Save
Chili is the king of the comfort food dishes that we love to make throughout the fall and winter months. Whether you’re getting friends round for a night at home together, or need a delicious and easy way to feed all the family during the week, chili is one of those dishes that ticks all the boxes. And whilst you can plate it up alongside a dish of plain rice, read on to discover what side dishes to serve with chili, that’ll get the whole family excited.
Roast potatoes
Roast potatoes might not be the first idea that springs to mind when you’re hunting for side dishes for chili, but you won’t regret trying this one out. This side dish is perfect when you’re making chili at the weekend and have the time to let the chili simmer whilst the roast potatoes cook to perfection in the oven. Why not swap your Sunday roast dinner for a chili and roast potatoes? It’s guaranteed to keep everyone around the table satiated, and the creamy, fluffy, crispy textures of the roast potatoes are an indulgent and mouth-watering side dish to your spicy chili. Top with chives or sprigs of rosemary to bring an additional herbal element to your chili and roasted potatoes. Or you could add spices like paprika to your potatoes if you’d prefer to tie-in the potatoes with a spicy kick.
Guacamole
Whilst the origins of chili aren’t completely known, it’s undeniable that there’s a strong Latin American influence on the dish. For this reason, when you’re wondering what else to serve with chili, you can’t go wrong when taking inspiration from Mexican cooking. That’s why we love a generous scoop and dollop of guacamole with our chili. Smooth and creamy, the textures of guacamole offset the spicy and savory flavors of the chili flawlessly. You can opt for shop-bought guacamole, but we think guacamole is best made freshest at home, and takes little to no time at all. Serve with nachos for the ideal scoop to load the guacamole and chili up together. A side of sour cream and chives also pairs nicely with chili and guacamole. Or, if you have any yogurt in the fridge, try dolloping a scoop of this on top of your chili with guacamole.
Cornbread
Cornbread is one of the best sides for chili. A traditional cornbread recipe is slightly sweet, making it an ideal accompaniment to the spicy flavors of a chili. If you’re hosting guests and planning to make a chili, creating a cornbread from scratch will really make sure they leave impressed with your skills in the kitchen. If you want to introduce other flavors to the cornbread, you can add jalapeño peppers to the batter before baking for a nod to the Mexican influence of this dish, or even bacon if you’d like to add a little additional saltiness to the cornbread. Some chefs will bake spinach into the batter for a color pop in the cornbread. However you decide to create your cornbread, we think it’s worth the extra time making it from scratch.
Coleslaw
Though chili is superb in the fall and winter months, it can be one of those tasty dishes to serve when you’re hosting friends for a barbecue during the summertime. If you’re planning to whip this up in the warmer months, then a side serving of coleslaw is an absolute must. The fresh, creamy, and tangy taste of the slaw matches the hearty and spicy chili flavors brilliantly. If you’re short on time, then you can purchase a pot at your local grocery store, or if you’d like to try making it from scratch, we have an easy recipe to follow. A lively and zingy side dish, it’s ideal when paired with umami-rich ingredients like beef and brings a nice crunch to the table.
Zucchini fries
Last, but not least, we have zucchini fries. You could of course serve your chili alongside classic potato fries, but when hosting friends and family we like zucchini fries as an elevated side dish, that still has all the hallmarks of authentic comfort food. The crunchy and crispy texture of the fries is perfect alongside the softness of the chili, and zucchini is at its best during the spring and summer months. A healthier alternative to classic potato fries, the mild and sweet flavor of zucchini is delicious alongside the richness of the chili. Enjoy as a side dish dipped into your favorite sauce or dunk straight into the chili for the full effect.
Latest
