What Goes With Grilled Cheese - 45 Delicious Sides

Of course we all love to dip a classic grilled cheddar cheese into tomato soup but what else goes with grilled cheese? So many things! Try pickles, fries, dips, salad, and of course the very best soups that go with grilled cheese. Read on to find your new favorite grilled cheese pairing.

Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese with Hot Honey Butter

Besides American cheese or cheddar cheese between 2 slices of white bread, there are many opinions on what makes the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. Whether you like a classic sharp cheddar cheese on whole wheat or a fancy Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese on sourdough, here are the best side dishes to go with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Top 15+ Sides To Serve With Grilled Cheese

What to serve with grilled cheese comes down to personal choice. I love a picante, and slightly spicy side to cut through the butter, bread and cheese (spicy tomato jam, bacon aioli, salsa or pickles). Sometimes my family wants the comfort of ketchup and a potato salad. I love my favorite hot sauces when I'm in the right mood and you can't go wrong with a fruit and cheese combo like sliced pears or crisp grapes. Got a favorite pairing I missed? Let me know in the comments!

Ketchup, Tomato Jam or Marinara Sauce
French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries or Tater Tots
Tomato Soup - Hot, Cold or Gourmet
Dill Pickles, Pickled Onions or Jalapenos
Whole Fruit - Pears, Grapes, or a Fruit Salad
Light Vegetable Soup
Coleslaw Salad
Broth Based Meat Soup
Chips - Potato or Veggie Crisps
Mayonnaise or Aioli
Pickled Veggies, Fruit or Chutney
Onion Rings
Veggies and Dip
Fresh Veggie Salad with Vinaigrette
Salsa - Fresh or Jarred for a Southwest Flavor
Potato Salad

Read on for the best recipes to make these easy sides!

Collage of 4 pictures - A kale apple slaw, orange soup with a swirl of cream through it, French fries and a grilled apple and cheese sandwich.

Dips

Take your perfect grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with a gourmet dip. Flavors of crispy bacon, brown sugar, fresh basil or spicy chilis are all the perfect way to add a little extra to a freshly made grilled cheese sandwich.

Homemade Ketchup and Potato Chips

Sweet and savoury homemade ketchup is way lower in sugar and sodium. This easy ketchup recipe gets it's sweetness from garden tomatoes and peppers.

Check out this recipe

Chips with Homemade Ketchup and Crab Cakes

Homemade Bacon Aioli

Bacon aioli is a great option to dip your grilled cheese sandwich into. This easy recipe adds salty-sweet flavors to your favorite lunchtime sandwich and is done in no time. Or, spread bacon aioli over white bread before topping it with your favorite cheese and grilling to perfection.

A half pint mason jar holds light tan colored bacon aioli and is topped with crumble bacon. There is a wooden board beside with toast topped with the aioli, tomato slices and lettuce beside. They are all sitting on a mottled grey countertop with a pepper grinder and whole tomatoes in the background.

Easy Homemade Basil Aioli with Lemon and Garlic

Basil aioli is great for dipping your sandwich in and veggies and dip is an easy and great way to get kids to eat their veggies. A classic lunchtime side dish with grilled cheese sandwiches. This delicious, tangy, and fresh sauce is perfect for dipping veggies into, feel free to omit the anchovies if serving to kids.

Basil Aioli

Delicious Jalapeno Ranch Dip Recipe

Jalapeno ranch dip is an easy recipe using simple ingredients. Sour cream, mayo, spices, and jalapenos combine for a spicy, bright and refreshing dip for grilled cheese or veggies.

Jalapeno Ranch Dip

Crunchy Chili Crisp

This spicy, salty and crunchy chili crisp is the perfect condiment to spoon over your sandwich, toast, eggs or anything else. This is a great spicy condiment that will keep for a long time in the fridge and livens up any grilled sandwich.

Chili Crisp

White Cheese Sauce

Make your day cheesy! Dip your grilled cheese into this rich and creamy cheese sauce for the ultimate decadent meal. Serve a side of blanched broccoli florets to dip in this sauce of different cheeses.

White Cheese Sauce

Feijoa chutney

This feijoa chutney is a fantastic way of using up loads of feijoas and keeping them for a long time. A great savory option that pairs wonderfully with cheese, especially melty cheese in crispy, toasted bread. Yum!

Feijoa chutney

Maple Bacon Onion Jam

This maple bacon onion jam recipe is perfect for fall. The flavors combine to create the perfect sweet and savory jam for any use.

Onion Jam

Sriracha Aioli

Want to make a delicious sriracha aioli? This spicy, tangy sriracha aioli recipe is the ticket! Make homemade from scratch or an easy shortcut version, both less than 10 minutes. Sriracha aioli is the perfect blend of spicy and creamy with some lime tang for zing! You can make this sriracha aioli re…

Sriracha Aioli

Pickles

Sweet, tart, spicy and flavorful! I love pickles and they compliment a warm grilled cheese so well. Go with a classic dill pickle, a traditional English piccalilli, or pickled red onions or get creative and try pickled berries, green tomatoes, radishes, jalapenos or even pickled spicy eggs. A great side dish for grilled cheese recipes, pickles are a refreshing palate cleanser.

