Are you stuck for dinner ideas? You want to make some cornbread, but don’t know what to put with it besides the usual bowl of chili.
Consider fixing up either cornbread stuffing, cornbread casserole, or skillet cornbread. Because this list of ideas goes great with all types of cornbread and may be some things that you hadn’t thought of before.
Check out the following delicious side dish ideas for what goes good with cornbread besides chili that offer flavor and variety.
What To Serve With Cornbread
1. Baked Beans
Beans and cornbread go well together perfectly. Chili beans, white beans, pinto beans, any kind of beans really, and don’t forget your best cast iron skillet!
Baked beans have that chewy texture and sweet sauce that makes them taste so good.
To add a little kick, you can add some bacon or maple syrup to a pot of baked beans to make it extra special.
2. Collard Greens With Bacon
Collard greens are another staple of southern cooking. This dish combines collard greens, fresh or canned, with onions, garlic, bacon, apple cider, vinegar, sugar, salt, and a dash of hot sauce.
If you have ever been to Louisiana, collards and cornbread are as popular as jambalaya, po-boys, and Southern BBQ.
3. Taco Soup
Who doesn’t love tacos? This tasty soup combines the flavors of meat, beans, tomatoes, green peppers, corn, cilantro, green chilies, onion, and taco seasoning.
If you’re wanting soups that go with cornbread, this one and the chicken and vegetable are great pairings for cornbread.
You can serve it on the side and dunk pieces of cornbread into the soup, or place the cornbread in the middle of the bowl and pour the soup around the cornbread like a moat and eat it that way.
4. Chicken and Vegetable Soup
This recipe is super simple and goes great with cornbread.
The ingredients you will need are a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, some diced potatoes, onions, shredded chicken, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, oregano, parsley, and basil.
The soup will stay good in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days if you have leftovers, and it freezes well for longer storage. Here is the recipe for the exact amounts:
5. Beef Stew
Beef stew is the type of hearty, filling soup that has chunks of meat and vegetables in a thickened gravy and goes well with cornbread. It’s great for family dinners and when you have guests over.
Called a stew because of its thick consistency, this dish has potatoes, carrots, onions, and chucks of beef cooked until it melts in your mouth. If you’re wanting something a bit more filling that will warm you up, beef stew hits the spot.
The nice thing about this type of dish is that you can make a large batch to eat for the rest of the week and freeze any leftovers.
Related | What To Serve With Beef Stew
6. Jambalaya
Jambalaya is another southern favorite dish that that you can eat with cornbread that combines the flavors of French, West African, and Spanish cuisines.
It usually features some type of seafood like shrimp, chicken, Andouille sausage, celery, onion, bell pepper, chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, okra, jalapenos, and white rice.
The meat and vegetables are simmered in the stock and seasonings and thickened with a roux. The rice is mixed in and the dish is ready to be served.
Related | What To Serve With Jambalaya
7. BBQ Ribs
What goes with cornbread at a BBQ? Baby back ribs smothered in a sweet, sticky barbecue sauce is a southern tradition. Anytime is a great time for a barbecue, and there is always tons of food to eat.
You can combine the ribs with a side of baked beans, collard greens, and a piece of cornbread for a meal that will fill you up and keep you satisfied all day.
This recipe for these ribs comes from a contributor from the Food Network, Katie Lee Biegel. It takes about 3 hours for prep and cooking and serves 6 people.
Related | Best Sides For BBQ and How To Reheat Ribs And Keep Them Moist
8. Fried Chicken
Fried chicken goes good with a lot of things, including cornbread, and makes a great addition to any meal.
There are many ways to make fried chicken such as southern fried chicken with buttermilk and breadcrumbs or crushed cereal flakes to make the outside extra crispy.
You have a wide range of choice here as you can fry a whole chicken, or just wings, drumsticks, or thighs. It’s your choice, you can make it however you like.
The one thing that you will need is plenty of oil for deep-frying chicken pieces.
9. Oven-Roasted Turkey With Cornbread Stuffing
Turkey goes well with stuffing and cornbread, which is why cornbread stuffing is so popular with cooks in the south.
This is a great dish for holiday dinners, or if you don’t have the time to cook a whole turkey, you can substitute a turkey breast.
This recipe is from the Food Network contributors the Neely’s. You will need a whole turkey, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, olive oil, and thyme.
If you have leftovers, simply remove the meat from the bones and store in a Ziploc bag in the fridge or freezer.
10. Hot Dogs
Hot dogs and cornbread go great together, just ask any kid. You can make these on the side to dip in ketchup, or combine them with your cornbread mix for homemade corn dog squares.
- When you make your cornbread, spoon it into your greased baking pan and preheat your oven.
- Cut your hot dogs into pieces about as long as your pinkie finger, and place each one in your cornbread mixture.
