Flank steak, a beloved cut known for its robust flavor and versatility, often takes center stage in a meal. However, the perfect side dish can transform a simple flank steak into an unforgettable dining experience. Choosing the right accompaniment not only complements the meat’s rich flavors but also adds color, texture, and nutrition to your plate. This curated list of 20 side dishes for flank steak explores a variety of flavors and ingredients, from classic pairings to innovative creations. Whether you’re planning a casual barbecue or an elegant dinner party, these recipes promise to elevate your flank steak meal, ensuring a harmonious blend of tastes that will delight your guests and satisfy your culinary cravings.
1. Garlic Roasted Potatoes
A Classic Comfort
Garlic Roasted Potatoes are a classic side that pairs beautifully with flank steak. The crispy exterior and tender interior, combined with the aromatic flavor of roasted garlic, make these potatoes a comforting addition to any meal.
Versatile and Beloved
This dish’s appeal lies in its versatility and the universal love for well-roasted potatoes. They can be seasoned to match the flavor profile of your flank steak, whether you’re aiming for something herbaceous, spicy, or simply salted.
Simple Elegance
Despite their simplicity, Garlic Roasted Potatoes bring an element of elegance to the table. They’re a testament to the power of basic ingredients, perfectly prepared, to create something truly special.
2. Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Butter
A Fresh, Zesty Side
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Butter offers a fresh, zesty side that contrasts nicely with the savory depth of flank steak. The brightness of the lemon and the richness of the butter enhance the natural flavors of the asparagus.
Perfect for Outdoor Dining
Ideal for outdoor grilling alongside your flank steak, this asparagus dish is not only delicious but also convenient. It’s a perfect choice for spring and summer meals, bringing a touch of freshness to the plate.
Elegantly Simple
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Butter is elegantly simple, showcasing how a few quality ingredients can elevate a side dish into something memorable. It’s a vibrant addition that complements the richness of the steak.
3. Creamy Polenta
A Comforting Base
Creamy Polenta serves as a comforting base that beautifully complements the textures and flavors of flank steak. Its smooth, creamy texture contrasts with the meat’s chewiness, while its mild flavor provides a backdrop that allows the steak to shine.
Rich and Versatile
Polenta’s rich, buttery taste, enhanced with cheese or herbs, makes it a versatile side that can adapt to a range of flavor profiles. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a hearty, satisfying accompaniment to their steak.
A Rustic Touch
Adding a rustic touch to the meal, Creamy Polenta is a nod to traditional cooking methods and ingredients. It brings warmth and comfort to the dining experience, making it a favored choice for family dinners.
4. Chimichurri Sauce
A Bright, Herbaceous Accompaniment
Chimichurri Sauce, with its bright, herbaceous flavors, is the perfect accompaniment to flank steak. This Argentinian sauce, made from parsley, garlic, vinegar, and oil, adds a refreshing contrast to the meat’s richness.
A Versatile Condiment
Beyond serving as a sauce for steak, Chimichurri can be used as a marinade or a dressing for vegetables, making it a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire. It’s a burst of flavor that elevates the entire meal.
Simple Yet Transformative
The simplicity of Chimichurri Sauce belies its ability to transform a dish. It’s a testament to the power of fresh herbs and simple ingredients to create a condiment that’s both versatile and transformative.
5. Charred Corn Salad
A Sweet and Smoky Side
Charred Corn Salad brings a sweet and smoky side to your flank steak meal. Grilled corn, mixed with fresh herbs, cheese, and a lime dressing, offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures that complement the meat perfectly.
Perfect for Summer Barbecues
This salad is the perfect addition to summer barbecues, capturing the essence of the season with its fresh ingredients and grilled elements. It’s a colorful, flavorful dish that’s sure to be a hit at any outdoor gathering.
