Have you ever wondered what side dishes are for Italian Beef Sandwiches? Italian Beef sandwiches have a reputation for being messy, but they actually taste great with a side of macaroni salad.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Italian Beef Sandwiches?
Italian beef sandwiches are a favorite among food lovers. They are made with thinly sliced roast beef that is then covered in its own juices and served on Italian bread. It is a delicious sandwich that has a bit of spice to it, but it can also be served with side dishes to give you something extra to enjoy.
If you’re thinking about serving side dishes for Italian beef sandwiches, here are some things to consider.
Make-Ahead Dishes
You want your guests to enjoy their meal as soon as possible, so make-ahead dishes will help keep your preparation time down. You can make these dishes ahead of time and store them until you are ready to serve them.
Sides That Go Well With Italian Beef Sandwiches
There are many different types of side dishes that go well with Italian beef sandwiches. Some people like coleslaw or even pasta salad with theirs. Other popular options include French fries or potato chips and even baked potatoes.
If you’re serving Italian beef sandwiches, make sure that you have some tasty side items to go with them. Your guests will be glad you did.
15 Best Side Dishes for Italian Beef Sandwiches
Italian beef sandwiches are a staple of Chicago-style cuisine, but they’re not the only thing you can make with Italian beef meat.
Here are 15 side dishes that will complement your Italian beef sandwich and make it a complete meal.
1. Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries make a great accompaniment to Italian beef sandwiches. This easy recipe takes the humble sweet potato and transforms it into an amazing side dish for your sandwiches. You can even make these ahead of time and reheat them for serving later in the day!
2. Classic Potato Salad
If you love potato salad, then you’ll love this classic recipe. It’s made with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and celery for a zesty flavor that’s perfect for any occasion.
3. Roasted Vegetables
Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness while keeping them firm and crunchy. Try roasting cauliflower or broccoli with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt to make a healthy side dish option!
4. Creamed Corn
This is a classic option. The corn is cooked with cream and butter, flavored with garlic and parsley, and finished with Parmesan cheese. It’s a great way to add some texture to your meal.
5. Hasselback Zucchini
Hasselback zucchini is sliced in half lengthwise and then cut into 1/4-inch slices. It’s then seasoned with salt, pepper, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese before being baked in the oven until tender (but not mushy).
6. Garlic Bread
You can never go wrong with garlic bread. It’s simply brushed with melted butter and topped with minced garlic cloves before being baked in the oven until golden brown.
7. Creamy Polenta
Polenta has always been a popular side dish in Italy, but this creamy version takes it to a whole new level of comfort food goodness.
8. Coleslaw
The classic coleslaw is made with a base of cabbage, carrots and mayonnaise dressing. But there are many variations on this classic side — try adding celery, walnuts or raisins for extra flavor and crunch!
9. Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus is one of those foods that seems fancy but is actually super easy to prepare at home. It’s also one of those foods that everyone loves — even people who don’t usually like vegetables!
10. Steamed vegetables
Steamed broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans make a great side dish for your Italian beef sandwich. Just steam them ahead of time and keep them warm in the oven until you’re ready to eat.
11. Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is another healthy option for an Italian beef sandwich. Try mixing together some fresh fruit (grapes, pineapple, and strawberries are good choices) with some yogurt or sour cream for extra flavor and texture.
12. Italian Pasta Salad
A cold pasta salad is also a great complement to an Italian beef sandwich. Cook up some spaghetti or other pasta, let it cool completely, and then toss it with diced tomatoes, sliced olives and whatever else sounds good to you!
13. Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
This is an easy way to make macaroni and cheese. You can use any kind of pasta you like and add whatever veggies you have on hand. The dish comes out cheesy with a hint of garlic in every bite.
14. Brussels Sprouts
The Italians love their vegetables, so they will be happy when you serve them brussels sprouts as one of their side dishes. They’re packed full of nutrients and vitamins, so this dish is good for everyone’s health!
