What to Serve with Clam Chowder (30 Best Sides)

Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

This Southern-style side dish transforms simple ingredients into a savory holiday delight. Smoky bacon and sweet onions sauté together, creating a rich base for tender green beans. A quick 20-minute recipe, it’s also budget-friendly with sweet and sour notes that offer a perfect contrast to creamy clam chowder

Find the full Green Beans with Bacon and Onions recipe here.

Dill Bread

Dill Bread is delish with any meal, and the combination of dill and onion make this saovry bread recipe hard to resist !It’s also the perfect side dish to your bowl of comforting clam chowder. 

Check out the full Dill Bread recipe here.

BEST Shrimp Bacon Sliders

These sliders are perfect for serving alongside your clam chowder as a way to add bulk with complimentary flavors. The sweet, tender shrimp and smoky, crispy bacon are a match made in heaven. Served on soft slider buns, perhaps with a layer of melted cheese, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

Learn to make BEST Shrimp Bacon Sliders here. 

Sweet Potato Fritters

Enjoy a taste of fall with these spiced fritters, crispy on the outside and tender inside. Warm spices like cumin and chili powder make them incredibly flavorful. With minimal prep and just a handful of ingredients, they’re a versatile dish perfect as a side to your chowder or appetizer.

Find the full Sweet Potato Fritters recipe here. 

Bacon Corn Salad

This warm salad is a celebration of sweet and savory flavors. Fresh corn kernels and crispy bacon are the star ingredients, enhanced by shallots cooked in bacon fat and butter. A finish of fresh chives and a punch of lemon juice creates a bright, creamy side that comes together in minutes.

Find this Bacon Corn Salad here.

Honey Pepper Bacon Recipe

Elevate your clam chowder with crispy bacon that’s taken to the next level with a drizzle of honey and fresh cracked pepper. Enjoy it alongside your bowl of cream clam chowder or chop it up to use as a delicious garnish just before serving!

Find this Honey Pepper Bacon Recipe here. 

Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits

Don’t be intimidated by making biscuits from scratch! These are surprisingly simple and utterly rewarding to make. The combination of sharp cheddar and jalapeño creates a big, bold flavor without being overly spicy. They bake up light, fluffy, and delicious – a perfect companion to soak up every last bit of clam chowder.

See the full Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits recipe here. 

Arugula Pear Salad

Make perfectly tender asparagus to serve as a boost of vegetables with your serving of clam chowder. Tossed with crispy bacon and savory shallots, this side is easy yet loaded with layers of flavor. A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving brightens all the flavors, pairing beautifully with many dishes, including seafood. 

Check out the full Asparagus with Bacon and Shallots recipe here.

Dill Pickle Cornbread with Bacon

Take classic cornbread to a new level with this unique and tasty twist. The tangy crunch of dill pickles and the savory saltiness of bacon are baked right in. It’s a perfect fall-time easy dinner when served with a big pot of chili, soup, or chowder.

Follow the full Dill Pickle Cornbread with Bacon recipe here.

Corn Slaw

Give cole slaw a fresh, Asian-inspired spin with this bright and crunchy recipe. Grated apples and fresh summer corn are tossed in a nutty sesame oil dressing. It’s a colorful, lighter salad that’s awesome alongside grilled meat or fish.

Find the full Corn Slaw recipe here.

Tuna Sliders

Serve up a crowd-pleaser with these fully-loaded tuna sliders. Soft rolls are stuffed with classic tuna salad, cheese, crisp lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes. They’re perfect for serving on a big board for a casual lunch or dinner – an ideal choice for your clam chowder.

Find the full Tuna Sliders recipe here.

Buttermilk Cornbread

This simple, savory cornbread recipe is baked in a skillet for a perfect golden crust. With a full, authentic corn flavor, it’s a classic comfort food. It’s perfectly paired with a bowl of chili or used to mop up creamy clam chowder.

Make Buttermilk Cornbread here.

Apple and Blue Cheese Salad

This salad offers a wonderful balance of flavors and textures in every bite. Crisp apples, creamy blue cheese, and crunchy bacon and sesame seeds create a festive dish. A tangy and sweet homemade dressing ties it all together, making it especially fitting for a winter gathering.

Check out the full Apple and Blue Cheese Salad here.

Corn Au Gratin

This dish is a creamy, cheesy dream that’s perfect for feeding a crowd at Thanksgiving or any holiday meal. With a soufflé-like texture and a buttery cracker crust, it’s a comforting side that steals the show. You’ll be asked to make it year after year, and the leftovers make for a fantastic addition to brunch.

Follow the full Corn Au Gratin here.

