What To Serve with Cornbread: 21 Best Mains And Sides

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Ever wondered what to serve with cornbread? This popular food item can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Today I’m going to share with you some of the best recipe suggestions for mains and side dishes to serve with cornbread.

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What Is Corn Bread?

Cornbread is a quick bread that is traditionally made with ground corn, (cornmeal), flour, milk, eggs, and baking powder. It can be sweet or savory and is often served with other side dishes to accompany meals.

What Does Cornbread Taste Like?

Cornbread has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor with a dense yet moist texture. It tastes like a cross between a cake and a biscuit. If you have a sweet tooth then you’ll love this delicious food. Even better cornbread is gluten-free.

How To Make Cornbread?

If you’re looking for cornbread recipes, check out the following recipe here: Homemade Cornbread. This is my favorite cornbread recipe on the internet.

How to Serve Cornbread

Cornbread is typically served as a side dish, but it can also be enjoyed on its own as a snack or dessert. It can be served warm or cold and can be dressed up with toppings like honey, jam, maple syrup, or butter.

What Goes With Cornbread?

Here are some great ideas of foods to serve with cornbread.

Butter

Enjoy cornbread by spreading some butter on top of a warm slice. This will also help to keep the bread moist.

Honey

Honey is a classic topping for cornbread that pairs well with the slightly sweet flavor of cornbread chunks. Drizzle honey on top of your cornbread.

Jalapenos

Who doesn’t love the combination of sweet and spicy? Add some diced jalapenos to your cornbread batter for a little bit of heat.

Cheese

If you’re looking for a savory twist on cornbread, add some grated cheese to the batter before baking. Sharp cheddar cheese pairs especially well with cornbread.

Veggies

Cornbread is the perfect vessel for loading up on veggies. Add some diced onions, bell peppers, or corn to the batter for a veggie-packed side dish.

Sausage

For a hearty and filling meal, top your cornbread with andouille sausage. This is especially delicious if you add some sage to the sausage before cooking.

Jam

Sweeten up your cornbread by spreading on some jam. Any flavor of jam will work, but strawberry or raspberry is especially good.

What Not to Serve With Cornbread

Cornbread is one of those versatile side dishes that can be served with sweet or savory toppings. However, there are a few things that you should avoid serving with cornbread.

Fruit and Nuts

While the fruit goes well with many other pieces of bread, it is not a good pairing for cornbread recipes.

The sweetness of the fruit will make the cornbread taste too sweet and can throw off the flavor balance and nuts can be too dry.

Chocolate

Chocolate is another ingredient that should be avoided when eating cornbread. Chocolate can make the cornbread taste heavy and can be overwhelming.

Heavy Sauces

Cornbread is best when served with lighter sauces or toppings.

Avoid serving your cornbread with heavy sauces or gravies, as they can make the cornbread taste too dense and wet.

What Main Dishes To Serve With Cornbread?

Wondering what to eat with cornbread? Here are some great cornbread side dishes for you to try.

Roast Chicken

This classic dish is delicious when served with a side of cornbread. The bread helps to soak up all of the juices from the chicken, making for a tasty and satisfying meal.

Roast Chicken Recipe

Slow Cooker White Bean Chili

Cornbread is the perfect accompaniment to a hearty bowl of chili. Grab the bell pepper and chili powder and make a delicious slow cooker chili.

The cornbread helps to soak up all of the flavors from the chili and can be used to scoop up the last bit of chili from your bowl.

Sirloin Steak

For a more sophisticated meal, serve cornbread with grilled sirloin steak. The richness of the steak pairs well with the sweetness of the cornbread.

Hearty Soups

Homemade cornbread is also delicious when served with other hearty soups. Try it with a bowl of soup and eat with cornbread. Minestrone Soup.

Cornbread And Stew

Cornbread is the perfect side dish for stews and soups. Try adding black beans or pinto beans to your beef stew for a hearty and filling meal. Mexican Stew.

BBQ Ribs or Pork Chops

Cornbread is a classic side dish for BBQ ribs or pork chops. The bread helps to soak up all of the juicy flavors from the ribs. Smother your cornbread with a delicious rib or pork chop sauce. Instant Pot Ribs.

Spaghetti With Sauce

Cornbread is a delicious and unexpected side dish for spaghetti with sauce. Switch the garlic bread for buttery flavor cornbread for a filling meal.

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

For a messy meal, try serving cornbread with sloppy joes. The bread helps to soak up all of the flavors from the meat and makes for a delicious and filling meal.

Don’t forget to add green chilies, bell peppers, and black beans for a southwestern twist.

Here is a great Sloppy Joes Recipe.

Jambalaya

This Cajun classic is a delicious meal when served with a side of cornbread. Spicy dishes work well with cornbread and melted butter. Try jamabalaya today!

Fried Chicken

Cornbread is the perfect accompaniment to fried chicken. The bread helps to soak up all of the grease and flavors from the chicken, making for a delicious and messy meal.

Macaroni And Cheese

This classic dish is even better when served with cornbread or corn muffins. Try mac and cheese with a slice of cornbread for a delicious and filling meal.

Here is our most popular Mac and cheese recipe.

Thanksgiving Turkey Breast

Cornbread is a delicious and traditional side dish for Thanksgiving turkey. Try making an Instant Pot Turkey Breast to go alongside your cornbread. Turkey Breast.

What To Serve With Cornbread Delicious Pairings

Here are my favorite suggestions and the best side dishes to serve with cornbread. Enjoy these classic cornbread pairings!

Baked Beans

This classic dish is delicious when served with a side of cornbread. Try cooking Hawaiian baked beans in a casserole dish for a delicious meal combination.

You can use cornbread to dip into the brown sugar baked beans sauce for an added treat.

