Turn chili night into a full dinner with these 10 cozy, real-life-ready sides I always make. They’re simple, satisfying, and tested in my own kitchen!

Other than Chips, Here’s What I Serve with Chili!

Chili night is basically a ritual in my house, especially in the colder months. It’s easy, comforting, and a perfect excuse to serve something cozy on the side, and these recipes are the ones I always come back to. Each one is real-life tested, crowd-approved, and built to turn a simple bowl of chili into a full, satisfying dinner. From my favorite salads, to quick breads, dips and more, there’s something here to make the whole table feel complete.

Closeup image of a bowl of cabbage and carrot slaw.
5 stars (7 ratings)

Mexican Slaw (for Tacos & More!)

Ready in 15 minutes and ultra easy to prep, this zesty and fresh Mexican slaw is the perfect topping for tacos, as a side for enchiladas, and more. It’s a versatile coleslaw made without mayo, featuring crunchy cabbage, grated carrots, and a smokey-sweet dressing that’s fast and easy.
Ingredients: garlic, salt, chipotle peppers, honey, lime juice, avocado oil, cabbage, carrots, onion, cilantro.
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Several slices of pumpkin bread are arranged on a wooden board, with small bowls of butter and pumpkin puree in the background.
5 stars (1 rating)

Pumpkin Bread with Yogurt (One-Bowl)

Tender pumpkin bread made in one bowl with brown sugar, yogurt, and warm spices. No mixer needed and stays moist for days.
Ingredients: brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, salt, pumpkin pie spice, all purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
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glass jar of green salad dressing with sliced lemons and cut avocados on a white background
5 stars (5 ratings)

5-Minute Creamy Avocado Dressing (for Salad + More!)

The base for this simple 5-minute creamy vegan dressing is one ripe avocado, lemon juice, and just the right amount of garlic. Easily prepared in a blender or food processor, it's made without mayonnaise, and is perfect on salads, as a dip, or drizzled on just about anything!
Ingredients: avocado, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, water and salt
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ingredients for black bean salad with corn mixed together in glass mixing bowl
5 stars (6 ratings)

10-Minute Corn & Black Bean Salad (No Avocado!)

This simple + quick corn and black bean salad combines hearty canned black beans with sweet corn, all tossed together with vibrant, crunchy veggies and an easy honey lime dressing.
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A white plate filled with a vegetable platter with an easy 4-ingredient guacamole in the center.
5 stars (13 ratings)

4-Ingredient Guacamole

This Easy 4-Ingredient Guacamole is so simple and tastes amazing. It's the perfect party appetizer or everyday condiment; use it as a dip, a topping, or just straight out of the bowl. Everything is better with guacamole!
Ingredients: avocado, lime juice, garlic, and salt.
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A hand dipping a round chip into a bowl of black bean and corn salsa.
5 stars (1 rating)

Black Bean Corn Salsa (Easy Dip + Taco Topping!)

If you want a fresh, no-cook salsa that’s vibrant and easy, this black bean corn salsa dip is it. Just stir beans, corn, onion, lime juice, and cilantro together, no cooking needed. It’s ready in about 15 minutes and perfect with chips, tacos, bowls, or anything that needs a fresh kick!
Ingredients Needed: black beans, sweet corn, red onion, Roma tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, garlic, salt, paprika, lime juice, olive oil, honey.
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Side shot of sliced cornbread on a cutting broad drizzled with honey.
5 stars (1 rating)

Skillet Honey Cornbread (1-Bowl!)

Tender, moist, and with just a touch of sweetness from honey, this skillet cornbread comes together easily in just one bowl and makes the perfect side dish for chili, soups, stews, or the holidays! Let me show you how simple homemade cornbread can be.
Ingredients: cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, yogurt, milk, butter, honey.
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close up of slow cooker baked potatoes in a black crockpot with chives and sour cream on top
5 stars (2 ratings)

Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes (No Foil, Fluffy & Hands-Off!)

Yes, you can make the perfect baked Russet potatoes in the slow cooker! With just 3-ingredients, this is the easiest, hands-off method to make fluffy, steamy slow cooker jacket potatoes with almost no effort, and no foil required.
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, olive oil and salt.
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Overhead image of an enameled cast iron pot with cooked onions, beans, and rice. The pot is flanked by bowls with: guacamole, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, lime wedges, salsa, and shredded cheese.
4.93 stars (26 ratings)

Quick Pinto Beans & Rice (One-Pot!)

This quick & easy beans and rice recipe uses pinto beans and long grain white rice for a delicious one-pot meal both vegetarian and meat-eaters will love! Ready in 30 minutes on the stovetop, it works equally well as a hearty entree or Tex-Mex side dish.
Ingredients: olive oil, red onion, salt, fresh garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, dried oregano, vegetable stock (or chicken stock), canned pinto beans, white rice, lime juice.
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A sliced loaf of apple bread drizzled with icing, with visible apple chunks, sits on a wooden board near fresh apples and a small dish of cinnamon.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Moist Apple Cinnamon Loaf Cake (One-Bowl)

Soft, moist apple cinnamon loaf cake made in one bowl with applesauce, brown sugar, and warm spices. No mixer needed with an optional cider glaze on top.
Ingredients: brown sugar, eggs, oil, applesauce, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, apples, and granulated sugar.
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Cilantro lime sauce being spooned out of a glass jar, with fresh herbs and lime wedges alongside it.
5 stars (20 ratings)

Cilantro Lime Sauce (for Fish, Tacos + Chicken!)

Vibrant, fresh, and easy to whiz together in a blender or food processor, this 5-minute cilantro lime sauce is perfect with fish, shrimp, fish tacos, chicken, rice bowls and more. Truly, it elevates just about anything you pour it on! Plus it’s easy enough to whip up any night of the week.
Ingredients: fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, garlic cloves, avocado oil, ground cumin, honey (optional) and salt.
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close up of a cut loaf of gluten free pumpkin bread on wooden cutting board
5 stars (30 ratings)

Oat Flour Pumpkin Bread (One Bowl!)

This delicious, moist, oat flour pumpkin bread is made with canned pumpkin, oat flour, and plenty of pumpkin spice for a nourishing treat that's naturally gluten-free. It's giving Starbucks pumpkin loaf, but so easy to make in just one bowl. Whip up a batch and bring on the cozy!
Ingredients: pumpkin puree, oat flour, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, oil and salt
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