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What to Serve with Salisbury Steak: 15 Easy Sides for This Classic

What to Serve with Salisbury Steak: 15 Easy Sides for This Classic

Salisbury steak has been a huge part of American food culture for over 70 years. 

I mean, the older generations will definitely remember the TV dinner tray. 

You know, the one you heated in the oven before downing the molten lava-like mashed potatoes and gravy?

Ah! Good times!

The actual recipe is pretty straightforward; Salisbury steaks are basically hamburger patties or individual meatloaves doused in gravy.

However, the meal truly shines through when the side dishes go well with it. 

That’s why we’re rounding up what to serve with Salisbury steak, as well as the flavor combinations that will scratch that nostalgic itch. 

What to Make with Salisbury Steak: Which One Will Be Your Favorite?

When it comes to Salisbury steak sides, you can go the traditional way, with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans, or mix it up a bit.

That’s why the list below has something for everyone! 

1. Brown Mushroom and Onion Gravy

Let’s start off with a solid brown onion and mushroom gravy recipe that’s the perfect accompaniment to the Salisbury steak.

This recipe has become my all-time favorite choice to pair with hearty, beefy dishes. 

The good-quality beef stock, paired with the mushrooms, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce, creates this umami-bomb gravy that elevates anything you pour it on.

2. Crispy Fondant Potatoes

 

Fondant potatoes are crispy and creamy roasted potatoes that resemble seared sea scallops. They probably should have named them scalloped potatoes.

What sets this dish apart from other roasted potato recipes is the texture. 

The side you pan fry becomes so crispy and crackly, and the middle turns buttery soft like luxurious mashed potatoes. 

It gets better:

The bottom gets caramelized when the chicken stock reduces to a glaze.

This yields a unique texture and flavor experience that no other potato side dish can replicate!

3. Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Oven Roasted Asparagus

This is as simple as a side dish can get. 

Toss the asparagus in enough olive oil to coat, sprinkle it with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and then pop it in a 425 °F oven for 12–15 minutes.

Dress it with anything you like once it comes out of the oven.

I like to sprinkle it with a little parmesan cheese and black pepper.

4. Turkish Rice Pilaf with Orzo

 

Many cultures have old recipes where you saute smaller pasta shapes, like orzo or vermicelli, in butter and then add them to the rice.

This step adds a toasty, nutty flavor and makes for a more interesting final flavor than boring old white rice.

I chose this to pair with Salisbury steak because rice is the perfect delivery system for the gravy. 

5. Simple Sauteed Veggies

 

Who doesn’t like a simple yet delicious side of sauteed vegetables? This is a welcome addition to any comfort food.

This recipe adds a little bit of kick via Anaheim chilis, but you can substitute bell peppers if you don’t like any heat.

If you’re a little more adventurous, you can add a Serrano chili to pump the Scoville rating of your final dish.

6. Classic Mashed Potatoes

Classic Mashed Potatoes dish

When you hear “Salisbury steak,” one of the first sides you imagine right next to it is mashed potatoes. 

Well, that’s because they go perfectly together! There’s nothing more comforting than a bite with mashed potatoes, gravy, and juicy Salisbury steak.

7. Garlic Butter Egg Noodles

 

This is a childhood classic that most of us grew up eating, but with a little twist. 

Using fresh garlic adds a lot more character to these buttered noodles and also pairs really well with the Salisbury steak. 

There’s not much to be said about simple comforts like this one, though.

We all know the feeling of a warm bowl of buttered noodles.

8. Green Beans Almondine

Green Beans Almondine recipe

Another mid-century recipe that proves to be a staple for a reason. 

Honestly, I was more than a little skeptical before I tried green beans almondine out. 

However, the addition of the aromatics (garlic and shallots), as well as the burst of freshness from the lemon juice and zest, had me hooked!

The almonds provide a nice contrasting deep crunch to the snappy green beans, and the roasty, toasty flavor is also a winner here.

