What to Serve With Corn Chowder

Nothing is quite as cozy and delicious as a warm bowl of homemade chowder, especially corn chowder! That perfect creamy, milky soup with sweet, golden corn kernels is sure to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I love serving this at home because not only does it make the entire kitchen smell amazing, it’s always a sure hit with the family!

If you’re planning on making your very own corn chowder at home and wondering what to serve it with, here are some of the tastiest dishes to pair with your creamy bowl of corn chowder.

1. Grilled Cheese

Corn by itself is already delicious, but to me it’s perfect pair is cheese! A bowl of corn chowder and a grilled cheese sandwich is one heck of a combo and a sure crowd-pleaser.

I always make mine with mozzarella, sharp cheddar, parmesan, and instead of butter, I use mayo when toasting the bread to give it that delicious, crispy, golden brown color.

2. BLT

The classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich is another excellent choice when having corn chowder. Have it for lunch, dinner, or as a snack. You can also add an egg to make it a delicious breakfast too!

The salty crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, with the acidity of tomatoes will go perfectly with your sweet corn chowder.

3. Dinner Rolls

Buttery soft dinner rolls? Delicious. Buttery soft dinner rolls with corn chowder? AMAZING!

This is one of my favorite comfort foods and the perfect combo. Dipping is encouraged!

4. Smoked Sausage

Craving something meaty and filling? Try pairing your corn chowder with some smoked sausage. There are several kinds of smoked sausage to choose from but the ones that are salty and garlicky pair best with corn chowder.

Kielbasa, Andouille, or cajun smoked sausages are best because they’re packed with savory flavors and can even be slightly spicy. You can also try something sweet like chorizo or Italian sausage.

5. Grilled Salmon

If you’re a seafood lover like me, you will definitely love grilled salmon with your corn chowder. I love to grill this delicious fish in foil to retain its creaminess and avoid overcooking.

As for seasoning, keep it simple with some salt, pepper, and olive oil or go all in brown sugar, soy sauce, thyme, lemon, and garlic.

Salmon is so delicious and pairs well with so many different ingredients, it’s almost impossible to mess this up!

6. Salad

Here’s a great healthy pair to your corn chowder. To compliment the sweetness of the corn, I like to make it with lettuce, avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onions, olives, chopped walnuts and squeeze over a bit of lemon juice on top.

This makes for a very refreshing salad and the slight acidity to it goes so well with the creaminess of the chowder. It’s a great option for vegetarians and you can even make your corn chowder dairy-free to make it vegan-friendly too!

7. Ham and Cheese

Another sandwich that goes well with corn chowder is ham and cheese! I just love to pair something salty and savory with corn and you simply can’t go wrong with the classic ham and cheese.

Plus, there’s nothing better than dipping your sandwich in the chowder so when toasting the bread, try giving it a few extra minutes for added crunch. This will make it taste even better when you dip it!

8. Quiche

This one is one of my favorites to make in the kitchen… quiche! What I really love about it is that there are so many ways to make it and you can have some fun experimenting with adding different ingredients.

To pair with corn chowder, try making cheese and tomato quiche or go the Italian route with some roasted tomato, basil, and parmesan. You can even make a vegan quiche by using toffee in place of the eggs. Yum!

9. Steamed Veggies

Another healthy option is roasted veggies! This is great for a simple snack or if you want just a light meal.

Everytime I make corn chowder with veggies, I usually go for broccolli or cauliflower.

Another great way to enjoy veggies with your chowder is with some zucchini pasta on the side! Because I absolutely love corn and tomatoes together. Pair it up with a zucchini bolognese with extra parmesan on top!

10. Loaded Cornbread

Cornbread and corn chowder? Why not? Everybody loves cornbread but have you ever heard of loaded cornbread? This one is an excellent treat!

To make, follow your usual cornbread recipe but fold in some extra ingredients into your mixture before baking. My go-to’s for loaded cornbread are cheese and bacon. I even like to add in some jalapenos for a little bit of heat!

11. Jalapeno Poppers

Speaking of jalapenos, you should definitely give jalapeno peppers a try when looking for dishes to serve with your corn chowder! These are super easy to make at home.

Stuff them with cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon bits, coat them in breadcrumbs and fry. That cheesy, savory filling plus that hot bite of jalapeno is going to be so delicious with cornbread. Give it a try!

12. Quesadillas

Corn is used in a lot of Mexican dishes so why not pair your corn chowder with a classic Mexican dish? Quesadillas are great with chowder because like sandwiches or bread, you can dip it in too!

I really enjoy black bean and avocado quesadillas with the salsa on the inside. Also try this with Mexican corn chowder by adding in some cumin, green chilies, and a little bit of tabasco sauce.

13. Shrimp Tacos

Sticking with the Mexican theme, try shrimp tacos with your corn chowder! I always like to make breaded shrimp with cajun seasonings, which pairs perfectly with the flavor of corn.

All those rich and punchy flavors and textures go so well with creamy chowder. But be warned: If you go with this combo, you might end up eating a little extra! It’s just that good.

14. Apple Crisp with Ice Cream

No meal is ever complete without dessert. And what better way to wrap things up with something just as comforting… Apple Crisp with vanilla ice cream!

Old-fashioned apple crisp is a classic fall dessert, but this is one of my favorites all year long. Especially after enjoying a nice, warm bowl of corn chowder. When making your apple crisp, top it off with oats for even more crisp!