The Best Sides for the Philly Cheesesteak

The Philly cheesesteak is one of our favorite dishes. It’s a great meal, filling and relatively easy to make.

We love making different sandwiches and rotating them for meals because they never seem to get boring. One of the best things is that you can also easily change the sides you serve to keep things interesting.

It’s easy to fall into a rut and feel like you’re always serving the same things the same way. When you start to get into these cycles, it’s time to break down the walls and get creative.

Changing the sides of your meals can almost change the entire meal.

What are the best sides for a Philly cheesesteak?

Some of the classic options to serve with the Philly cheesesteak are French fries and onion rings. Anything fried, like pickles, okra, or avocados, are great options in general. Other options are salads, chips and even nachos.

In this guide, we’ll share with you some of our favorite sides to serve with Philly cheesesteaks. We have a good selection of options for you and perhaps some that you have never considered.

What’s in a Philly Cheesesteak?

A Philly cheesesteak can be prepared in many different ways, but there are some traditional ingredients that should always be present.

The traditional way to make a Philly cheesesteak is with shredded steak, caramelized onion, bell peppers, and provolone cheese.

There are different ways to enjoy a Philly cheesesteak and there are a number of ingredients that have become very popular for making them.

Here are some things you might want to try on your Philly cheesesteak:

• American cheese
• ketchup and mustard
• Spicy or stone mustard
• Chilli Peppers
• mushrooms
• banana peppers
• jalapenos
• Mayonnaise
• Bacon

The 7 Best Sides for the Philly Cheesesteak

We could go over the garnishes all day, but at some point you’ll get tired of reading them.

So we’ve narrowed them down to our top picks to share with you. We won’t share full recipes here, but we’ll give you all the details and inspiration so you know what your garnish options are and how to take advantage of them.

1. French fries

French fries are a classic side dish. You probably already know about this option, but we’re going to spend some time on it anyway.

It’s probably one of the most common side dishes you’ll see or hear about when it comes to Philly cheesesteaks, and with good reason.

There’s something about those salty, crunchy, golden potato chunks that makes us crave wild.

It’s almost like hamburgers. You just have to serve them with fries. That’s how it should be, isn’t it? The thing is so. There are so many types of French fries!

While you can use frozen fries and pop them in the oven or air fryer, or even microwave them for a quick side dish, the best option is to make your own homemade fries just the way you like them.

From here, you can also season your fries or fill them with toppings. Cheese fries or garlic parmesan fries are some delicious options that go great with Philly cheesesteaks.

If you really want to vary it, you can make all kinds of chips with other foods, like pickles, okra, avocados, and sweet potatoes.

The fried avocados, in particular, offer a unique and fresh flavor that beautifully complements the flavors of the Philly cheesesteak.

Some people even make Philly cheesesteak fries in place of sandwiches, creating a side dish and main course, all in one delicious cheesy package.

2. Coleslaw

Coleslaw is another popular side to the Philly cheesesteak. Often times, you can get the best of all 3 worlds at restaurants that serve up fries and coleslaw along with their Philly cheesesteaks.

The coleslaw has vinegar in the sauce and the combination brings out the flavors of a Philly cheesesteak.

The refreshing, crisp, and light taste of coleslaw is also a nice reprieve for your taste buds from all the strong flavors of cheese, steak, and caramelized onion.

Some people even like to add coleslaw to their sandwiches instead of as a side dish.

Coleslaw is nice because you can make or buy a large amount at once, but it doesn’t take much effort to make either. Neither does it need hot oil or frying to prepare it.

If you want to keep it simple, coleslaw is a great option for you.

3. Onion rings

Onion rings are another classic option that you can’t go wrong with. Your Philly cheesesteak will most likely have onions and bell peppers, but onion rings are a totally different option and bring a whole new flavor to the table.

Onion rings can be fried or baked. You can buy them already prepared or you can bread them and make them yourself from scratch; it totally depends on you.

We have some of our own recipes that you can consult, one for onion rings without eggs and another for onion rings without milk.

Prepare the onion rings so that they are crispy and golden brown, and that crunch will go very well with the Philly cheesesteak you are making.

If you’re using the onion rings as a garnish, you probably won’t need anything else except your favorite dipping sauce. If you want something more, make it light and simple. Maybe add a side salad or cole slaw.

4. Nachos

Mmmmm… who doesn’t like nachos? Is there anything better than a delicious Philly cheesesteak and a side of nachos? Probably not.

The great thing about nachos is that you can put whatever toppings you want on them or keep it simple and just use nacho cheese.

It’s that easy. Nachos are pretty easy to make and can be customized to your preferences.

If you really want to switch things up, skip making the nachos as a side dish and make Philly cheesesteak nachos instead. How rich!

But don’t take our word for it. Give it a try and tell us what you think!

5. French fries

French fries are a very reliable accompaniment. They are simple and effective. French fries go great with Philly cheesesteaks because they have that salty flavor and crunchy flair.

They’re a hit for many of the same reasons as onion rings and French fries.

What kind of fries? Really do not care. Use whatever you have on hand, make your own French fries or try a new flavor of French fries. Try to use a flavor that complements the Philly cheesesteaks.

We recommend sea salt and vinegar, something cheese flavored, or perhaps a barbecue option.

One of our favorite fries to pair with Philly cheesesteaks is a kettle-style fry. You can order them flavored or plain, and they are perfect as a side dish.

Whether you buy a bag of chips or make your own at home, it’s a classic side dish that will work great.

6. Potato or macaroni salad

If you want to switch things up a bit and move away from deep-fried, try using a potato or macaroni salad as a side dish. If you don’t like making them, you can go to your local deli and buy some already made.

However, if you like to make your own garnishes, they’re pretty easy to make, and again, you can switch up the flavors or make them however you like.

Both potato salad and macaroni salad can be prepared in many different ways and a little goes a long way.

It is a simple garnish that does not require much effort and can be served cold. You can make it ahead of time and not have to worry about whether it will still be fresh and tasty when you’re ready to serve the Philly cheesesteaks.

7. Salad

If you want your side dish to be a bit healthier, a salad is always a good option. Make a side salad and keep it simple. Most Philly cheesesteaks have vegetables, so you don’t have to go overboard.

You can use some of the same greens from your sandwiches, or stick to simple things like lettuce, spinach, carrots, and tomatoes. It’s up to you.

We recommend using a creamy type of dressing or something with vinegar. These will contrast well with a Philly cheesesteak and complement the flavor, melding all parts of the meal in perfect harmony for your enjoyment.