Quick Answer: The Best Healthy Side Dishes for Philly Cheesesteak
A Philly cheesesteak is a delicious sandwich made with thinly sliced beef and melted cheese. While tasty, it can be high in calories, fat, and sodium. Choosing a healthy side dish can help balance out the meal. Some great options include:
- A green salad with vinaigrette dressing
- Roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts
- Baked sweet potato fries
- Fruit salad made with berries and citrus
- Steamed green beans
- Roasted chickpeas or nuts
- Whole grain pilaf or brown rice
- Fresh tomato and cucumber salad
Opting for vegetable-based sides like salads, roasted veggies, and beans will add fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Sweet potato fries baked instead of fried can satisfy a craving for something crisp and hearty. Fruits like berries make a refreshing sweet and tangy accompaniment. Whole grains provide complex carbohydrates and nutrients.
Aim for sides that add color, texture, and nutrients to balance the rich cheesesteak. Steer clear of more indulgent options like french fries, macaroni and cheese, or creamed spinach. Watch portion sizes as well. Enjoy the cheesesteak as the main event and keep sides light.
What Makes a Good Side Dish?
When choosing side dishes for any meal, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Complement, don’t compete – The side shouldn’t overpower or clash with the main dish. Look for flavors, textures, colors that complement the star of the plate.
- Add nutrition – Pair less nutritious mains with more nutrient-dense sides to achieve a well-rounded meal.
- Satisfy cravings – Sides can provide a taste, texture, or nostalgia factor that completes the experience.
- Keep variety – Vary side dishes to prevent meal boredom and experience more foods.
- Consider ease – Simple sides on busy nights, more complex recipes when you have time.
For cheesesteak specifically, the priorities are lighter sides to balance the richness and choosing options that bring color, crunch, and fresh flavors. You want the sides to work with, not compete with the cheesesteak flavors. Crisp, cold salads and slaws, roasted seasoned veggies, and fresh fruits make ideal matches.
Nutrition Goals for Pairing with Philly Cheesesteak
When building a healthy plate, aim for:
- 25% lean protein – cheesesteak provides this
- 25% healthy fats – small amounts from cheese
- 50% non-starchy vegetables and/or fruit
- Optional 25% starch or whole grain – in side dish
For a cheesesteak meal, focus the sides on producing the 50% produce goal. Fruits and vegetables provide the meal with fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fluid. They also help counterbalance the saturated fat from the cheesesteak’s cheese whiz or provolone cheese. Keep portions of starchy sides like grains or starches like sweet potato fries small to avoid too many refined carbohydrates.
Best Veggie Sides for Philly Cheesesteaks
Here are some of the top vegetable-based side dishes to enjoy with Philly cheesesteak:
Green Salads
Go for a crisp, fresh green salad with vinaigrette dressing. Avoid heavy creamed dressings that would compete too much with the cheesesteak.
Green salad ideas:
- Mixed greens with cucumbers, tomato, onion, bell pepper
- Romaine lettuce Caesar salad
- Baby spinach with mushrooms, red onion, walnuts, and poppyseed dressing
- Arugula and endive salad
Coleslaws
A crispy, citrusy slaw pairs wonderfully. The tartness and crunch balances the rich cheesesteak.
Slaw ideas:
- Classic cabbage slaw with cider vinegar dressing
- Broccoli slaw with diced onion and light lemon vinaigrette
- Shredded kale slaw massaged with lemon and olive oil
Roasted Vegetables
Roasting veggies brings out delicious caramelized flavors. Toss vegetables with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast at 425??F until tender. Great options include:
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Butternut squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Beets
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Eggplant
Vegetable Kebabs
Build kebabs with chunks of colorful vegetables brushed with olive oil and roasted. Try combinations like:
- Cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions
- Butternut squash, red onion, peppers
- Eggplant, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms
Best Fruity Sides for Philly Cheesesteaks
Fruit makes a refreshing, vitamin-packed accompaniment to the heavy cheesesteak. The sweet and tart flavors complement without competing.
