8 Tasty Side Dishes To Serve With Beef Chili

beef chili side dish

Chili, a hearty stew of meat and beans simmered in a spicy tomato-based sauce, is the perfect winter meal.

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But if you don’t want to settle for plain old beef chili, here are some great side dishes that will add variety to your meal.

What is beef chili?

First, let’s grab some knowledge to know what beef chili is.

Beef chili is a soup or stew made with beef and beans, usually with chili peppers.

Beef chili is popular in the United States, where it’s often eaten on game day as part of a tailgate party.

The taste of beef chili varies depending on what ingredients you include in your recipe, some might be spicier than others.

The texture can range from thick and hearty to thin and brothy depending on how long you cook it (longer cooking will result in a thicker texture) and your preference.

Beef chili is best when served hot or warm on a cold winter day.

8 best side dishes to serve with beef chili

Here we go to the list of the eight best beef chili side dish ideas to complete your meal:

Cornbread

MARIE CALLENDERS Organic Corn Bread Mix, 16 OZ

Cornbread is a perfect pair for chili.

Cornbread is traditionally considered a Southern dish because it uses cornmeal instead of wheat flour as its main ingredient.

It can be made in a variety of ways, from basic to fancy, and it goes well with all kinds of chili.

For example, you can make cornbread from scratch or use boxed mixes that only require adding water and oil.

If you like sweet cornbread (which is delicious with beef chili!), add sugar and honey to the batter.

You can even mix jalapenos into your batter for an extra kick!

Breadsticks

Alessi Imported Breadsticks, Thin Autentico Italian Crispy Bread...

Breadsticks are a great option for serving with chili.

They’re easy to make, especially if you use frozen bread dough.

Cut the breadsticks into small pieces and serve them with your chili in a basket.

You can also dip the breadsticks in your bowl of chili for extra flavor!

Mexican rice

Vigo Authentic Mexican Rice with Corn, No Fat, 8oz (Pack of 12)

One of the first things that come to mind is Mexican rice, which is a great way to use up leftover rice and corn.

It’s also a great side dish for beef chili because it soaks up the soup nicely!

The best part about this recipe is that it’s really easy and quick to make, especially if you’re using leftover rice from another meal.

Grilled cheese

Just the Cheese Bars, Low Carb Snack - Baked Keto Snack, High Protein,...

Grilled cheese sandwiches are classic comfort food that makes the perfect side dish for beef chili.

Start with two slices of bread (white or whole wheat), then add your choice of cheese and any other toppings you like.

For a traditional grilled cheese, use American cheese or cheddar; if you want to get fancy, try Gruyère or Brie instead.

You can also mix it up by adding different toppings like avocado slices or roasted red peppers before cooking—just make sure not too much is going on inside each bite so there’s room for all those melted cheeses!

Coleslaw

Taylor Farms Coleslaw, 14 oz Bag

Coleslaw is a great side dish to serve with chili, especially if you’re serving it as more of a main course than the traditional mid-winter meal.

Whether you prefer green or red cabbage, there are many different ways to make coleslaw.

If you want to keep it super simple, just mix shredded cabbage with a bit of mayonnaise and salt and pepper for flavor.

For something more hearty, try adding some chopped peanuts or cashews for crunch.

You can also add diced apples or raisins if you’re looking for something sweet.

Tortilla Chips

365 by Whole Foods Market, Tortilla Chips White Corn Salted Restaurant...

Tortilla chips are a great choice for beef chili.

If you’re not serving bread or another carb-heavy side, these are the perfect accompaniment to your pot of hot and spicy chili.

They’re also a great alternative to cornbread, which can be a little heavy with beef chili.

If you’re looking for something light but still satisfying, tortilla chips are it!

The salty crunch will help cut through the richness of your dish without overpowering its flavor profile.

Guacamole

365 by Whole Foods Market Guacamole, Traditional, 8 Ounce

Guacamole is a great side dish for beef chili.

It’s also an ideal dip for tortilla chips or an accompaniment to tacos, nachos, and other Tex-Mex dishes.

If you’re serving guacamole with your beef chili, here are some tips:

  • Use ripe avocados (they should be soft to the touch).
  • Make sure there are no brown spots on the avocado skin before you peel it off
  • Be careful not to squish down too hard on any part because this will make it mushy instead of creamy smooth once blended together later on.

Sour cream

Amazon Brand - Happy Belly Sour Cream, Kosher, 16 Ounce

When it comes to beef chili, sour cream is a popular choice.

The tanginess of the sour cream goes well with the hearty flavor of beef chili.

It’s no wonder that so many people enjoy serving a whoop of this creamy topping with their chili.

Sour cream also happens to be a good source of calcium and vitamin A—two nutrients that are important for strong bones and healthy skin.

Conclusion

Chili is a great dish to serve with some of these options.

It’s hearty, filling, and delicious!

You can also use it as an opportunity to get creative with your food choices—you could try some new flavors and spices that you may not have thought about before.