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Side Dishes That Go Great With Chili

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Planning a chili dinner but don’t know what to serve as a side dish? These side dish recipes add a perfect balance to the warmth and spice of your favorite chili recipe.

Side Dishes That Go Great With Chili

Feeding a crowd can be challenging, but a chili-side dish combo makes it effortless. Keep reading to discover the best side dishes to serve so your meal can be a success!

1. Spicy Coleslaw 

Right off the bat, let’s start with coleslaw. This refreshing and easy-to-make dish is a great night-before prep dish, to make your life even easier!

2. Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes 

Mashed potatoes can be a great side dish or it can be a good base to pour the chili on top. Fresh garlic makes this recipe more flavorful, and you need that extra oomph!

3. Grilled Corn 

Grilled corn is one of those meals with a nostalgic flair that instantly makes you think of home. It is also a great side dish for chili because they share the same spice profile.

4. Quesadilla 

If you’ve never dipped a quesadilla into chili, you’ve been missing out! Not only are they full of great flavors, but they’re also ready in five minutes flat. You can also stuff them with leftover chili and cheese!

5. Best Super Moist Cornbread 

No list of chili sides would be complete without cornbread. Once you make a big batch, you can use it for anything and everything, including at breakfast time!

6. Cashew Crunch Salad with Sesame Dressing 

The best recipes are all about balance between salty and sweet, rich and light. This recipe captures that perfectly. Chili and Asian-style salad? Why not!

7. Honey Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins 

Another cornbread recipe, these muffins are easy to make, require minimal cleanup, and are bite-sized treats. They also have a hot kick from the jalapenos. They are the perfect side dish for a cup of steaming chili.

8. Broccoli Cauliflower Salad 

A fresh potluck salad option for you is this broccoli cauliflower salad. This isn’t for picky eaters, but the more adventurous diners at your chili party will certainly enjoy it.

9. Baked Potato 

Baked potatoes are so easy to pull off! Just poke a potato with a fork, put it in the oven, wait about 50 minutes and you’re ready to serve them up with a heaping cupful of chili on top!

10. Sweet Cornbread Muffins 

Pivoting away from the savory cornbread, this recipe is best served with butter and honey. A sweet treat cannot be beaten, great to serve after a hearty chili meal.

11. Loaded Nacho Tater Tots 

These tater-tot nachos are super easy to prepare. Just place your tater tots on a baking sheet, add the toppings of your choice (I love them with chili and cheese), and bake!

12. Irish Pub Potato Nachos 

This recipe is similar to the tater-tot nachos but with a differently shaped potato base. Baked potato slices can be topped with almost anything, and they make a great appetizer or side dish for chili.

13. Zucchini Fries 

A very healthy alternative to regular potato fries, these are quick and easy to make. Also, they’re perfect for dipping in chili.

14. Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Drop Biscuits 

Drop biscuits are so simple to make and you can easily spice them up. I love breaking them up into little pieces and mixing them into my chili!

15. Best Ever Guacamole 

Let’s face it, guacamole goes well with everything and anything! A big bowl of guac and chips is the perfect side dish for a nice steaming cup of chili!

16. Elotes 

This classic, Mexican street food is a perfect pair for a big pot of chili! Its cheesy creaminess works great with the spicy, more meaty flavors of chili.

When you’ve got a massive gathering, you need side dishes for days. Making chili is the best option, and having easy dishes with fast clean-up is key. These simple and easy-to-execute recipes will make any occasion stress-free. Enjoy!

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