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What to Serve With Chili and Cornbread: 15 Best Side Dishes

When pairing side dishes with chili and cornbread, the right choices can greatly enhance your meal. Guacamole offers a bright, creamy texture that complements chili's robust flavors. Crispy potato skins, loaded with cheese and bacon, are a crowd favorite. A fresh chopped salad provides a crisp contrast, while a rich cheese sauce adds indulgence. Mexican corn, with its buttery kernels and Cotija cheese, brings a festive touch. You might also enjoy air fryer French fries, cornbread muffins, fried mashed potato balls, or homemade tortilla chips. Each option brings its unique flavor and texture to your meal, ensuring a delightful dining experience.

Guacamole

delicious avocado based mexican dip

Enhancing the dining experience, guacamole offers a bright and fresh flavor that perfectly complements the heartiness of chili. The creamy texture and flavorful blend of avocados, lime, and seasonings create a delightful contrast.

This healthy option not only balances the richness of chili but also serves as a versatile side dish, enhancing each bite with its fresh, vibrant taste.

Potato Skins

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Potato skins, with their crispy exteriors and savory fillings, make an excellent side dish that complements the robust flavors of chili and cornbread.

This versatile potato recipe, featuring baked potato halves loaded with cheese, bacon, and sour cream, is the perfect side to serve.

Easy to prepare and reheat, potato skins are a crowd-pleasing option for any gathering.

Chopped Salad

tossed with fresh herbs

A chopped salad provides a crisp and invigorating contrast to the rich and hearty flavors of chili and cornbread. This light, veggie-focused side dish adds a pop of color and crunch, enhancing your meal's appeal.

As a make-ahead option, it allows flavors to meld, ensuring a delightful taste. Its variety of textures and flavors offers a rejuvenating and vibrant element to your dinner.

Cheese Sauce

melted cheese on noodles

Infusing your chili and cornbread meal with a rich cheese sauce adds a luxurious layer of creamy and indulgent flavors.

This rich and flavorful sauce is perfect alongside cheddar cornbread and can be used as a creamy dressing to top with chili.

It adds an indulgent touch, enhancing the overall dining experience and complementing the hearty flavors of the dish.

Mexican Corn

spicy street corn delight

Mexican Corn, a beloved elote dish, brings a vibrant and flavorful addition to your chili and cornbread spread. This side dish features buttery corn kernels mixed with bold flavors. It is topped with Cotija cheese and a sprinkle of lime zest for a zesty finish.

Offering a taste of authentic Mexican street food, Mexican Corn is easy to make and adds a festive touch to any meal.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

delicious fall side dish

While Mexican Corn brings vibrant flavors to your spread, roasted Brussels sprouts offer a nutritious and flavorful side dish that pairs wonderfully with chili and cornbread.

With their crispy exterior and natural sweetness, they are perfect as a side for chili night.

Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, roasted Brussels sprouts add a healthy addition to your cornbread recipe, balancing textures and flavors beautifully.

Sweet Potato Fries

delicious crispy orange fries

Sweet potato fries provide a delightful combination of crispiness and natural sweetness, making them an excellent side dish to complement chili and cornbread.

These flavorful fries can be baked to achieve a crispy texture, enhancing their natural taste. Rich in vitamins and fiber, they can be seasoned with herbs or sea salt, offering a nutritious and delicious addition to any meal.

Pickled Jalapeños

spicy tangy pepper slices

Adding a tangy and spicy kick to your chili and cornbread meal, pickled jalapeños are an excellent choice for those who appreciate a burst of heat and acidity.

These versatile additions can be used as a topping or a side, enhancing the richness of the chili and the sweetness of the cornbread.

Easy to store, they elevate the overall flavor profile of your dish.

Classic Biscuits

baking fluffy buttermilk biscuits

Classic biscuits are a traditional and comforting side dish that pairs beautifully with chili and cornbread. With their flaky, buttery texture, they complement the heartiness of chili, making every bite more satisfying.

A good biscuit recipe is easy to follow, and these versatile options can be enjoyed warm with butter or honey. Whether homemade or store-bought, biscuits add a delightful touch to any meal.

Cinnamon Rolls

warm gooey cinnamon goodness

Cinnamon rolls, with their aromatic spices and soft, doughy texture, provide a delightful contrast to the robust flavors of chili. These sweet, homemade treats add a touch of warmth and can be enjoyed as a side dish or dessert.

For those with dietary restrictions, gluten-free cinnamon rolls are a popular choice, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious pairing.

Romaine Lettuce Salad

fresh and crisp greens

After enjoying the sweet and aromatic cinnamon rolls, a romaine lettuce salad offers an invigorating and crisp contrast to the hearty flavors of chili. This healthy side dish can be customized with toppings like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a zesty dressing.

Romaine lettuce, rich in vitamins and minerals, provides nutritional value while its crisp texture complements the soft and flavorful cornbread perfectly.

Air Fryer French Fries

crispy homemade potato goodness

Air Fryer French Fries offer a healthier and convenient alternative to traditional deep-fried potatoes, making them an excellent side dish for pairing with chili and cornbread.

Using minimal oil, they achieve a crispy, golden-brown texture that retains the natural flavors of the potatoes.

Quick to prepare, these French fries reduce excess grease, providing a satisfying and delicious accompaniment to your meal.

Cornbread Muffins

delicious homemade cornbread muffins

Complementing the crispy delight of Air Fryer French Fries, cornbread muffins bring a tender and moist texture to the table, crafted with buttermilk and a hint of sugar for a touch of sweetness in every bite.

These golden brown muffins serve as perfect individual servings, making them a classic and comforting side dish for any chili night gathering.

Enjoy their delightful and warm appeal!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

crispy potato bites recipe

Fried Mashed Potato Balls offer a delightful combination of crispiness and creaminess, making them an excellent side dish or snack for chili night.

These bite-sized treats transform mashed potatoes into a fun and crispy experience.

Perfectly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, they provide a unique and tasty addition to your meal, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Can the Same Side Dishes be Served with Brisket and Chili?

When serving brisket and chili, the best side dishes for Christmas can enhance the flavors and create a harmonious meal. Creamy mashed potatoes and buttery cornbread are classic choices that complement the hearty meats. Additionally, roasted vegetables or a tangy coleslaw can add a refreshing element to the spread.

Homemade Tortilla Chips

delicious homemade tortilla chips

Homemade tortilla chips provide a crunchy and flavorful side dish that pairs seamlessly with chili and cornbread. Easily made by cutting corn tortillas into wedges, seasoning with spices like paprika or cumin, and baking until crispy, these chips are perfect for dipping into chili.

They offer a cost-effective, versatile option, adding a fun twist to your chili night while enhancing the overall meal experience.