What Goes with Beans and Cornbread : 7 Incredible Sides

Beans and cornbread are a match made in heaven. They are two of the most popular comfort foods around, and they’re both incredibly versatile.

In fact, I remember the first time I ever had beans and cornbread. I was a little girl, and my parents had taken me to a friend’s house for dinner. I wasn’t used to eating such hearty food, but I loved it. My favorite part of the meal was definitely the side dish.

The woman who hosted us served simple yet delicious baked beans and cornbread with a hefty serving of meatloaf as a side dish. I was hooked from the first bite. The combination of the flavors was just perfect.

Ever since then, I’ve been a big fan of beans and cornbread. Whenever I have a chance to eat them, I do. And if I’m ever in charge of cooking a meal, you can bet that beans and cornbread, along with a perfect side, will be on the menu.

In this article, I’ll provide a list of awesome side dishes you can prepare with your beans and cornbread. So let’s jump right in!

What To Serve With Beans And Cornbread

1. Vegetable Casserole
2. Coleslaw with Creamy & Tangy Dressing
3. Greek Salad
4. Meatloaf
5. Fried Cabbage with Crispy Bacon
6. Dijon Asparagus
7. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Vegetable Casserole

First up, we have the vegetable casserole. Now, this may seem like a boring side dish, but I assure you it is not. It goes well with beans and cornbread because it is full of flavor and texture.

The casserole is made with fresh vegetables, including carrots, celery, and onion. I also add in some garlic for extra flavor. And, to make the dish even more special, I top it with bread crumbs and shredded cheese.

So, to prepare the dish simply add some diced vegetables of your choice to a baking dish and top with a creamy sauce. Then, bake in the oven until hot and bubbly.

In addition to that, the casserole can also be served as a main dish, or you can use it as a base for other dishes. For example, you could add chicken or beef to the casserole to make it into a complete meal.

Therefore don’t overlook the vegetable casserole when planning your next meal of beans and cornbread. It just might be the perfect dish for your needs. See quick recipe below for another way of making a delicious casserole.

Quick Recipe: Vegetable Casserole with Herb Crust

• Ingredients: Mixed vegetables (e.g., zucchini, bell peppers, carrots), breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, thyme, rosemary, olive oil, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Toss mixed vegetables in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Place in a casserole dish.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, chopped thyme, and rosemary.
  5. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the vegetables.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender and the crust is golden.

Coleslaw with Creamy & Tangy Dressing

Creamy and tangy coleslaw is another excellent side dish for beans and cornbread. The cool, crunchy cabbage is a refreshing contrast to the hearty beans, and the dressing adds just the right amount of flavor.

Plus, it’s easy to prepare, simply mix your favorite ingredients and you’re good to go.

So what makes this particular combination so special?

Well, first of all, it’s delicious. The creamy dressing complements the flavors of the beans and cornbread perfectly, and the cabbage adds a nice crunch. But more than that, it’s also incredibly versatile.

You can easily substitute different types of beans or veggies depending on what you have on hand, and it always comes out tasting great. So maybe you need a simple side dish or just a tasty way to use up leftovers. Regardless, of the reason, coleslaw with creamy and tangy dressing is always a good choice.

Quick Recipe: Coleslaw with Creamy & Tangy Dressing

• Ingredients: Cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Shred cabbage and carrots and place in a large bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard.
  3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage and carrots.
  4. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Toss well and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Greek Salad

Up next is Greek salad. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “a salad? really?” But trust me, this is one side dish that you don’t want to skip.

Let me tell you, the reason it goes so well together is that the acidity in the tomatoes and vinegar cuts through the richness of the beans and cornbread. Plus, the crunch of the cucumbers and onions is a nice contrast to the creaminess of the beans.

Also, if you’re looking for something a little different, try adding some feta cheese to your salad, it’s oh so delicious!

Now, as for how to prepare this side dish, it’s pretty simple. Just dice up some tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and green peppers, and add them to a bowl with some olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir, and you’re done! Believe me, this side dish is so good that you’ll want to eat it with everything. Follow recipe below.

Quick Recipe: Greek Salad with Marinated Feta

• Ingredients: Tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, olive oil, oregano, lemon juice, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. In a large bowl, combine chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, thinly sliced red onion, and Kalamata olives.
  2. In a separate bowl, marinate feta cheese in olive oil, oregano, and lemon juice.
  3. Add the marinated feta to the vegetable mixture.
  4. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Toss well and serve.