A Harmonious Blend
The blend of sweetness from the corn, smokiness from the grill, and tanginess from the dressing creates a harmonious side dish that pairs wonderfully with the savory flavors of flank steak. It’s a refreshing, satisfying choice that enhances the overall meal.
6. Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
A Caramelized Delight
Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts are caramelized to perfection and drizzled with a rich balsamic reduction. This side dish combines the earthy flavors of Brussels sprouts with the sweetness of balsamic vinegar, creating a balance that enhances the natural taste of flank steak.
A Touch of Sophistication
Adding a sophisticated touch to your meal, these Brussels sprouts are a far cry from the bland, boiled versions of the past. They’re proof that the right preparation can transform any vegetable into a star side dish.
Ideal for Entertaining
With their elegant presentation and deep flavors, Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts are ideal for entertaining. They pair beautifully with the robustness of flank steak, offering a dish that’s sure to impress guests.
7. Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A Light, Nutritious Option
Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette offers a light yet nutritious side option that perfectly complements flank steak. Packed with vegetables and dressed in a refreshing lemon vinaigrette, this salad adds a healthy, flavorful component to your meal.
A Versatile Salad
This quinoa salad is versatile, easily adapting to include your favorite vegetables and herbs. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate more grains and greens into your diet, making it a perfect match for the hearty flavors of flank steak.
Refreshing and Filling
Despite its lightness, Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is surprisingly filling, thanks to the protein-rich quinoa. It’s a refreshing side that doesn’t weigh down the meal, keeping the focus on the steak.
8. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey and Cinnamon
A Sweet and Spicy Twist
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey and Cinnamon offer a delightful sweet and spicy twist that complements the savory flavors of flank steak. The natural sweetness of the potatoes is enhanced by honey, while cinnamon adds a warm, aromatic spice.
Comforting and Colorful
This dish brings both comfort and color to the table. Its warm flavors and vibrant presentation make it a comforting side that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Perfect for Fall and Winter
Ideal for cooler months, these roasted sweet potatoes add a cozy element to any meal. They’re a perfect seasonal match for flank steak, bringing warmth and sweetness to your dining experience.
9. Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic
A Crisp, Flavorful Addition
Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic are a crisp, flavorful addition to any flank steak meal. Quickly sautéed to retain their crunch, these green beans are tossed with garlic for a simple yet delicious side that’s full of flavor.
Read also: 18 Delicious Flank Steak Recipes
A Quick and Easy Side
One of the best aspects of this dish is its quick and easy preparation. It’s an ideal side for busy weeknights when you want to add a fresh, healthful element to your meal without spending much time in the kitchen.
Garlicky Goodness
The addition of garlic elevates the green beans, adding a depth of flavor that pairs wonderfully with the richness of flank steak. It’s a testament to how a few simple ingredients can create a side dish that’s both tasty and satisfying.
10. Cauliflower Mash
A Low-Carb Companion
Cauliflower Mash is a creamy, low-carb companion to flank steak, offering a lighter alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. It’s rich and buttery, with a smooth texture that complements the meat’s savory flavors.
Versatile and Creamy
This mash is incredibly versatile, easily flavored with herbs, cheese, or garlic to suit your taste. Its creamy consistency and rich taste make it a crowd-pleaser, even among those skeptical of cauliflower.
Ideal for Health-Conscious Dinners
For those looking for healthier side options, Cauliflower Mash is an excellent choice. It pairs beautifully with flank steak, creating a balanced, satisfying meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture.
11. Parmesan Truffle Fries
A Gourmet Treat
Parmesan Truffle Fries bring a touch of gourmet luxury to your flank steak meal. Coated in truffle oil and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, these fries are a decadent side that’s sure to elevate the dining experience.
Indulgent and Flavorful
The indulgent flavor of truffle, paired with the sharpness of Parmesan, makes these fries an irresistible addition. They’re perfect for when you want to indulge a bit and treat yourself to something special.
