Corn chowder, with its rich and creamy texture and sweet corn flavor, is a comforting and satisfying meal on its own. But pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience, creating a balanced and flavorful feast. If you’re wondering “What To Serve With Corn Chowder,” you’ve come to the right place! This guide offers over 25 fantastic side dish ideas, ranging from light appetizers to hearty accompaniments, ensuring a perfect match for your creamy soup.
Whether you crave a crisp salad to cut through the richness, a warm bread for dipping, or a protein-packed side to round out the meal, this list has something for everyone. Explore these delectable options and discover your new favorite pairings for corn chowder!
Light and Fresh Salad Sides
To balance the creamy richness of corn chowder, consider serving a fresh and vibrant salad. These salads offer contrasting textures and flavors that will refresh your palate.
Arugula Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
This simple Arugula Salad is a fantastic counterpoint to creamy soups. The peppery arugula and tangy red wine vinaigrette provide a zesty contrast that cuts through the richness of the chowder. It’s light, bright, and incredibly easy to prepare.
Arugula Salad
Italian Chopped Salad
Packed with fresh vegetables, salami, mozzarella, and chickpeas, this Italian Chopped Salad brings a delightful Mediterranean flair to your corn chowder meal. The homemade Italian dressing ties it all together, offering a savory and slightly acidic element that complements the sweetness of the corn.
Italian Chopped Salad
Tomato Cucumber Salad
For a truly refreshing side, look no further than a Tomato Cucumber Salad. The juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and red onion, dressed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette, create a light and flavorful salad that’s perfect alongside a warm bowl of chowder. It’s a simple yet satisfying way to add a fresh element to your meal.
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
Inspired by the famous restaurant, this Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Marinated cucumbers drizzled with chili oil offer a unique and slightly spicy counterpoint to the creamy chowder. This vegetarian appetizer is both refreshing and exciting.
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
Apple Celery Root Slaw
Step away from traditional coleslaw with this Apple Celery Root Slaw. The crisp apples and celery root, combined with jalapeno, cilantro, and pickled onions, create a slaw that’s both crunchy and flavorful. Its unique blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes makes it a standout side dish.
Apple Celery Root Slaw
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Bring a tropical twist to your corn chowder meal with Hawaiian Coleslaw. Pineapple, cabbage, carrots, and sesame seeds are tossed in a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette for a slaw that’s sweet, tangy, and utterly delicious. It’s a vibrant and flavorful side that adds an unexpected element to your dinner.
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Hearty and Flavorful Vegetable Sides
For those who want to add more vegetables to their meal, these hearty and flavorful vegetable sides are excellent choices. They complement corn chowder without being too heavy.
Red Cabbage Slaw (Vinegar Slaw)
This Red Cabbage Slaw, made without mayo, is a tangy, crunchy, and delicious side dish. The vinegar-based dressing provides a welcome acidity that balances the creaminess of the chowder. It’s a simple and healthy way to add texture and flavor to your meal.
Red Cabbage Slaw
Kale Caesar Salad
Even Caesar salad can be a great side for corn chowder, especially when it’s a Kale Caesar Salad. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it tender and delicious, and the crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese add delightful texture and savory notes.
Kale Caesar Salad
Grilled Peppers
Sweet and slightly smoky, Grilled Peppers are an easy and flavorful vegetable side dish. Grilling brings out the natural sweetness of the peppers, and they pair wonderfully with the creamy corn chowder. They are also incredibly versatile and require minimal preparation.
Grilled Peppers
Sauteed Zucchini and Squash
Simple and versatile, Sauteed Zucchini and Squash is a quick side dish that showcases summer vegetables at their best. The seared squash and zucchini, seasoned with savory Italian flavors, offer a light and healthy accompaniment to corn chowder.
Sauteed Zucchini
Sous Vide Asparagus
Perfectly cooked asparagus is always a welcome addition to any meal. Sous Vide Asparagus ensures bright green, tender spears every time. Choose from garlic, parmesan, or lemon flavoring to complement your corn chowder perfectly.
Sous Vide Asparagus
Blistered Shishito Peppers
For a fun and interactive side, try Blistered Shishito Peppers. These finger foods are easy to make and lightly seasoned with a slightly smoky flavor. The mild peppers, with the occasional spicy surprise, add an element of excitement to your meal.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Delicious Bread and Biscuit Sides
Warm bread or biscuits are classic pairings with soup, and corn chowder is no exception. These options are perfect for dipping and soaking up every last drop of creamy goodness.
Cheddar Scallion Biscuits
These Cheddar Scallion Biscuits are tall, fluffy, flaky, and packed with flavor. The savory cheddar and scallions complement the sweetness of the corn chowder beautifully. They are easy to make and perfect for a comforting meal.
Get the RECIPE from Girl Versus Dough
Spoon Bread
Combining the savoriness of cornbread and the softness of a souffle, Cheddar Spoon Bread is a unique and delicious side. The savory scallions and sharp cheddar cheese create a flavorful bread that’s perfect for scooping up corn chowder. This classic Southern recipe is sure to impress.
