Salads That Go With Chilli Con Carne: 11 BEST Ideas!
Need some inspiration for the tastiest side dishes for your next Mexican night?
I’ve got you covered!
Here, we’re going to take a look at the best salads that go with chilli con carne.
Whether you want something quick and easy to throw together at the last minute, or something you can prep ahead to save you some time once your guests arrive, you’ll find something you love right here…
The best salads to serve with chilli con carne
My favourite side salad for chilli con carne is a creamy avocado salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion. It’s easy to make, and pairs perfectly with the spiciness of your chilli.
Other great choices include Mexican style corn salad, simple chopped green salad, easy taco slaw, chicken fajita salad, pico de gallo, and black bean salad.
Keep reading to discover more ideas, plus tried and tested recipes to make at home…
By the way, if you’re looking for more inspiration, you might also want to take a look at my guide to what to serve with chilli instead of rice and the best bread to serve with chilli!
1. Avocado salad
Avocados are so widely used in Mexican cuisine, and the fresh creaminess pairs perfectly with a spicy chilli con carne.
This avocado salad recipe is made with an abundance of fresh and colourful ingredients, and it can be thrown together in a matter of minutes.
The herby dressing really helps to elevate the flavours, and it makes for a fabulous centrepiece at the table, especially when you’re cooking for guests.
Choosing this salad as a side makes for a nice change from the usual guacamole with tortilla chips, particularly in the summer months when the very best fresh produce is available.
2. Mexican style corn salad
This Mexican style corn salad recipe combines bright and tasty ingredients like sweetcorn, red onion, and juicy tomatoes, and tosses them with zesty lime juice, fragrant coriander, and some honey and extra virgin olive oil.
It might be simple, but it’s absolutely delicious and I love spooning a generous portion over the top of a bowl of chilli, with a few extra sides like fluffy steamed rice and some freshly baked tortilla chips. You can’t beat this when it comes to salads that go with chilli con carne!
If you love to meal prep, make sure that you make enough of this salad so you’ve got leftovers for lunch over the next couple of days. It’s super tasty served with shredded chicken, or tinned tuna or salmon.
3. Simple chopped green salad
This simple chopped salad is my one of my go-to dishes when I need a side dish that’s healthy, delicious, and super easy to make. It requires a fair bit of chopping, but this can be enjoyable and even therapeutic if you have the time to set aside to spend in the kitchen.
You’ll need a handful of ingredients including cucumber, spring onion, lettuce, cress, and avocado. You’ll also make a straightforward dressing to toss everything in, with lemon juice and a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
Serve this salad on the chopping board in the middle of the table, with a pair of serving tongs so everyone can tuck in and help themselves.
4. Mexican salad with lime and coriander dressing
If you want a salad to serve with chilli that’s ideal for a crowd, look no further than this Mexican salad with a deliciously zesty lime and coriander dressing! It’s fresh, satisfying, and flavourful, and it’s one of those really impressive salads that the whole family is going to love.
It includes sweetcorn, juicy bell peppers, tomatoes, black beans, avocado, lettuce, cheese, and tortilla chips.
This isn’t the kind of salad you’d choose if you wanted something light, but it’s perfect for catering for a big gathering when you want a buffet style meal to enjoy.
5. Easy taco slaw
If you love serving up Mexican food, you really need to have this easy taco slaw in your repertoire! It’s simple, colourful, and brings a wonderful element of crunch to the table.
Make sure that you carefully follow the instructions, and don’t be tempted to skip the step that involves salting the cabbage. This is important as it draws out any excess moisture, and it creates the best kind of crunch!
Best of all, you can prepare this salad a day in advance, so it’s ideal if you like to plan ahead.
6. Chicken fajita salad
This chicken fajita salad is like a main course in its own right, but it’s perfect if you like to offer several different options to your guests.
Crisp lettuce, creamy avocado, and a delicious coriander and lime dressing come together to create a really vibrant and flavoursome dish that’s light yet satisfying, with a pleasant hint of spice.
Remember that you can get a little creative and make use of anything you might have lurking in the back of your fridge, or make it a little more substantial by throwing in some pantry staples. Any greens can be used, for example, and I love to throw in a tin of sweetcorn or mixed beans!
7. Pico de gallo
Pico de gallo is a salsa that’s widely used in Mexican cuisine, and it’s super simple to make your own. Just chop up onion, tomatoes, and peppers, and dress with salt, lime, and coriander to taste.
It’s super versatile, so there are plenty of ways to enjoy it alongside a chilli con carne. You could serve it as an appetiser alongside a big bowlful of tortilla chips, or you could just add it to the middle of the table and invite everyone to dig in and build their own chilli bowls.
8. Black bean salad
This black bean salad recipe takes a simple tin of black beans and transforms it into something bright, fresh, vibrant, and ideal for serving with chilli con carne!
You can add it a bowl and let everyone dig in at your next Mexican inspired feast, or you can get a little fancier if you prefer. It’s delicious piled high on top of nachos, and it also works really well with some added feta cheese or avocado.
Alternatively, you can add it to homemade wraps with chilli con carne and shredded lettuce as a filling. This idea is a great one for using up leftovers the next day!
9. Easy cucumber salad
The refreshing and light flavour of cucumber makes it a great salad ingredient to serve alongside a spicy chilli, and it also brings some satisfying crunch to your dinner plate.
This idea is so simple that you don’t even need to follow a recipe! Just chop up your cucumber, add some finely sliced red onion, and combine together with a splash or two of white wine vinegar.
10. Fiesta rice salad
Who says that chilli has to be served with plain white rice?! Give the traditional side dish an upgrade by trying this Fiesta rice salad.
It comes together super quickly and it involves tossing rice with chopped veggies, lime juice, olive oil, and plenty of fresh coriander.
I love stuffing a burrito with spicy chilli con carne and adding a generous portion of this rice side dish.
11. Ottolenghi’s green bean salad
If you’ve never tried Ottolenghi’s recipes before, consider this as your sign to give him a try. His gift for creating truly outstanding vegetable dishes is unrivalled, and the results are eclectic, vibrant, nourishing, and a real joy to make.
This green bean salad calls for a handful of ingredients including green and yellow beans, lemon, garlic, olive oil, cumin, capers, and a few handfuls of fresh herbs.
This side dish is easy to make, and I always think it pairs wonderfully with a bubbling bowl of chilli con carne and some fluffy white rice. It’s a recipe that you’ll make time and time again, as it also works fantastically with roast chicken and potato salad, Turkish style kebabs, or a simple piece of grilled fish.
Final thoughts on salads that go with chilli con carne
Need a side salad for chilli con carne? Here’s a quick recap of tasty choices for you to try:
- Avocado salad
- Mexican style corn salad
- Simple chopped green salad
- Mexican salad with lime and coriander dressing
- Easy taco slaw
- Chicken fajita salad
- Pico de gallo
- Black bean salad
- Easy cucumber salad
- Fiesta rice salad
- Green bean salad
Leave a comment and share the one that you would most like to try!
Fancy something sweet afterwards?
Check out desserts that go with chilli con carne too!
