24 Easy Sides for Grilled Cheese

Looking for easy sides for grilled cheese? Look no further! From soups, to salads to super quick ideas, you’ll find 24 of the best sides to serve with grilled cheese.

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:

Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese

You can also try my AMAZING Starbucks Copycat Crispy Grilled Cheese which you can make in about 5 minutes and it will save you $6 and a trip to Starbucks!!

Perfect Starbucks Grilled Cheese

So now that you have the perfect grilled cheese recipes, wondering what to serve with your grilled cheese?? Look not further! I have compiled 24 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!

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!

SALAD SIDES FOR GRILLED CHEESE

4. Spinach Salad

Green salad is also a great side for grilled cheese as it balances out the richness. This spinach salad with apples is the ultimate pairing! The combo of apple and spinach go so well with the cheese!

5. Caesar Salad

Another great salad to pair with grilled cheese is Caesar salad. I rarely make my own dressing since I discovered Girard’s Casear dressing! I also like Costco’s bagged Caesar salad kits for busy weeknights!

6. 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.

7. Orzo Salad

This orzo salad is one of my go-side dishes for everything from burgers to chicken to grilled cheese! Once you make this Perfect Orzo Salad, it will be on your rotation ALL THE TIME!! Orzo is tossed with sun dried tomatoes, kalamata olives and fresh herbs, then dressed with a tangy, lemony dressing. DELISH!

8. Waldorf Salad

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Waldorf Salad with grilled cheese! It works so well because cheese pairs perfectly with apples, grapes and nuts–3 of the main ingredients in a Waldof salad! Such a yummy pairing!

9. Macaroni Salad

Another great salad for grilled cheese–Mac Salad! My BBQ Chicken Mac Salad is sooo yummy–just omit the chicken and you have yourself the perfect little mac salad to serve with your grilled cheese. Yes, it’s pasta and on the heavier side, but the dressing is light on the mayo, so it still makes a great side without being too heavy.

10. 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!

11. 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 🙂 Don’t forget a side of easy homemade ranch dressing!

I also love just a simple mixed green salad. My go to recipe is from Melissa D’Aribian from Food Network. I make this simple salad at least once a week!

12. 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.

13. Cole Slaw

Cole slaw is great for a little crunch! I usually use pre shredded slaw from the produce section and follow the dressing recipe here. Or grab some from the deli counter!

FRUIT & VEGGIE SIDES FOR GRILLED CHEESE

14. 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!

15. 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.

16. Baby Carrots

I should have put this one in the “super quick” section! Baby carrots are the perfect little crunch to go along with your grilled cheese and they’re perfect for those crazy weeknights when you don’t have an ounce of energy left to actually MAKE a side dish 🙂

17. Fresh Fruit

This is another great side for grilled cheese if you want to keep things on the lighter side. Fresh fruit is my fall back “side dish” when I just don’t have time to make anything else!

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

18. 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!

19. 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!

20. 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

21. 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. They are nice and thick and make a good complement to other sides like fresh fruit or baby carrots.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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!

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