Chili is undeniably a champion when it comes to comforting and satisfying meals. Its robust, spicy, and savory profile makes it a perfect dish for any occasion, from casual get-togethers and game day feasts to cozy weeknight dinners, especially as football season kicks off. But the question often arises: what to serve with chili to make it a complete and unforgettable meal?
While a bowl of chili is fantastic on its own, pairing it with the right accompaniments elevates the entire dining experience. Whether you’re preparing a classic Chili con Carne, a hearty Ground Beef Chili, a lighter White Chicken Chili, a bean-free No Bean Chili, or even a creative Cheesy Turkey Chili Mac, I’ve curated a comprehensive list of the best side dishes for chili to enhance your meal throughout the year. From timeless classics to innovative and surprising pairings, get ready to transform your chili night into a culinary celebration. After all, the true MVP is arguably the food on your plate.
close up of bowl of no bean chili
Level Up Your Bowl: Must-Have Chili Toppings
Before diving into side dishes, let’s talk about chili toppings. These are the flavor enhancers and texture boosters that allow everyone to customize their bowl to perfection. Here are 20 essential chili toppings to consider for your next chili night:
- Shredded Cheese: Offer a variety like Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or spicy Pepper Jack for different flavor profiles and meltability.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Adds a cool, tangy creaminess that balances the chili’s spice and richness.
- Guacamole: Creamy, cool, and packed with flavor, guacamole brings healthy fats and freshness to each bite.
- Mexican Street Corn Guacamole: For an extra layer of flavor, this twist on guacamole incorporates the sweetness of corn and smoky spices.
- Fresh Herbs: Chopped Cilantro, Parsley, or Basil provide a burst of freshness and aromatic complexity.
- Diced Fresh Tomatoes: Adds a juicy, slightly acidic element that cuts through the richness of the chili.
- Diced Avocado or Avocado Slices: Similar to guacamole but simpler, avocado offers creamy texture and mild flavor.
- Diced Bell Peppers: Red or green bell peppers provide a crisp, sweet crunch and a touch of color.
- Sliced Jalapeños: For those who like extra heat, jalapeños offer a spicy kick. Consider offering pickled jalapeños as well for a tangy twist.
- Sliced Green Onions: Mild onion flavor and a pop of color and freshness.
- Chopped Red Onions: More pungent than green onions, red onions add a sharp bite and textural contrast.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens up the chili and adds a zesty finish.
- Sliced Black Olives: Salty and briny, black olives offer a unique flavor and textural contrast.
- Shredded Lettuce: Adds a cool, crisp freshness, especially good with spicier chilis.
- Hot Sauce: Provide a variety of hot sauces, from mild to extra hot, to cater to different spice preferences.
- Pico de Gallo: Fresh, chunky salsa with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime – adds vibrant flavor and freshness.
- Crumbled Bacon: Smoky, salty, and crispy bacon adds a layer of indulgence and savory depth.
- Crushed Tortilla Chips: Provides a satisfying crunch and a salty corn flavor.
- Cornbread Croutons: Take cornbread to the next level by cubing and toasting it for crunchy, flavorful croutons.
- Saltine Crackers: Simple and classic, saltines offer a neutral, crispy base for enjoying chili.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and encourage your guests to mix and match these toppings to build their perfect bowl of chili! And for an even deeper chili flavor, consider a sprinkle of extra chili powder to enhance the spices.
Beyond the Bowl: The Best Side Dishes for Chili (30+ Ideas!)
Now, let’s explore the world of side dishes! Chili is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a wide array of flavors and textures. Here are over 30 diverse side dishes that will perfectly complement a hearty bowl of chili:
Bread & Grains:
1. Cornbread: The quintessential side for chili. Cornbread’s slightly sweet and crumbly texture is ideal for soaking up every last drop of chili. Try a classic recipe or experiment with variations like jalapeno cornbread for an extra kick.
Cornbread in cast iron skillet and serving plate
2. Corn Casserole: Think of corn casserole as cornbread’s richer, creamier cousin. Its buttery, sweet corn flavor and soft texture make it another comforting and crowd-pleasing side.
3. Rice: Simple white rice or brown rice provides a blank canvas to soak up the chili’s flavors. For added flavor, consider cilantro-lime rice or Mexican rice.
4. Homemade Bread Bowls: Elevate your chili presentation by serving it in homemade bread bowls. This is a fun and impressive way to serve chili, especially for parties, and adds a delicious edible element to the meal.
5. Biscuits: Flaky biscuits are a delightful alternative to cornbread. They offer a buttery, soft texture that complements the heartiness of chili. For a quick and easy option, try pull-apart biscuits with garlic and herbs.
Potatoes & Fries:
6. Baked Potato: A hearty baked potato, especially an Air Fryer Baked Potato, topped with butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives makes a substantial and satisfying side. The fluffy potato and warm chili create a comforting combination.
Baked potato with butter and scallions
7. Sweet Potato Fries: Sweet potato fries, especially air fryer versions, offer a sweet and savory contrast to the spicy chili. Their crispy exterior and soft interior make them a delicious and slightly healthier side.