15. Parmesan Potato Wedges
This is another great side dish for Italian beef sandwiches because it goes well with both meaty and vegetarian options. Everyone loves potatoes, so these will be gobbled up in no time at all!
Top 5 Ingredients You Need To Make The Best Italian Beef Sandwich
Italian beef sandwiches are a Chicago staple. If you’ve ever been to the Windy City, you know what I’m talking about. The sandwich is basically a roast beef sandwich with Italian spices and peppers, and it’s delicious!
First off, you need the right ingredients. Here are four ingredients that will help you make an authentic Italian beef sandwich:
1. Roast Beef Sandwiches With Garlicky Giardiniera
The first thing you need to make an Italian beef sandwich is roast beef! If you don’t have any in your freezer, you can get some from your local butcher or supermarket. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try making your own roast beef using this recipe for slow cooker roast beef! It’s super easy and tastes amazing!
2. Italian seasoning mix
This mixture of dried herbs contains basil, oregano, marjoram, and thyme — all of which add flavor to the meat. The key ingredient is garlic powder, which adds a subtle but sweet taste to the bread. Garlic salt can also be used instead if an Italian seasoning mix isn’t available.
3. Italian spices
Italian spices are what give this dish its special flavor! They include oregano, basil, garlic powder, and black pepper. Do not skip these ingredients!
4. Giardiniera
Giardiniera is a signature condiment in Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches. It consists of pickled vegetables including cauliflower, carrots, celery, and peppers packed in oil-and-vinegar brine. The mixture adds tanginess as well as heat to the sandwich. If you can’t find giardiniera at your local grocery store or butcher shop, try making your own (here’s a recipe). Pickled peppers and onions are other popular choices for topping Italian beef sandwiches because they add sweetness to balance out the spiciness of hot peppers without overpowering them with heat.
5. Pickled Vegetables and Fontina Cheese
The first step to making an Italian beef sandwich is to braise the roast for several hours with onions, garlic, and spices. At home, we skip that step by using pre-roasted beef (a lot like buying pre-made bread). Or if you want to try your hand at braising, here’s our recipe for braising your own roast at home — just skip the first step where you brown it in a pan on top of the stove.
FAQs
1. What is the best way to reheat leftover Italian beef sandwiches?
To reheat leftover sandwiches, place them in an oven-safe dish and cover them with foil. Heat them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes or until they are warmed through. If possible, turn the sandwich over on its other sides so that both sides get reheated evenly.
2. What goes well with Italian beef sandwiches?
Side dishes that go well with Italian beef sandwiches include French fries, potato chips, coleslaw, and green salads (such as spinach salad). You can also try serving corn on the cob, broccoli, or asparagus if you want a healthier option. Chicago-style hot dogs are another great side dish that works well with this sandwich.
3. What type of bread should I use for my Italian beef sandwich?
The authentic way to serve an Italian beef sandwich is on a French roll called a “bolillo” (pronounced boh-lee-yo). You can also use other types of rolls such as kaiser rolls or sub rolls. If you’re serving your sandwich at home, it’s fine to use whatever type of bread you like best — just make sure it has some kind of crust so that it will hold up under all those juices!
4. What are some fun side dishes for Italian beef sandwiches?
We love adding a little crunch to our meal by serving up some fresh veggies on the side. Some favorites include green bell peppers, cucumbers, and celery sticks. You can also try dipping them in your au just for extra flavor!
5. What are some good dipping sauces for Italian beef sandwiches?
Sauces are another way to add some delicious flavor to your sandwich without having to add anything else on top of it! We love using a spicy marinara sauce or garlic sauce on top of our Italian beef sandwiches because they really bring out all those savory flavors from inside the meat itself.
In Conclusion
So there you have it! A few creative side dishes for an Italian beef sandwich. If you’re hosting a pregame party then these are definitely something to try out. You can find great recipes online, but it’s always best to try stuff out for yourself. Trust me, this is one meal that you will want to savor every single bite of!