This article was updated on the 5th of September 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your fries, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 15 of the most popular side dishes for fries.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best dishes to serve with fries are butter burgers, flank steak, beer-battered fish, and chicken tenders. For healthier options, try mussels, tofu nuggets, and shakshuka. You can also serve Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, chili, barbecue pulled pork, Korean corn dogs, and chicken gyros.
For each side dish, I’ve provided alternative options to cater to various diets and lifestyles, including vegan, quick and easy, and health-conscious options.
Classic Pairings
You can never go wrong with pairing crispy golden fries with these dishes!
Marinated Flank Steak
Total Time: 29 mins
Who says you have to go to a steakhouse to enjoy steak and fries? You can easily make steak in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Start off with an affordable cut of beef, like flank steak – and make sure to marinate it, so it becomes tender when cooked. This recipe from CarlsBad Cravings in particular, features a phenomenal marinade that’ll make your flank steak flavorful and oh-so-juicy.
Psst… A luscious gorgonzola cream sauce is superb with steak and fries.
What readers are saying…
“Best marinade ever!!!!! This recipe was so good! Can’t wait to make it again!!!!“
“We have had a lot of Flank steak over the years, this is by far the best recipe!!! We couldn’t stop eating it!!!“
“Incredible marinade. My flank steak was so delicious. Can’t wait to use it again.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Beer-Battered Fish
5.0 ⭐️ (100 ratings) | 22 mins
It’s a no-brainer to serve your fries with crispy, beer-battered fish. I like to use cod or tilapia to make this dish, but you can use any white fish.
The key to this dish is getting that beer batter right. Aside from an ice-cold pale ale, combining rice flour and all-purpose flour ensures a crispy coating that won’t go soggy quickly.
Enjoy your beer-battered fish and crispy fries with a side of tartar sauce or malt vinegar for the true English experience.
What readers are saying…
“This is the first time I’ve made beer-battered fish and it was a success! Thank you for this recipe with its clear instructions.”
“I made this recipe replacing flour with gluten-free flour and beer with gluten-free beer and it was amazing! The crisp was no joke!”
“This recipe is fantastic, thank you for putting it together! For anyone wondering if it’s worth the trouble of frying… it definitely is!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Chicken Tenders
5.0 ⭐️ (7 ratings) | 44 mins
Are your kids asking to have fries for dinner? Grant their wish and whip up some chicken tenders to complete the meal.
Making them is such a breeze with this recipe from Cooking with Janica. The coating has a touch of cayenne pepper in it, but you can leave this out if your dinner guests don’t like spice.
Choose your favorite dipping sauce to go alongside (mine’s ranch) and you have an easy mid-week dinner.
Psst… reheat your chicken tenders in the air fryer for best results.
What readers are saying…
“Had family over tonight served Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders, went over great.. Definitely make them again.”
“My kids LOVE these! They won’t let me buy the frozen kind anymore after tasting how good these are.“
“The only chicken tender recipe that I use. My family loves them.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🥥 Coconut-Crusted Chicken Tenders
🌾 Almond-Crusted Chicken Tenders
Butter Burger
4.5 ⭐️ (248 ratings) | 30 mins
Craving something indulgent? This butter burger is exactly what you’re looking for.
Every element of this burger has touched butter – the onions and patties are cooked in butter, and the buns are smothered in the stuff.
This burger is simply sinful, but it goes so well with crispy fries. Just make sure you don’t have anywhere to go after this meal.
What readers are saying…
“I love this recipe so much. Took it a step further and fried the buns in the same pan for an ever more buttery treat. Great recipe!”
“I now make these every Friday night for dinner!”
“Hands down one of the best burger recipes. Love the simplicity of it.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
4.9 ⭐️ (24 ratings) | 54 mins
Philly cheesesteak is the ultimate sandwich. And you won’t need to fly to Philadelphia to give it a try with this recipe!
Tender, flavorful beef, sauteed onions, and provolone cheese all encased in a crusty hoagie roll – what more can you ask for?
The secret to this irresistible sandwich lies in the shaved beef. It’s been marinated in a mixture of Worcestershire sauce, garlic, vinegar, and sugar to ensure it’s super tasty.
What readers are saying…
Enjoyed these for lunch today and wanted to say what a sandwich! Have never had better Philly Cheesesteak.
