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Nothing beats a hearty, comforting bowl of chili for dinner! Wondering what to serve with chili? Here’s a collection of recipes that are the perfect side dish for your next chili dinner.



 

Whether you’re planning a chili bar dinner with friends or doing a simple chili dinner at home for your family there are plenty of options including breads, vegetables, salads, potatoes and more.

We’ve also included some an easy dessert idea that goes with chili to finish off your meal.

Slices of cornbread being served with butter and a drizzle of honey.

Buttermilk Cornbread

5 from 1 vote
This easy to make Buttermilk Cornbread is the ultimate side dish for chili. Tender and buttery, this cornbread is ultra moist thanks to using buttermilk. Sweetened with honey and a touch of brown sugar this will cornbread will be the star of the show!
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Cut open kolache with sausage, jalapeno and cheese.

Texas Sausage Kolaches (Klobasnek)

4.64 from 36 votes
This classic Sausage Kolache is typically a breakfast staple, but thanks to the sausage and soft breading, it can also make a fun pairing with your chili dinner! Sausage, cheese and jalapeño all rolled up inside of a sweet, yeast Kolache dough.
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Basket of homemade salted tortillas chips served with salsa and guacamole.

Homemade Tortilla Chips

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Tortilla chips are perfect for using to scoop up a nice hearty chili that has been topped with melty cheese and a swirl of sour cream. These homemade tortilla chips come together quick and easy and have a light sprinkling of salt.
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Boats of Frito pie served with sour cream, grated cheese, diced onion and slices of jalapeño.

Frito Pie

5 from 1 vote
This Texas Classic is made with a quick and easy by spooning chili on a bed of Fritos, all topped with melty cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
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Plate filled with homemade flour tortillas.

Homemade Flour Tortillas

4.92 from 12 votes
These flexible, soft and tender tortillas come out perfectly every time. Serve these on the side and dip into your chili or spoon some chili into the tortilla, top with cheese and roll it up!
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Wedge of lettuce on a blue plate topped with blue cheese dressing, tomatoes, bacon and chives.

Classic Wedge Salad

5 from 1 vote
This classic and simple wedge salad is crisp and refreshing. A cold wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with a homemade creamy blue cheese dressing, bacon crumbles, diced tomato and chives. Perfect as a side dish for any meal or as a lunch!
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Bowl filled with a creamy southern coleslaw served with wooden spoons.

Classic Southern Coleslaw

5 from 5 votes
This quick and easy recipe comes together in minutes using only a handful ingredients. The cold, tangy flavors are perfect for pairing with some hearty beef chili.
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Twice baked potatoes served on a plate topped with melted cheese and crispy bacon.

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

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These Twice Baked Potatoes are stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes loaded up with butter, cheese, bacon, green onion and seasonings! This easy to make side dish is perfect for entertaining! In fact it can be made ahead of time or even frozen to make things even easier.
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Golden jalapeño cornbread muffins topped with melted cheddar, featuring bits of jalapeño for a spicy kick, arranged on top of each other and being drizzled with honey.

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread with Sweet Honey Butter

5 from 5 votes
This cornbread is loaded with cheese and jalapeno served with a sweet honey butter. The perfect amount of sweet and heat in this cheesy bread side dish!
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Buttermilk drop biscuit in half showing tender, soft baked bread on the inside.

Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

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Quick and easy, this biscuit recipe comes together in minutes. They bake up soft and fluffy. The perfect companion to any meal!
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Cast iron pot filled with cooked white cilantro lime rice.

Perfect Cilantro Lime Rice

5 from 2 votes
This tender, fluffy rice is flavored with fresh zesty lime juice and chopped cilantro. Perfect for serving alongside chicken or beef chili! You can also add a spoon of rice to the bowl of chili for a fun blend of flavor and textures.
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Stack of cheesy corn fritters topped with sour cream and cilantro.

Cheesy Corn Fritters

4.73 from 22 votes
These easy to make Cheesy Corn Fritters are loaded up with fresh corn, flavor, and most importantly cheese! Fried in a small amount of olive oil, these fritters are the perfect way to enjoy the flavors of summer!
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Overhead of several crispy fried potato tacos topped with sour cream, guacamole and salsa.

Crispy Mexican Potato Tacos (Tacos de papa)

5 from 1 vote
Easy and crispy, these Mexican Potato Tacos are pan fried corn tortillas stuffed with cheesy mashed potatoes. Serve these on the side of a warm bowl of chili or dip them in for the ultimate comfort food combo!
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Basket of fried pickles with fried jalapeños and a bowl of ranch topped with fresh herbs.

Fried Pickles

5 from 1 vote
Crispy deep fried dill pickles are the ultimate appetizer and a fun treat to serve with a hearty bowl of chili! Dill pickles are coated in an easy, flavorful batter and deep fried to make them crunchy, crispy, and better than any restaurant.
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A perfect classic margarita garnished with salt rim and a wedge of lime.

Classic Margarita

4.91 from 10 votes
Fresh citrus flavors are a nice complement to an hearty bowl of chili! Only a handful of ingredients are needed to make these Easy Classic Margaritas at home! No pre-made mixes are required.
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Stack of sopapilla cheesecake bars being drizzled with honey.

Sopapilla Cheesecake Recipe

5 from 2 votes
These Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are a fun dessert ready to feed a crowd! Layers of flaky dough, with a creamy, sweet cheesecake in between. All topped with a cinnamon sugar crust. A great dessert idea to end your chili dinner.
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Try some of our favorite chili recipes

More Recipe Collections: What to Serve with Tacos

Southern Buttermilk Cornbread

No ratings yet
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 16
Author: Serene
Slices of cornbread being served with butter and a drizzle of honey.

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • cup light brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 large egg
  • cup buttermilk

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400℉ degrees. Spray 8×8 square non stick baking dish with baking spray. Set aside. 
  • In a large mixing bowl combine the cornmeal, all purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk together. 
  • In a medium size mixing bowl add the melted butter (should be melted but cooled to room temperature, don’t use while still hot). Whisk with the light brown sugar until combined. 
  • Pour in the honey and whisk together. 
  • Whisk in the egg. And whisk while pouring in the buttermilk, until completely combined. 
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir together.
  • Pour the cornbread mixture into the baking dish. 
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until completely baked in the center. Test by using a toothpick, it should come out clean once completely baked. 

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 223IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Welcome to my kitchen!

Welcome to the House of Yumm!! My name is Serene. I’m the food photographer, recipe developer, and official taste tester around these parts.

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