Chili, a hearty and flavorful stew, stands as a beloved dish perfect for convivial gatherings, exciting game days, or simply a comforting evening at home, especially as the seasons turn cooler. Its robust, spicy, and savory profile makes it a go-to meal for many occasions. But the question often arises: what else should you serve with chili to make it a complete and satisfying dining experience?
While a bowl of chili is undeniably satisfying on its own, the culinary experience is truly elevated when paired with thoughtfully chosen accompaniments. Whether your preference leans towards classic Chili con Carne, a robust Ground Beef Chili, a lighter White Chicken Chili, a hearty No Bean Chili, or even a creative fusion like Cheesy Turkey Chili Mac, the right side dishes and toppings can transform your chili meal from simple to spectacular.
From timeless, dependable pairings to innovative and unexpected options, prepare to enhance your chili presentation and enjoyment throughout the year. Because, let’s face it, while the main dish is the star, the supporting cast of sides and toppings truly steals the show.
close up of bowl of no bean chili
Essential Chili Toppings: Elevate Your Bowl
Before diving into side dishes, let’s explore the realm of chili toppings. These additions are crucial for customizing flavor and texture, allowing everyone to tailor their bowl to personal preference. Here are 20 popular chili toppings to consider:
- Shredded Cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a blend – cheese adds a creamy, melty richness that complements the chili’s spice.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop of coolness and tanginess that balances the heat and adds a velvety texture.
- Guacamole: Creamy and fresh, guacamole brings healthy fats and a vibrant flavor contrast to the hearty chili.
- Mexican Street Corn Guacamole: An elevated guacamole with the sweetness of corn and smoky char, adding complexity and a summery twist.
- Fresh Cilantro, Parsley, or Basil: Chopped fresh herbs brighten the dish with aromatic freshness and a pop of color.
- Sliced Fresh Tomatoes: Provides juicy acidity and a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the chili.
- Diced Avocado or Avocado Slices: Similar to guacamole, avocado offers creaminess and healthy fats, but in a simpler, more direct form.
- Diced Red or Green Bell Peppers: Adds a crisp, slightly sweet crunch and a burst of fresh vegetable flavor.
- Sliced Jalapeños: For those who love extra heat, jalapeños deliver a spicy kick and vibrant green color.
- Sliced Green Onions: Mild onion flavor with a slight bite, green onions offer a fresh and subtle sharpness.
- Chopped Red Onions: Stronger and more pungent than green onions, red onions provide a bolder flavor and crisp texture.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of lime juice brightens the entire dish with acidity and citrusy notes.
- Sliced Black Olives: Adds a salty, briny flavor and a soft, slightly chewy texture.
- Shredded Lettuce: Provides a cool, crisp contrast and a refreshing element, particularly with hotter chilis.
- Hot Sauce: For customizable heat levels, hot sauce allows everyone to adjust the spiciness to their liking.
- Pico de Gallo: Fresh and chunky salsa, pico de gallo adds a vibrant mix of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime.
- Crumbled Bacon: Smoky, salty, and crispy, bacon bits introduce a savory and textural element.
- Crushed Tortilla Chips: Offers a satisfying crunch and a salty, corn flavor that complements the chili base.
- Cornbread Croutons: Homemade or store-bought cornbread cubes, toasted or fried, provide a sweet and savory crunch.
- Saltine Crackers: Simple and classic, saltine crackers offer a neutral, salty crunch and are perfect for dipping.
Mix and match these toppings to create your personalized chili experience. Don’t hesitate to experiment with combinations to find your ultimate chili masterpiece!
The Best Side Dishes to Serve with Chili: Complete Meal Ideas
To transform chili into a complete and satisfying meal, consider these diverse and delicious side dish options. From breads to salads, and potatoes to grains, there’s a perfect pairing for every palate and occasion.
Classic Bread Companions
- Cornbread: The quintessential chili side, cornbread’s slightly sweet and crumbly texture is ideal for soaking up chili’s rich flavors. Homemade cornbread elevates this pairing, offering a warm, buttery, and comforting element.
Cornbread in cast iron skillet and serving plate
-
Biscuits: Flaky and buttery biscuits offer a different texture profile compared to cornbread, providing a light and airy contrast to the dense chili. Garlic and herb biscuits add an extra layer of flavor.
-
Garlic Bread: Toasted garlic bread or garlic knots bring a savory, aromatic, and crispy element. The garlic butter richness complements the chili’s spice and depth.
