Wondering what side dishes to serve with chili? Below we list all of our favorite chili side dishes, including cornbread, crispy tortilla strips, and scrumptious veggies.
A big bowl of chili is one of our favorite comfort food. When the temperatures drop, we love to make a big batch for a few nights in a row and pair it with one fo the below sides. Each of these 20 dishes will pair deliciously with chili so you know exactly what to make next time you want to make chili.
If you are looking for a hearty chili recipe, try our Turkey Chili. It takes just 45 minutes to make and features lean turkey, corn, kidney beans, and bell pepper.
Our chili makes enough for 3 to 4 nights so it is a great option for weekly meal planning. Our recipe also includes instructions for Crispy Tortilla Strips and a healthy Greek yogurt mixture to top the chili!
1. Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Miso
Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Miso
Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Miso is a moist, tender, and cheesy side. It’s a little sweet, has a hint of spice, and goes perfectly with a cozy bowl of chili.
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2. Crispy Baked Tortilla Strips
Crispy Baked Tortilla Strips
Crispy Baked Tortilla Strips are a fast and flavorful gluten-free garnish. They only take 15 minutes to make and add a nice crunch to the chili.
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3. Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters
Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters
Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters are a quick and easy way to enjoy vegetables with your chili. Top them with Greek yogurt, fresh basil, and roasted corn for extra flavor and texture!
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4. Homemade Seasoned French Fries
Homemade Seasoned French Fries
Homemade French Fries are crispy, fluffy, and delightfully flavorful. They are perfect for smothering in chili or dipping and are made with just a few simple ingredients.
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5. Elotes Style Corn with Furikake
Elotes Style Corn with Furikake
Elotes Style Corn with Furikake is inspired by Mexican street corn and flavored with Japanese ingredients. Enjoy it on the cob, cut into smaller servings, or cut off the cob and served as a salad or added to the chili. Regardless of how you prepare it, it will add a delicious umami crunch to your chili dinner.
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6. 10-Minute Sautéed Broccolini (Broccoletti)
10-Minute Sautéed Broccolini
Sautéed Broccolini is a nutrient packed, tender version of broccoli that goes well with just about everything and takes only a few minutes to make. Simply cook the broccolini in olive oil and toss it with garlic, red chili flakes, and lemon juice then enjoy!
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7. Cheese Quesadilla with Pan Roasted Vegetables
Cheese Quesadilla with Pan Roasted Vegetables
Cheese Quesadilla with Pan Roasted Vegetables is a flavorful side or snack that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Learn how to make a cheese quesadilla with golden toasted tortillas, melted cheese, and your favorite add-ins.
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8. Parmesan Frico (Cheese Crisps)
Parmesan Frico Crisps
Parmesan Frico (Cheese Crisps) are light, crisp, and flavor-packed. Make them with just 3 ingredients in less than 10 minutes and enjoy as a crunchy addition to your chili.
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9. Bacon Cheddar Hasselback Potatoes
Bacon Cheddar Hasselback Potatoes
Bacon Cheddar Hasselback Potatoes are the perfect savory chili side. They feature crispy and fluffy potatoes, cheddar, bacon, creme fraiche, and chives. It's simple, but all of the flavors meld together to make a rich combination!
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10. Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula
Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula
Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula is a hearty, healthy, salad recipe that can be enjoyed all year long. It's adorned with fall flavors, including dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and sharp goat cheese. It also only takes 25 minutes to make and can be enjoyed as a healthy chili side or appetizer.
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11. Sautéed French Green Beans with Furikake
Sautéed Green Beans with Furikake
Sautéed Green Beans with Furikake are a robustly flavored side. The lemon juice brightens the fresh green beans while the furikake adds umami flavor. If you are looking for a quick, healthy side dish to pair with chili, these Sautéed Green Beans are perfect.
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12. Pan Fried Potatoes with Herbs
Pan Fried Potatoes with Herbs
Pan Fried Potatoes with Herbs are buttery, herbaceous, and pair seamlessly with chili. All you need are waxy potatoes, seasoning, and olive oil to make this healthy one-pan side.
