Chipped beef on toast, also known as SOS (creamed chipped beef), is a classic comfort food that brings back memories of childhood for many This creamy, salty dish is simple to make but tasty enough to crave However, chipped beef on toast can use a little help in the flavor department. The right side dishes can take this nostalgic meal from boring to sensational.
I love serving chipped beef on toast for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s a budget-friendly recipe that comes together quickly. While chipped beef on toast tastes great on its own, pairing it with other dishes enhances the experience. The contrasting flavors and textures make the meal more interesting.
After scouring my recipe boxes, I compiled a list of my top 15 side dish pairings for chipped beef on toast. Keep reading to discover an array of options, from savory to sweet. With a little creativity, you can transform this classic into a crave-worthy comfort food.
Savory Side Dishes for Chipped Beef on Toast
Rich, creamy chipped beef begs for something bright and fresh on the side. Crisp, tangy flavors cut through the unctuous sauce, cleaning your palate Savory sides also provide color and crunch Some excellent choices include
1. Hash Browns
Golden, crispy hash browns offer irresistible texture contrast. As a bonus, potatoes pair nicely with most comfort foods. For even more flavor, mix in minced onions or peppers.
2. Scrambled Eggs
Fluffy scrambled eggs add even more creaminess to your chipped beef on toast I like to enhance my scrambled eggs with fresh chives or a sprinkle of cheese Sharp cheddar pairs nicely with the salty beef,
3. Steamed Asparagus
Vibrant green asparagus spears rejuvenate your palate with their fresh, earthy flavor. To retain nutrients, steaming is the best cooking method. A squeeze of lemon brightens up the taste even more.
4. Coleslaw
Tangy coleslaw balances the rich sauce in chipped beef on toast. Using a mix of shredded cabbage and carrots adds delightful crunch. Allowing the vegetables to marinate in the dressing deepens the flavors.
5. Cucumber Salad
A light cucumber salad with red onion slivers and a yogurt-based dressing provides cool, crisp contrast. Thinly slice cucumbers and chill the salad before serving. The mild sweetness of cucumbers equilibrates the saltiness of chipped beef.
6. Roasted Potatoes
While the potato hash offers crunch, roasted potato wedges provide a softer, heartier accompaniment. Russets work well, but fingerlings or baby reds make a colorful addition. Herbs like rosemary and garlic dress up the spuds.
7. Green Beans
Quick-cooking green beans retain their snap, especially if you lightly steam or sauté them. Tossing blanched beans with slivered almonds turns them into a company-worthy side. The fresh, verdant flavor balances chipped beef’s richness.
8. Tomato Slices
Juicy tomato slices stimulate your taste buds with sweet acidity and moisture. Pick plump heirloom varieties for a burst of color too. Drizzle tomatoes lightly with oil and vinegar if you want more tang.
9. Grilled Asparagus
The charred flavor of grilled asparagus makes an excellent complement to chipped beef on toast. Toss spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper before grilling until lightly blackened and tender. The smoky notes are a tasty contrast.
10. Pickles
Pickle spears offer a mouthwatering strong flavor and loud crunch. They also cut through the creamy sauce. Try bread-and-butter pickles, dill pickles, or sweet gherkins. Pickles make chipped beef on toast significantly more craveable.
Hearty and Comforting Sides for Chipped Beef
While fresh sides provide balance, sometimes you want more cozy comfort to accompany chipped beef on toast. Starchy, warm options bolster the dish into a heartier meal. Ideal pairings include:
11. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
What better match for rich gravy than smooth, creamy mashed potatoes? Generous additions of butter and garlic make homemade mashed potatoes irresistible. Potatoes soak up the chipped beef sauce scrumptiously.
12. Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky baked beans offer the perfect flavor and texture contrast to salty chipped beef. Slow bake beans with spices and bacon for intensified flavor. The sauce in baked beans also complements the gravy-like sauce in chipped beef on toast.
13. Roasted Sweet Potato
Candied roasted sweet potato provides a lighter and sweeter alternative to white potatoes. Drizzle wedges with maple syrup before roasting for irresistible caramelized flavor that enhances the beef.