- Sprinkle with a little shredded cheese and bake.
- Cut into squares after cooling and serve with ketchup, mustard, or your favorite sauce.
11. Cheese and Jalapenos
If you want a quick snack, or something to put in your hubby’s lunchbox for the week, add a few sliced jalapenos, onions, and some shredded cheddar cheese to your cornbread mixture.
You can make it in an oven pan or a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. Brush the hot cornbread with a little melted butter and enjoy. Wrap in plastic and store in the fridge or freeze for later.
12. Milk and Sugar (or Honey)
This way of eating cornbread is something that your grandparents would enjoy. It is eaten as a snack or after-dinner dessert.
Place a square of cornbread in a bowl or short glass, sprinkle sugar or drizzle honey on top, and pour milk over the top. Grab a spoon and dig in.
Related | Does Honey Go Bad?
13. Cornbread And Eggs Breakfast
One of my personal favorite combinations is cornbread with eggs. The rich yolk of the egg pairs perfectly with the cornbread, creating an equally flavorful and satisfying dish.
And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, a touch of honey or maple syrup takes this dish to the next level. Here is Taste Of Southern’s cornbread and eggs recipe.
14. Skillet Cornbread With Strawberry Jam
The jam’s sweetness complements the cornbread’s earthy taste perfectly, and the two make for a delicious and satisfying meal. I always start by spreading a little butter and then a generous layer of jam on a slice of warm cornbread.
The combination of flavors is heavenly, and I can’t help but go back for seconds. If you’ve never tried pairing strawberry jam with cornbread, I urge you to give it a try.
15. Cornbread Chicken Pot Pie
Cornbread chicken pot pie is a great dish to serve because it can be a complete meal in one dish if you want it to be. It’s also very affordable to make, so it is perfect for feeding a room full of hungry bellies.
It’s a very tasty dish that is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
So if you are looking for a great dish to serve at your next party or potluck, be sure to try cornbread chicken pot pie!
16. Cornbread Crusted Chicken
Fried chicken recipes have endless possibilities for flavor combinations. However, one of my personal favorites is cornbread-crusted oven-fried chicken.
The key to this recipe is all in the breading. Of course, you can always adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. However you choose to make it, I think you’ll find that this cornbread-crusted oven-fried chicken recipe is a true winner.
17. Cornbread Casserole
There are many reasons to love cornbread casserole. And because it’s a casserole, it’s also an easy dish to make ahead of time and reheat when you’re ready to eat.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or a show-stopping side dish for your next dinner party. This cornbread casserole is one to keep.
18. Wild West Baked Chili Mac
Nothing is better on a cold winter than a steaming bowl of chili. And for the ultimate comfort food experience, serve it with cornbread. Wild West Baked Chili Macaroni is the perfect recipe for this classic pairing.
The macaroni adds a creamy element that pairs perfectly with the cornbread. Top your chili with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream for an extra special touch. It’s a bit carb-heavy, but oh so good!
19. Apple Cornbread Stuffed Pork Chops
Need a new twist on the classic pork chop dinner? Try this delicious recipe for Apple Cornbread Stuffed Pork Chops.
The filling is made with apples and cornbread stuffing mix, giving the dish a sweet and savory flavor.
And the best part is that it can be cooked in one cast iron pan if you choose to, so cleanup is a breeze.
20. Southern Cornbread Salad
This salad is the perfect combination of flavor and texture. The cornbread gives it a slight sweetness and crunch, while the bacon and dressing add a savory richness.
The tomatoes, onions, and peppers provide freshness and juicy contrast. The salad is also straightforward to make. And, it’s even better if you make the cornbread ahead of time so that it has a chance to cool and firm up.
This salad is a delicious side dish for any summer meal. Try it with grilled chicken or fish.
21. Apple Cornbread Crisp
This Apple Cornbread Crisp recipe is the perfect fall dessert. It’s easy to make and super tasty. The cornbread topping is nice and crispy, while the apples are soft and sweet.
I like to serve it with a scoop of ice cream or a heap of freshly whipped cream. It’s also great for breakfast or a snack. The leftovers keep well, so you can enjoy them for days, but I don’t think you’ll have any for this one.
Final Thoughts
Cornbread is an old-time country favorite. If you grew up anywhere near the south, you ate cornbread on a regular basis. It is a great dish to serve with a meal or as a snack by itself.
One thing you’ll want to do when making cornbread for your meals is to make plenty of it.
You can always reheat it in the microwave and it does freeze well if you wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. It will stay good for months and you can just pull some out whenever the mood strikes.
As you can see, there are numerous things to serve with cornbread so you’ll never run out of tasty meals. As a quick dessert, consider a slice of cornbread with butter and jam, or a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