If you’re not fully convinced, I suggest you try out a small batch and see if you like it.

I have a feeling this one will make it through your holiday rotation!

9. Healthy Mashed Cauliflower

 

Mashed potatoes are one of the simple pleasures of life, but sometimes, we need to dial down on the carbs and find a healthier substitute.

This is where this recipe comes in; imagine all the creamy, comforting goodness of mashed potatoes for a fraction of the macros.

That’s a great deal!

But take care:

You need to squeeze the cooked cauliflower really well if you expect it to have the luxurious texture of mashed potatoes.

10. Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

 

Recently I realized that making vegan substitutions -at least for the side dishes in any meal, can be super easy, healthy, and delicious.

You just need to find a good recipe to follow.

This broccoli quinoa casserole is just that; a good recipe.

It’s delicious on its own, but it also pairs really well with Salisbury steak.

I especially enjoy the bright green broccoli alongside the quinoa, which looks stunning if you use the rainbow variety.

Just gorgeous!

11. Julia Child’s Popovers

 

There’s a time to be healthy and a time to indulge.

And who better to go to for indulgence than the queen of French cooking, Julia Child?

This recipe doesn’t sound French, but popovers are a cousin of the British Yorkshire pudding, which is right around the corner from France. 

Popovers are fun to make and eat, but they require a good deal of care when transferring the batter to the hot, greased pan. 

Serve them alongside pot roast, Salisbury steak, or even a fancy steak.

They’re always a crowd-pleaser and a perfect reservoir for gravy!

12. Potatoes Romanoff 

 

If you like traditional potato gratin, you’ll love potatoes Romanoff!

This recipe uses sour cream and shallots to give a little more dimension to the cheesy baked gratin.

The texture is also interesting because you don’t thinly slice the potatoes; you shred them. 

This yields a fluffier end result that combines all the best bits of twice-baked potatoes and mashed potatoes into one.

Try this one out, and I guarantee you won’t crave a traditional potato gratin again!

13. Creamy Parmesan Polenta

 

Those who think polenta is a suitable side dish for Italian food only should think again.

Well, I dare say polenta is a perfect side dish to any and everything.

Just imagine the delicious Salisbury steak brown gravy becoming one with the creamy polenta (what and easy way to repurpose leftovers as well!).

That’s heaven, right there!

14. Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

 

Keeping up with the Italian theme, this Cacio e Pepe pasta recipe is a simple yet satisfying side to any heavy, rich main course.

The flavors are delicate enough to make the gravy shine, but the toothsome bite of al dente bucatini pasta is just what the doctor ordered!

15. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

 

If you want the salty, crispy bite of French fries without all the deep-fried guilt, this recipe is for you.

Fries that are crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, all with a nice serving of dietary fiber from this superfood. Perfection!

Wrap-Up

Salisbury steak is an easy enough dinner, but knowing what to serve with Salisbury steak can be quite a pain!

That’s why we compiled this list!

The options range from classic potato dishes and sautéed veggies to the less common broccoli and quinoa casserole.

Whatever you choose, make sure you cover it in gravy. There’s no such thing as too much gravy!

what to serve with salisbury steak hdr

What to Serve with Salisbury Steak: 15 Easy Sides for a Classic

Ideas and recipes to make with salisbury steak

Ingredients

  • Brown Mushroom/Onion Gravy
  • Fondant Potatoes
  • Roasted Asparagus
  • Rice Pilaf
  • Sauteed Veggies
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Egg Noodles
  • Green Beans Almondine
  • Mashed Cauliflower
  • Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
  • Popovers
  • Potatoes Romanoff 
  • Parmesan Polenta
  • Cacio e Pepe
  • Potato Fries

Instructions

  • Choose your desired salisbury steak side dish recipe.
  • Gather and organize needed ingredients.
  • Create a tasty salisbury steak side recipe to complete your meal!

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