fresh crunch of a delicious vegetable side dish to your meaty and cheesy meal.
What I like the most about it is that it goes best with vegetable sides — and these are the ones that I simply adore! So, what are the best vegetable sides for Philly cheesesteak?
Grilled Veggie Skewers
These are a fantastic side for your Philly cheesesteak. Bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes are great for this side, but you can also add whichever veggies you like. Grill them for a smoky, slightly charred taste, and there you have it. The texture of the grilled veggie skewers is tender-crisp and juicy, which complements the juicy Philly cheesesteak.
The reason I love grilled veggie skewers as a Philly cheesesteak side is that they are the gift that keeps on giving. You can further combine them with sauces and dips, taking your meal to the next level.
Creamy Coleslaw
Since Philly cheesesteak is all meat and cheese, a refreshing and zesty crunch is always a welcome addition. A creamy coleslaw can do a great job hear, especially if you are an umami fan.
The slightly sour and salty coleslaw will cut through the richness and heaviness of the Philly cheesesteak, creating a flavor and texture contrast balancing the flavors while adding a wave of freshness to the meal.
The thing I love most about creamy coleslaw is how easy it is to make. I use a mixture of mayo and sour cream. Add a creamy, tangy dressing to shred some cabbage and carrots.
Also, it is always a good idea to let your creamy coleslaw chill in the fridge for about half an hour before you eat. The flavors will mash better, and the cold side will create a temperature contrast with the warm sandwich, accentuating the flavors even more.
Garlic Green Beans
This side is laughably simple but astoundingly delicious. I love the garlic green beans for their lightness, flavor, and vibrancy. They will add a splash of color to your meal and make it more cheerful and, most importantly, healthier.
All you need to do is sautee your green beans with garlic and let them sizzle for a few minutes to soften. They will remain crunchy with an irresistible juiciness and flavor. To make things a little more interesting, you can also add crushed almonds and parmesan to this side.
Your Philly cheesesteak could use some more texture, and the crunch of this side is more than welcome.
I love the flavor of garlic mixed with the earthiness of the beans combined with the meaty cheesiness of the sandwich. I like this side better when warm, but it is also very delicious when chilled too. Moreover, it goes great with many other meat dishes!
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Although a meal in itself, stuffed bell peppers can do great when served as a side. If you have some time on your hands and don’t mind walking the extra mile for a good meal, you should definitely give this dish a whirl.
Hollow out some bell peppers and fill them with a mixture of cooked rice and mushrooms, and add your favorite seasonings. Bake them until the peppers are tender, and the filling is hot, which doesn’t usually take more than 20 minutes to half an hour.
I love this veggie dish for its gentle but very potent flavor and how wonderfully it mashes with the meatiness of the Philly cheesesteak. Their grainy and soft texture creates contrast with the Philly cheesesteak offering a wholesome and a more rustic dimension to the dish. You can spice things up with a hot tomato sauce for some extra warmth.
Tomato and Cucumber Salad
I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to describing why this is an excellent side to Philly cheesesteak. This salad is sheer proof of how the simplest ideas are often the best. Just chop some tomatoes and cucumbers, throw them in a bowl, drizzle olive oil on them, and season with salt and pepper.
First, the texture. You will love the fresh crunchiness of this salad, with the juices spritzing in your mouth with every bite. It is so refreshing and will add a ton of flavor to your meal.
I like to add an olive or two for an umami dimension, but you can skip them if you don’t like them.
This salad is absolutely worth every chance, as it creates a delightful contrast with the Philly cheesesteak sandwich. It is crunchy, fresh, and full of flavor. The acidity of the tomatoes will pierce through the fattiness of the sandwich creating the perfect balance of the ingredients.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These tasty little greens become small pieces of heaven when roasted in the oven. With their slightly sweet, nutty flavor and pleasingly crispy exterior, they make delightful companions to a Philly cheesesteak sandwich.
To make this idea even better, I like to toss them with some balsamic glaze or grated parmesan, but that’s not necessary, as they are delicious anyway. I love the contrast this side makes with the Philly cheesesteak sandwich and how the Brussels sprouts’ flavor cuts through the heavy meatiness of the sandwich.
You can dip them in a creamy sauce, such as mayo and sour cream or cream fraiche, for some tang and zing.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
This is a delicious and slightly smoky and sweet side that pairs deliciously with a Philly cheesesteak. If you don’t mind spending about 40 extra minutes, then give this one a go.
Grilling the corn enhances its natural sweetness and adds a smoky and slightly meaty flavor. You can rub whatever you want on the corn, but my favorite topping is butter seasoned with salt. You can get as creative as you want and add lime, chili, or some cheese.
I love how the kernels create contrast with the Philly cheesesteak, making the dish rich yet light.
Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is a delicious side dish to many meals, but it goes particularly well with rich and heavier dishes, such as the Philly cheesesteak. To make it, you’ll need tomatoes and mozzarella.
Slice them up and line them nicely on a plate; a slice of tomato on a slice of mozzarella. Drizzle some olive oil on top and season with salt and pepper. Traditionally, this side also contains basil leaves, but I prefer not adding them because I don’t like how they mix with the flavor of the Philly cheesesteak. Still, if you want, you can add some basil leaves; totally up to you.
The acidity of the tomato balances the heaviness of the sandwich, while the mozzarella adds softness and elegance to the meal. This is an ideal solution for you if you don’t feel like putting in too much effort but still want to satisfy your peckishness.
Spinach and Peanut Salad
At first, you may feel skeptical about this side, but you will change your mind once you try it. You’ll need only spinach, peanuts, salt, olive oil, and balsamic crème. Chop the spinach as finely as you can, throw it in a bowl, add the peanuts, sprinkle some salt, and drizzle olive oil and balsamic crème.
The peanuts are a great surprise for the palate, randomly dancing in the bite. I love it because it adds crunchiness and a slightly earthy flavor, not to mention how fresh it tastes. The balsamic crème adds a much-needed acidity balancing everything out and enhancing the already existing flavors.
Since I am a sucker for umami, I like adding an olive or two, but you can totally skip the olives. Lemon juice is a great addition here, so try it out; you won’t regret it.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
This light and refreshing side bursts with flavor and vibrant texture. Made with chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and a lemon-tahini dressing, it brightens up the Philly cheesesteak, making it even more delicious.
The salad in itself is flavorful but mild, making it a great companion to the robust-flavored Philly cheesesteak. To make the salad slightly tangy, which is definitely a great idea, add some crumbled feta cheese.
I also like adding some parsley to the salad for a more pronounced Mediterranean flavor, but it may take away from the meatiness of the sandwich. Still, you can try it and decide for yourself.
Cucumber Dill Salad
Although last on this idea lit, this dish is worth every chance. It is a crisp, fresh, and cooling salad that will create contrast flavor and texture-wise with your Philly cheesesteak making the flavors more expressive.
You’ll need thinly sliced cucumbers, dill, and sour cream or Greek yogurt. I like to let this salad sit in the fridge for at least half an hour before serving it, and believe me, it works much better when chilled.
In addition to having it on the side, you can add a scoop inside the sandwich to experience it even more intensely.
The Best Veggie Side for Philly Cheesesteak
Ingredients
- 1 can Chickpeas (15 oz)
- 2 Cucumbers
- 2 Tomatoes
- 1 Red Onion
- 4 tbsp Lemon Tahini Dressing
- 1 tbsp Chopped Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Drain the chickpeas, and dice all the ingredients.
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, and that's it!
- If you like, you can crumble some feta over it and enjoy it with your Philly Cheesesteak! Yum!