Potato Cheese Bread

This moist and fabulous quick bread is loaded with two kinds of cheese for maximum flavor in every bite. With no yeast required, it’s surprisingly simple to make and bakes up golden brown in a cast-iron pan. The result is a lovely crust on the bottom and a cheesy, flavorful interior.

See the full Potato Cheese Bread recipe here.

Basic Green Salad

Sometimes, a simple, fresh salad is all you need to balance a rich soup or chowder. This basic green salad is the perfect palate cleanser. Toss it with a classic Thousand Island dressing or a light vinaigrette for a last-minute, easy side.

Find the full Basic Green Salad recipe here.

Shrimp Louie Salad

The Epic Shrimp Louis Salad (Board) is a fresh, Shrimp Louie Salad served with hot, buttery dinner rolls and homemade Thousand Island Dressing for a large gathering.

Find the full Shrimp Louie Salad (Board) recipe here.

Pancetta Ciabatta Corn Pudding

This rustic corn pudding is the epitome of a comfort side dish for fall and winter. Made with crusty ciabatta bread and savory pancetta in a creamy sauce, it’s a dreamy recipe for November. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh basil, for a truly memorable holiday side.

Read the full Pancetta Ciabatta Corn Pudding recipe here.

Grilled Cheese Sliders

These are a fun, shareable alternative to full-sized sandwiches. Cheesy, melty, and packed with flavor, they’re absolutely perfect for dunking into tomato soup or clam chowder. Arrange them on a platter or a soup and sandwich board and watch them disappear in seconds. 

See these Grilled Cheese Sliders here.

Shrimp Cocktail Layered Salad

This elegant salad puts a creative spin on the standard shrimp cocktail appetizer. Fresh garden ingredients and shrimp are artfully layered in a beautiful parfait salad bowl. Topped with Thousand Island dressing, it’s a simple yet impressive salad for any time of year.

Find this Shrimp Cocktail Layered Salad recipe here.

Garlic Bread with Regular Bread

You don’t need a bakery loaf to make delicious, buttery garlic bread. This quick and easy recipe uses regular sandwich bread, transforming it with a mix of butter, garlic, and herbs. Cooked under the broiler, it’s ready in no time and can’t be beat for its simple, savory flavor.

Discover this Garlic Bread with Regular Bread here.

Sweet Potato Fries

Baked Curry Sweet Potato Fries are sweet and salty oven baked sweet potato wedges, tossed with oil, sprinkled with curry, and a finishing flake salt!

Find the Baked Sweet Potato Fries here. 

Bacon Shrimp Toasts Recipe

These elegant toasts make for a fantastic appetizer or light side for chowder. They’re topped with a creamy cheese mixture, succulent shrimp, and crispy bacon. A sprinkle of parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice add the perfect fresh finish.

Find the Bacon Shrimp Toasts Recipe here. 

Quick Dinner Rolls – with mayo

These Quick Dinner Rolls with Mayo combine self-rising flour, sharp cheddar, and garlic into a no-knead dough that bakes in mere minutes. Enjoy them as a soft, savory roll or biscuit with Clam Chowder!

Find this Quick Dinner Rolls recipe here. 

Hot Herb Bread

This buttery, foil-baked bread is a classic side that pairs with almost any dish. Infused with garlic and a mix of herbs like parsley, rosemary, and thyme, it’s deliciously fragrant. It’s a must-make for potlucks or quick and easy meals and is always devoured within minutes.

Find the Hot Herb Bread here. 

Fish Cakes

These fish cakes are made with tender white fish poached in milk, mashed potatoes, lemon, and herbs, then coated in breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection. The result is a crispy outside and a fluffy inside, perfect alongside clam chowder to add extra bulk to the meal. 

Follow this Fish Cakes here. 

Southern Spoon Bread

This classic comfort dish strikes the perfect balance between light and creamy. Made with a base of cornmeal and buttermilk, it has a delicate, almost custard-like consistency that melts in your mouth. Its spoonable texture is perfect for soaking up rich gravies and sauces.

Find the Southern Spoon Bread here. 

Leftover Lemon Dill Salmon Sandwiches

Turn leftover salmon into a creamy, delightful lunch with these sandwiches. Flaked salmon is mixed with fresh dill and lemon, then served on your choice of specialty bread or a French baguette. Topped with sprouts and avocado, they’re perfect with a green salad, chips, or to enjoy with chowder. 

Find the Leftover Lemon Dill Salmon Sandwiches here. 

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

For a fresh take on Brussels sprouts, try this shaved salad instead of roasting. Thinly sliced sprouts are tossed with a light vinaigrette and mix-ins like mandarin oranges, almonds, and apples. It’s a crunchy, refreshing side that’s especially great for rich and creamy mains like clam chowder. 

Check out this Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad here.