We all have that one go-to recipe—flank steak!
Flank steak is a great, flavorful cut of beef.
And when it comes to designing the perfect meal around it, there’s no question that adding an array of side dishes can truly bring out its best flavors.
But before you start strolling through the freezer aisle looking for microwavable sides, let us help with some tasty accompaniments sure to bring your dinner together without compromising on flavor or texture.
From garlic roasted potatoes to citrus salad and French fries, here are our top 14 suggestions for what to serve with flank steak!
What to Serve with Flank Steak? 14 TASTY Side Dishes
1. Hasselback Potatoes
Hasselback potatoes are a type of roasted potato that is named after the Hasselbacken hotel in Stockholm, Sweden, where they were first served.
These potatoes are sliced thinly, almost all the way through, and then roasted in the oven until crispy.
They can be served as a side dish or a main course.
Hasselback potatoes have a unique taste and texture.
The thin slices allow for more surface area to be exposed to the heat, resulting in a crispy outer layer.
The middle of the potato remains soft and fluffy, making for a delicious contrast in textures.
There are many ways to elevate this dish.
One way is to stuff the thin slices with cheese, bacon, or other ingredients before baking.
This will add even more flavor to an already delicious dish.
Another way to make Hasselback potatoes even more special is to top them with a flavorful sauce or gravy before serving.
No matter how you choose to serve them, Hasselback potatoes are sure to impress.
2. Tex-Mex Couscous
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy side dish to serve with your flank steak, look no further than Tex-Mex couscous.
This dish is packed with flavor and has a great texture that pairs perfectly with the steak.
Plus, it’s super easy to make and can be easily elevated with a few simple ingredients.
The taste of Tex-Mex couscous is really what sets it apart from other side dishes.
The combination of spices, beans, and corn gives it a unique flavor that is both earthy and slightly sweet.
The texture is also perfect for pairing with steak.
The couscous is nice and light but still has enough body to stand up to the steak.
To elevate this dish, try adding some chopped cilantro or green onions.
You could also add a dollop of sour cream or guacamole on top.
For an extra bit of spice, try adding some diced jalapeños.
3. Creamed Swiss Chard
Creamed Swiss chard is a delicious and healthy side dish that goes great with flank steak.
This dish is packed with vitamins and minerals, and the creaminess of the dish makes it a perfect complement to the rich flavor of flank steak.
The taste of creamed Swiss chard is slightly bitter, but this is offset by the creamy texture of the dish.
The Swiss chard leaves are cooked down until they are soft, and then they are combined with a creamy sauce made from milk and flour.
This gives the dish a thick and creamy consistency that is absolutely delicious.
There are a few tips that you can follow to make sure that your creamed Swiss chard is absolutely perfect.
First, be sure to cook the Swiss chard leaves until they are very soft.
This will help to bring out their flavor and make them easier to eat.
Second, be sure to use fresh milk for the cream sauce.
This will give the sauce a richer flavor and make it more flavorful.
Finally, be sure to season the sauce well with salt and pepper before serving.
This will help to bring out all of the flavors in the dish and make it even more delicious.
4. Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob
One of the best things about summertime is the abundance of fresh produce.
One of my personal favorites is corn on the cob.
There’s nothing like biting into a sweet, juicy cob of corn that’s been perfectly roasted.
And it’s so easy to make.
The key to perfect oven-roasted corn on the cob is to start with fresh corn.
You want to look for cobs that have bright green husks and are firm to the touch.
Avoid any that are starting to brown or have limp husks.
Once you’ve got your fresh cobs, the next step is to roast them in the oven.
I like to do this at a high temperature, around 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
This ensures that the corn gets nice and crispy on the outside while staying tender and juicy on the inside.
If you want to take your oven-roasted corn up a notch, try adding some butter and salt after it comes out of the oven.
The butter will add a richness and creaminess that takes it over the top.
The salt will help bring out all of the natural sweetness in the corn.
5. Roasted Mushroom Salad
This roasted mushroom salad is the perfect side dish for a summer BBQ or picnic.
It’s light and fresh, with a slight smokiness from the grilled mushrooms.
The earthy taste of the mushrooms is offset by the sweetness of the balsamic vinegar and the crunch of the radicchio.
The key to this dish is to use a variety of mushrooms so that you get a mix of textures and flavors.
I like to use cremini, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms.
For the dressing, I prefer balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar.
And for the greens, I like to use radicchio or arugula.
To elevate this dish, you could add some crumbled goat cheese or shaved Parmesan cheese.
You could also add some chopped herbs, such as parsley or chives.
Or, for a bit of heat, you could add some crushed red pepper flakes.
6. Orzo Stuffed Tomatoes
Looking for a delicious and healthy side dish to accompany your flank steak? Why not try orzo stuffed tomatoes? This dish is packed with flavor and nutrients and is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
The orzo in this dish provides a satisfyingly chewy texture, while the tomatoes are juicy and bursting with flavor.
To elevate this dish even further, try roasting the tomatoes before stuffing them with the orzo mixture.
This will give the tomatoes an added depth of flavor that will really make this dish stand out.
7. Roasted Carrots with Garlic
These roasted carrots with garlic are the perfect side dish to any meal.
They are so simple to make and only require a few ingredients, but they are packed with flavor.
The carrots are roasted until they are tender and slightly caramelized, and the garlic adds a beautiful depth of flavor.
These carrots are so good on their own, but if you want to elevate them even further, you can add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or honey before serving.
These roasted carrots are the perfect side dish for any meal.
They are so simple to make and only require a few ingredients, but they are packed with flavor.
