What To Serve With Chili (29 Delicious Pairings!)

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Have chili and looking for what to serve it with or how to serve it? Then this list of 29 recipes to serve with chili is for you!

Collage that says "what to serve with chili".

Chili is a delicious meal on its own, served with side dishes, or enjoyed on top of other things (chili dogs anyone??). No matter how you enjoy your chili, it’s always a hit!

So if you are cooking up some tasty chili, here are a round up of delicious recipes for side dishes to serve with your chili along with some fun ideas for how to serve the chili!

Our Favorite Chili Recipes

Vegetarian Chili, a classic chili ready in under 20 minutes
White Bean Chili, a healthy twist on the white bean classic
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili, with the most satisfying walnut “meat”
Tempeh Chili, a vegan chili that uses one of our favorite vegan ingredients
Lentil Chili, a 7-ingredient chili that has a history of people fighting over who gets to take home the leftovers

What To Serve With Chili

Here are our top picks for what to serve with chili. Are we missing any of your favorites? Comment below with your favorite chili pairings!

29. Cabbage Salad Recipe

A vibrant bowl of Thai cabbage salad with colorful carrots and fresh herbs is placed on a red table. A serving spoon rests invitingly in the bowl.

Who doesn’t love warm chili paired with refreshing coleslaw?! This salad is a spicy Asian Slaw that pairs perfectly with your favorite chili. (Cabbage Salad Recipe)

I love a good breadstick, in particular to soak up all those last little bits of chili at the bottom of the bowl. These breadsticks are quick to make and will be a great addition to the table alongside chili. (Breadsticks Recipe)

27. Quesadillas

A stack of quesadillas with corn and black beans in them.

Pairing spicy chili (like our classic Vegetarian Chili) with a quesadilla complements the gooey, goodness of the cheesy quesadilla. If you’r feeling a little spicy, you can use the quesadilla as a vessel to carry the chili into your mouth! (Quesadillas Recipe)

26. Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

A bowl of rosemary roasted potatoes seasoned with herbs, showcasing golden and darkened pieces, garnished with sprigs of fresh rosemary and accompanied by a spoon on a light blue background.

Chili is one of my favorite soups and I think it’s because its not very soup like. It has texture and packs in the flavor. So, if you’re like me and like texture with your soups, I highly recommend eating chili with these super crispy rosemary roasted potatoes (Rosemary Roasted Potatoes)! For an even easier option, try chili with these Microwaved Baked Potatoes.

25. Upside Down Onion Tart

Most chili’s use garlic and onion as a base so it only makes sense to pair it with onion side dishes. These onion tarts have a creamy layer of brie and a flaky pastry crust that is sturdy enough to hold a bite of chili on it! (Upside Down Onion Tart)

24. Soft Pretzels

Dipping pretzels in cheese or mustard is a given, but have you ever tried it in chili? I implore you to try a soft pretzel dipped in chili that has a layer of melted cheese on top. I promise it won’t disappoint! (Soft Pretzels Recipe)

23. Chickpea Salad

A vibrant corn salad featuring chickpeas, red onion, tomato, fresh herbs, feta cheese, and a lime garnish sits in a bowl with a spoon and glasses of water on a bright blue surface.

This family favorite quick chickpea salad is delicious alongside chili (might I recommend another family favorite – White Bean Chili). The salad comes together in 10 minutes which makes it perfect for when you have leftover chili and just need something quick to go with it. (Chickpea Salad)

22. Sweet Potato Fries

A vibrant blue surface showcases a plate of seasoned sweet potato wedges accompanied by a bowl of dip. Nearby, a whole sweet potato sits beside a tray brimming with more tempting wedges.

Fries and chili is a common pairing, but how about sweet potato fries? These fries can be enjoyed dipped in black bean chili or as the base to chili fries. (Sweet Potato Fries)

21. Healthy Guacamole dip

Healthy guacamole in a bowl with tortilla chips spinach

Guacamole is great as a topping for your chili. And this guac is extra great because it never turns brown, seriously! This makes it perfect for tailgating, barbecues, or Sunday get together’s (all the places that chili would also be). (Healthy Guacamole dip)

20. Blueberry Grilled Cheese

Blueberry grilled cheese sandwiches filled with fresh spinach and blueberries are stacked on a white plate, accompanied by two glasses of ice water in the background.

Don’t knock blueberry grilled cheese until you’ve tried it. I mean, fruit and cheese is a natural pairing. And the blueberry in this grilled cheese adds just the right sweetness alongside your favorite spicy chili. (Blueberry Grilled Cheese)

19. Spanish Rice and Beans

Spanish rice and red beans on a plate with a blue background - This easy vegan Spanish Rice and Beans recipe is quick to whip up and is a great source of complete proteins!

If I were to make dinner, I would probably serve vegan sweet potato chili with Spanish rice and beans. One, because they have similar flavor profiles, but also because they use some of the same ingredients. This means less things to buy, saving time and money! (Spanish Rice and Beans)

18. Caesar Beans on Toast

This might sound like an odd combination, but Texas toast goes great with chili so why not another toast? Caesar beans on toast is particularly good with chili because of the heavy garlic flavor in the caesar beans. This compliments the garlic in chili. (Caesar Beans on Toast)

17. Sweet Potato Skins

Mexican sweet potato skins are baked to perfection, topped with corn, beans, cheese, and herbs on a vibrant red surface. Theyre served with avocado slices, lime wedges, and a refreshing glass of ice water.

