What To Serve With Beans And Cornbread? 15 BEST Side Dishes

If you're looking to serve up a hearty, comforting meal that screams down-home cooking, you can't go wrong with beans and cornbread.

These two staple foods, full of flavor and rich in tradition, make a satisfying and filling meal on their own.

However, by adding a few well-chosen side dishes, you can create a complete and varied feast that elevates these humble ingredients to a whole new level.

Here are 15 delicious choices for side dishes that complement the rich, hearty flavor of beans and cornbread.

Looking for a quick answer?

The best side dishes to serve with beans and cornbread are pulled pork, Korean corn dogs, southern mash, turkey meatloaf, jiffy tamale pie, garden salad, sweet potato fries, green beans with bacon, corn salad, grilled chicken skewers, stuffed bell peppers, hush puppies, macaroni salad, and fried okra.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is a fantastic match for beans and cornbread. Its savory, meaty flavor is a natural complement to the hearty beans and the sweet, crumbly cornbread. Slow-cooked until it's tender enough to be shredded with a fork, pulled pork makes a substantial and tasty addition to your meal.

Plus, the rich, smoky barbecue sauce traditionally used to dress the pork provides a tangy contrast that's simply delicious.

2. Korean Corn Dogs

For an unexpected twist, consider serving Korean corn dogs with your beans and cornbread. These delicious treats, coated in a sweet and crunchy batter and filled with juicy sausage, add an element of fun to your meal. Their unique combination of flavors and textures – sweet, salty, crunchy, and soft – makes for a delightful contrast to the beans and cornbread.

3. Southern Mash

Southern Mash, a creamy, buttery mashed potato dish with a hint of garlic, pairs wonderfully with beans and cornbread. Its silky texture provides a nice counterpoint to the crumbly cornbread, while its mild flavor complements the savory beans without overpowering them. A hearty, comforting dish, Southern Mash is a fantastic side for any meal featuring beans and cornbread.

4. Turkey Meatloaf

For a protein-packed side dish that pairs well with beans and cornbread, you can't go wrong with turkey meatloaf. This leaner take on the traditional meatloaf is flavorful and juicy, and it complements the hearty beans and sweet cornbread nicely. Its robust, meaty flavor and firm texture make it a satisfying addition to your meal.

5. Jiffy Tamale Pie

Jiffy Tamale Pie, a dish featuring a flavorful, meaty filling topped with a layer of sweet cornbread, makes a great side dish for beans and cornbread. It adds a variety of flavors and textures to your meal, and its combination of sweet and savory elements echoes that of the beans and cornbread.

6. Garden Salad

A garden salad, filled with a variety of fresh, crunchy vegetables, provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty beans and cornbread. Its crisp textures and vibrant flavors can help to balance out the richness of the beans and the sweetness of the cornbread. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite vegetables and dressings.

7. Coleslaw

Coleslaw, with its combination of crunchy cabbage and tangy dressing, is a classic side dish that pairs well with beans and cornbread. Its cool, crisp textures and tangy, vibrant flavors provide a nice contrast to the warm, hearty beans and the sweet, crumbly cornbread.

8. Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries, with their crispy edges and soft, sweet centers, provide an excellent contrast to the savory beans and cornbread. The sweetness of the fries complements the cornbread's sweetness, while the crispy texture contrasts with the softness of the beans. Baked or fried, they are a wholesome, tasty side dish.

9. Green Beans with Bacon

For a side dish that combines vegetables with a touch of savory flavor, try green beans with bacon. The crispness of the green beans pairs well with the soft beans and cornbread, and the smoky flavor of the bacon complements the hearty nature of the meal.

10. Corn Salad

Corn salad, made from sweet corn, tomatoes, onions, and a tangy vinaigrette, is a light and refreshing side dish. It's full of bright flavors that balance the hearty beans and cornbread, and the sweet corn kernels echo the cornmeal used in the cornbread.

11. Grilled Chicken Skewers

Grilled chicken skewers add a lean protein to your meal. Marinated in a mix of herbs and spices before grilling, they have a smoky flavor and a slightly charred exterior that adds an exciting dimension to the beans and cornbread.

12. Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers, filled with a flavorful mixture of ground meat, rice, and vegetables, make a colorful and tasty side dish. The sweet and tangy bell peppers offer a nice contrast to the savory beans and rich cornbread.

13. Hush Puppies

Hush puppies, small, round balls of deep-fried cornmeal batter, are a traditional Southern side dish that pairs perfectly with beans and cornbread. Their crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior offer a delightful contrast in texture.

14. Macaroni Salad

A classic macaroni salad, with its creamy dressing and crunchy veggies, is a fantastic accompaniment to beans and cornbread. The pasta provides a pleasant texture contrast, while the tangy, creamy dressing offsets the richness of the beans and cornbread.

15. Fried Okra

Fried okra, with its crispy, golden exterior and tender interior, makes a delightful side dish. The slight sweetness of the okra complements the sweetness of the cornbread, while the crispy texture provides a nice contrast to the soft beans.

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