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?
Typically, when we think of a bowl of homemade chili, we picture ground beef, a spicy tomato sauce, and legumes. The significant part about a chili recipe, however, is its adaptability!
In addition to ground beef, you can prepare Texas-style chili with chuck roast, pulled pork, or even healthy poultry.
Best Side Dishes To Serve With Chili
After you’ve made your favorite chili dish, it’s time to determine what to eat with chili, the reason you came to this page. Depending on your event and preferences, go simple with cornbread or breadsticks, or create a heartier meal with sandwiches and plenty 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 mixture 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 make-ahead appetizer and can be warm in the oven when ready to serve.
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 classic broth, salad, or bread combo. 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 beautiful way to save money when hosting parties.
6. Cinnamon-Sugar Rolls
In fact! Only criticize once you have experienced it! It is a chili side dish I’ve come to learn of recently, and it always elicits the same reaction – 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, or 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, make-ahead chickpea avocado salad, or something that compliments chili season, such as Harvest Salad, with apples, blue cheese, and candied pecans.
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 cheeses, 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. Nachos
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 ready to serve, pop the trays in the oven and serve promptly with all the fixings ready!
10. Hot Dogs
For a child-friendly meal, I like to serve hot dogs alongside chili so visitors can choose a milder option. Adults enjoy them as a side dish or as popular chili dogs, like these Mexican Hot Dogs.
11. Quesadillas
Like grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas complement the perfect chili and cheese combination! Various spicy cheeses are 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 heat and creates the ideal shell for a cream cheese and cheddar filling.
Before baking, sprinkle the poppers with bread crumbs or wrap them in bacon to elevate this finger food to the next level.
Take notice of the ideal conclusion to a supper! Spiciness is balanced by something lighter, such as frozen fruit salad or old-fashioned Jello salad. Consider homemade brownies, sheet cake, apple cheesecake bars, or scotcheroos if you’re hosting a party and want something more decadent.
Thank you for reading….
