What to Serve with Chili Dogs (20 Perfect Side Dishes)

If you’re wondering what to serve with chili dogs, you’ve come to the right place!

Chili dogs are a messy and tasty American classic.

With such bold flavors occupying a singular hot dog bun, you might be scratching your head thinking about potential side dishes. 

If you’re unsure what to serve with chili dogs, I have you covered!

Creamy comfort food like mac and cheese or cole slaw pairs well with the chili sauce’s spicy notes. 

Try a Brussels spouts salad or sweet Mexican corn for a healthier alternative to these sloppy dogs. 

Knowing what to serve with chili dogs is the difference between a good comfort meal and a fantastic comfort meal!

1. Amish Potato Salad

Nothing goes better with rich, peppery chili sauce than a creamy potato salad.

It’s one of my very favorite flavor combinations. 

If you want a simple yet decadently creamy potato salad, this Amish potato salad checks all the boxes. 

This classic potato salad is perfect because the dressing incorporates butter, mayo, and spicy mustard.

The combo works well with starchy potatoes and eggs. 

It’s simple, easy, and always a big hit at summer BBQs. 

2. Grandma’s Macaroni Salad

With so many styles of macaroni salad, sometimes, it’s better to go back to basics.

If grandma keeps her macaroni salad under strict lock and key, this recipe is probably pretty close. 

Classic macaroni salad lets all ingredients, like tender macaroni, crunchy veggies, and creamy dressing, shine on their own. 

With a creamy mayo base with mustard and apple cider vinegar, it’s rich and creamy with just a touch of acidity. 

And nothing goes better with creamy macaroni salad than indulgent chili dogs. 

3. Sweet Potato Fries

Save the regular French fries for hot dogs with ketchup and mustard.

Special chili dogs deserve special French fries, like these sweet potato fries. 

Sweet potato fries are slightly sweeter than your average fry and offer a boost of fiber and antioxidants. 

Their gentle sweetness pairs so perfectly with spicy flavors from chili dog sauce. They are a match made in heaven.

Those flavors leap off the plate with the right spices, like Italian herbs. 

4. Homemade Potato Chips

I have yet to meet a potato chip that I didn’t like.

While all potato chips have a special place in my heart, nothing beats homemade. 

Sure, it takes a little more time, but I promise you it’s worth the extra effort, especially for chili dog night!

These homemade potato chips are so light and crunchy and only require a simple dusting of salt. 

Of course, you can always play around with the spices and create ranch-style potato chips or add any spices you love. 

5. Corn Salad

Sweet summer corn and spicy chili dog sauce- what could be better?

This corn salad is so bright and colorful, and the bright and refreshing flavors pair perfectly with chili dogs. 

The sweetness of the corn paired with crunchy veggies like cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, and red onion tastes fantastic. 

And when tossed in that garlicky vinaigrette, it’s hard to resist. 

6. Popeye’s French Fries

I don’t know about you, but there’s always an endless line at my local Popeye’s.

But you can skip the long line with this perfect copycat recipe!

What makes Popeye’s fries so delicious lies in the bright herbal seasoning.

Spicy seasonings like cayenne pepper and chili powder take these potatoes over the top. 

And when paired with the smoky goodness of a good chili dog, it’s the ultimate treat.

7. KFC Coleslaw

I love pairing rich, smoky chili sauce with cool and creamy sides.

Sometimes, I even top my chili dogs with cole slaw for the ultimate messy dog!

KFC’s coleslaw is a cut above the rest.

Unlike their not-so-secret chicken recipe, their coleslaw is much easier to replicate. 

It combines crunchy shredded cabbage and carrots in the ultimate creamy sauce.

For that classic tangy of KFC’s cole slaw, the secret lies in the combination of buttermilk and lemon juice. 

It’s creamy, tangy, and the perfect side dish for messy chili dogs. 

8. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

I had this dill pickle salad once at a summer BBQ, and it’s all I think about.

Those crunchy pieces of pickles paired with tender pasta in tangy mayo is simply amazing. 

Some pasta salads can taste a little heavy.

But the addition of the pickles in this recipe keeps everything light, bright, and summery. Who can resist dill pickles?

Those flavors jump off the plate when paired with a smoky chili dog.

