What to Serve with Cornbread - What Goes? 25 Amazing Sides

Ever wonder what goes with cornbread? Look no further! We've compiled a list of what to serve alongside your favorite cornbread recipe. Enjoy!

What is Cornbread?

Cornbread is a popular American dish and a staple of Southern US cuisine (especially Southern BBQ cuisine). It has a savory taste that is unlike any other dish.

Although cornbread is associated with Southern Cuisine, the dish actually has its roots in Native American cuisine. Native Americans had already been eating ground corn (maize) thousands of years before European settlers arrived in the New World. 

European settlers learned various recipes for corn dishes from the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek peoples. These settlers then devised their own recipes for bread using ground maize or cornmeal instead of the grains found in Europe.

In the Southern and Southwestern parts of the US, people often eat cornbread and pinto beans or collard greens for lunch. Even though cornbread is associated with Southern cuisine, the dish is popular throughout the US. You can often see cornbread at barbecues and cookouts. Cornbread is also a common side dish at dinnertime. 

In the South, people make traditional cornbread by heating a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet in an oven, pouring a cornbread batter consisting of the simple ingredients of flour, cornmeal, egg, and milk, into the skillet, and then returning the skillet into the oven to bake. You can also prepare cornbread by frying it or steaming it. However, steamed cornbread is closer in texture to a pudding than to the traditional cornbread.

The amazing thing about cornbread is that is a highly versatile dish. You can eat it together with so many dishes. Even dessert! Crumbled corn bread is amazing over a bowl of vanilla ice cream (promise!). Can’t decide what to serve with your slice of cornbread? Here are a few recipes you can try.

What Goes with Cornbread?

Everything from creamy condiments, a dab of butter, shredded cheddar cheese, side dishes like mashed potatoes, and hearty mains work well served alongside cornbread.

25 Best Pairings for Cornbread

Simple Creamy Coleslaw Recipe - Salt and Lavender

This creamy coleslaw recipe is the perfect side dish for BBQs, picnics, or sandwiches. This version is really quick and easy, and the dressing is made from scratch with pantry staples. Ready in 10 minutes!

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Instant Pot Vegan Acorn Squash Chili (+ Stovetop Instructions)

This super easy, healthy and delicious vegetarian chili recipe is packed with acorn squash, pinto beans and the perfect blend of spices for a most hearty and comforting autumn-inspired Instant Pot pressure cooker dish! Plus, stovetop instructions!

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Fermented Jalapeño Honey - Grow Forage Cook Ferment

Fermented jalapeño honey is a perfect way to spice up your life while boosting your immune system at the same time!

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Spicy Southwestern Vegan Corn Chowder with Quinoa, Potatoes + Red Lentils

An easy, healthy, and delicious protein-packed gluten-free vegan Southwestern Chowder chock-full of corn, potatoes, quinoa, red lentils, green chiles, chipotle peppers, veggies and an amazing blend of spices. This amazingly delicious vegetarian chowder is incredibly filling, comforting, and flavorful and makes a great lunch or dinner!

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Garlic and Herb Spreadable Butter - Salt and Lavender

This garlic & herb spreadable butter is a tasty condiment spreads easily and is delicious on everything from bagels to steak.

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Spicy Pickled Onions

Super easy and flavorful Spicy Pickled Onions make a great addition to your favorite dishes! Naturally gluten-free and vegan. Refined sugar-free, too!

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Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup - Instant Pot + Slow Cooker - Peas and Crayons

This uber easy and crazy flavorful Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup can be made in an Instant Pot pressure cooker, slow cooker, or on the stove - game on!

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Gallo Pinto Recipe

Gallo Pinto is a rice and beans dish with its origins in Central America. This take is inspired by my time living in Costa Rica and how I most frequently experienced this dish. It is so tasty and filling that I love to introduce it to others who may not have experienced it yet! You can also find this recipe in my book, The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.