This sweet potato skins are delicious alongside chili. You can also swap out the filling for chili or top them with chili! This is a great option for using up and serving leftover chili. (Sweet Potato Skins)

16. Frozen Mango Margarita

Frozen mango margarita slush in a glass with a slice of lime on a red background.

I don’t think I’ve ever met a margarita I don’t like. Then add mango and it’s the most awesome and refreshing drink to wash down spicy chili. (Frozen Mango Margarita)

15. Air Fryer Nachos

Nachos are another dish that is great alongside chili but also as a base for chili. You can also try chili on top of Doritos for a funky twist on chili nachos! (Air Fryer Nachos)

14. Carrot Hot Dog

Five carrot hot dogs, drizzled with mustard and topped with chopped onions and red relish, are arranged in a row on a bright yellow surface.

Chili dogs are a must at ball parks, for barbecues, and just to have an easy dinner at home. That’s why these carrot hot dogs with chili are so good! Not only do they taste and grill like a hot dog, but the slight sweetness of the carrots is made even better when eaten with chili. (Carrot Hot Dog)

13. Garlic Bread

Vegan garlic bread slices rest on a black plate, paired with garlic cloves in the background. Two glasses, one filled with a white liquid, sit nearby on a pristine white surface.

Pairing garlic bread with chili provides a texture and flavor contrast. The buttery, garlicky bread complements the hearty chili, creating a satisfying combination of crunchy and saucy! (Garlic Bread)

12. Vegetarian Jalapeno Poppers

A white plate of vegetarian jalapeño poppers with a breadcrumb topping is arranged around a small cup of white dipping sauce.

Just like jalapeno poppers have a creamy filling to balance out the spicy pepper, they do the same for chili! I highly recommend dipping them in your chili or using them as part of a large chili game day spread! (Vegetarian Jalapeno Poppers)

11. Spaghetti Squash Bowls

Halved spaghetti squash filled with mixed vegetables like broccoli and tomatoes, drizzled in vibrant pesto. Glasses of water and additional vegetables are on the side.

So there is such a thing as chili spaghetti where chili is served on top of chili. While I don’t quite know about that, I do recommend eating chili on top of these spaghetti squash bowls! (Spaghetti Squash Bowls)

10. Creamy Radish Salad

Everyone has their favorite creamy cucumber salad and this cucumber radish one is mine! This cold salad is great at cooling down your mouth after too hot of a bite of chili. It’s also extra refreshing and simple to toss together. (Creamy Radish Salad)

9. Carrot Fries

Just like regular fries go great with chili, carrot fries go equally as well with chili! Try pairing them with your favorite spicy chili for a sweet and spicy bite. (Air Fryer Carrot Fries)

8. Fruit Salad

Fruit salad on a plate in front of a white background.

Chili can be a bite heavy so pairing it with something light and refreshing like a fruit salad is the go-to move! (Breakfast Fruit Salad)

7. Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls with icing on a plate with marble background

I can’t take credit for this combination. It dates back to the 60’s and for good reason. It’s sweet, salty, and savory all on one plate when you pair cinnamon rolls and chili! (Vegan Cinnamon Rolls)

6. Chili Meal Prep

Meal prep containers with broccoli, chili, and bulgur on a red background - This vegan Tempeh Chili Meal Prep is ready in 30 minutes and takes care of lunch for the week (plus it's like...really tasty).

Chili makes great meal prep because you put everything in a pot and then move on with your day. This makes meal prepping a breeze since you can cook some other components while the chili does it’s thing! I love meal prepping with this easy tempeh chili! (Chili Meal Prep)

5. Mashed Potato Croquettes

Another breaded potato bite (yup, that’s what a croquette is) that goes perfectly with chili. What can I say – I’m a creature of habit. These potato croquettes are easy to make and great for turning leftover mashed potatoes into something completely new! (Mashed Potato Croquettes)

4. Air Fryer BloominG Onion

Air fryer bloomin onion on a white plate.

I’m fairly certain bloomin onions are a recommend side dish for chili at restaurants. And if they’re not – they should be because the sweet and crispy onions make great dipping vessels for chili. Even better than onion rings, which hold nothing. (Air Fryer Bloomin’ Onion)

3. Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican street corn salad in a white bowl with a spoon

This another very refreshing salad that is quick to whip up. It’s got many of the beloved spicy Mexican flavors that compliment chili so well! (Mexican Street Corn Salad)

2. Truffle and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Chili mac and cheese is a childhood favorite of mine, which is odd considered I didn’t like pepper in my mac and cheese. Anywho, warm and spicy chili eaten with this truffle mac and cheese is a match made in heaven! It always has been and always will be. (Truffle and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese)

1. Cornbread

Saving the best for last – cornbread, the ultimate chili pairing. I recommend adding some jalapeños to the cornbread batter and drizzling with honey! (Cornbread Casserole Recipe)