Spoon Bread
Brown Sugar Cornbread
For a sweeter cornbread option, try Brown Sugar Cornbread. Golden on top and fluffy in the middle, this cornbread has hints of molasses and a delightful sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the savory notes of corn chowder. It’s a comforting and crowd-pleasing side.
Hushpuppies
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, hushpuppies are a Southern classic that’s fantastic with soup. Their slightly sweet and savory flavor complements corn chowder perfectly. These deep-fried cornmeal fritters are irresistible.
Get the RECIPE from Baking Beauty
Protein-Rich Sides and Appetizers
To make your corn chowder meal more substantial, consider adding a protein-rich side or appetizer. These options provide a satisfying complement to the soup.
Air Fryer Shrimp
Quick and easy, Air Fryer Shrimp is a fantastic appetizer or side dish. Ready in under 10 minutes, these plump and juicy shrimp, seasoned to your liking, offer a light protein boost that pairs well with the richness of corn chowder.
Air Fryer Shrimp
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Crispy and juicy Air Fryer Salmon Bites are another excellent protein option. Seasoned with a smoky-spicy dry rub, they offer a burst of flavor and a satisfying texture contrast to the creamy soup. Serve them as an appetizer or alongside your chowder for a complete meal.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Air Fryer Salmon and Asparagus
For a complete and healthy meal, combine protein and vegetables with Air Fryer Salmon and Asparagus. This easy method cooks flaky salmon and tender asparagus simultaneously in about 10 minutes. It’s a quick and nutritious way to round out your corn chowder dinner.
Air Fryer Salmon
Seafood Boil
For a truly impressive and celebratory meal, consider a Seafood Boil. While more elaborate, a homemade Seafood Boil with fresh seafood, smoked sausage, potatoes, and corn is an unforgettable feast. It’s perfect for special occasions when you want to go all out with your corn chowder.
Seafood Boil
Other Delicious Sides
These side dishes offer unique flavors and textures that pair wonderfully with corn chowder, adding variety and excitement to your meal.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Crispy and fun, Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are perfect for snacking or as a side dish. Coated in panko and air-fried to perfection, these zucchini fries are delicious dipped in lemon tarragon aioli. They offer a lighter, vegetable-based “fry” option.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
If you’re craving classic fries, Air Fryer Shoestring Fries are the way to go. They come out crispy and golden, just like your favorite fast-food fries, but healthier. Air frying makes them much better than deep frying or baking.
Air Fryer Fries
Italian Radicchio Salad
For a slightly bitter and sophisticated salad, try Italian Radicchio Salad. Dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with olives, breadcrumbs, and parmesan, this salad offers complex flavors and textures. A special tip ensures the radicchio isn’t bitter, making it a delightful side.
Italian Radicchio Salad
Fried Okra
Another Southern favorite, Fried Okra, is incredibly crispy and flavorful. Fresh okra coated in buttermilk and seasoned cornmeal, then deep-fried until golden brown, is an irresistible treat. It adds a unique texture and flavor dimension to your corn chowder meal.
Get the RECIPE from Dinner at the Zoo
Southern Collard Greens
For a truly Southern-inspired meal, serve corn chowder with Southern Collard Greens. Slowly simmered and tenderized in a rich, meaty pot likker, these collard greens are packed with flavor and offer a comforting and hearty side dish.
Get the RECIPE from Butter be Ready
Creamy Corn Pudding
While it might seem like corn overload, Creamy Corn Pudding can actually be a wonderful side for corn chowder, especially if your chowder is less intensely corn-flavored. This rich and decadent pudding, made from scratch with brown butter and heavy cream, is a comforting and indulgent side dish.
Get the RECIPE from Chef Savvy
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Many of these side dishes and sauces can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Check the individual recipes for detailed storing instructions and make-ahead tips, allowing for stress-free meal planning.
Have You Tried These Corn Chowder Side Dishes?
Let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this roundup of side dishes for corn chowder, please leave a comment and rating. Share your culinary creations with us on Instagram using #platingsandpairings and tag @platingsandpairings.
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What to Serve with Corn Chowder: 25+ Sides – Recipe Card
Wondering what to serve with corn chowder for a complete dinner? Look no further! This collection of 25+ side dishes offers perfect pairings, from appetizers to classic sides. Try the Kale Caesar Salad for a fresh and flavorful complement.
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Print PinServes 4 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Topping:
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed and chopped
- Homemade Croutons
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, black pepper and parmesan cheese. Whisk to combine.
- Add the kale and, using your hands, firmly massage the kale for 3-4 minutes, until tenderized slightly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- To the bowl of dressed kale, add the croutons and parmesan cheese. Toss gently to combine and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 336mg | Potassium: 335mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 6602IU | Vitamin C: 78mg | Calcium: 239mg | Iron: 1mg
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