32 Side Dishes That Go Great with Chili

Baked potatoes and beef chili are a classic dinner combo. Here’s how to make absolutely perfect baked potatoes every time, from choosing the right type of potato to how long to bake it for.

Switch things up and pair your chili with baked sweet potatoes! Here's the easiest, simplest way to make the best baked sweet potatoes every time.

Everyone needs a simple, versatile side that’s easy to partner with classic beef chili or turkey chili.

These caramelized cubes crackle when you bite through the crisp surface and into the creamy center. Toss them with your favorite seasonings, like ground cumin and chili powder, or go the sweet route with cinnamon and honey.

These mouthwatering smashed potatoes are tossed in a garlic butter mixture and baked until golden and crispy. For a delicious variation, try our hot honey butter smashed potatoes, too!

Thick rounds of sweet potato are seasoned, smashed, and roasted, creating crispy-edged medallions with creamy, tender centers. The sprinkling of Parmesan cheese creates a crunchy topper on every round, almost like a little frico to go along with every bite.

These pan-fried potatoes are the perfect side dish to serve with chili. Here, they’re finished with fresh herbs and a pat of butter, which browns quickly, turns a little nutty, and takes the potatoes over-the-top.

These petite French fries are crunchy, crispy, and, most importantly, a family favorite that pairs well with homemade chili.

These sweet potato fries are so crispy, you’ll never guess they weren’t fried to begin with. Sprinkle the hot fries with grated Parmesan for a cheesy coating or add fresh herbs like cilantro or basil.

Despite their frilly fancy-pants appearance, hasselback potatoes take no more time than a baked potato. To make them, you can use any type of potato and slice straight down into the potato, but stop just short of cutting all the way through.

Few things are better than tucking into a slice of warm, buttery cornbread with a bowl of chili. This easy cornbread has crispy edges and a moist and fluffy center, and is packed with rich, buttery flavor.

Thanks to a few smart tricks, you'll get a high rise and a few flaky layers with this Southern biscuit recipe, which is perfect for dunking into your favorite chili.

These cornbread muffins have just a touch of sweetness, and are perfect alongside a bowl of chili.

A simple homemade biscuit dough is baked atop a stick of melted butter, creating light, tender, and extra-buttery biscuits.

Don’t be afraid to really fill your muffin tin with the batter. These spicy cornbread muffins will puff nicely, but not to the extent of cupcakes; you don’t need to worry about them overflowing.

We're huge fans of classic buttermilk biscuits, but these bacon cheddar biscuits are our new favorite. The flaky buttermilk layers are studded with sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and fragrant green onion — making them a starring side dish for your weeknight chili.

To make sweet potato cornbread even more irresistible, pair it with homemade maple butter.

These Irish cheddar potato rolls are baked to cheesy, buttery perfection. They’re topped with a grating of sharp cheddar before going into the oven, which adds texture and flavor to the rolls as they bake.

With our copycat recipe, you can make these iconic biscuits at home with pantry staples.

It’s everything you already love about cornbread, but taken to a whole new level with the addition of spicy jalapeños, scallions, and pepper Jack cheese. A can of cream-style corn is stirred into the batter for added texture and moisture, giving the bread a hearty distribution of whole corn kernels in every square.

These tender rolls get their pale orange hue and delicate sweetness from mashed sweet potatoes.

They’re stunningly tall and flaky, thanks to a few smart techniques. A mix of heavy cream and cream cheese also makes them extra rich and crumbly.

It’s a classic for a reason, and pairs perfectly with a bowl of chili. You can use green or purple cabbage, or a combination of the two.

Great slaw can upstage salad whenever it gets a chance. This one, full of red cabbage and crisp apples, dressed with honey and lime, is familiar yet not run-of-the-mill.

This easy slaw starts with a bag of shredded cruciferous vegetables and almonds, and dried cherries in a tangy honey-mustard dressing.

With the crunchy texture of carrots and red cabbage and the bold flavors of vinegar, Dijon mustard, and jalapeño, this dish wins people over with just one bite.

This crunchy slaw doesn’t skimp on flavor — it’s packed with a bright, fresh, and tangy flavor, and is wonderfully creamy without relying on mayo.

This easy slaw of crispy bacon, crunchy cabbage, and sweet apples pair perfectly with a bowl of chili.

This simple red cabbage and carrot coleslaw is tossed in a spicy and creamy dressing — perfect for serving alongside chili.

Making the dressing for this slaw is as easy as throwing things in a blender. A buttery ripe avocado turns into a creamy, tangy dressing that coats the sturdy Swiss chard, carrots, and onion beautifully.

As a salad base, julienned broccoli stems and other crunchy vegetables stand up to creamy dressings like a dream and stay firm for days.

This carrot slaw is sweet and tangy, due to a healthy amount of Dijon mustard in the dressing, and bright and fragrant, thanks to a heap of sliced scallions.