“Awesome flavor, super tender!“
“Family is raving over these! “Better than Pepperjax”, “You’ve outdone yourself.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🌶 Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich
🌱Vegan Philly Cheesesteak with Jackfruit
Barbecue Pulled Pork
5.0 ⭐️ (5 ratings) | 1 hr 30 mins
Pork up your fries with a generous helping of barbecue pulled pork (see what I did there…).
It’s the ideal accompaniment for fries, especially if you’re feeding a hungry crowd. You can even use it to make dirty fries by topping the fries with saucy pulled pork, then some melted cheese and (optional) jalapenos.
And what I love about this is it’s ready in just one hour of cooking in the Instant Pot!
What readers are saying…
“This recipe is perfect! It not just looks great, but is really nutritional too!“
“This looks amazing! Such a genius idea to make pulled pork in the Instant Pot.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Tofu Nuggets
4.9 ⭐️ (45 ratings) | 40 mins
Are you giving meatless Mondays a try? Make these tofu nuggets and a side of French fries for the ultimate meat-free meal.
The key to getting crispy tofu? Press it to draw out as much liquid as you can.
This recipe also recommends double coating your tofu to achieve that gorgeous, crunchy, golden brown crust.
Psst… don’t forget the dipping sauce! I really like this vegan garlic aioli!
What readers are saying…
“I never comment on recipe websites EVER but I felt compelled to because these are so good.”
“I baked these for my family and they LOVED them!!! I had never had such crispy tofu baked in the oven before. It is also great to have a crispy recipe that doesn’t require deep frying!”
“Awesome. These strips go great in both salad and wraps! Thanks for the recipe!“
Deliciously different alternatives…
International Influences
Fries are a staple in Western cuisine, but their versatility knows no bounds. From Mediterranean to Asian cuisine, you’re bound to find dishes you can serve with a platter of crispy, golden fries.
Korean Corn Dogs
4.6 ⭐️ (24 ratings) | 1 hr 10 mins
Getting bored of your regular corn dogs? Give this Korean version a try!
It features mozzarella and a hotdog on one stick, coated in a yeasted batter and covered in panko breadcrumbs (instead of the normal cornmeal batter). It’s a combination of crispy, gooey goodness in every bite.
This corn dog is excellent on its own, but it’s even better with a side of fresh-off the oven fries.
Psst… make sure to use whole milk mozzarella for best results.
What readers are saying…
“Your yeast dough is perfect. Way better than using baking powder. Thanks for sharing your recipe.“
“Perfect for Korean Drama Night!!!“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Mussels in White Wine Sauce
4.5 ⭐️ (2 ratings) | 20 mins
Take inspiration from Belgian cuisine and serve your fries with this mussels dish.
This dish features mussels cooked in white wine, garlic, and cream. It’s simple but delicious (one of my favorite meals in fact – I always order it when it’s on the menu).
I simply dunk the fries straight into the broth to soak up all the salty, creamy goodness. Yum!
Pro-tip: Swap the white wine for fish stock and add a bit more lemon juice if you want to make this alcohol-free.
What readers are saying…
“Great recipe! Made it last night to rave reviews… Delicious sauce get some good bread for dipping!”
“Made this last night exactly as written. It was FABULOUS!”
“Hi! These were super easy to make and they tasted pretty good!“
Deliciously different alternatives…
🍅 Steamed Clams in Spicy Tomato Sauce
🌱 Artichoke Hearts in Garlic White Wine Sauce
Shakshuka
5.0 ⭐️ (259 ratings) | 30 mins
Fries aren’t just for dinner; they’re also great for brunch, especially when paired with shakshuka.
It’s a North African stew that involves a deliciously spiced tomato sauce with poached eggs. I also like finishing it off with feta crumbles for extra flavor.
My favorite part about this dish is breaking the egg’s yolks and mixing them with the stew — then dipping some fries in. YUM!
What readers are saying…
“Made this recipe last night! It’s a winner and definitely going onto my ‘repeat list.’“
“This was so tasty! I went a little off from the recipe because we were low on ingredients and shakshuka is a great clean-out-the-fridge meal!”
“Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. It’s absolutely delicious! My family loves it. Going to cook it again for dinner tonight!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Chicken Gyros
5.0 ⭐️ (82 ratings) | 50 mins
Gyros is one of the most well-known Greek dishes. It’s a favorite for a reason – marinated meat with some fresh veggies wrapped in a flatbread will always be a massive hit.