The carrots are roasted until they are tender and slightly caramelized, and the garlic adds a beautiful depth of flavor.
These carrots are so good on their own, but if you want to elevate them even further, you can add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or honey before serving.
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8. Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is a classic dish that is simple yet flavorful.
The key ingredients in a Caesar salad are romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a dressing made of anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and egg.
The taste of a Caesar salad is savory and slightly acidic from the lemon juice.
The texture is crunchy from the lettuce and croutons and creamy from the dressing.
There are several ways to elevate a Caesar salad.
One way is to add grilled chicken or shrimp for protein.
Another way is to use fresh herbs such as basil or thyme in the dressing.
Finally, you can experiment with different types of cheese in place of the Parmesan cheese.
9. Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is a refreshing and healthy side dish that can be enjoyed all year round.
The sweetness of the fruit is a perfect complement to the savory flavors of flank steak.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing fruit for your salad.
You can use fresh or frozen fruit and mix and match different colors and textures to create a beautiful and tasty dish.
For example, pair juicy strawberries with crisp apples, or sweet mangoes with tart raspberries.
To take your fruit salad to the next level, add a few spoonfuls of yogurt or some crumbled cheese on top.
You could also toss in some chopped nuts or seeds for a bit of crunch.
Serve your fruit salad chilled or at room temperature.
10. Skillet Potato & Egg Hash
This dish is the perfect mix of savory and sweet, with a little bit of crunch.
The potatoes are soft and fluffy on the inside, while the outside is nice and crispy.
The eggs are cooked to perfection, and the whole dish is brought together with a touch of salt and pepper.
The best part about this dish is that it can be easily customized to your liking.
If you like your food a little bit spicier, you can add in some red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
If you’re looking for a more filling meal, you can add in some chopped ham or bacon.
And if you want to make it a vegetarian dish, simply leave out the meat.
This dish is also great for leftovers.
Simply reheat in a skillet over medium heat until everything is hot and bubbly.
You can also add in some additional toppings, like shredded cheese or green onions, before serving.
11. Tostones
Tostones are a delicious and easy way to elevate your flank steak meal.
They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a slightly chewy texture.
Tostones are made by frying green plantains that have been flattened and then smashed.
You can make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge, or cook them fresh when you’re ready to eat.
To make tostones, start by heating some oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Then, add the flattened and smashed plantains to the hot oil and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Once they’re cooked, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
12. Baked French Fries
Ah, the classic French fry.
Who doesn’t love a good, crispy fried potato? But sometimes, you just don’t want the hassle of deep frying at home.
That’s where baked fries come in.
Baked fries can be just as delicious as their fried counterparts, with a fraction of the fat and calories.
The key to getting them crispy is to make sure they’re well seasoned and cooked on high heat.
I like to add a little garlic powder and paprika to mine for extra flavor.
If you’re looking for an even healthier option, you can try oven-baked sweet potato fries.
They’re a little harder to get crispy, but so worth it.
Just make sure to slice them thinly, so they cook evenly.
13. Steamed Spinach with Lemon & Butter
Steamed spinach is a classic side dish that can be enjoyed with all sorts of main courses.
The taste is earthy and slightly bitter, while the texture is soft and silky.
This simple dish can be elevated by adding a few lemon slices and some butter.
If you’re looking for a healthy side dish, steamed spinach is a great option.
It’s low in calories and fat, and it’s packed with vitamins and minerals.
Spinach is also a good source of fiber, which can help to regulate digestion.
When steaming spinach, be sure not to overcook it.
The leaves should be wilted but still bright green.
If they turn dark green or brown, they will be too tough and bitter.
Steamed spinach can be enjoyed as is or served with lemon slices and butter.
14. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Who doesn’t love bacon? And when you pair it with Brussels sprouts, you’ve got a winning dish.
The key to making this dish even better is to get the right balance of flavors.
You don’t want the bacon to be too overwhelming, but you also don’t want the Brussels sprouts to be too bland.
The best way to achieve this is to cook the bacon until it is crisp and then remove it from the pan before adding the Brussels sprouts.
This will allow the bacon flavor to infuse into the oil without making the dish too greasy.
Then, when you add the Brussels sprouts, make sure to season them well with salt and pepper.
This will help bring out their natural flavor.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with other ingredients.
Adding a touch of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar can really elevate this dish and take it to the next level.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a variety of delicious side dishes that go well with flank steak.
You can’t go wrong with any of the dishes listed above.
So, the next time you are wondering what to serve with flank steak, be sure to try one of these fantastic options.
What to Serve with Flank Steak? 14 TASTY Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1. Green Salad
- 2. Antipasto Salad
- 3. Cucumber Tomato Salad
- 4. Simple Skillet Green Beans
- 5. Mozzarella Sticks
- 6. Caprese Stuffed Mushrooms
- 7. Steak Kabobs
- 8. Chicken Cordon Bleu
- 9. Sticky Asian Ribs
- 10. Roasted Eggplant Salad
- 11. Potato Salad
- 12. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- 13. Butternut Squash Soup
- 14. Garlic Bread
Instructions
- Select your favorite sides from the list above.
- Prepare the side dish according to the recipe instructions.
- If you’re short on time, some of these can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Serve and enjoy!
Carrie is a food writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked for some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Martha Stewart Living.
As the Editor in Chief of IntroChicago.com, Carrie oversees all of the content on the site. She also manages the team of contributing writers and editors, who help to create delicious recipes, helpful tips, and informative articles that you’ll find on the site.
A native of the Chicago area, Carrie is passionate about all things food. She loves trying new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She’s also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, so she knows a thing or two about food!