What to Serve With Grilled Cheese for Dinner: 15 Best Side Dishes

Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support!

📦 Amazon Daily Deals 2025 DEALS

The wait is over. Shop the official price drops on Tech, Home, Kitchen & Apple products right now.

👉 Shop Amazon Sale

⚡ LIMITED TIME OFFERS • PRIME DELIVERY ⚡

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a timeless classic, but pairing them with the perfect side dish can elevate your dinner. Consider sweet potato fries for a crispy, naturally sweet alternative to regular fries. For a creamy delight, loaded cauliflower soup or Avgolemono soup are excellent choices. Freshness is key with a cucumber avocado salad or a summery watermelon feta salad. If you prefer something hearty and rich, black bean chili or latkes should hit the spot. For a Mediterranean twist, try Spanish summer salad or balela salad. Each side offers a unique complement to your grilled cheese, making your meal extraordinary. Want to discover more options? Keep exploring!

Sweet Potato Fries

crispy orange delicious treat

Sweet potato fries frequently serve as a healthier, flavorful complement to the classic grilled cheese sandwich.

Baked to perfection, these fries offer a crispy texture and a soft interior, adding a touch of natural sweetness to the meal.

As a finger-food, they're easy to enjoy and can be garnished with cilantro and lime juice for a unique, flavorful twist.

Loaded Cauliflower Soup

creamy cheesy low carb goodness

For a comforting and creamy side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled cheese, consider serving Loaded Cauliflower Soup.

This hearty soup, loaded with cheese, scallions, and bacon, offers a satisfying alternative to traditional tomato soup. Its creamy texture and rich flavors wonderfully complement the richness of a grilled cheese sandwich, adding depth and variety to your meal while ensuring a delightful dining experience.

Cucumber Avocado Salad

refreshing summer salad recipe

A delightful accompaniment to grilled cheese sandwiches, Cucumber Avocado Salad combines crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, and juicy tomatoes for a burst of invigorating flavors.

This colorful side dish, enhanced by a fragrant basil pesto dressing, offers a rejuvenating and healthy option.

Its light, vibrant ingredients provide a perfect contrast to the warm, cheesy goodness of grilled cheese, making it a wonderful addition to any dinner menu.

Creole Coleslaw

delicious creole coleslaw recipe

Creole coleslaw offers a creamy and zesty complement to grilled cheese sandwiches, enhancing the meal with its tangy and revitalizing flavors.

This easy-to-make side dish, featuring cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, and Creole seasoning, provides a rejuvenating contrast to the cheesy goodness of the main dish.

Its versatility and ability to be prepared ahead make it a crowd-pleaser at any dinner table.

Rainbow Pasta Salad

bright and colorful dish

Switching gears from the tangy Creole coleslaw, Rainbow Pasta Salad offers a visually stunning and nutrient-rich side dish that pairs beautifully with a classic grilled cheese sandwich.

This colorful pasta salad combines a variety of vegetables and a flavorful dressing. It's customizable, allowing you to incorporate your favorite ingredients.

The vibrant mix of textures and flavors makes it a satisfying and nutritious meal addition.

Avgolemono Soup

greek lemon chicken soup

Renowned for its silky smooth texture, Avgolemono Soup is a traditional Greek dish that pairs exquisitely with a grilled cheese sandwich.

This comforting side dish, made with chicken broth, eggs, and lemon juice, offers a creamy yet tangy flavor profile. Its light but satisfying nature makes it an excellent complement, elevating the simple grilled cheese to a delightful meal.

Cherry Tomato Confit

delicious slow cooked cherry tomatoes

For another exquisite pairing, Cherry Tomato Confit offers a luxurious and flavorful side dish that enhances the simplicity of a grilled cheese sandwich.

Using the confit method, cherry tomatoes are slow-cooked in oil, amplifying their natural sweetness and juiciness.

This versatile ingredient can be added to salads and pastas, making it a bright and tasty addition to your meal.

Watermelon Feta Salad

refreshing summer salad recipe

Watermelon Feta Salad is an invigorating side dish that expertly balances the sweetness of watermelon with the tanginess of feta cheese. This revitalizing combination, enhanced with fresh mint, creates a vibrant contrast that complements the richness of grilled cheese.

The sweet, juicy watermelon pairs deliciously with the salty feta cheese, making it an ideal, light, and summery side dish for any grilled cheese dinner.

Latkes

crispy potato pancakes fry

Latkes, traditional Jewish potato pancakes, offer a savory and crispy accompaniment that pairs wonderfully with the gooey richness of a grilled cheese sandwich.

Typically enjoyed during Hanukkah, these versatile side dishes are made from grated potatoes, onions, eggs, and flour.

Fried to golden perfection, latkes can be topped with sour cream, applesauce, or smoked salmon, enhancing their rich savory flavor and making them a delightful addition.

Spanish Summer Salad

fresh flavors from spain

A Spanish Summer Salad, also known as Pipirrana, offers a vibrant and invigorating complement to the rich flavors of a grilled cheese sandwich.

This colorful Mediterranean dish features fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and olives, all mixed together.

With its bright, fresh ingredients, the salad provides a perfect balance, making your dinner both visually appealing and deliciously satisfying.

Black Bean Chili

satisfying vegetarian comfort food

Frequently, black bean chili serves as a quick and healthy side dish that pairs well with grilled cheese for a satisfying meal.

This vegetarian chili is packed with protein and fiber, offering nutritious benefits. The hearty and comforting flavors of black beans, tomatoes, and spices can be easily customized with toppings like avocado, sour cream, or cilantro, making it a versatile addition.

Fry Sauce

condiment with mayo ketchup

Delight your taste buds with fry sauce, a tangy and sweet condiment that enhances the flavor of grilled cheese and other fried foods.

Made from a blend of mayonnaise and ketchup, this versatile dipping sauce can also serve as a sandwich spread or burger topping.

Its creamy and zesty flavor makes it a delightful addition to your meal, perfect for any occasion.

Fasolada

greek bean soup recipe

Fasolada, a traditional Greek white bean soup, offers a rustic and hearty side dish that pairs wonderfully with grilled cheese. This comforting, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly soup is made with simple ingredients like beans, tomatoes, onions, and olive oil.

Its nutritious nature and customization options with additional vegetables and herbs make it a versatile and satisfying choice for a warming, wholesome meal.

Quinoa Salad

healthy and colorful dish

Quinoa salad serves as a light and protein-packed side dish that complements grilled cheese perfectly. Made with fluffy quinoa, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon dressing, it offers a invigorating flavor that balances the richness of the grilled cheese.

This healthy and satisfying option is easy to prepare in advance, making it a convenient choice for a quick and delicious dinner.

Can the Same Side Dishes Work for Regular Grilled Cheese and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches?

Looking for the best side dishes for grilled cheese? While regular grilled cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches are similar, their sides can differ. Classic options like tomato soup, pickles, or a side salad are great for both, but for a heartier meal, consider pairing with fries, coleslaw, or a hearty vegetable soup.

Balela Salad

mediterranean chickpea salad recipe

Building on the theme of nutritious and flavorful sides, Balela Salad offers a vibrant and invigorating companion to grilled cheese sandwiches.

This colorful and revitalizing side dish features a hearty mix of chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes, and herbs.

Its bright and zesty flavors perfectly complement the richness of grilled cheese, while its ease of preparation makes it a convenient and healthy addition.