There’s no wrong way to make beans and cornbread. They are hearty, comforting, and scream “down-home cooking.”
These two traditional foods are full of flavor and have a lot of history behind them. Together, they make a satisfying meal.
But with a few well-selected side dishes, you can turn these simple ingredients into a full and varied meal that’s out of this world.
Here are 15 delicious choices for side dishes that complement the rich, hearty flavor of beans and cornbread.
There are many great side dishes that go well with beans and cornbread. Some of them are pulled pork, Korean corn dogs, southern mash, turkey meatloaf, jiffy tamale pie, garden salad, sweet potato fries, green beans with bacon, corn salad, stacked bell peppers, hush puppies, macaroni salad, and fried okra.
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. Pulled pork is a hearty and tasty addition to your meal. It is slow-cooked until it is soft enough to shred with a fork.
The rich, smoky barbecue sauce that is usually used to dress the pork also adds a tangy flavor that is simply delicious.
For an unexpected twist, consider serving Korean corn dogs with your beans and cornbread. These tasty treats have a sweet and crunchy batter around them and are filled with juicy sausage. They make your meal more fun. They are a great contrast to the beans and cornbread because they have different tastes and textures, like being sweet, salty, crunchy, and soft.
Southern Mash is a dish of creamy, buttery mashed potatoes with a hint of garlic that goes great with cornbread and beans. Its smooth texture goes well with the crumbly cornbread, and its mild flavor goes well with the savory beans without taking over. A hearty, comforting dish, Southern Mash is a fantastic side for any meal featuring beans and cornbread.
You can’t go wrong with turkey meatloaf as a side dish that goes well with beans and cornbread. This lighter version of meatloaf is tasty and juicy, and it goes well with the hearty beans and sweet cornbread. Its robust, meaty flavor and firm texture make it a satisfying addition to your meal.
A tasty, meaty filling topped with a layer of sweet cornbread makes Jiffy Tamale Pie a great side dish for beans and cornbread. It gives your meal a lot of different tastes and textures, and the way it mixes sweet and savory tastes is similar to how the beans and cornbread do it.
Few meals conjure up comfort like piping hot cornbread and a pot of beans. This southern classic pairing is budget-friendly, feeds a crowd, and brings everyone together at the dinner table. But what else should you serve to round out the meal?
As a lifelong southern cook and food blogger, beans and cornbread are a staple in my home. Over the years, I’ve discovered dozens of tasty recipes that perfectly complement this soulful duo. From crispy fried chicken to velvety creamed spinach, flavorful sides and mains abound.
Here are my top 35 recommendations for satisfying dishes to serve along with beans and cornbread. These recipes will help you pull together a mouthwatering and memorable southern-style spread.
Savory Main Dishes
Hearty main dishes pair nicely with beans and cornbread’s humble flavors. Try these options:
Juicy Pork Chops
Bone-in or boneless pork chops roasted pan-fried or cooked in an air fryer offer a hit of protein. I love to coat them in a crispy well-seasoned breading. Serve with pan gravy for true comfort food.
Smoky Braised Ham Hocks
Simmer ham hocks low and slow until fork tender for a southern classic Their smoky, salty flavor creates its own pot likker to ladle over cornbread
Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork
Shredded pulled pork barbecue layered on buns makes satisfying slider sandwiches. Cook a pork shoulder in the slow cooker with barbecue seasoning and sauce for fall-apart tender meat.
Herb Roasted Chicken
For a lighter option, oven-roast chicken pieces rubbed in herbs, garlic and citrus juice. Leftovers are great in sandwiches and salads.
Beefy Chili
A pot of meaty chili made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes and spices is a natural fit alongside more beans. Garnish with shredded cheddar, sour cream and scallions.
Cheesy Meatloaf
Old-fashioned meatloaf gets an upgrade with the addition of corn muffin mix, ketchup glaze and melty cheese. Serve meatloaf sliced alongside southern sides.
Southern-Style Sides
What’s a southern spread without classic side dishes? Ideas include:
Crispy Fried Okra
Cornmeal-coated okra slices fried up crispy and golden make the quintessential southern side. Enjoy this late summer vegetable favorite year-round.
Fresh Collard Greens
Slowly cooked collards flavored with smoked ham hocks or bacon are a must with beans and cornbread. Their pleasant bitterness balances the meal.
Sweet and Spicy Baked Beans
Bake your own beans instead of just opening a can. In a slow cooker, combine beans with brown sugar, ketchup and spices for homemade flavor.
Skillet Fried Corn
Corn cut from the cob sautéed with bacon, onions and cream makes a decadent and addictive side. The sweet corn pairs perfectly with beans.
Creamed Spinach
Chopped spinach blended with cream cheese, Parmesan and spices satisfies like an upscale steakhouse side. Serve this creamy spinach with beans and cornbread for a pop of green.
Coleslaw
Cool cabbage and carrots tossed in a tangy dressing offers crunch and texture. For true southern taste, dress coleslaw with mayo, apple cider vinegar and a touch of sugar.
Scene-Stealing Sides
Take your beans and cornbread meal over the top with these special sides:
Jalapeño Bacon Poppers
Bacon-wrapped, cream cheese-stuffed jalapeños will get gobbled up in minutes. For less heat, remove the ribs and seeds first. The spicy bite pairs great with comforting beans and cornbread.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Slice potatoes and bake with cheese, sour cream, bacon and green onions for a rich, irresistible casserole that’s easy to prepare. It makes leftovers delicious too.
Maple Roasted Carrots
Roasting carrot coins and batons with maple syrup, butter and thyme caramelizes them to sweet perfection.
Garlicky Skillet Bread
Warm, crusty bread for dipping takes beans and cornbread to the next level. Bake a loaf or make easy garlic bread by spreading baguette slices with seasoned butter and broiling.
Fresh Green Salad
Add some freshness with mixed greens, grape tomatoes, cucumbers and shredded carrots lightly dressed in vinaigrette. Top with shredded cheese or bacon bits for a hearty salad.
Scene-Stealing Sweets
Of course, every southern meal needs something sweet. Round out your spread with:
Old-Fashioned Cornbread Pudding
Let any leftover cornbread shine by incorporating it into a bread pudding made with eggs, milk and spices. Drizzle with warm honey butter sauce for bliss.
Easy Skillet Apple Crisp
Fill a hot skillet with sliced apples, oats, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon for an effortless apple dessert the whole family will love.
Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Simple peanut butter cookies with criss-cross fork marks are perfectly soft and chewy. Kids can even help make the dough. Bake them while the rest of dinner cooks.
Fresh Fruit Salad
Toss together a mix of cut melon, berries, pineapple and grapes for a naturally sweet, healthy dessert. Creamy poppyseed dressing adds rich flavor.
In Summary
When making beans and cornbread for dinner, round out the menu with an array of southern-inspired sides, main dishes and desserts. Stick with classics like fried chicken, potato salad and collard greens or get creative with jalapeño poppers, homemade bread and fresh fruit salad. With this list, you’ll never run out of delicious ways to fill out your spread.
1 Grilled Chicken Skewers
Grilled chicken skewers add a lean protein to your meal. They have a smoky flavor and a slightly charred outside because they were marinated in a mix of herbs and spices before being grilled. They make the beans and cornbread more interesting.
Corn Salad
A tasty and light side dish is corn salad, which is made with sweet corn, tomatoes, onions, and a sour vinaigrette. It has lots of bright flavors that go well with the hearty beans and cornbread. The sweet corn kernels go well with the cornmeal used in the cornbread.
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FAQ
What is cornbread traditionally served with?