Green and yellow pickled tomatoes in mason jars.

Piccalilli ~ English-style Pickles with Mustard

Piccalilli, a British, mustard-based pickle that’s perfect with cheese, on sandwiches and more.

Piccalilli

Traditional Pickled Blackberries

A fast easy recipe, these are so good in a seasonal salad, on a charcuterie plate, or as a condiment for grilled cheese sandwiches. Tart and sweet with a hint of pepper, rosemary, and thyme.

Pickled Blackberries

Mason jar with dark purple blackberries and vinegar and herb sprigs in it. It's on a black counter top with a sprig of rosemary in front.

Quick Mixed Pickles

A combination of mixed vegetables pickled in a quick brine of unseasoned rice vinegar, salt and sugar. Try these bright, slightly sweet pickles as a snack, on sandwiches, on salads, or with hot wings!

Mixed Pickles

Pickled Green Tomatoes

Pickled Green Tomatoes is a southern recipe using white vinegar, sugar and spices to create green tomato pickles.

Pickled Green Tomatoes

Spicy Pickled Onions

These spicy pickled red onions are easy to make and add heat and crunch to your favorite tacos and sandwiches. Or to anything and everything!

Spicy Pickled Onions

Homemade Pickles with Leftover Pickle Juice

Homemade pickles are so easy to make when you reuse pickle juice for this recipe. In 24 hours quick refrigerator pickles are crisp and ready.

Pickles with Leftover Pickle Juice

Spicy Jalapeno Pickled Eggs

Spicy jalapeno pickled eggs are quick and delicious. Serve them up alongside your lunchtime sandwich for a healthy and high-protein side you'll love!

Spicy Pickled Eggs

Overhead view of peeled hard eggs in mason jar with mustard seed, sliced green jalapenos, herb fronds and red pepper flakes all in vinegar mixture.

Traditional Pickled Radishes (Fermented Radishes)

Tangy and flavorful, these fermented radishes make the best radish pickles. Use these fermented radishes beside your melty pain au fromage, or on top of tacos. An easy recipe with just a few ingredients.

Pickled Radishes

A quart canning jar with pink pickling liquid and sliced radishes sitting on a wooden table outside with a background of greenery.

Easy Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños

Quick and easy Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños for beginners! Make these for nachos, tacos, burgers, sandwiches and more!

Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños

Fire and Ice Pickles

Fire and Ice Pickles turn store bought dills into sweet and spicy pickles overnight! You’ll love their crunchy bite that’s truly addictive!

Fire and Ice Pickles

Fries + Chips

Who doesn't love a sandwich and chips?! Though not the always the healthiest side dish, these are amongst the most popular side dishes and it makes it feel like a complete meal. When you're entertaining, pull out all the stops and cook up some veggie or potato fries or thinly sliced chips. I guarantee your guests will enjoy every bite.

Dark large tin of French fries on a rustic wooden table.

Homemade Parmesan Truffle Fries

Learn how to make crispy, hand-cut parmesan cheese truffle fries with this recipe! These truffle fries can be baked in the oven, or quickly cooked in the air fryer. They are the perfect tasty dish beside a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.

Truffle Fries

Homemade French Fries Recipe

Craving restaurant style french fries at home? We don’t blame you! You’ll love our homemade french fries recipe which ensures a deliciously crispy outside with a soft, tasty inside.

Homemade French Fries

Homemade Potato Chips

Few things in life are as satisfying as a good batch of homemade potato chips. There’s just something about the way they taste that can’t

Homemade Potato Chips

Sweet Potato Fries with Wasabi-Pea Dip

Baked or Air fryed Sweet Potato Fries with Wasabi-Pea Dip is a healthy and dynamic duo of colors and flavors. The sweetness of the fries balance to perfection the spicy green wasabi-pea dip. A truly odd combination this Sweet Potato Fries with Wasabi-Pea Dip recipe for some but once you get your hea…

Sweet Potato Fries

Baked Polenta Chips With Smoky BBQ Dip

Why not mix it up, shake it up & spice it up with some crispy Baked Polenta Chips that make a perfect alternative for potato chips or fries!

Baked Polenta Chips

Vegan “Cheesy” Kale Chips

These cheesy kale chips are actually vegan! They’re also super healthy, packed with protein, and vitamin B, and they’re SO easy to make!

Kale Chips

Jersey Disco Fries (Gravy Mozzarella Cheese Fries)

These Disco Fries are smothered with a homemade brown gravy and topped with melty, gooey mozzarella cheese. They are an indulgent late night snack that will have you licking every finger.

Jersey Disco Fries

Tiktok Pasta Chips Recipe (Viral Trend!)

Tiktok Pasta Chips is just cooked pasta is tossed in olive oil and seasonings, then cooked until crispy. A fun dippable appetizer or snack!

Tiktok Pasta Chips

Homemade Dill Pickle Potato Chips (Air Fryer)

Your favorite chip flavor can now be made homemade in your own kitchen. These crispy dill pickle potato chips are so addicting you’ll be dying to make a second batch.

