Looking to enhance your calico beans? Consider serving them with smash burgers, offering crispy edges and juicy interiors. Another delightful side is brown butter mashed sweet potatoes, known for their rich, nutty flavor. Homemade bread rolls are perfect for soaking up the beans' rich sauce. For a fresh, simple option, try roasted broccoli with charred edges and a hint of lemon zest. Baked potatoes, with their crispy skin and endless toppings, make a great pairing too. Each of these sides will surely complement your calico beans beautifully. Keep exploring to discover even more delicious ideas!
Smash Burgers
Smash Burgers, with their crispy edges and juicy interiors, are an excellent complement to calico beans, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.
The tangy salad on the side adds freshness, balancing the savory flavors of the beans.
The secret sauce in the smash burgers is a standout feature, offering a unique, delicious touch that makes this combination a true crowd-pleaser.
Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Brown butter mashed sweet potatoes, with their rich and nutty flavor, serve as an exquisite accompaniment to calico beans.
This side dish combines creamy sweet potatoes with a delightful crunch from chopped pecans, creating a satisfying texture.
Naturally sweet and filling, these mashed sweet potatoes are easy to prepare and offer a delicious alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, enhancing your meal perfectly.
Homemade Bread Rolls
Homemade bread rolls, with their warm, fluffy texture, provide an excellent complement to the hearty flavors of calico beans. They make a delightful buttery toast that's perfect for soaking up the rich sauce of the beans.
Easy enough for beginner bakers, these rolls can also be varied with cheese or garlic for added flavor, making them a versatile and satisfying side dish.
Roasted Broccoli
Roasted broccoli serves as a simple yet flavorful side dish that pairs beautifully with calico beans, enhancing the meal with its charred edges and a touch of lemon zest.
The roasting process brings out a delightful texture, while a splash of lemon juice provides a revitalizing contrast to the rich flavors of the beans.
For added zest, consider a cheesy garlic variation to complement the calico beans perfectly.
Baked Potatoes
Another excellent accompaniment to calico beans is baked potatoes, which offer a quick and easy lunch option while absorbing the rich sauce beautifully.
The crispy skin from oven baking enhances texture, making them a delightful addition to your meal. Consider a loaded potato with toppings like cheese, sour cream, and chives for variety.
These potatoes complement baked beans, creating a satisfying side dish.
Brats
Brats are a classic pairing with calico beans, providing a hearty and satisfying meal option that enhances the dish's overall flavor.
Perfect for summer cookouts or family gatherings, brats offer a depth of flavor that complements the beans beautifully.
Serve with calico beans for a rich, indulgent combination that is easy to prepare and sure to please everyone's taste buds.
Lemon Orzo Salad
While brats offer a hearty complement to calico beans, Lemon Orzo Salad introduces an energizing, zesty contrast that elevates the overall meal.
This beans recipe side features bright summer flavors and a revitalizing lemon dressing. Feta cheese adds a salty touch, perfectly balancing the sweet and tangy calico beans.
Simple, fresh ingredients make this salad a versatile and delightful addition.
Poached Eggs
Poached eggs provide an elegant, creamy richness that enhances the savory elements of calico beans. The runny yolk beautifully complements the dish's flavors, adding a delightful texture.
Achieving the perfect poached egg requires careful timing and technique. Serve these eggs on top of calico beans or alongside buttery toast for a delicious, satisfying meal that can be enjoyed at any time of day.
Southern Cornbread
Southern cornbread is a quintessential side dish that pairs exceptionally well with calico beans. With its crumbly texture and crispy exterior, it can soak up the flavorful bean sauce, adding to its appeal. This cornbread can be frozen for up to two months, making meal prep a breeze. For a spicy twist, try jalapeno cornbread to complement your hearty meal.
Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese sandwiches serve as the ultimate comfort food that pairs perfectly with the hearty flavors of calico beans.
Adding caramelized onions or experimenting with cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, or Gouda can elevate your meal.
For a unique twist, try miso butter grilled cheese. This versatile option can be easily customized, making it a delightful companion to savory calico beans.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Moving from the comforting richness of grilled cheese, cilantro lime rice offers an invigorating and zesty complement to the savory flavors of calico beans.
This light and fluffy side dish balances out the beans perfectly, adding a rejuvenating, zesty element to your meal.
Easy to make and versatile, cilantro lime rice enhances the overall dining experience with its authentic and revitalizing taste.
Corn Tortilla Chips
Corn tortilla chips offer a delightful and crunchy side dish that enhances the texture and flavor of calico beans.
These simple, one-ingredient chips can be crushed over the beans for added texture or used for dipping in guacamole or salsa.
They provide a convenient and delicious way to enjoy a Southwestern-inspired meal, complementing the saucy richness of calico beans perfectly.
Quinoa Salad
In addition to the crunchy delight of corn tortilla chips, a quinoa salad offers a nutrient-rich and invigorating side dish that pairs perfectly with the hearty flavors of calico beans. Quick and easy to prepare, this salad features quinoa, sweet bell peppers, cucumber, and red onion, all tossed in a tangy dressing of vinegar, olive oil, and honey.
It's revitalizing and light.
Potato Salad
A creamy and tangy potato salad offers a delightful complement to the robust flavors of calico beans. This popular side dish typically includes potatoes, mayonnaise, pickles, cider vinegar, and herbs, creating a rich and flavorful experience.
Add-ons like hardboiled eggs, carrots, and Greek yogurt can further enhance its taste, making potato salad a charming twist on traditional potato sides.
Are the Best Side Dishes for Refried Beans also Suitable for Calico Beans?
When serving calico beans, consider the best side dishes for refried beans to complement the flavors. Classic options like Spanish rice, cornbread, or a simple salad can elevate the meal. The creamy texture of refried beans pairs well with the hearty flavors of calico beans, making these side dishes a suitable choice.
Grilled Zucchini
Grilled zucchini offers a tasty and nutritious addition to any meal, providing a firm texture and smoky flavor that perfectly complements the savory notes of calico beans.
This side dish is quick and easy to prepare. By choosing fresh zucchinis and slicing them thick, you can achieve a delightful sear.
It's a simple addition that enhances the overall dining experience with calico beans.