Chili con Carne - Sides (2024)

FAQs

What side dishes go well with chili? ›

Baked potatoes and chili is a classic combination that everyone loves. Chili also pairs well with baked sweet potatoes, roasted potatoes, potato wedges, fries, and more.

Chicken chilli con carne

Serving four to six, it makes a great sharing dish with rice or tortilla chips and topped with guacamole and soured cream. Discover more chicken dinner recipes and freezable chicken recipes.

Perk up your pot of chili by adding in a dash of apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, or fresh lime juice right before you remove it from the stovetop. The acidic pop at the end will bring out all the layered flavors you worked so hard to achieve.

In Mexico, they make a green rice, using a long-grain variety flavoured with salsa verde. Paul also suggests trying an ancient grain such as quinoa or faro, as well as corn tortillas and condiments such as guacamole, salsas and sour cream. “Chilli con carne is very communal,” he says.

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

“If there's one thing you have to do with any canned chili, it would be adding fresh chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeños. Maybe even some pickled jalapeños.

You can always add additional spices to taste, but this could give you a solid foundation to work from. Try adding spices like paprika, chili powder, cumin, coriander, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, cayenne, or even chipotle.

Make Sure Your Base Brings the Flavor Too

Instead of using plain water (please, never just use water), consider using stock, broth, or bone broth as your base to add richness and depth.

What is the best liquid for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

For instance, if your chili is beefy and heavy on red peppers, a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot would be the best choice, but if your chili includes lighter ingredients like chicken and white beans, look for a white wine with bright acidity like Pinot Gris or Chardonnay.

The best side dishes to serve with chili dogs are potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, french fries, tater tots, cornbread, grilled vegetables, pickle spears, macaroni salad, chili cheese fries, blooming onion, Tabasco, onion rings, roasted corn on the cob, and tortilla chips and salsa.