What to Serve with Bean and Bacon Soup? 10 Best Side Dishes

Bean and bacon soup is a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for a winter day.

But sometimes, it can be tough to know what to serve with it.

I mean, you don’t want to serve just any old side dish.

You want something that will complement the soup and make the meal more exciting.

So if you are wondering what to serve with bean and bacon soup, then you are in the right place.

I’ve rounded up 10 of the best side dishes to serve with this soup including bread, salad, vegetables, and more.

What to Serve with Bean and Bacon Soup? 10 Best Side Dishes

I consider soup to be a meal in and of itself, but sometimes it’s nice to have a little something on the side.

When it comes to bean and bacon soup, there are a number of great side dishes that can take the dish from good to great.

Here are 10 of the best side dishes for bean and bacon soup:

1. Roasted Veggies

Veggies tend to be pretty boring on their own, but roasting them brings out so much flavor.

I love to roast veggies as a side dish, especially with soup.

The high heat makes the veggies tender and caramelized, and they pair so well with a comforting bowl of soup.

Pro Tip: To make sure your veggies don’t stick to the pan, coat them in olive oil before roasting.

3 Unique Twists:

• Add some spice by coating the veggies in a mixture of chili powder, cumin and paprika before roasting.
• Swap out the usual suspects (carrots, potatoes, onions) for more unique vegetables like beets, parsnips or rutabaga.
• Roast your veggies in chicken or beef broth for extra flavor.

2. Garlic Butter Grilled Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is something I grew up eating.

It’s simple, classic and delicious.

And, it’s the perfect side dish for soup!

The garlic butter really takes it to the next level in terms of flavor.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, you can cook the corn in the microwave before adding it to the grill. This will help speed up the process.

3 Unique Twists:

• Add some chili powder to the garlic butter for a little extra spice.
• Swap out the butter for vegan margarine or coconut oil to make it dairy-free.
• Sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese after grilling for an extra cheesy kick.

3. Baked Beans

If you have a few cans of baked beans in your pantry, you have the makings of a hearty and delicious side dish (or even a meal, if you’re feeling ambitious).

All you need to do is heat them up and add a few simple seasonings.

I like to add some garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to really give them a boost of flavor.

Pro Tip: If you want a little bit of a crunch in your baked beans, try adding some chopped bacon or pancetta when you’re heating them up.

3 Unique Twists:

• Baked Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomatoes when you’re heating up the beans.
• Baked Beans with BBQ Sauce: Stir in 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce when the beans are heated through.
• Baked Beans with Sriracha: Add 1-2 tablespoons of Sriracha when you’re seasoning the beans.

4. Mac N Cheese

This family-friendly option is creamy, dreamy and oh-so satisfying.

It’s the perfect comfort food for a cold night, or really any night.

And it’s so easy to make! Just boil some noodles, mix in some cheese sauce and voila – you’ve got a delicious side dish that everyone will love.

Pro Tip: To take this dish up a notch, try adding in some diced ham or crumbled bacon. You can also mix in some frozen peas or chopped broccoli for an extra dose of veggies.

3 Unique Twists:

• Mix in a jar of Alfredo sauce for an ultra creamy mac n cheese.
• Add a layer of sauteed mushrooms between the pasta and cheese sauce for an earthy twist.
• Top with breadcrumbs and broil until golden brown for a crispy, cheesy topping.

5. Sweet Potato Fries

How about something that’s sweet, savory, AND nutritious?

These sweet potato fries are the perfect side dish to just about any meal… but I especially love them with soup!

They add a great crunch and a touch of sweetness that takes soup to the next level.

Pro Tip: For extra crispy sweet potato fries, soak them in salt water for 30 minutes before cooking.

3 Unique Twists:

• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a sweet and spicy twist.
• Dip in ketchup mixed with sriracha for an extra zesty kick.
• Mix with regular potatoes for a classic flavor combo.

6. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Carrots

Don’t think that side dishes have to be boring!

These roasted garlic Parmesan carrots are flavorful, satisfying, and easy to make.

They’re the perfect addition to any meal, but I especially love them with soup.

The Parmesan cheese adds a nice salty flavor and the garlic gives the carrots a delicious savory taste.

Pro Tip: For an extra crispy carrot, try roasting them in avocado oil.

3 Unique Twists:

• Add some spice with cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
• Swap out the Parmesan cheese for another variety like Pecorino Romano or Asiago.
• Give the carrots a sweetness boost by drizzling on some honey before roasting.

7. Caesar Salad

Salads, salads, salads.

We all know we should be eating them, but sometimes they can be a little…boring.

Not Caesar salad though.

This dish is packed with flavor and texture, making it the perfect side to any soup or main course.

And what’s even better?

It’s so easy to make! Just chop up some lettuce, add in some croutons and shredded cheese, and top it off with a homemade Caesar dressing.

Pro Tip: To make your salad extra tasty (and extra pretty), top it with grilled chicken or shrimp.

3 Unique Twists:

• Add roasted sweet potatoes for a touch of sweetness and extra fiber.
• For a crunchy twist, swap out the croutons for chopped up bacon or pancetta.
• Top your salad with avocado slices or a fried egg for an extra boost of protein.

8. Garlic Bread

You can buy a pre-made garlic bread from the grocery store, or you can make your own using a loaf of French bread and some garlic butter.

I prefer to make my own because it’s so easy and tastes fresher.

This side dish is awesome because it’s garlicky, warm, and crispy.

Plus, it goes great with soup!

Pro Tip: To take your garlic bread up a notch, add some shredded cheese or chopped herbs to the garlic butter before spreading it on the bread.

3 Unique Twists:

• Swap out the French bread for ciabatta or another type of crusty bread.
• Add some roasted garlic cloves to the garlic butter for extra flavor.
• Spread the garlic butter on both sides of the bread and grill or broil until crispy.

9. Potato Salad

Something as simple as potato salad can be taken to the next level with just a few ingredients.

I love using dill, green onions, and celery seed in my potato salad for a little bit of extra flavor.

This dish is awesome as a side because it pairs well with soup, but can also stand alone as a light lunch.

Pro Tip: For the best flavor, use Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes.

10. Stuffed Peppers

Although this dish requires a bit more preparation than your average side, it is so worth it.

Stuffed peppers are not only delicious, but also pretty healthy.

They can be a great way to sneak in some extra veggies.

I love to make them with quinoa, black beans, and corn for a filling and satisfying dish.

Pro Tip: For an extra flavorful dish, try roasting the peppers before stuffing them.

3 Unique Twists:

• Try using sweet potatoes or rice instead of quinoa
• Add in some shredded chicken or ground beef
• Top with avocado or sour cream

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