A Crowd Favorite
Despite their luxurious ingredients, Parmesan Truffle Fries are a crowd favorite, appealing to both adults and children alike. Their crispy texture and rich flavor make them a hit at any gathering, perfectly complementing the boldness of flank steak.
12. Beet and Goat Cheese Arugula Salad
A Vibrant, Elegant Side
Beet and Goat Cheese Arugula Salad is a vibrant, elegant side dish that combines the earthy sweetness of beets with the creamy tang of goat cheese, all atop a bed of peppery arugula. Drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is a symphony of flavors.
Perfect Balance of Flavors
The balance of sweet, tangy, and peppery flavors makes this salad a perfect complement to the rich, savory notes of flank steak. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a lighter, flavorful side that doesn’t overpower the main course.
A Beautiful Addition to Any Table
With its stunning presentation, Beet and Goat Cheese Arugula Salad adds a touch of beauty to any table. It’s not just a side dish but a work of art that enhances the overall dining experience.
13. Grilled Vegetable Platter
A Smoky, Colorful Array
A Grilled Vegetable Platter offers a smoky, colorful array of seasonal vegetables grilled to perfection. This side dish celebrates the natural flavors of the vegetables, with a light char that complements the smokiness of grilled flank steak.
Versatile and Healthy
This platter is incredibly versatile, allowing for a mix of your favorite vegetables. It’s a healthy, vibrant addition to the meal that adds variety and nutrition, making it a great choice for feeding a crowd with diverse dietary preferences.
Simple Yet Impressive
Despite its simplicity, a Grilled Vegetable Platter is an impressive addition to any meal. It showcases the beauty of simple ingredients cooked in a way that highlights their best qualities.
14. Cilantro Lime Rice
A Zesty, Flavorful Base
Cilantro Lime Rice serves as a zesty, flavorful base that pairs wonderfully with flank steak. The freshness of cilantro and the tang of lime juice infuse the rice with vibrant flavors, making it a refreshing side that balances the meal.
A Light and Versatile Side
This rice is light yet satisfying, offering a versatile side that complements the bold flavors of flank steak. It’s a perfect choice for those looking for a side dish that’s flavorful but not too heavy.
Easy to Prepare
Cilantro Lime Rice is not only delicious but also easy to prepare, making it an ideal side for busy cooks. It’s a straightforward dish that delivers on taste and convenience.
15. Macaroni and Cheese
A Comforting Classic
Macaroni and Cheese is a comforting classic that everyone loves. Its creamy, cheesy goodness offers a rich, comforting side that pairs surprisingly well with the savory flavors of flank steak, adding a touch of indulgence to the meal.
A Crowd-Pleasing Favorite
This dish is a crowd-pleasing favorite, perfect for family meals or gatherings where comfort food is key. It’s a versatile side that can be customized with different cheeses or additions like bacon or breadcrumbs.
Rich and Satisfying
Though rich, Macaroni and Cheese can be a satisfying complement to flank steak, especially when looking for a hearty, fulfilling meal. It’s a classic choice that brings warmth and comfort to the dining table.
16. Moroccan Carrot Salad
A Spicy, Sweet Side
Moroccan Carrot Salad is a spicy, sweet side dish that brings a burst of flavor to flank steak meals. Seasoned with spices like cumin and cinnamon and tossed with fresh herbs and a citrus dressing, this salad is a vibrant addition that’s both healthful and flavorful.
Exotic and Refreshing
The exotic flavors of this carrot salad offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of flank steak, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to add an international flair to their meal. It’s a delightful way to enjoy the sweet and earthy notes of carrots.
Colorful and Nutritious
With its colorful presentation and nutritious ingredients, Moroccan Carrot Salad is not just tasty but also good for you. It adds a pop of color and a dose of vitamins to your meal, making it a balanced, flavorful side.
17. Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes
A Hearty, Customizable Side
Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes offer a hearty, customizable side dish that complements the savory taste of flank steak. Topped with ingredients such as sour cream, chives, cheese, and bacon, these sweet potatoes can be tailored to match the flavors of your meal.