Fruity sides to try:
- Mixed berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
- Melon salad with cubed cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon
- Pineapple and mango chunks
- Waldorf salad with apples, celery, walnuts
- Citrus segments – orange, grapefruit, mandarin
- Pomegranate seeds
- Grapes
Tips for Fruity Sides
- Toss fruit with a squeeze of citrus juice to keep from browning.
- Mix fruits for more interest – berries, melon, apple
- Top with a sprinkle of fresh mint or grated ginger.
- Serve fruit salad chilled for a cool, crisp contrast.
Best Whole Grain/Starch Sides for Philly Cheesesteak
While vegetables and fruits should be the priority, you can enjoy a small portion of whole grains or healthy starches on the side too. These provide satisfying texture and carbs.
Whole Grains
- Brown rice pilaf
- Quinoa saut??ed with veggies
- Farro salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta
- Bulgur wheat tabbouleh salad
Starchy Sides
- Sweet potato fries, baked
- Roasted new potatoes
- Whole grain dinner roll
- Corn on the cob
- Baked beans
For grains and starches, stick to a ?? to 1 cup serving size. Measure portions to prevent overdoing it on carbs that can spike blood sugar.
Putting Together a Healthy Philly Cheesesteak Meal
Here are some balanced meal examples with cheesesteak and healthy sides:
Cheesesteak with salad and fruit:
- Philly cheesesteak sandwich
- Romaine lettuce salad with vinaigrette
- Mixed berries
Cheesesteak with slaw and roasted veggies:
- Philly cheesesteak
- Sweet and tangy broccoli slaw
- Roasted cauliflower and carrots
Cheesesteak with salad and grains:
- Philly cheesesteak
- Arugula salad with lemon dressing
- Quinoa pilaf
When planning your own cheesesteak meal, remember to:
- Make vegetables and fruits at least half the plate.
- Add a source of protein like beans if needed.
- Include whole grains in moderation.
- Limit sodium, sugary dressings, and heavy starches.
- Watch portions of grains and proteins.
- Sip water as your beverage.
Sample Meal Plan with Philly Cheesesteak
Here is a full day sample meal plan with a Philly cheesesteak for dinner:
Breakfast
- 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup blueberries and 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
- 1 slice 100% whole grain toast with 1 Tbsp. almond butter
- Coffee or tea
Lunch
- Turkey and avocado sandwich on whole grain bread
- Carrot and celery sticks
- Seltzer water
Dinner
- Philly cheesesteak sandwich
- Side salad with vinaigrette
- Roasted sweet potato wedges
Snacks
- 1 medium apple
- 1 oz. unsalted nuts
This provides balanced nutrition throughout the day. The lighter breakfast and lunch prevent overdoing it on carbs and fat at dinner. The sides with the cheesesteak supply nutritional insurance with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Healthy Homemade Philly Cheesesteak
You can make a healthier cheesesteak at home by:
- Choosing lean steak for the meat rather than fattier ribs.
- Limiting the amount of full-fat cheese or using reduced-fat cheese.
- Opting for a whole grain bun or sub roll.
- Cooking with minimal added oils – grill meat and vegetables instead of frying.
- Loading up on veggie toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions.
- Skipping sugary condiments like ketchup.
Recipe for a lighter cheesesteak:
- 4 oz. lean sirloin steak, thinly sliced
- 1 whole grain sub roll, split
- ?? cup sliced mushrooms
- ?? cup sliced red bell pepper
- ?? cup sliced onion
- 2 tbsp shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
1. Heat a nonstick pan over high heat. Add steak strips and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove from pan.
2. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, and onions to pan. Cook for 2 minutes until tender.
3. Return steak to pan and heat through.
4. Divide steak and vegetables between prepared sub rolls.
5. Top each with 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
This homemade version cuts over 200 calories and 10 grams of fat compared to a restaurant cheesesteak. Enjoy it with plenty of salad and fruit on the side.
Conclusion
A Philly cheesesteak makes a hearty, satisfying meal. Balance its richness by pairing it with lighter, more nutritious sides. Focus on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Bright, fresh salads, crisp slaws, roasted veggies, and mixed berries all perfectly complement a cheesesteak. Limit starchy sides to small portions. Building balanced meals can allow you to enjoy crave-worthy favorites like a Philly cheesesteak while still nourishing your body.