8. French Fries: Classic French fries, whether air-fried or oven-baked, are always a hit. Try garlic butter fries for an extra flavor boost. The salty, crispy fries and rich chili are a match made in comfort food heaven.
air fryer french fries on plate with ketchup
9. Homemade Kettle Chips: Crispy kettle chips, especially homemade ones, are perfect for dipping directly into chili or crumbling on top for added crunch. Serve them with an onion dill dip for extra flavor and fun.
Salads & Fresh Sides:
10. Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw offers a cool, crisp, and refreshing contrast to the warm, spicy chili. Its tangy dressing cuts through the richness of the chili, cleansing the palate.
classic coleslaw
11. Green Salad: A simple green salad with mixed greens, fresh vegetables, and a light vinaigrette provides a healthy and refreshing balance to the hearty chili. Consider adding fruit like pears for extra sweetness and flavor complexity.
pear salads with whole pears on counter
12. Cucumber Salad: A refreshing cucumber salad with dill and vinegar offers a cool, tangy, and light counterpoint to the rich chili. Its crisp texture and bright flavors provide a welcome contrast.
13. Broccoli Salad: Crunchy broccoli salad with a creamy dressing and often bacon and cranberries adds a delightful textural and flavor contrast. The cold, crisp broccoli and sweet and savory additions balance the warmth and spice of the chili.
broccoli salad in a serving bowl with spoon
14. Fruit Salad: A light and refreshing fruit salad offers a sweet and juicy counterpoint to the savory chili. Choose seasonal fruits for the best flavor and freshness. A lemony vanilla fruit salad can be particularly delightful.
Vegetables & More:
15. Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, asparagus, and root vegetables add a healthy and flavorful side. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables and provides a satisfying textural contrast.
16. Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled corn on the cob offers a sweet and juicy contrast to the spicy chili. Corn is a natural pairing with chili, as many chili recipes even include corn kernels.
17. Pickles: Pickles, especially dill pickles, add a zesty and tangy element that cuts through the richness of the chili. They provide a palate-cleansing crunch and a burst of acidity.
18. Onion Rings: Crispy onion rings offer a satisfying crunch and a savory-sweet flavor that complements the chili’s richness. The contrast in textures and flavors is incredibly enjoyable.
onion rings stack min
19. Garlic Bread: Toasted garlic bread or garlic knots provide a warm, garlicky, and comforting accompaniment perfect for dipping into chili or enjoying alongside.
20. Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes infused with roasted garlic are a supremely comforting and decadent side. The smooth, rich potatoes and hearty chili create a truly satisfying meal.
bowl of garlic mashed potatoes
Hearty & Fun Sides:
21. Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food side that pairs wonderfully with chili. Its cheesy richness and smooth texture complement the hearty, spicy chili beautifully.
22. Quesadillas: Cheesy quesadillas, especially chicken quesadillas, served with salsa and guacamole, are a fun and flavorful side. They offer a satisfying cheesy bite and a Tex-Mex twist.
chicken quesadilla triangles with shredded lettuce and lime wedge
23. Chips and Salsa: A simple yet always popular side, tortilla chips and salsa (especially fresh tomato salsa or pico de gallo) are perfect for snacking on while enjoying chili or as a light accompaniment.
24. Potato Salad: Classic potato salad with a creamy dressing is a satisfying and comforting side. Its cool, creamy texture and tangy flavor provide a pleasant contrast to the warm chili.
25. Pretzel Dogs: Pretzel dogs or pretzel dog dippers with a cheesy chili dip take the chili and hot dog pairing to the next level. The salty pretzel, savory hot dog, and rich chili create a fun and flavorful combination.
pretzel dogs on a cooling wrack with ketchup and mustard
26. Homemade Crescent Rolls: Buttery and flaky crescent rolls, especially homemade no-knead crescent rolls with cinnamon orange butter, are a surprisingly delicious and elegant side.
holding one crescent roll
27. Pull-Apart Biscuits: For a quicker biscuit option, garlic and herb pull-apart biscuits are packed with flavor and fun to eat.
Garlic and Herb Pull Apart Biscuits
28. Jalapeño Poppers: If you love spice, jalapeño poppers filled with cheese are a fantastic appetizer or side dish. Their creamy, spicy, and cheesy flavors complement chili perfectly.
29. Tater Tots: Crispy tater tots are a nostalgic and fun side dish that both kids and adults love. Their crispy texture and mild potato flavor pair well with chili.
30. Sweet Potato Cornbread: Combine two favorites into one! Sweet potato cornbread adds a moistness and subtle sweetness that is amazing with chili.
31. Chili Cheese Fries: For the ultimate indulgence, chili cheese fries are a decadent and satisfying side (or even a meal on their own!). Crispy fries smothered in chili and cheese – what’s not to love?
32. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: A classic grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of chili is a timeless pairing. The cheesy, buttery sandwich is perfect for dipping into the chili.
33. Hushpuppies: These deep-fried cornmeal fritters are a Southern classic that are surprisingly good with chili. Their slightly sweet corn flavor and crispy exterior provide a delightful contrast.
With so many delicious options, deciding what to serve with chili becomes an exciting culinary adventure! For your next chili night, why not create a chili bar? Offer a variety of toppings and side dishes, allowing everyone to customize their perfect chili meal and discover their favorite pairings.
If you try any of these recipes, please give them a star rating and leave a review in the comments! And if you capture a picture of your chili feast, share it on Instagram using #laurenslatest and tag me @laurens_latest.