Give grandma’s pasta salad the night off, and try this dill pickle pasta salad instead. 

9. Mexican Corn on the Cob

Mexican corn on the cob is a super simple yet tasty side dish that is a staple at any summer BBQ. 

It pairs sweet summer corn on the cob with the bright flavors of lime, mayo, chili powder, and cotija cheese. 

Corn on the cob and butter is great, but this Mexican corn on the cob is even better. 

With sweet, savory, spicy, and creamy notes, it goes great with just about anything at the dinner table. 

10. Creamy Broccoli Salad

Chili dogs aren’t exactly a healthy food. Sure, they feed your soul, but your body may demand something a little greener. 

Cue this creamy broccoli salad.

While it’s chock full of raw, healthy greens like broccoli, onion, and sunflower seeds, it also doesn’t shy away from bacon!

With a creamy dressing and plenty of crunchy, salty bacon, it’s easy to slip in a few healthy greens.

11. Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese

This Cracker Barrel mac and cheese is the ultimate side dish if health food isn’t a concern on chili dog night. 

I mean, who doesn’t love creamy mac and cheese with a crunchy baked crust?

And it’s so easy to whip up at home.

With tender pasta noodles and decadently cheesy sauce, it’s comfort food at its finest. 

12. Caprese Salad

Nothing beats the bright, simple flavors of a classic Caprese salad. 

I love whipping up this delicate side dish in that window where my tomatoes and basil are both ready to harvest in my garden. 

With juicy ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and indulgent mozzarella cheese, it’s hard to resist this delicate side dish.

I mean, look at those colors. It’s just so pretty. 

13. Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is a great way to combat the heaviness of chili dogs. And this isn’t your average fruit salad. 

It pairs bright summery fruit like blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and tropical kiwi.

Adding the dressing will make your mouth water just thinking about it.

Once tossed in a honey lime dressing, this fruit salad may be more popular than your chili dogs!

14. Crispy Onion Rings with Dipping Sauce

Homemade onion rings put any bag of frozen onion rings in your freezer to shame.

This recipe boasts double-dipped onions that are so crispy and crunchy. 

They take a little extra time to come together, but they are well worth the effort. 

Paired with a creamy garlic sauce, they’ll fly off the plate before you finish frying your first batch. 

15. Mexican Bean Salad

Looking for a fresh, protein-forward side dish? You can’t go wrong with this bright, colorful Mexican bean salad. 

With plenty of fresh produce like tomatoes, onions, and corn, the flavors are impossibly bright and tangy. 

Throw in some black beans, like heaven in a bowl. Bonus points: it comes together in a matter of minutes. 

16. Homemade Tater Tots

That’s right, I’m talking homemade tater tots.

You’ll likely never go back to frozen after trying this recipe. 

They taste like perfectly crispy french fries with mashed potatoes on the inside. Is your mouth watering yet?

These simple and tasty tots are a great way to retire from bagged tater tots and opt for something fresh. 

17. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

This lean green salad is an excellent option if you want a healthier side dish with those not-so-heathy chili dogs. 

It combines crunchy shaved raw Brussels spouts with unlikely salad additions. 

Paired with sweet dried cranberries, savory white beans, cheese, and a crunch from pine nuts, it’s sure to be your next favorite salad. 

18. Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapeno poppers check all the boxes for a fantastic side dish for chili dogs.

They’re creamy, crunchy, spicy, and so delicious.

The creamy insides of these jalapeno poppers go so well with the smoky flavors from chili dogs. 

What I love most about this recipe is that they aren’t deep fried.

You can arrange them on a baking sheet to make a big batch for your next cookout or holiday party. 

19. Jiffy Cornbread Muffins

When chili is on the menu, whether it’s a big bowl or chili or chili dogs, Jiffy cornbread muffins are a must-have. 

And if anyone knows cornbread, it’s Jiffy!

Cornbread is known to be dry, but the added butter in these muffins makes them rich, moist, and tender. 

20. Mac and Cheese Bites

Macaroni and cheese are great, but mac and cheese bites are even better! 

These mac and cheese bites are an excellent choice for an indulgent treat to go with those chili dogs. 

They have a super crispy outside.

It works overtime to pick up all those delicious dipping sauces and creamy pasta on the inside.