30 Easy Sides for Grilled Cheese

Wondering what to make with grilled cheese? Look no further! From soups, to salads to super quick ideas, you’ll find 30 easy sides to serve with grilled cheese.

Wondering what goes with grilled cheese?? Look no further! I have compiled 30 of the best sides for grilled cheese right here!

I’ve broken them down by Soup Sides, Salad Sides, Fruit & Veggie Sides, and Super Quick Sides. Refer back to this list so you’ll never have wonder to what to serve with grilled cheese again!

Feel free to jump to what sounds good:

SOUP SIDES FOR GRILLED CHEESE

1. Tomato Soup

This goes without saying, I KNOW! But you can’t talk about side dishes for grilled cheese and not mention tomato soup! The two are a comfort food match made in heaven! Trader Joe’s pre made tomato soup is second to none, but it’s so easy to make from scratch, too! Whip up a big batch and freeze it!

2. Chicken Noodle Soup

Speaking of comfort food–hellloooo chicken soup! While tomato soup is “traditional,” chicken noodle soup is also a perfect pairing with grilled cheese. I love this quick and easy recipe here.

3. Lentil Soup

Maybe a little unexpected but this Instant Pot Red Lentil Soup is a perfect complement to a grilled cheese sandwich! It’s tomato-based, which is familiar, but also combines some veggies and a few spices to make a comforting, healthy soup that’s perfect for dunking!

4. Cheesy Potato Soup

This cheesy velveeta potato soup is loaded with smokey flavor from bacon and it’s rich and creamy without being super heavy, so it’s perfect to go with grilled cheese!

5. Vegetable Beef Soup

This vegetable beef soup has that simmered-all-day flavor, but it’s ready in less than thirty minutes and goes perfectly as a side for grilled cheese sandwiches!

SALAD SIDES FOR GRILLED CHEESE

6. Spinach and Arugula Salad

A fresh green salad is a great side for grilled cheese as it balances out the richness.

7. Caesar Salad

Another great salad to pair with grilled cheese is Caesar salad. I LOVE the easy homemade dressing on this Caesar salad!

8. Caprese Orzo Salad

This caprese pesto orzo salad is light and bright and a perfect to go with grilled cheese. You can even leave out the mozzarella if you want to lighten it up a bit.

9. Lemon Orzo Salad

This orzo salad is one of my go-side dishes for everything from burgers to chicken to grilled cheese!

10. Classic Cole Slaw

This coleslaw with poppy seed dressing is a nice little twist on the classic coleslaw recipe you know and love!

11. Pasta Salad

I’ve never met a pasta salad I didn’t love, and this creamy, hearty pasta salad is not exception!

12. Broccoli Salad

Classic broccoli salad is something I whip up all the time for a quick, fresh side dish! It’s easy and I love the crunch from the fresh broccoli!

13. Simple Green Salad

If I don’t have a side dish for a meal, throw together some fresh veggies and make a salad! It’s also a great way to clean out your veggie drawer 🙂

14. Arugula Salad

If you want something lighter, try just a simple green salad like this simple arugula salad. It takes minutes (seconds?) to make and it lightens up the meal nicely.

15. Strawberry Salad

As pretty as it is delicious, this spinach/romaine and strawberry salad is a perfect side for almost anything!

16. Elote Pasta Salad

 This vibrant Mexican-style pasta salad combines tender corn, pasta, and tomatoes, all tossed in a flavorful, creamy dressing. This dish pairs perfectly with grilled cheese!

17. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

This dill pickle pasta salad recipe went viral on TikTok and is my new favorite!! This creamy pasta salad has cheese, red onion, and lots of chopped dill pickles, all tossed in a creamy dressing with lots of dill pickle flavor! 

18.

FRUIT & VEGGIE SIDES FOR GRILLED CHEESE

19. French Fries

Fries are a little on the heavy side, but if you want to go “diner-style” with your grilled cheese dinner, then fries are the only option! And frozen fries could not be easier to pop in the air fryer or oven while your grilled cheese is cooking!

20. Sweet Potato Fries

I love the way frozen sweet potato fries cook up in the air fryer! Get all the tips and tricks for the perfect air fryer sweet potato fries here. I love using the frozen Alexa brand.

21. Baby Carrots

Baby carrots are the perfect little crunch to go along with your grilled cheese. Make them in the air fryer or serve them raw!

22. Fresh Fruit

The best fruits to pair with grilled cheese sandwiches are: apple slices, grapes, pears, cherries, watermelon and berries.

23. Apple Sauce

Apples + cheese are one of those perfect combos! So this is a perfect paring, especially if you have kiddos in the house. Ever try dipping your grilled cheese in apple sauce? Try it! It’s divine!

24. Broccoli

Even if you aren’t a broccoli fan, roasting it up in the oven or air fryer might win you over! Try my Perfect Air Fryer Broccoli! It just might change how you feel about broccoli!

25. Roast Potatoes

Yes, it’s on the heavier side, but it’s hard to stop eating these perfect air fryer roasted potatoes! If you make the chipotle dipping sauce to go along with them, you can also dunk your grilled cheese in there too….heaven!

SUPER QUICK SIDES FOR GRILLED CHEESE

26. Chips

You can pair your grilled cheese with some chips! What’s easier than that??! I love Kettle-style chips to go with grilled cheese.

27. Nuts

Nuts and cheese are another culinary match made in heaven! And a super quick way to add a little protein to your meal. The best nuts to pair with grilled cheese are: almonds, walnuts, pecans and pistachios.

28. Tomato Slices

Sometimes I don’t like putting tomato directly ON my grilled cheese because can make it a bit soggy (depending on what bread you use). However, I love cutting up tomato slices to serve right alongside my sandwich.

29. Cottage Cheese

To go along with the sliced tomatoes, cottage cheese is another great EASY SIDE! Sprinkle your cottage cheese with Everything Bagel seasoning… DIVINE!!! It’s a great, light side for grilled cheese OR an easy breakfast or snack!

30. Condiments!

There are so many fun condiments (AKA: things you can dunk your grilled cheese in) to serve alongside grilled cheese! Here are a few of the best ones:

Honey, mustard (or the two together), jams (strawberry, raspberry, apricot), ketchup, ranch dressing, mayo, citrus marmalade, and caramelized onion jam like the one in this burger recipe.

Delicious Grilled Cheese Recipes

A nice grilled cheese sandwich has it all, friends! It’s warm, comforting, crispy, melty…and soooo quick and easy to make! There are so many fun variations, too! Yep, a grilled cheese dinner (or lunch!) is an all-around crowd pleaser!

My new obsession is making grilled cheese in the air fryer! So easy and you can make multiple sandwiches at once! In my Cosori 12 in 1 Air Fryer, I can make up to 4 sandwiches all at one time! Love it! And they a perfectly golden and crispy every time! Here is my current favorite air fryer grilled cheese and two other delicious grilled cheese options: