It’s all here if you’re wondering what to consume with chili! When tailgating, viewing the big game, hosting a chili cook-off, or hosting a party, many people prefer to serve chili with side dishes, bread, and finger foods. So, what are good side dishes with chili?
On a chilly night, few things are better than a hearty, warm, comforting chili bowl. Many consider a bowl of chili to be a complete supper. However, various tasty side dishes can make a serving of chili feel more like a full meal.
Good Side Dishes With Chili
After you’ve made your favorite chili dishes, it’s time to determine what to eat with chili, the reason you came to this page. Depending on your event and guests’ preferences, you may opt for a simple menu, such as cornbread or breadsticks, or a heartier one, consisting of sandwiches and an abundance of finger foods.
1. Cornbread
This dish is typically served with chili because you can always go right with a classic. The flavor of mildly sweet corn complements the spiciness of chili. In addition, it is divine when pulverized on top and scooped up with beef and kidney beans.
However, there are numerous cornbread recipes from which to choose. If you serve a crowd with various dietary restrictions, gluten-free cornbread or corn casserole will delight everyone!
To evoke the flavor of chili, add minced chilies or jalapenos to the dough and sprinkle grated cheese on top before baking. In addition, you can add everyone’s beloved condiment, bacon, by preparing bacon cornbread!
2. Potato Skins
Chili night is the perfect opportunity for me to indulge in potato skins. They are an excellent side dish that can be prepared in advance and reheated in the oven before serving.
In addition, many potato skin garnishes, such as sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions, are traditional chili toppings. It is a dish that children and adults can support in any preparation!
3. Baked Potatoes
Again, all chili garnishes can also be used as potato toppings, making baked potatoes an excellent side dish. They also hold up well if prepared in advance for party preparations. Cover the potatoes in aluminum foil and store them in a refrigerator or bread warmer for several hours.
Consider creating chili-stuffed potatoes, similar to buffalo chicken baked potatoes, if you want the baked potato to be the main course. The flesh is seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper, followed by chili, cheddar, and sour cream.
4. Breadsticks / Bread
Dunkable foods are a common theme when deciding what to consume with chili. Use breadsticks for a traditional broth, salad, and bread combination. Alternately, prepare a bread suitable for slathering with golden heated butter.
A simple mix-and-bake recipe for sausage muffins, the cheddar flavor pairs well with chili. Try sweet Irish soda bread if you want a sweeter substitute for a sweet and peppery combination.
5. Tacos
Like potato skins, you can use some chili garnishes to accompany tacos. Consider cajun chicken or blackened fish tacos to increase protein or flavor.
You can also stick to tradition with sweet and fiery tacos or simplify the meal with a recipe for walking taco casserole. With the overlap of ingredients, this is a fantastic way to save money when preparing food for gatherings.
6. Cinnamon Rolls
In fact! Don’t criticize before you’ve experienced it! It is a chile side dish I’ve only recently discovered, and it always elicits the same response: what?!
This combination dates back to 1960s school meals in the Midwestern United States. Then, it was served at chili cook-offs and community fundraisers.
How do you pair cinnamon rolls and chili? The answer is numerous! Save it for dessert, rip it up, and eat it with the chili, alternately sweet and spicy bites. Position it at the bottom of the dish and pour the chili on top.
Try mix-and-bake gluten-free cinnamon bread if you want a less labor-intensive alternative to homemade cinnamon rolls.
7. Salad
Fresh greens are an excellent choice for a lighter, crisper side dish to accompany a hearty dish like chili. It can be as straightforward as a fresh green salad, a chickpea avocado salad made in advance, or a Harvest Salad with apples, blue cheese, and candied pecans that complements chili season.
8. Cheese Grilled Sandwiches
As with another popular American comfort dish, baked macaroni, and cheese, there always needs to be more gooey, creamy cheese. You can prepare this family favorite with various melting kinds of cheese, including cheddar, pepper jack, Colby-jack, and havarti.
If the chile is incredibly spicy, consider using a cheese with a milder flavor, such as cheddar. However, if supreme heat is what you seek, pepper jack will do the trick!
9. Nacos
In terms of nacho varieties, the ceiling is truly the limit. Create bean-based vegetarian nachos to complement the chili without contending with its flavors. However, if you prepared a beef chili, you can also prepare poultry or pork nachos for variety.
If serving a large group, construct nacho platters in advance on baking sheets. When you’re ready to serve, place the trays in the oven and serve the food promptly with all the condiments prepared.
10. Hot Dogs
For a child-friendly meal, I like to serve hot dogs alongside chili so visitors can choose a milder option. Adults appreciate them as a side dish or an ingredient in chili dogs, such as these Mexican Hot Dogs.
11. Quesadillas
Like grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas complement the perfect chili and cheese combination! There are a variety of spicy cheeses available, including habanero cheddar, sriracha cheese, and pepper jack.
Throw any leftover chili ingredients, such as beans, peppers, onions, or meat, between tortillas to create a hearty entrée.
12. Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapeno peppers and chili are the definition of a perfect tailgating meal. Fresh jalapenos are sliced and hollowed out, and the seeds are extracted. It reduces the amount of heat and creates the ideal shell for a cream cheese and cheddar filling.
Cornbread, garlic bread, coleslaw, rice, and roasted potatoes are excellent side dishes to pair with chili. Additional options, such as nachos with cheese, a simple green salad, or corn on the cob, offer a variety of flavors and textures, enriching the overall chili experience.
Thank you for reading….
