Corn has been a staple since the Aztecs and Mayans ruled the land. Our modern take on cornbread, however, stems from Native Americans who treasured corn as if it were gold.
Cornbread can be made, served, and eaten in a ton of delectable ways. The crumbly, buttery “bread” has sweet and savory hints and goes great with many dishes.
The ground corn flour used to make cornbread gives it a gritty texture that is more pleasurable than overwhelming making cornbread delicious even when eaten alone.
Cornbread is also easy to make and can give a boost to almost any meal. Check out these 17 ways to serve cornbread at your next meal.
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17 Side Dishes To Serve With Cornbread
We’ve uncovered 17 delectable ways you can serve cornbread. Whether you like it as a side, as a vehicle for dips, chilis, soups, or stews you have an array of choices. If you are wondering what dishes can be made with cornbread as the centerpiece, you will be surprised at the many options you have. Keep reading for some great ideas.
1. Traditional Cornbread with Butter
Fresh out of the oven, a slice of cornbread is the perfect treat any time of the day. Its already buttery flavor goes amazingly well with… more butter!
The cornbread itself does not taste overly oily or moist. The beauty of cornbread is its crumbly-in-your-mouth goodness. A slathering of fresh butter makes the cornbread extra smooth and creamy.
2. Honey and Cornbread, to Die For
If you’ve never indulged in this pairing before, don’t delay! The combination of honey and cornbread is simply perfect and will satisfy any craving.
Drizzle your favorite honey over the cornbread or corn muffin. The honey will add a glaze to your cornbread that is sweet but not overwhelming. The result, a sweet and savory combination to die for!
3. Cornbread and Ice Cream
Mexicans often have cornbread as a dessert. And why not? It’s versatile and makes a great finish to a meal, even a heavy one.
One delightful way to serve cornbread as a dessert is to pair it with ice cream. A traditional way to serve it is with a corn-flavored ice cream but if this is too difficult to find, try your favorite brand of vanilla!
4. Cornbread Muffins are a Perfect Breakfast Treat
Cornbread, made into muffins is a great accompaniment to an early morning meal. Whether you’re an earlier riser or thinking of a side for brunch, cornbread will go surprisingly well with your breakfast.
Try fried cornbread and eggs next time you have some leftover cornbread. Cut your cornbread into small chunks and toss them into scrambled eggs. Add some cheese and heat (hot sauce or peppers). For a filling breakfast, throw in some sausage or bacon.
5. Cornbread Casserole
A great lunch dish to have around is a cornbread casserole. Easy to make and store, this dish will keep everyone happy at lunchtime.
Using a cornbread mix (like Jiffy) and corn, you can whip this up in no time. Be creative and try tossing some of your favorite ingredients into this casserole.
6. Cornbread and Cod Dinner Delight
Many people may have never thought of having cornbread with fish but this combination of cod and cornbread is something you should not hesitate to try.
Bake cod with a crust of cornbread, serve cornbread as a side or bake it all together in a casserole dish. You are sure to impress with the pairing of these unique but well-matched flavors and textures. Try catfish as well!
7. Cornbread with Chili
There’s something very classic about a nice hearty chili with a side of cornbread. It makes us think of cowboys and starlit nights camping.
The spice from the chili goes so well with the subtle sweetness of the cornbread that it’s hard not to sop it all up with a slice. Try crumbling the cornbread into the chili as well or baking the cornbread over your favorite chili recipe.
8. Cornbread and Baked Beans
If you’re looking for something simple yet satisfying, try cornbread with a side of baked beans.
There’s nothing more down-to-earth and comforting than beans and cornbread. That’s our opinion at least. If you need a pick-me-up or want to warm your stomach for a cold night ahead, homemade cornbread and a hot bowl of beans are sure to do the trick.
9. Cornbread with Stew
On the same lines as a chili, cornbread served with stew is also a very good pairing.
A Tuscan-style stew cooked with beef, thyme, and red wine goes surprisingly well with cornbread. Although the flavors of the two are very different, the salty savory stew does a great job enhancing the flavor of the cornbread and vice versa.