Dill Pickle Potato Chips

Potato Cheese Sticks

Viral Potato Cheese Sticks - soft mashed potato center with crispy fried and golden brown exterior, the perfect crispy potato side dish!

Potato Cheese Sticks

Fresh Salads

A crisp and refreshing salad can't be beat. It rounds out a healthy meal and makes it complete.

White bowl with the apple walnut salad in it. A fork is on the side and a red apple is in the corner of the picture beside the bowl.

Toss a simple green salad or fun and tasty apple kale slaw. Tomato salad goes well, of course, as does a wintery roasted veg and rocket salad. Pair your favorite salads with vinaigrette based dressings or go for all the carbs with a potato or pasta salad.

Apple Kale Slaw

A fun, colorful, and tasty alternative to traditional coleslaw, this apple kale slaw is easy and fast. Sweet apples and hearty kale pair up with a tart vinaigrette for an easy, make-ahead slaw that goes perfect with a toasted cheese sandwich.

Apple Kale Slaw

Close up front view of colorful kale and apple salad showing the cashews and purple onion slices.

Garden Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

Delicious orange salad dressing is quick and easy. Fresh, bright citrus flavours with a mild sweetness to complement mild garden greens and tender vegetables as well as peppery greens like nasturtium, watercress and arugula.

Top your salad with some delicious tangy goat cheese to make it a meal! This will dress salad for approximately 6-8 servings.

Garden Salad

Easy Tomato Salad Recipe with Homemade Vinaigrette

This easy Tomato Salad Recipe is made with vine-ripened summer tomatoes and drizzled with my favorite homemade vinaigrette. Ready in less than 10 minutes, enjoy this healthy, delicious, and summer side dish with all your favorite main-course recipes!

Tomato Salad

Apple Walnut Salad

Crispy, crunchy, salty and sweet, this apple walnut salad is so delicious and takes only minutes to make!

Apple Walnut Salad

Sliced apples, walnuts, crumbled blue cheese and greens in a white bowl.

Rocket and Pear salad

Sweet and salty, soft and crunchy, rocket and pear salad has a ton of flavor and texture from Asian pear, blue cheese, walnuts and spicy rocket. Easily a main course or a side dish.

Rocket Pear Salad

Rocket Pear and Roasted Veg Salad with yams and walnuts

Zucchini Feta Salad With Hazelnuts (Courgette Salad)

A light and refreshing salad that looks and tastes like summer! Use a vegetable peeler to cut courgette (zucchini) into ribbons, thin slices or use a veggie spiralizer to make zoodles.

Zucchini Feta Salad

Top 10 Soups To Pair With Grilled Cheese

You can't go wrong with a classic tomato soup but instead of the classic Campbell's tomato soup, why not try a creamy tomato bisque, cold tomato gazpacho or one with fennel and white beans?

Or try a bright red with a roasted pepper soup. Light veggie soups, including corn chowder, creamy hazelnut soup and summer zucchini soup also make a meal exciting. Yum....

The Best Roasted Red Pepper Soup Made Quick and Easy

Creamy Tomato Bisque

Creamy tomato bisque is an easy tomato soup for a delicious and quick weeknight dinner! Canned San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, onions and stock!

Creamy Tomato Bisque

Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho Soup

This refreshing, chilled Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho pairs the vibrant colour and flavour of fresh tomatoes with fragrant herbs.

Tomato Gazpacho

Roasted Fennel and White Bean Tomato Soup

This Roasted Fennel and White Bean Tomato Soup recipe makes for an easy pantry meal. Pair it with salad, sandwiches, or enjoy on its own! Gluten-free, vegan.

Fennel and White Bean Tomato Soup

Roasted Sweet Pepper Soup

A rich and delicious soup with premade roasted bell peppers makes a quick and easy soup. Top with some fresh ground black pepper and dip a good grilled cheese sandwich into it for a flavor explosion.

Roasted Pepper Soup

Hazelnut Soup

Cheese and nuts go well so why not make up this creamy nutty soup to serve alongside your gourmet grilled cheese? Easy, unique and delicious.

Hazelnut Soup

Potato Zucchini Soup

Potato zucchini soup is a creamy, light soup made with a handful of simple pantry ingredients. As a bonus, this soup is vegan & gluten-free.

Potato Zucchini Soup

Panera Style Corn Chowder

Sweet corn and red peppers give this soup big, bright and bold flavors. A perfect dipper for the classic sandwich.

Corn Chowder

Easy Crock Pot Vegetable Soup

Only 10 minutes of prep time is needed for this comforting, hearty, and satisfying Easy Crock Pot Vegetable Soup!

Veggie Soup

Beef Vegetable Soup

Beef Vegetable Soup is made with tender chunks of slow simmered chuck roast with onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and green beans.

Beef Vegetable Soup

Butternut Squash And Apple Soup

This creamy, vegan soup is made using butternut squash, apples, and is seasoned with fresh herbs, bringing out all the best flavors of fall.

Squash And Apple Soup

5 Ingredient Potato Leek Soup

Possibly the easiest soup you can make, potato leek soup is delicate and healthy when you're craving a creamy soup. Leeks bring the taste of spring and pair well with cheesy recipes.

Potato Leek Soup