Not Sure What to Serve with Chili? We’ve Got Ya Covered w/ 10 Ideas!
If you’re not sure what to serve with chili to make it a complete dinner, check out these 10 ideas!
Chili lovers gather around. Let’s discuss what goes with chili!
Are you hosting a chili cookoff or just like to make chili for your family often? I love prepping a big batch of chili for entertaining because it’s easy and affordable, and crowd-pleasing! Plus, it’s so convenient to make chili ahead of time and keep it warm in a Crock-Pot to serve for parties.
In case you are wondering what to serve with chili, I have 10 best sides for chili your family will love!
1. Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Dipping Sauce
Potatoes are one of our favorite sides for chili. Making sweet potato fries is super simple because you just drizzle olive oil and season as desired – no measuring if you don’t want to! Preparing them using the air fryer makes it that much easier and you’ll love the crisp texture.
2. The Best Creamy Coleslaw
Coleslaw always pairs well with chili, and this creamy coleslaw recipe from Allrecipes.com is how I like to prepare it. Using apple cider vinegar and mayonnaise makes a great tangy and creamy dressing. I usually grab a bag of prepared coleslaw mix to make it even easier!
3. Grilled Mexican Street Corn
Mexican Street Corn, or Elote, as it’s called is grilled corn on the cob topped with a yummy sour cream/mayo, lime, and cotija cheese mixture that is insanely delicious. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home, and would be a great side dish with chili!
4. Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potato Bites
This take on crispy parmesan potatoes is popular on Tiktok and I can see why! I can verify that these are so delicious and a must-try idea. The process involves slicing potatoes into squares much like Hasselback potatoes, brushing them with a simple olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese mixture, and then baking them to browned perfection. YUMMY!
5. Grandmother’s Buttermilk Cornbread
This from-scratch cornbread recipe from Allrecipes.com has over 6 thousand 5-star reviews! It promises to be slightly sweet and has a soft moist texture. Chili and cornbread is always a winning combination and I cannot wait to try baking it myself!
6. Baked Potato Bar
If you are hosting a hungry crowd try making a potato bar with all the toppings including a batch of hearty chili! This is such a fun and easy idea all will love. Collin is also a fan of this idea and this is also one of her favorite ideas for feeding a large party.
7. Spinach Pear Salad
In case coleslaw isn’t your jam check out my spinach and pear salad. It features fresh pears, pecans, dried cherries, creamy goat cheese, and a homemade pear vinaigrette drizzled over fresh spinach. If you are a salad enthusiast like me, pear spinach salad checks every box for flavor, texture, and crunch!
8. Garlic Bread From Grocery Store Baguette
This recipe from NyTimes.com is my favorite method for making quick garlic bread at home. The secret is to use lots of butter and garlic. I typically don’t even measure, and sometimes use garlic powder in a pinch and dried parsley. The parmesan cheese adds delicious flavor and makes it memorable.
9. Bacon Cream Cheese Jalapeno Popper Bites
If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer to pair with chili night, these easy jalapeno bites from our Hip2Keto.com site would be an outstanding choice. It calls for just four ingredients and uses a muffin pan for convenience. Plus, if you eat low-carb, these make for a great keto-friendly appetizer.
10. Large Hot Dog Snack Board
Creating a large hot dog bar to go along with a big batch of chili is also a no-brainer idea. Guests can easily create a chili dog with all the fixings! Taking the time to remove the packaging and pouring items into small bowls makes it such a beautiful presentation.
What type of chili do you like to make?
Here are some of my personal favorite chili recipes:
What goes with chili as far as best toppings?
Check out our favorite chili topping ideas:
Consider baking a tray of ham and cheese sliders as a great way to feed a crowd too!
Love this! At my house, it’s either grilled cheese or peanut butter sandwiches.
YUMMY! I’ll have to make those to serve with my chili next time. 😋 I usually do baked potatoes or corn bread.
Yum. I wanna try several of these. In KY, we do pimiento cheese sandwiches, grilled cheese, or quesadillas. My husband grew up with peanut butter sandwiches as a a chilli side.
That is so interesting about PB sandwiches! I can see how that’s yummy. Thanks for sharing Tracy!
I really enjoyed this article! Would love to see other homemade one-dish type meals that can be rounded out (or stretched) with sides. Thanks! : )
Oh yay! I am so glad. Thanks for the feedback Jennifer!
We serve our chili with rice, pasta, or tortilla chips. We fill our bowl with one of the above and top with chili. Add sour cream, cheese and green onions.
Oh nice! That sounds perfect!
Growing up it was always pb sandwich with our chili too ha
I did not realize this was a thing and now need to try! Yum! Ha
Chili is great if you have leftover taco shells too or on top of pasta.
Yes! Great idea – yum.
Is it a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or just peanut butter sandwich? I have never considered this as a chili side. I usually serve cornbread. It is snowy today. I think I will make some chili and try the peanut butter sandwiches on the side.
I was curious too and have been reading about this combo online and it seems to be peanut butter sandwiches no jelly. Some grill it like a grilled cheese and dip it in chili. Hope that helps!
thank you! I’ve never grilled a pb sandwich, so this will be a fun switch-up!
Navajo tacos with fry bread made from the rhodes rolls dough topped with chili, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream salsa etc, also we often make burritos with chili, refried beans and cheese rolled in a tortilla and toasted on a fry pan.
Oh yum! Love Navajo tacos. Great idea Franki!