Meatloaf

Next, is my childhood favorite. Yummy, yummy meatloafy! Now y’all, I’m just gonna tell you straight up, meatloaf goes perfectly as a side dish for beans and cornbread. First of all, the savory taste of the meatloaf pairs so well with the creamy texture of the beans.

And that cornbread? Oh, it just pulls it all together as nothing else can. Not to mention, it’s easy to whip up!

Give meatloaf a try as a side dish for beans and cornbread and I guarantee you’ll be glad you did.

Quick Recipe: Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy

• Ingredients: Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, mushrooms, beef broth, flour
• Average Cook Time: 1 hour
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
  3. Form into a loaf and place in a baking dish.
  4. Bake for 45 minutes.
  5. In a separate pan, sauté sliced mushrooms.
  6. Add beef broth and a flour slurry to make a gravy.
  7. Pour the mushroom gravy over the baked meatloaf before serving

Fried Cabbage with Crispy Bacon

Now, you might be wondering why I’m suggesting fried cabbage as a side dish for beans and cornbread. But trust me, it’s such a heavenly match!

The slightly sweet and earthy flavor of cabbage pairs perfectly with the smoky richness of bacon. And the crispy texture of the cabbage is a wonderful contrast to the creamy beans and cornbread.

Plus, preparation is easy peasy! Just saute some chopped cabbage in a bit of bacon grease until it’s tender and browned. Then top it with some crispy crumbled bacon and serve. It’s delicious as is, but you could also add a splash of hot sauce or vinegar for a little extra zing.

I honestly think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy this dish.

Quick Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Crispy Bacon and Apple

• Ingredients: Cabbage, bacon, apple, onion, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Fry bacon until crispy and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, sauté thinly sliced onion and diced apple.
  3. Add shredded cabbage and cook until tender.
  4. Drizzle with apple cider vinegar.
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Top with crispy bacon.

Dijon Asparagus

Following that, we have Dijon asparagus. This is a great side dish for those of you who are looking for something a little lighter yet nutritious.

The Dijon mustard adds a lovely tang to the asparagus, and the Parmesan cheese gives it a nice salty flavor. But what I really love about this dish is how simple it is to prepare.

All you need is some asparagus, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, and a bit of olive oil. Just toss it all together and bake it in the oven for about 15 minutes. The result is a side dish that’s both elegant and down-home delicious.

Quick Recipe: Dijon Asparagus with Almond Slivers

• Ingredients: Asparagus, Dijon mustard, olive oil, almond slivers, garlic, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss asparagus in a mixture of Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  3. Place on a baking sheet and sprinkle with almond slivers.
  4. Roast for 12-15 minutes or until asparagus is tender.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Last but certainly not least, we have garlic mashed potatoes. In case you’re thinking…mashed potatoes again? Let me just tell you straight, these are no ordinary mashed potatoes.

The addition of garlic gives them a lovely flavor that pairs perfectly with the beans and cornbread. Plus, they’re so creamy and dreamy that you’ll be hard-pressed to resist going back for seconds.

To make them, just boil some potatoes until they’re tender, then mash them with some butter, milk, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Bang! You’ve been hit with a side of garlicky goodness. I guarantee you’ll love them.

Quick Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan and Chives

• Ingredients: Potatoes, garlic, butter, milk, Parmesan cheese, chives, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Boil peeled and diced potatoes until tender.
  2. Drain and mash with butter and milk.
  3. Stir in minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and chopped chives.
  4. Season with salt and pepper.

FAQ

What goes with pinto beans and cornbread?

There are a few different side dishes that go great with pinto beans and cornbread. Some examples include fried cabbage with crispy bacon, garlic mashed potatoes, and dijon asparagus.

What goes good with cornbread as a side?

Just to name a few, cheese, honey, and bacon all go great as sides for cornbread. But there are plenty of other options too!

Can I freeze cornbread?

Yes, you can freeze cornbread. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Fortunately, cornbread freezes quite well and will stay fresh for up to six months.

In Conclusion

The bottom line is this: beans and cornbread are a match made in heaven. They’re both delicious and easy to make, and they make the perfect comfort food.

So next time you’re looking for a hearty meal, give beans and cornbread a try. And be sure to include one (or more!) of these fantastic side dishes to complete the meal. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.