Chili… such a classic American comfort food. It’s so great on its own, and even better with a perfectly paired side dish.
We’ve compiled this list of the best Sides for Chili so you always know what to have alongside that big, hearty bowl.
You’ll find the usual side dishes for chili like cornbread and salads, as well great finger foods for dipping, and so much more on this Side Dishes For Chili list.
Go through all of these great chili sides, you’ll never wonder “what to serve with chili?” again!
Check out our collection of favorite Chili Recipes!
What to Serve with Chili:
1. Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread
Chili and cornbread is such a classic combination, that of course it will be first on our list.
This is cornbread taken to the next level, and then some. Bacon, cheddar and jalapenõs… best cornbread recipe ever!
2. Corn Casserole
This easy 5 ingredient Corn Casserole is a great southern style side dish, and takes next to no effort. Seriously, just mix up the ingredients, then stick it in the oven. So so good with a bowl of chili.
3. Wedge Salad
How about this classic wedge salad. Fresh, crispy and delicious.
Topped with cool and cream blue cheese dressing, it’s the perfect salad to have alongside your chili.
4. Spanish Summer Salad (Pipirrana)
Here to celebrate tomato season this summer is a tribute to all those luscious summer tomatoes, ripening on the vines in warm sunshine.
Mixed with just a few more cool crunchies, and you have yet another colorful popular traditional dish, pipirrana, all the way from the south of Spain.
5. Caesar Salad
If you want to master your salad game, this easy Caesar Salad recipe is a MUST!
Perhaps the most famous and popular salad on the planet, Caesar is so simple, yet so tasty. All you need is lettuce, croutons, parm cheese, and an awesome dressing. We have it for you!
6. Tostones
Tostones are crispy, savory, salty, golden coins of pure deliciousness. Popular throughout the Caribbean, twice-fried plantains are a snack that will make you feel like you are walking on sunshine.
Once you know all the tricks, they will come out perfectly every time. Serve this Latin side dish with homemade avo-cilantro sauce.
7. Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto
Spring and summer demand colorful, light, refreshing salads. So here it is our Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad, but with major flavor bender… delicious basil pesto dressing.
It has buttery delicious flavors, thanks to avo and mozz, and is surely going to be your favorite this coming summer.
8. Latkes
These latkes will become your new favorite way to fry potatoes. Crispy, yet tender, and perfectly seasoned, they’re a tasty treat your guests will love!
You’ll never go back to plain old fries again.
9. Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Mexican street corn salad is a great way to get the classic flavors of elote served salad-style.
It’s creamy, cheesy, and filled with corn, red onions, cilantro, mayonnaise, and more. Perfect side for your favorite chili.
10. Easy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
These easy baked sweet potato fries are a great way to bring the joy that comes with sweet potato fries to your own home.
They are so hassle free when cooked in the oven. If you need a finger-food side, definitely give these fries a try!
11. Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad is another one of the staple sides for fried fish.
This version is extra creamy and extra tangy. Make a big batch, and enjoy the leftovers for days!
12. Coleslaw
There are a lot of Coleslaw recipes out there, but this is the best hands down! Just a quick chop and mix is all it takes to make this iconic side dish.
This Classic Coleslaw is essential for all your upcoming cookouts and potlucks. It’s creamy and crunchy, and goes with all of your summertime favorites.
13. Fried Green Tomatoes
More than just a movie, fried green tomatoes are a famous Southern appetizer or side dish.
This recipe shows you how to make them nice and crispy every time!
14. Homemade Tortilla Chips
If you’re looking to do some dunking in your chili bowl, nothing beats some tortilla chips.
This recipe for homemade chips is so much better than those packaged ones in the store. All you need is three ingredients for the ultimate dunkers.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
15. Bloomin’ Onion Garlic Bread
This bloomin’ onion garlic bread is an easy to make appetizer that’s outrageously cheesy and delicious.
Two different types of cheese are baked between the fresh bread, which helps make this bread even more impressive.
16. Potato Skins
You’re going to love these easy baked potato skins!
They’re topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream and bacon, all things that go great with chili!
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
17. Texas Toast
Extra thick bread grilled with butter… lots of butter!
Texas toast is like a grilled cheese sandwich without the cheese. It’s perfect for dunking in a big owl of chili.
Get the Recipe @ thekitchenmagpie
18. Onion Rings
These onion rings are easy and only take a few ingredients. They make a great chili side dish for people who eat onions.
19. Strawberry Lemonade
If you want something cool to sip while enjoying your chili, this strawberry lemonade is the perfect choice.
The sweetness of the strawberries blends perfectly with the tart lemons. We can’t get enough of this one.
Get the Recipe @ minimalistbaker
20. Cheddar Garlic Cornbread Biscuits
These cheddar garlic cornbread biscuits don’t just look great – they taste great too! They work well as a side dish for a holiday meal, but they also work as a nice appetizer or snack if you’ve got family over. They’ll be sure to love them.
Get the Recipe @ aberdeenskitchen
So there you go, twenty great sides for chili. Which one will you try first?
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Sides for Burgers
Sides for Steak
Sides for Ribs
BBQ Side Dishes
Sides for Fried Chicken
Sides for Pork Chops
Side Dishes for Salmon
Sides for Meatloaf
What to Serve with Chili (20 Sides)
This collection of easy Sides for Chili has plenty of great dishes to have alongside your big bowl of comfort. We love this cornbread:
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 strips bacon
- 2 jalapeños
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Fry bacon in 8-10" cast iron skillet over medium heat. Turn occasionally and cook until crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon to paper towel lined plate. Put skillet in oven.
- Melt butter and mix with milk and eggs in a bowl.
- In large bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Chop jalapeños, crumble bacon and add to the mixture.
- Add wet mixture to the bowl and mix well with a fork.
- Remove skillet fro oven and place on a trivet. Pour cornbread mixture into hot skillet. Place in oven and bake 25 minutes. Test for doneness by sticking toothpick in to center of cornbread. If it is wet when you pull it out, bake an additional five minutes.
- When done, remove cornbread from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes. Cut and serve with butter.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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