But the hero of this dish is the tzatziki sauce, which also happens to be a perfect dipping sauce for fries!
You can even add some fries to the wrap if you want.
What readers are saying…
“I made these tonight for the first time and they were absolutely delicious! I didn’t have pita, so I used carb-balance tortillas. My husband loved them!”
“I made this for my family tonight and it was a major success!!! Even our picky 8 year old said it was delicious! We are adding this to our weekly rotation.”
“This recipe was even better than the restaurant.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Butter Chicken Masala
5.0 ⭐️ (121 ratings) | 50 mins
I always thought making butter chicken from scratch takes a lot of work, but this recipe from My Food Story has proven me wrong!
And you don’t need copious amounts of cream to achieve that luscious consistency. The secret is to use cashews! They’ll make the sauce extra creamy without making the dish too heavy.
While butter chicken masala is usually served with naan and rice, I also love pairing it with crispy fries. The thick, flavorful sauce is perfect for dipping.
What readers are saying…
“The best ever butter chicken Must try. No regrets that I chose this but regret buying it out.”
“This is the perfect butter chicken recipe follow the recipe to the exactly as mentioned & you will never fail.“
“…this recipe IS just like the best Butter chicken curries we’ve eaten from Restaurants, and actually better than some of the others.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Comfort Food
Enjoy your fries alongside these comfort dishes for the ultimate cozy meal! Just a heads up though — you might end up seeking out a couch to nap on after eating.
Chili
4.9 ⭐️ (251 ratings) | 2hrs 20 mins
Looking for something comforting to go with your fries? You can’t go wrong with classic chili.
This dish is loaded with meat and beans, making it extra filling. And it’s perfect for winter when all you want to do is sit in front of the TV with some homely food.
You can serve the chili in a bowl and have the fries on the side, but I prefer pouring it over the spuds and topping everything with cheese. Delish!
What readers are saying…
“The best ever butter chicken Must try. No regrets that I chose this but regret buying it out.”
“This is the perfect butter chicken recipe follow the recipe to the exactly as mentioned & you will never fail.“
“…this recipe IS just like the best Butter chicken curries we’ve eaten from Restaurants, and actually better than some of the others.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Classic Meatloaf
4.9 ⭐️ (26 ratings) | 1hrs 25 mins
Meatloaf is an old-fashioned classic that isn’t always the prettiest food, but it’s oh-so-comforting.
There’s just something about the lightly spiced beef mixture slathered with a sweet-tangy glaze that makes me nostalgic!
And I know meatloaf is typically served with mashed potatoes, but I especially love it with salted fries whenever I feel like switching things up.
Psst… leftovers make for a great sandwich the next day!
What readers are saying…
“First time making meatloaf, but my millionth time eating it, and this is the best I’ve ever had!“
“This is our family’s new favorite meatloaf recipe.”
“This was a HIT!!! turned out AMAZING.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
🦃 Thanksgiving Turkey Meatloaf
🍄 Mushroom-Walnut Meatless Loaf
Poutine (Gravy and Cheese Curds)
4.9 ⭐️ (45 ratings) | 1 hr
Poutine is pure Canadian comfort food, and if you’ve never tried it, you’re missing out big time.
It features fries smothered in a rich gravy with some creamy cheese curds to balance out all the savory flavors. Is your mouth watering yet?
And a little fun fact for you: this is one of the few french fry dishes you have to eat with a fork. So get your cutlery ready and dig into this authentic poutine!
What readers are saying…
“The brown gravy was incredibly delicious it made the entire dish for us. Family came over and ate it all before I could get a second helping.”
“I made this recipe this week and it was a big hit with my husband and adult children.”
“Turned out great! First time making poutine at home; really terrific recipe!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
What To Serve With Fries – 15 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion butter burger
- 1 portion shakshuka
- 1 portion chicken tenders
- 1 portion chili
- 1 portion beer-battered fish
- 1 portion marinated flank steak … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your fries according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: marinated flank steak, beer-battered fish, chicken tenders, butter burger, philly cheesesteak sandwich, chili, korean corn dog, barbecue pulled pork, mussels in white wine sauce, tofu nuggets, shakshuka, and chicken gyros.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
![25 Delicious Ways To Enjoy Matcha [Sweet And Savory]](https://pantryandlarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Matcha-recipes-200x200.jpg)