14. Stuffing or Bread Cubes
Bread stuffing is a natural pair for chipped beef gravy. The cubes absorb the sauce deliciously. For a lighter option, toast bread cubes in the oven with olive oil and Italian seasoning. They work excellently as an edible garnish.
15. Buttered Noodles
Don’t overlook simple buttered egg noodles. The rich chipped beef gravy gets soaked up satisfyingly by wide noodles. Cook them al dente so they retain a pleasant chew. Shower noodles with chopped parsley or chives if you want a pop of color.
Sweet Contrasts for Chipped Beef on Toast
While most sides for chipped beef on toast are savory, sweet dishes provide pleasant contrast. The touch of sugary flavors balances the prominent salt and umami. Dessert-like sides for chipped beef include:
-
Fruit Salad – A fresh mixed fruit salad with berries, melon, and citrus sections
-
Sliced Peaches – Sweet juicy peaches sliced over cottage cheese
-
Apple Slices – Sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon
-
Sweet Corn – Grilled corn on the cob brushed with honey butter
-
Baked Apples – Warm baked apples with raisins and brown sugar
-
Glazed Carrots – Shredded carrots cooked with maple syrup
Discover Your Perfect Pairing
Chipped beef on toast is infinitely better with a complementary side dish. The options above just brush the surface of possible pairings. Don’t limit yourself to breakfast pairings either. Chipped beef works for any meal.
Hopefully this list provides inspiration for your next chipped beef on toast meal. Part of the fun is discovering new flavor combinations. Taste as you cook and adjust the seasonings in both the chipped beef and side dishes to find your perfect match. Soon this nostalgic classic will become a favorite meal to recreate when you’re craving comfort food.
How to serve Creamed Chipped Beef
While creamed chipped beef is traditionally served over toast, it can also be served over bagels, English muffins, biscuits, or home fries.
This recipe also goes great alongside a side of bacon or fried eggs, or some hash browns!
What sets this recipe apart
Crisping the chipped beef prior to making the roux for the gravy (cream sauce) really sets this recipe apart, adding a bold flavor to the finished gravy, and better texture to the cooked chipped beef!
How to make creamed chipped beef, the easy way, with minimal ingredients! Heres what youll need:
- Butter. You can use unsalted butter, or salted butter. Keep in mind that the dried beef is very salty. Because of this, I usually prefer to use unsalted butter for this recipe.
- All-purpose flour. This will act as the thickening agent for the gravy. be sure its fully incorporated into the butter and chipped beef to avoid a lumpy gravy.
- Milk. You can use whole milk or 2% milk for this recipe! Either makes a perfectly creamy sauce.
- A package of dried beef. I prefer Knauss brand. You can find this is the cold breakfast meat section of your grocery store. Be sure to get “dried beef”, not “creamed chipped beef”, as youll be making your own gravy. I find the dried beef gives the best flavor, and I am not a huge fan of canned or jarred dried chopped beef.
- Freshly ground black pepper, or mixed peppercorns. I like the added bite a touch of pepper adds to the gravy.
- Optional: fresh or dried chives, for garnish. These add a nice, herbal quality to the finished dish, and look pretty, too!
A Meal That Cost Less Than a Gallon of Gas? | Chipped Beef Gravy | Low-Cost Comfort Food | SOS Gravy
FAQ
What do you serve with beef toast?
- Mashed Potatoes. …
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes. …
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes. …
- Crockpot Mashed Potatoes without Chicken Broth. …
- Scalloped Potatoes. …
- Best Ever Funeral Potatoes. …
- Loaded Potato Casserole Recipe. …
- Roasted Root Vegetables.
What to serve with chipped beef gravy for dinner?
Serve over toast, biscuits, southern fried potatoes, hash browns, rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, English muffins – the possibilities are endless.
What’s the difference between dried beef and chipped beef?
dried beef and chipped beef are the same thing; they both refer to beef that has been dried, salted, and thinly sliced.
Is chipped beef on toast healthy?
1 bowl of Wawa creamed chipped beef on a white toast contains 290 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 53% carbs, 30% fat, and 17% protein. This is a good source of protein (23% of your Daily Value) and calcium (15% of your Daily Value).