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13. Pear and Prosciutto Rocket Salad
Pear and Prosciutto Rocket Salad
Pear and Prosciutto Rocket Salad is a delightfully sweet and savory salad. It features crispy prosciutto, sliced pears, walnuts, shallots, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, and peppery arugula tossed in a maple balsamic vinaigrette.
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14. Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan is an easy and flavor-packed side. Not only is it bright and flavorful, it only takes a few minutes of prep, and requires minimal effort.
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15. White Rice
White Rice
Steamed white rice is surprisingly delicious in chili. It has a light flavor and firmness that compliments the chili perfectly. You can make rice with a rice cooker or on the stovetop while you cook the chili.
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16. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta are dressed with olive oil and maple syrup, then roasted and tossed with pancetta. They make the perfect hearty side for chili.
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17. Oven Roasted Onions
Oven Roasted Onions
Oven Roasted Onions are a no-fuss vegan side that's flavor-packed and easy to make. We caramelize sweet onions are roasted in olive oil, salt and pepper, thyme, and rosemary until tender. Just pop them in the oven while you wait for the chili to cook.
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18. Oven Roasted Butternut Squash
Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Carrots
Oven Roasted Whole Butternut Squash is a delicious vegetable packed with warm fall flavors. Our fool-proof method results in perfectly tender and caramelized butternut squash loaded with flavor. It pairs perfectly with a cozy bowl of chili.
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19. Miso Mashed Potatoes
Miso Mashed Potatoes
Miso Mashed Potatoes are a rich and creamy side. They feature flavorful homemade miso butter, garlic, and sage and go perfectly with gravy or au jus. Add these crowd-pleaser potatoes to your weeknight dinner rotation!
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20. Vegetable Wild Rice
Vegetable Wild Rice
Vegetable Wild Rice is a versatile and easy chili side. It features scrumptious vegetables, a wild rice blend, hearty broth, and herbs for seasoning. Mix the chili with the wild rice or enjoy the rice separately.
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Top Tips
- Since chili usually take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to cook, time it so your sides are finished cooking at the same time as your chili. You can also make your sides ahead of time and reheat them when your chili is ready.
- Enjoy just cup of chili instead of a whole bowl and make a couple of these sides for a complete meal.
- For salad sides, make ahead of time and dress when you are ready to serve your salmon so the lettuce leaves don’t wilt or get soggy.
Related Recipes
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📖 Recipe
What to Serve with Chili: 20 Best Side Dishes
Jalapeno Cheddar cornbread is our go to chili side . It is sweet, spicy, and has the perfect tender crumb.
Servings: 9
Calories: 285kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter melted at room temperature 1 stick
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup grated cheddar
- 1 tablespoon miso paste
- 1 tablespoon jalapeños chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Heat oven and prepare pan - Heat oven to 400°F. Line an 8x8" square pan or 9" round baking pan with parchment paper or grease the pan.
- Mix ingredients - In a large mixing bowl, beat egg, milk, butter, and miso paste. Add in flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and brown sugar and use a spatula to fold in ingredients just until mixed. Fold in grated cheese and jalapeños.1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ cup butter melted at room temperature, 1 cup milk, ½ cup grated cheddar, 1 tablespoon miso paste, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon jalapeños
- Prepare to bake - Pour batter into baking pan and gently smooth with an offset spatula or spoon. Add additional grated cheese and place jalapeño slices if desired.
- Bake - Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top of the bread is golden brown. Remove from the oven. Allow the bread to cool and slice into 9 squares.
Notes
Storage
- Store leftover cornbread in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. The air-tight container retains the cornbread's moisture. To reheat, place on a sheet pan or a baking sheet and warm at 300°F for 8 minutes or until warmed.
- Be sure to fluff the flour before you measure it so you don't use too much.
- Do not overmix the cornbread or it could get too dense.
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 381mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 450IU | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 1mg
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