Read also: 26 Radish Recipes
The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes pairs wonderfully with the savory toppings, creating a delightful balance of flavors. It’s a comforting side that’s both satisfying and versatile, perfect for adding a sweet and savory element to your flank steak dinner.
Nutritious and Filling
Packed with nutrients and fiber, Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes are not only delicious but also filling and healthful. They offer a satisfying side that complements the lean protein of the steak, making for a balanced and nutritious meal.
18. Spinach and Strawberry Salad
A Light, Refreshing Combination
Spinach and Strawberry Salad is a light and refreshing combination that brings a sweet and tangy contrast to the savory flavors of flank steak. The fresh spinach and ripe strawberries, tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette and topped with nuts and cheese, create a salad that’s as flavorful as it is colorful.
Perfect for Spring and Summer
Ideal for spring and summer meals, this salad captures the essence of the seasons, offering a bright, fresh side that lightens up the meal. It’s a perfect choice for outdoor dining, adding a burst of freshness to your flank steak feast.
A Blend of Textures and Flavors
The combination of textures and flavors in this salad—crisp spinach, juicy strawberries, crunchy nuts, and creamy cheese—makes it a delightful side that’s sure to impress. It’s an easy way to add elegance and nutrition to your meal.
19. Broccoli Salad
Refreshing and Nutrient-Packed
Broccoli Salad brings a fresh, nutrient-packed alternative to traditional salads, with its combination of crisp broccoli, sweet raisins, and a hint of red onion, all tossed in a creamy dressing. This salad is not only visually appealing but also offers a blend of textures and flavors that can complement a wide range of main dishes, including grilled chicken or fish, for those seeking wholesome, flavorful options.
Light Yet Satisfying
The beauty of Broccoli Salad lies in its balance: it’s light enough not to overshadow the main dish yet substantial enough to be satisfying. With each bite, you get the crunch of broccoli, the sweetness of raisins, and the tangy creaminess of the dressing, making it a perfect side for balancing out more robust flavors.
Simple to Make and Adaptable
What makes Broccoli Salad especially appealing is its simplicity and adaptability. It’s a dish that requires minimal prep time and can be easily adjusted to suit your taste preferences. Whether you’re adding bacon for a smoky flavor, sunflower seeds for extra crunch, or swapping the raisins for dried cranberries for a different kind of sweetness, this salad is a versatile and elegant choice for any meal.
20. Sautéed Mushrooms in Red Wine Sauce
A Rich, Savory Side
Sautéed Mushrooms in Red Wine Sauce is a rich and savory side dish that pairs exquisitely with flank steak. The mushrooms are cooked in a luxurious red wine sauce, enhancing their natural umami flavors and creating a side that’s both sophisticated and deeply satisfying.
Perfect for Special Occasions
This dish is perfect for special occasions, adding a touch of elegance to your meal. The red wine sauce not only complements the mushrooms but also the flank steak, tying the flavors of the meal together beautifully.
A Symphony of Flavors
The combination of earthy mushrooms and robust red wine creates a symphony of flavors that enhances the overall dining experience. It’s a side dish that’s sure to be remembered, offering a perfect balance to the meat’s savory taste.
Conclusion
This collection of 20 side dishes for flank steak spans a wide range of flavors, textures, and culinary influences, ensuring that there’s a perfect accompaniment for every taste and occasion. From the classic comfort of Garlic Roasted Potatoes and the creamy indulgence of Macaroni and Cheese to the light and refreshing Spinach and Strawberry Salad, each recipe has been carefully selected to complement the rich flavors of flank steak. Whether you’re seeking a nutritious and light option like Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower or a luxurious treat like Sautéed Mushrooms in Red Wine Sauce, these sides promise to elevate your flank steak meal, creating a harmonious and memorable dining experience.
