What to Eat with Cornbread: 17 Tasty Combos

Wondering what to serve with cornbread? Here are 17 tasty combos that pair perfectly with sweet and savory cornbread.

Cornbread is an extremely soft, crumbly, sweet, and savory quick bread. These yellow squares of pillowy heaven may look unassuming, but they are extremely addictive!

You can devour them on their own as a savory snack, or pair them up with a thick soup or a delectable main entrée. 

If you’re wondering what to eat with soft, buttery cornbread, then you’ve come to the right place! Whether you top your cornbread with honey or dip it in a bowl of chili, we’ve got you covered.

So, without further ado, here are 17 foods that will transform your cornbread feast into an unforgettable meal. Happy eating!

1. Butter

Let’s start with the basics. Butter is good with everything, but it’s especially good with cornbread. Slather some butter on top and melt for just a few seconds in the microwave for classic comfort food. It’s a rich and creamy combo that’s hard to beat.

2. Honey

Sweet and salty is always a fantastic flavor combination, so why not drizzle some honey over that savory cornbread? This makes for a delicious side dish for a meat entrée and a sweet ending to any meal.

3. Jalapenos

If jelly is the perfect combo with peanut butter, jalapeno is the perfect partner for cornbread. This is a classic combo that pairs perfectly with soups, chili, and any sort of BBQ.

The chili adds a wonderful kick to the soft and sweet bread, making it taste even more flavorful. You can also add some pepper jack cheese for a truly heavenly combo. Yum!

4. Cheese

Because cheese makes everything better! There are a wide variety of cheeses that go well with cornbread, from cream cheese and goat cheese to cotija and feta. So take your pick, add your favorite cheese into the cornbread mix and bake them to perfection. Then, top it off with some melted cheddar, pepper jack, or gruyere for an even more sinful treat.

5. Apples and Onions

Yup, you’ve read that right! Top your cornbread with sweet and savory apples and onions and bake them to perfection. Doing so will caramelize and sweeten the onions and soften the apples, making for a scrumptious topping. 

6. Hotdogs

Corndogs are so tasty, it only makes sense that hotdogs and cornbread go well together too. Make some mini-corndog muffins for a satisfying breakfast. Or, you can also serve the cornbread and hotdogs separately. Either way, your kids will surely love you even more. 

7. Pork

There are a ton of pork products that work well with cornbread, and our favorite is bacon! These crisp and smoky strips pair perfectly with the softness and sweetness of the bread.

You can add bacon crumbles directly into the cornbread batter or serve it on the side. Both are a sweet and savory treat!

Apart from bacon, ham and cornbread also make a phenomenal pair. The combination of savory and sweet truly never disappoints.

And of course, we can’t end this entry without some tender, juicy, and delicious roasted pork. The exceptional main entrée tastes so much better when paired with cornbread.

8. Greens

Vegetarians, rejoice! Veggies, particularly greens, taste amazing with cornbread. Whether that’s kale, collard greens, or spinach, veggies and cornbread make for a sweet and satisfying meal. Saute your favorite greens, flavor it with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of garlic powder and you’re good to go.

9. Veggies

Apart from greens, cornbread also goes well with roasted veggies. Any veggie works, but Brussels sprouts are my favorite combo!

Coat the Brussels sprouts with oil, salt, and pepper, and pop them in the oven. Top it off with crumbled bacon and you’ve got a meal fit for a king (or queen 😉)

A great alternative to roasting is sauteing veggies in butter. Butter makes the veggies a lot creamier, thereby yummier! Buttered veggies taste heavenly with a side of savory cornbread.

10. Barbeque

Whether it’s beef ribs, pork, or chicken barbeque, cornbread will do a fine job at sopping up that sweet and smoky sauce. 

11. Chili and Stews

No matter what soup you serve, cornbread will make it a lot better. Whether it’s a bowl of chili, cream of chicken, or beef stew, cornbread will elevate your meal to an entirely new level. I think it’s the dipping action that really does it for me.

Soup just isn’t the same without a side of bread. Top it off with some honey and butter and you’ve got yourself a meal to die for.

12. Milk

Here’s another perfect combo: cornbread and milk. If you’re looking for a satisfying breakfast, these two will certainly do the trick!

Serve with butter and honey for a truly heavenly treat.

13. Fried Chicken

Another protein that pairs well with cornbread is fried chicken. It’s a classic combination! This sweet and savory combo makes for a very filling meal.

14. Chicken Pot Pie

Picture this: warm, creamy, and savory chicken pot pie served with a side of sweet and buttery cornbread. Doesn’t that sound like a match made in heaven? Make this combo even better by serving a pitcher of freshly brewed iced tea to complete the meal.

15. Roast Duck

Another great poultry dish that’s perfect with cornbread is a beautifully roasted duck. You’ll be surprised how perfectly this Asian entrée pairs with Southern bread! The duck is super savory, and the sweetness of the cornbread cuts some of that saltiness, forming a beautiful balance of flavors.

16. Ice Cream

Sweet cornbread makes for a delicious dessert, but you can kick things up a notch by topping it with a scoop of corn ice cream.

Cornbread plus corn ice cream is a traditional dessert for Mexicans, but if you can’t find that flavor anywhere, some good-old vanilla works fine too.

17. Jam

Cornbread just isn’t complete without a good jam, marmalade, or preserve. But, since cornbread is already naturally sweet, try to go for less-sugary spreads.

Raspberry, fig, and orange are some of my favorite options. You can never go wrong with butter and jam!