-
Homemade Bread Bowls: For a unique and impressive presentation, serve chili in homemade bread bowls. This transforms a simple meal into a special occasion dish, perfect for parties and gatherings.
-
Crescent Rolls: Soft and buttery crescent rolls, especially homemade no-knead versions, are a delightful and unexpected side. Cinnamon orange butter can add a touch of sweetness and citrusy aroma.
holding one crescent roll
Potato and Fry Favorites
- Baked Potato: A hearty and customizable side, baked potatoes topped with sour cream, cheese, and chives create a substantial and satisfying accompaniment. Air fryer baked potatoes offer a quicker and healthier cooking method.
Baked potato with butter and scallions
-
Sweet Potato Fries: Sweet potato fries, especially air-fried for crispiness, provide a sweet and savory flavor combination that contrasts beautifully with chili’s spiciness.
-
French Fries: Classic french fries, whether air-fried or doctored up with garlic butter, offer a familiar and comforting crispy, salty side.
air fryer french fries on plate with ketchup
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and comforting garlic mashed potatoes, especially with roasted garlic, offer a smooth and flavorful counterpoint to the chili’s texture and spice.
bowl of garlic mashed potatoes
Corn and Grain Delights
-
Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled corn on the cob adds a sweet and juicy element. Corn’s natural sweetness and slight char (if grilled) perfectly complement the savory chili.
-
Corn Casserole: A creamy, buttery, and slightly sweet corn casserole is a richer, more decadent corn side dish that pairs wonderfully with chili.
-
Rice: Simple white rice or brown rice acts as a neutral base, absorbing the chili’s flavors and providing a wholesome grain component to the meal. Butter rice adds extra richness and flavor.
Alt text: A serving of fluffy and buttery rice in a white bowl, emphasizing its simple elegance and inviting texture.
Fresh and Crunchy Salads
- Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw offers a cool, crisp, and refreshing contrast to the warm and spicy chili. Its tangy dressing cuts through the richness of the stew.
classic coleslaw
- Green Salad: A simple green salad with fresh greens, fruit, and a light vinaigrette provides a light and healthy balance to the heartiness of the chili. Pear salad offers a touch of sweetness and elegance.
pear salads with whole pears on counter
-
Cucumber Salad: Cucumber salad with dill and vinegar delivers a refreshing, tangy, and slightly acidic counterpoint that cleanses the palate between bites of chili.
-
Broccoli Salad: Crunchy and cold broccoli salad, often with a creamy dressing and additions like bacon or cranberries, complements chili with textural and flavor contrasts.
broccoli salad in a serving bowl with spoon
- Fruit Salad: A refreshing fruit salad provides a light, sweet, and juicy finish, acting as a palate cleanser after a savory chili meal. Lemony vanilla fruit salad adds a touch of citrus and aromatic vanilla.
Other Delicious Side Dish Ideas
- Onion Rings: Crispy onion rings offer a satisfying crunch and savory flavor that contrasts with the softer texture of chili.
onion rings stack min
-
Homemade Kettle Chips: Serve crispy kettle chips for dipping directly into the chili or crumbling on top for added texture. Onion dill dip can enhance the flavor profile.
-
Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy and cheesy macaroni and cheese is an indulgent and comforting side dish that pairs well with chili, creating a doubly comforting meal.
-
Quesadillas: Cheesy quesadillas, especially chicken quesadillas with salsa and guacamole, offer a Tex-Mex inspired side that complements chili’s Southwestern flavors.
chicken quesadilla triangles with shredded lettuce and lime wedge
-
Chips and Salsa: Tortilla chips with various salsas (like fresh tomato salsa) provide a crunchy, flavorful, and customizable appetizer or side dish.
-
Potato Salad: Classic potato salad with a creamy dressing offers a cool and satisfying starchy side. Deviled egg potato salad adds extra flavor and richness.
-
Pretzel Dogs: Pretzel dogs, especially pretzel dog dippers with cheesy chili dip, create a fun and playful pairing, combining the flavors of chili and hot dogs with a salty pretzel twist.
pretzel dogs on a cooling wrack with ketchup and mustard
-
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus offer a healthy and flavorful side, adding nutrients and a contrasting texture to the chili meal.
-
Pickles: Pickles, especially dill pickles, provide a zesty and tangy element that cuts through the richness of chili and adds a refreshing bite.
Choose a combination of these side dishes and toppings to create a chili meal that perfectly suits your taste and the occasion. For a truly crowd-pleasing experience, set up a chili bar, allowing guests to customize their bowls with a variety of toppings and side dishes, making your chili night a delicious and interactive event!
