✔ Updated · 40 sides: breads, rice, potatoes, chips + fresh
Chili con carne is rich, spicy and saucy, so I always pair it with one side that soaks it up and one that cools things down. Here are my 40 favorites, grouped so you can mix and match for game day or a cozy weeknight.
The classic accompaniments for chili con carne are fluffy white rice, cornbread and baked potatoes, which soak up the sauce. Add something crunchy, like tortilla chips or nachos, and something cool and fresh, like guacamole, coleslaw or a lime-dressed salad. Top it with sour cream, shredded cheddar, sliced green onions and jalapeños.
- Most traditional: white rice, cornbread, tortilla chips.
- Heartiest: baked potatoes, chili mac and cheese, fries.
- Fresh and cooling: guacamole, coleslaw, corn salad, cucumber salad.
- Low-carb: cauliflower rice, roasted vegetables, green salad.
Breads and Biscuits
Bread is the easiest way to mop up every last bit of sauce.
1. Cornbread
The classic chili side. Its slight sweetness and crumbly texture balance the spice; add jalapeños and cheddar for a kick.
Get the recipe →2. Crusty Bread
A warm, crusty loaf or baguette with plenty of butter is the simplest way to soak up the rich sauce.
Get the recipe →3. Garlic Bread
Buttery, garlicky slices or garlic knots, toasted until crisp at the edges, for dipping straight into the bowl.
4. Cheddar Biscuits
Fluffy, cheesy drop biscuits are a Southern-style alternative to cornbread and ready in about 20 minutes.
Get the recipe →5. Warm Flour Tortillas
Serve them soft on the side, or spoon chili inside with cheese for an easy handheld burrito.
6. Soft Pretzels
Chewy, salty pretzels are a fun game-day pairing for dunking into chili or a pot of cheese sauce.
7. Saltine or Oyster Crackers
The diner-style choice I grew up with in Ohio, where Mum always set a sleeve right next to the chili pot. Crumble a handful on top for crunch, or serve them on the side.
8. Hush Puppies
Crispy, golden cornmeal fritters with a fluffy middle. A Southern favorite for dunking straight into the chili.
9. Hot Dog Buns for Chili Dogs
Grill some hot dogs, tuck them into toasted buns and spoon chili and cheese over the top. Game-day gold.
Get the recipe →Rice, Potatoes and Pasta
These hearty bases turn a bowl of chili into a filling dinner.
10. Fluffy White Rice
The most common accompaniment for chili con carne. Plain long-grain rice soaks up the sauce and mellows the heat.
11. Cilantro-Lime Rice
Rice tossed with lime juice and fresh cilantro adds a bright, zesty lift to rich, beefy chili.
Get the recipe →12. Mexican Rice
Tomato-simmered rice with onion and garlic keeps a Tex-Mex theme going and stands up to bold spices.
13. Baked Potatoes
Split open a fluffy baked potato and spoon chili over the top with cheese and sour cream for a complete meal.
14. Loaded Potato Skins
Crispy skins filled with cheddar, bacon and green onion, perfect as scoops or a side for a chili party.
Get the recipe →15. Sweet Potato Fries
Crisp, slightly sweet fries dusted with chili powder or smoked paprika make a great contrast to spicy chili.
16. Chunky Fries
Thick-cut fries are ideal for dipping, or pile chili and cheese on top for chili cheese fries.
Get the recipe →17. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Buttery mash makes a comforting bed for chili, a little like a Tex-Mex cottage pie.
Get the recipe →18. Mac and Cheese
Serve it on the side or stir the two together for chili mac, a family favorite on cold nights.
Get the recipe →19. Spaghetti (Chili Spaghetti)
Cincinnati-style: chili ladled over spaghetti and buried under finely shredded cheddar. Weirdly brilliant.
20. Baked Sweet Potatoes
Fluffy, sweet baked sweet potatoes split open and filled with chili. The sweetness tames the spice.
Chips, Dips and Tex-Mex Sides
Crunchy, scoopable sides give every spoonful some texture.
21. Tortilla Chips
Salty corn chips for scooping are a must. Warm them in the oven for a few minutes for extra crunch.
22. Nachos
Layer chips with cheese and jalapeños, bake until bubbly, then top with spoonfuls of chili for chili nachos.