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Coconut Curried Greens (30 minutes!) - Minimalist Baker

You know those dishes that are so insanely delicious you can’t help but go back for seconds and thirds, and you have to slap your own hand away for

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Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole (Gluten-Free, Vegan Option)

This super comforting Butternut Squash Casserole is filled with Mexican spices and some cheesy goodness for one delightful and versatile vegetarian dish certain to please the pickiest of palates! Gluten-free, with a vegan option, too!

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Easy Vegan Baked Beans Recipe - Running on Real Food

Try these easy vegan baked beans for a healthy and nutritious snack. They only take a few minutes to prepare for a whole lot of flavour.

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Mexican Quinoa Stew - Cookie + Kate

You’re going to love this Mexican quinoa stew! It’s hearty, easy to make and tastes amazing. This delicious soup recipe is vegan and gluten free.

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Rosemary & Sage Mashed Sweet Potatoes - Salt and Lavender

This mashed sweet potatoes recipe is a savory-sweet and deliciously buttery side dish. Fresh herbs and cinnamon kick up the flavor even more!

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Creamy Cauliflower and Brussels Sprout Casserole - Peas and Crayons

Cozy up with this delicious Creamy Cauliflower and Brussels Sprout Casserole! It makes a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving and holiday dinners galore.

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Dill Potato Salad

This Creamy Potato Salad with Fresh Dill is packed with flavor and makes the perfect BBQ side dish, picnic fare or potluck take-a-long. This deliciousness can be made vegetarian or vegan and is naturally gluten-free.

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Fermented Honey Jalapeño Hot Sauce

This Southwestern-inspired hot sauce will win you over with its candy-like sweetness, as well as subtle, fresh-tasting heat from the jalapeños. It's a match made in heaven and suits a wide variety of dishes to boot!

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Healthy Red Cabbage Slaw Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen

Red cabbage, jalapeno, and carrots are dressed with a bright sweet and spicy dressing in this easy red cabbage slaw recipe. Perfect for BBQs or healthy meal prep.

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BBQ Black Bean Taquitos Recipe - Peas and Crayons

These Tex-Mex BBQ Black Bean Taquitos are filled with barbecue seasoned black beans and lots of melty cheese then topped with barbecue sauce and slaw - YUM!

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Creamy Vegan Potato Soup

This creamy Potato Soup can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop for ease and convenience! Make it vegan or vegetarian. Naturally gluten-free. This delicious recipe can also be found in my cookbook The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.

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BBQ Cauliflower Wings

These Easy Baked BBQ Cauliflower Wings are made with a blend of sriracha sauce and ketchup for a delightful sweet and spicy kick! These little bites of explosive flavor are gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, and dairy-free for a healthy appetizer, side dish, lunch or dinner!

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Grilled Vegetable Kabobs - i Heart Vegetables

These tasty grilled vegetable kabobs are a great summer recipe! Drizzled with a delicious basil vinaigrette, you can match your veggies for a tasty summer meal. If you don’t have a grill, you can roast these in the oven!

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Easy Pickled Cabbage Recipe

Learn how to make quick and easy pickled cabbage recipe in this informative post! Pickled cabbage can add a dash of crunch and tang to a variety of dishes, making it a wonderful condiment to have on hand in the refrigerator.

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Vegetarian Stew Recipe

A cozy and comforting Vegetarian Stew recipe filled with rich flavors and a silky-smooth texture. Gluten-free and vegan!

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Creamy Cucumber Salad - Foolproof Living

Recipe for a healthier Creamy Cucumber Salad made with crispy cucumbers and fresh dill and mixed in with homemade garlic-yogurt dressing with tips and tricks on how to prevent soggy yogurt dressing. This salad is simply perfect for any of your potluck, picnic, and barbecue parties.

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Ghost Pepper Queso

This super creamy, spicy queso dip made with Naturacentric Ghost Pepper Infused Honey makes for some flavorful comfort food at its finest! Cheesy and naturally gluten-free.

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