Southern Green Beans

Southern green beans are the perfect side dish for cornbread. The beans pair well with the sweetness of the cornbread and make for a filling and satisfying meal.

Mashed Potatoes

Cornbread is delicious when served with mashed potatoes.

The bread helps to soak up all of the flavors from the mashed potatoes, making for a filling and satisfying meal.

Get the recipe here! Add some shredded cheddar cheese for one of those cheesy dishes that pairs well with cornbread.

Stuffing And Dressing

Try adding cornbread mix and make a tasty cornbread stuffing recipe or cornbread dressing recipe. Try this fantastic recipe!

Collard Greens

Cornbread is the perfect side dish for collard greens. cook up some greens in a cast-iron skillet for a delicious and healthy meal.

This is one of those side dish ideas that goes well with both sweet and savory cornbread.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted vegetables such as Brussels sprouts are the perfect side dish for cornbread.

Kale Salad

Try serving cornbread with a kale salad for a filling, tasty, nutritious, and satisfying meal.

Creamed Spinach

This classic dish is one of those classic cornbread pairings that I love.

The sweetness of the cornbread pairs perfectly with the rich and creamy spinach. Creamed greens are the best!

Creamy Coleslaw

Try some traditional cornbread combined with creamy coleslaw. This will make for a delicious and provide added flavor and a satisfying meal.

BLT Pasta Salad

BLT pasta is one of those dish recipes that is delicious and easy to make. Try adding some cornbread to the mix for a filling and satisfying meal.

Steamed Broccoli

Cornbread is delicious when served with steamed broccoli. The bread helps to soak up all of the flavors from the broccoli, making for a filling and satisfying meal. This is one of my favorite side dishes.

Baked Pinto Beans

This dish is delicious to eat with cornbread. Baked pinto beans are a great option for a vegetarian meal or side dish.

Roast Duck

Cornbread is the perfect side dish for roast duck. The bread helps to soak up all of the flavors from the duck.

Cabbage Casserole

This casserole is a delicious side dish that pairs well with cornbread. The cornbread helps to soak up all of the

Sweet Potato Casserole

This classic dish is even better when served with a side of cornbread. The sweetness of the cornbread pairs perfectly with the sweet potatoes, making for a delicious and filling meal.

Sweet potato casserole is delicious and a great Thanksgiving or southern side dish.

Vegetarian Chili

Chili is a great option for a vegetarian main dish. Try serving skillet cornbread with vegetarian chili for a filling and popular dish. Get this favorite recipe today!

Pan-Fried Okra

A lemon juice okra dish is delicious when served with the sweet flavor of cornbread. The bread helps to soak up all of the flavors from the fresh okra, making for a tasty and satisfying meal.

Greek Salad

Try serving delicious cornbread chunks with a Greek salad for a filling and satisfying meal. The bread pairs well with the roasted veggies and feta cheese in the salad.

What Soup Goes With Cornbread?

Here are some great thick soups that you can eat with cornbread.

Corn Chowder

Corn chowder is made from corn, potatoes, and bacon. It is a thick and creamy soup that is delicious when served with cornbread. Get the recipe for Instant Pot Corn Chowder here!

Slow Cooker Chicken And Dumplings

This soup is made with chicken, vegetables, and dumplings. The dumplings are traditionally made from cornbread batter. This soup is delicious when served with a side of cornbread.

Chicken Noodle Soup

This classic soup is even better when served with a side of skillet cornbread. Try cooking some homemade chicken noodle soup for a delicious and satisfying meal to eat with cornbread.

Egg Drop Soup

This soup is made with eggs, chicken broth, and vegetables. It is a delicious and healthy soup that is even better when served with cornbread croutons.

Get the recipe for Egg Drop Soup here!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

This soup is made with broccoli, cheese, and chicken broth. It is a creamy and delicious soup. Make broccoli cheese soup in your slow cooker today.

What Do You Do With Leftover Cornbread?

Making cornbread can be great and you may end up with leftovers. Here are some more favorite recipe ideas for you to use up any leftover cornbread.

Cornbread Croutons

Toss cubed cornbread with olive oil and garlic powder or your favorite spices. You’ll have the best croutons around!

Southern Cornbread Dressing

This southern cornbread dressing recipe is a must-have for your holiday table! It’s made with crumbled cornbread, sausage, and vegetables, and is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Cornbread Casserole

Cornbread casserole is a delicious side dish made with cornbread, creamed corn, and shredded cheddar cheese. It’s easy to make and the perfect casserole dish for any holiday meal!

Taco Bake

Taco Bake is a great way to use up cornbread. It’s packed with flavor. This main dish is sure to be a hit! Top with bell pepper and some sour cream. Grab the hot sauce and enjoy this tasty meal today!

Cornbread French Toast

Cornbread French Toast is a delicious and easy way to use up cornbread. Cook in the cast iron skillet and serve with fruit, maple syrup, or powdered sugar.

Cornbread Muffins

Cornbread muffins are a great way to use up leftover cornbread. They’re perfect for a quick breakfast.

You can also combine cornbread mix with hot dogs to make mini corn hot dogs and cornbread muffins. Get the recipe here!

Is Cornbread Good For You?

Cornbread is a good source of carbohydrates and fiber and is low in fat. It can be a healthy option for those looking for a quick and easy meal.

How To Store Cornbread?

Cornbread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Alternatively, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How To Reheat Cornbread?

Cornbread can be reheated in the oven, microwave, or even on the stovetop. For best results, reheat in a 350-degree F oven until warm.

Enjoy Your Cornbread

We hope you enjoy your cornbread! Be sure to try some of our other recipes, and let us know how they turn out in the comments below. Thanks for reading!