32 Perfect Sides for Sandwiches (not chips!)

Looking for some sides for sandwiches…something that is A LITTLE more exciting than chips?! Look no further! From salads to soups to everything in between, here’s the ultimate breakdown of the best dishes to serve with sandwiches!

There are so many times when my mind just completely draws a BLANK when it comes to side dishes or what to serve with a certain dish! Does that ever happen to you?! I think it’s old age…brain fatigue is REAL, people!

I rounded up my 27 Easy Sides for Sloppy Joes and my 24 Easy Sides for Grilled Cheese sandwiches first, but now I’m ready to dive into sides for all kinds of sandwiches! Hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, healthy sides for sandwiches…and even the toughest: what to pack with sandwiches in a school lunch! I swear that last one gets me every week!

Need a great sandwich recipe?! For a perfect “cold” sandwich, try my Easy Panera Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich! And for the best HOT sandwich–my Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese is to DIE for!! Oh, and then there’s my Starbucks Copycat Grilled Cheese that will save you $6 and is easy and AMAZING!!

So let’s break it down!!!! Here we go with 32 Best Sides for Sandwiches!

BEST SOUP SIDES

A warm bowl of soup and a sandwich just seem to go hand in hand. Soup is a great side for almost ANY sandwich, but I feel it works best with grilled cheese sandwiches and more deli-type “cold” sandwiches. Here are some amazing soup recipes that would be perfect with a sandwich:

Easy Vegetable Beef Soup

Easy Vegetable Beef Soup (with V8 Juice)

This Vegetable Beef Soup has that simmered-all-day flavor, but it's ready in less than thirty minutes! This recipe uses ground beef for quick cooking, load of veggies, all cooked in a savory broth that includes the powerhouse "secret" ingredient–V8 Juice!!!! Healthy and comforting, this soup is a must-make this fall and winter!

GET THE RECIPE

Tomato Soup

3 Ingredient Tomato Soup

I have been making this easy tomato soup for years! It’s so simple and perfect alongside a grilled cheese sandwich. The soup freezes well, too so you can make big batches and never buy the canned stuff again!

GET THE RECIPE

Chicken Noodle Soup

Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is the ultimate comfort food and pairs perfectly with almost any type of sandwich. I love that this recipe uses rotisserie chicken–easy breezy!

GET THE RECIPE

Broccoli Cheese Soup

20 Minute Broccoli Cheese Soup

Rich, creamy and cheesy, this soup recipe is ready in about 20 minutes! I love dipping a grilled cheese into this cheesy soup! (never.enough.cheese!)

GET THE RECIPE

Red Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Red Lentil Soup

This Instant Pot Red Lentil soup has a surprise ingredient–BACON!!! Didn't expect that in lentil soup, did ya?! Never worry, this recipe can be super easily adapted to be vegetarian or vegan lentil soup, too! Don't let the bacon scare you away! It's delicious with or without!

GET THE RECIPE

BEST SALAD SIDES

Salads are another natural accompaniment to sandwiches. These 5 salads are on my rotation year round and are light enough to pair well with a hearty sandwich.

Macaroni Salad

BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad

This BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad will change how you think about traditional mac salad. This salad is a little sweet, a little tangy and never heavy or soggy! It's the perfect side for summertime grilling or just a simple lunch!

GET THE RECIPE

Caprese Pesto Orzo Salad

Easy Orzo Salad with Pesto

This Easy Orzo Salad with Pesto is a refreshing salad that combines tender orzo pasta with flavorful pesto, mozzarella pearls, and fresh tomatoes. Simple and delicious, it's a perfect summertime side dish or light dinner!

GET THE RECIPE

Corn Salad

Simple Sweet Corn Salad

This Simple Sweet Corn Salad is bursting with flavors from cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh herbs and lime. Topped with lots of Président Feta Crumbles, this will be your go-to summertime salad!

GET THE RECIPE

Orzo Salad

Easy Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad

Once you make this Easy Lemon Orzo Pasta 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, delicious lemon dressing. This salad has no mayo so it's perfect for summer picnics and grill outs.

GET THE RECIPE

Pasta Salad

The Best Easy Pasta Salad

How good does this pasta salad look?! This pasta salad is loaded with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini, olives, and easy Italian dressing. Lindsay from Pinch of Yum calls it: DANGEROUSLY GOOD.

GET THE RECIPE

BEST KID-FRIENDLY SIDES

French Fries

Oven Baked French Fries

Simple and crispy, these oven baked fries and healthier than the deep fried version and pair perfectly with sandwiches!

GET THE RECIPE

Fresh Fruit Salad

Rainbow Fruit Salad

This fruit salad is drizzled with a fresh, sweet honey lime dressing and it’s the perfect fresh side for a sandwich!