Get the recipe →23. Guacamole
Cool, creamy avocado with lime and cilantro tames the heat and doubles as a topping.
24. Pico de Gallo
Fresh chopped tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro and lime add brightness to a slow-simmered chili.
25. Cheese Quesadillas
Crisp tortillas filled with melted cheese, cut into wedges for dipping into the chili.
Get the recipe →26. Jalapeño Poppers
Halved jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar, baked until golden, for spice lovers and game days.
27. Baked Pita Chips
Pita wedges brushed with butter or oil and cumin, baked until crisp, a sturdy alternative to tortilla chips.
28. Onion Rings
Crispy battered rings are a pub-style side that works well with a big bowl of chili.
Get the recipe →29. Refried Beans
Creamy refried beans topped with melty cheese. Extra-hearty and great on a Tex-Mex spread.
30. Tamales
Steamed corn masa tamales served alongside, or smothered in chili Texas-style. Buy them or make a batch ahead.
31. Grilled Sausages
Smoky grilled or air-fried sausages on the side turn a pot of chili into a full cookout plate.
Fresh Salads and Vegetables
Something crisp and cool balances a hot, heavy chili.
32. Creamy Coleslaw
Cool, crunchy and a little tangy, coleslaw is a classic partner for meaty chili.
Get the recipe →33. Green Salad With Lime Vinaigrette
Crisp lettuce, cucumber, tomato and avocado with a zesty lime dressing keep the meal light.
34. Corn Salad
Sweet corn kernels with tomato, red onion, cilantro and lime juice add freshness and a pop of color.
35. Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Grilled corn on the cob slathered with mayo, cotija, chili powder and lime is a smoky, tangy side.
Get the recipe →36. Roasted Vegetables
Peppers, zucchini, onions and broccoli roasted at 425°F until charred make a simple, healthy side.
37. Cauliflower Rice
A low-carb swap for rice that still soaks up the sauce. Sauté it with a little garlic and lime.
Get the recipe →38. Avocado Tomato Salad
Chunks of avocado, tomato and red onion with lime and cilantro. Creamy, fresh and cooling.
39. Cucumber and Red Onion Salad
Crisp cucumber and thin red onion in a quick vinegar dressing. Crunchy, tangy and so refreshing.
40. Pickled Red Onions
Bright pink, tangy onions quick-pickled in vinegar for 30 minutes. A spoonful cuts right through rich chili.
Best Toppings for Chili Con Carne
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt to cool the heat
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
- Sliced green onions, diced red onion or pickled red onions
- Fresh or pickled jalapeños
- Chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime
- Diced avocado and crushed tortilla chips for crunch
How to Choose the Right Side
My rule is a balanced plate: one starch to soak up the sauce (rice, bread or potatoes), one crunchy side (chips or crackers) and one fresh or cooling side (slaw, salad or guacamole). For a party, I set out a toppings bar and two or three sides so everyone can build their own bowl.
For more ideas, see what to serve with tacos and what to serve with fajitas, or thicken a runny pot with these tips on how to thicken chili.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is traditionally served with chili con carne?
Chili con carne is traditionally served with white rice, cornbread or crackers, and topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped onions. In Tex-Mex style, tortilla chips, warm flour tortillas and guacamole are common too. In the UK it is most often served over rice or a baked potato.
What are good accompaniments for chilli con carne?
Good accompaniments include rice, baked potatoes, cornbread, crusty bread, tortilla chips, nachos, guacamole, coleslaw and a fresh green salad. Choose one starchy side to soak up the sauce, one crunchy side and one cool side to balance the spice.
What vegetables go well with chili?
Fresh, crisp vegetables balance a rich chili best: a green salad, corn salad, coleslaw, cucumber or Mexican street corn. Roasted peppers, zucchini and broccoli also work well, and cauliflower rice makes a good low-carb base.
What bread goes with chili con carne?
Cornbread is the classic choice, but crusty bread, garlic bread, cheddar biscuits, warm flour tortillas and soft pretzels all work well. Choose bread with a sturdy crust or crumb that can soak up the sauce without falling apart.
Is chili better with rice or bread?
Both are traditional, so it comes down to preference, and I’ll admit I’m firmly team cornbread. Rice makes chili a fuller, more filling meal and mellows the spice, while cornbread or crusty bread is better for dipping. For a crowd, serve rice and cornbread together and let everyone choose.