10. Vegetable Cornbread
With tons of meaty partners cornbread can have, don’t overlook the deliciousness of cornbread with vegetables.
This can be done in many ways, cornbread over roasted vegetables, as a casserole, or as a side dish. Try a southwestern version by baking cornbread over a combination of corn, black beans, zucchini, and hot tomato salsa.
11. Who Doesn’t Like Bacon? Cornbread
As mentioned, making cornbread is fast and easy. And if you never thought of throwing something extra into the batter, think again.
Cook up some bacon bits and toss them into your cornbread batter before baking. The salty bacon flavor will accentuate the sweetness of the corn in your cornbread and make for a mouthwatering treat.
12. Jalapeno and Cheese Cornbread
For some reason, the spice from jalapenos is just right for cornbread. These soulmates give your mouth a double whammy of flavor and heat that keeps you asking for more.
If you are making cornbread muffins try adding some chopped (or whole) pickled jalapenos to the batter. Once they’re in the muffin tin, sprinkle a heap of your favorite cheese into each cup. Our personal favorite is a Mexican four-cheese blend.
13. Apple and Onion Cornbread Pie
Cornbread muffins are great but why not try making the cornbread in the form of a pie! This may seem like a bizarre combination but apple slices, onion, and cornbread are a delectable combination.
Caramelize the apples by tossing them in sugar and layering them onto a cornbread batter that’s been spread out into a pie pan. Add some thyme and sauteed onions to the mix and bake it for a scrumptious treat!
14. Cornbread Croutons
You may have never considered it but leftover cornbread can be used in many different ways. Cornbread croutons are a great way to “recycle” your cornbread.
If you’ve ever made homemade croutons before, you’ll know that they’re very easy to make. Simply toss your cornbread chunks in olive oil and sprinkle them with salt. Bake these in the oven and voila, you have some delicious croutons to pair with your salad.
15. A Scrumptious Stuffing
Stuffing is a staple at any Thanksgiving meal. If you’ve never strayed from a box of Stove Top stuffing, give cornbread stuffing a try and impress the family your next holiday.
Take any stuffing recipe and replace the bread with cornbread. Choose flavors that you enjoy because the cornbread will go with pretty much anything.
16. Fruit and Cornbread French Toast
French toast is a classic creation that turns leftover bread into an irresistible brunch meal. Next time you make it, try using leftover cornbread.
Dip the cornbread into your egg mixture and fry it up. The cornbread will be moist and not taste “old” at all. Add some of your favorite toppings like strawberries or bananas, and top this all off with honey or syrup.
17. Taco bake
Taco Tuesdays are great but they can get a little boring if you don’t add some variety to the meal. Try sprucing up your tacos with some cornbread!
Take your favorite taco toppings and combine them with cornbread to make a deliciously satisfying taco bake. Bake your cornbread topped with meat and cheese. Serve this up with salsa, tomato, jalapenos, and sour cream.
We all knew corn was versatile but who knew cornbread could give us so many meal options!
Wrap Up
If you haven’t already concluded that cornbread is much more than just a side dish, give one of the recipes above a try and we’re sure you’ll change your mind.
Savor a cornbread meal tonight by whipping up a batch, it’s simple and easy. Make it even easier by grabbing a premade mix. Whatever the case may be, don’t stress your next meal. Grab some cornbread and enjoy!
What To Serve With Cornbread
Ingredients
- Traditional cornbread with butter
- Honey and cornbread, to die for
- Cornbread and ice cream
- Cornbread muffins are a perfect breakfast treat
- Cornbread casserole
- Cornbread and cod dinner delight
- Cornbread with chili
- Cornbread and baked beans
- Cornbread with stew
- Vegetable cornbread
- Who doesn’t like bacon? Cornbread
- Jalapeno and cheese cornbread
- Apple and onion cornbread pie
- Cornbread croutons
- A scrumptious stuffing
- Fruit and cornbread French toast
- Taco bake
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe from the list above.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prepare and enjoy in 30 minutes or less!