GET THE RECIPE

Roasted Potatoes

Air Fryer Roast Potatoes with Chipotle Mayo

These air fryer roast potatoes are nothing short of heaven! Full of flavor, perfectly crisp on the outside and soft in the inside, you will be absolutely addicted!

GET THE RECIPE

Corn

Boiled Corn on the Cob

So simple, yet so delish! I especially love sweet corn in the summer with a sandwich. Here’s how to boil it to perfection…just load it up with butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and dig in!

GET THE RECIPE

Mac and Cheese

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

There isn’t much better than homemade Mac and Cheese! And this recipe is an award winner! You can go wrong!!

GET THE RECIPE

Roasted Baby Carrots

Perfect Air Fryer Baby Carrots

These air fryer baby carrots are a quick and simple side dish that's parent and kid approved! These air fried carrots are tossed in a sweet and savory glaze that's a cinch to make. This is a perfect weeknight side dish, but also special enough for your holiday table!

GET THE RECIPE

BEST HEALTHY SIDES

Arugula Salad

Simple Arugula Salad

This Simple Arugula Salad recipe isn't even really a recipe! It's ridiculously simple and a super easy side dish that complements almost any main course! Arugula is tossed with the bright, simple flavors of lemon and olive oil, then topped with shaved Parmesan cheese. Your go-to salad is ready in about 5 minutes!

GET THE RECIPE

Sweet Potatoes Fries

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

This recipe for frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer will give you crisp, perfectly seasoned fries every time! The method is simple and the air fryer does 90% of the work–just sit back and let it work it's magic!

GET THE RECIPE

Cucumber Salad

Easy Cucumber Salad

This Cucumber Salad Recipe comes together quickly and with just a few ingredients. A refreshing and tangy side salad it’s a great, healthy accompaniment to any kind of sandwich!

GET THE RECIPE

Berry Spinach Salad

Berry Spinach Salad

This berry spinach salad is the perfect spring and summer salad recipe – and it only takes 5 minutes to make!

GET THE RECIPE

Black Bean Salad

Fresh Black Bean Salad

This recipe uses canned beans and comes together quickly and easily, but isn’t short on flavor!!

GET THE RECIPE

Cottage Cheese

I LOVE cottage cheese as a light side with a sandwich! Sprinkle it with a little Everything But the Bagel Seasoning!

BEST SIDES FOR HOT SANDWICHES

“Hot” sandwiches can range from a chicken sandwich, BBQ beef sandwich, roast beef sandwich or any other sandwich that is meant to be served warm. For grilled cheese, check out my complete list of 24 Easy Sides for Grilled Cheese. Here are some other great sides for hot sandwiches.

Baked Beans

Easy Ultimate Baked Beans

This baked beans recipe takes canned beans to the ultimate level! Such an easy recipe, but not short on flavor!

GET THE RECIPE

Cole Slaw

Seriously Good Cole Slaw

Crisp cole slaw is the perfect pairing for a hot sandwich! This recipe has the most delicious creamy dressing and it’s quick and easy to make!

GET THE RECIPE

Warm German Potato Salad

Warm German Potato Salad

This warm, bacon-loaded German potato salad pairs perfectly with a hot sandwich! It’s a nice change from cold potato salad and super flavorful!

GET THE RECIPE

Peas

Parmesan Peas

This recipe could not be more simple and it’s such a nice warm, yet fresh complement to a hot sandwich!

GET THE RECIPE

BEST SANDWICH SIDES FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES

Apple Sauce

Easy and healthy, apple sauce pouches and cups are a go-to in our school lunches!

Tortilla Chips and Salsa

Ok, so this is technically CHIPS but you get to pair it with delicious salsa! To be honest, the kids in our house prefer the regular old jarred salsa with their chips. But for the adults or kids not as picky as mine, whip up this Easy Pico de Gallo!

Buttered Noodles

My kids go crazy for buttered noodles! They are easy to make and put in a thermos for a nice hot side for the kiddos!

Fruit Salad

Mix and match whatever fruit your kids will eat! Make a big batch Sunday evening so it’s ready for the next few days!

Yogurt

Super easy and a great accompaniment to a sandwich in a school lunch. I like freezing the yogurt tubes so they’re nice a cold!

Veggies and Hummus/Ranch

Crunchy veggies and something to dip them in…super quick and easy to pack in a lunchbox! Make your own Quick and Easy Hummus or my Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing or just opt for store bought!

I hope that gives you an idea of what to serve with sandwiches (other than chips)! If you have more ideas, feel free to drop them in the comments below! XO