Clam chowder, that creamy, dreamy bowl of comfort, is a classic for a reason. But let’s be honest, sometimes it needs a little somethin’ extra to make it a full-blown feast. So, what should you serve with chowder? I’ve got you covered! From appetizers to classic sides, here’s some perfect side dishes for clam chowder.

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When it comes to serving clam chowder, you can never go wrong with the classics, like oyster crackers and a green salad.

But, what else goes with clam chowder for a side?

Whether you’re looking for classic sides, fun appetizers, or healthy veggie sides, you’ll find something to enjoy to accompany your chowder on this list of 30+ tasty side dish recipes!

The BEST Side Dishes for Clam Chowder

This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.

Arugula Salad

Shrimp scattered on air fryer basket liner with lemon wedges.

This tasty Air Fryer Shrimp takes less than 10 minutes to make with a handful of flexible ingredients. Cooking perfectly plump and juicy shrimp has never been easier!

Get the RECIPE

Overhead close up of combined vinegar slaw in large white mixing bowl.

Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.

Red Cabbage Slaw

Cheddar Spoon Bread combines the savoriness of cornbread and the softness of a souffle in one delicious dish! Made with savory scallions and sharp cheddar cheese, you won’t be able to get enough of this classic Southern recipe.

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These Air Fryer Salmon Bites strike the perfect balance between crispy, juicy, and downright delicious! Seasoned with a smoky-spicy dry rub and cooked quickly in the air fryer, they’re always a popular snack to serve at parties or a protein to top on grain bowls, salads, and tacos.

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!

Tomato Cucumber Salad

Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.

How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.

Sous Vide Asparagus

Learn how to instantly turn an ordinary vegetable into an extraordinary side dish with this easy canned corn recipe! It covers everything, from how to cook canned corn on the stovetop to how to dress it up with seasonings and flavor boosters to what to serve with it for a meal to remember.

Canned Corn

Overhead close up of zucchini fries on platter.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon.

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These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you.

Blistered Shishito Peppers

These exceedingly tall and fluffy cheddar-scallion biscuits are flaky and flavorful and so easy to make thanks to a few simple techniques.

Get the RECIPE from Girl Versus Dough

These Air Fryer Shoestring Fries come out exactly like your favorite fast food fries! They’re crispy, golden on the outside and perfectly fluffy inside. SO much better than deep frying or baking! Plus, you can cook different types of fries – waffle fries, steak fries and more!

Air Fryer Fries

Stuffed crab deviled eggs on dark background topped with sesame seeds, avocado, radishes and cucumber.

California Roll Deviled Eggs are an easy, delicious variation of the classic recipe. The creamy yolks are combined with wasabi for a spicy kick, then they're topped with crab, avocado and cucumber.

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Salmon filets and asparagus in air fryer basket.

Learn how to cook crispy air fryer salmon and asparagus with this foolproof guide. This EASY method gives you flaky and tender salmon in about 10 minutes, plus the asparagus cooks right alongside!

Air Fryer Salmon

Peppers with grill marks scattered on counter.

Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes for crab cakes.

Grilled Peppers

This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil is an outstanding vegetarian appetizer you can enjoy for any special occasion!

Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.

Hawaiian Coleslaw

Impress your friends and family with a homemade Seafood Boil! Made with fresh seafood, smoked sausage, potatoes, and corn, it’s the ultimate one-pot feast for special occasions.

Seafood Boil

Apple Celery Root Slaw is an exciting twist on your basic coleslaw. Crisp apples and celery root combine with jalapeno, cilantro & pickled onions. It's sure to be a stand out side dish!

Apple Celery Root Slaw

You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.

Sauteed Zucchini

Prepared radicchio salad in grey bowl with serving utensils.

This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!

Italian Radicchio Salad

This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.

Italian Chopped Salad

Ears of corn on the cob in a grey serving dish with a pat of butter and sprinkling of parsley.

Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious!

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Grilled Oysters are amazing! This grilled oyster recipe details which types are best for grilling and an easy white wine butter sauce for topping.

Get the RECIPE from Vindulge

These hushpuppies are super crunchy on the outside, yet light and fluffy on the inside.

Get the RECIPE from Baking Beauty

This fried okra recipe is fresh sliced okra coated in buttermilk and a seasoned cornmeal mixture, then deep fried until golden brow and crispy.

Get the RECIPE from Dinner at the Zoo

The only recipe you’ll ever need for Corn Maque Choux! A delicious Cajun side dish from Louisiana that pairs perfectly with so many meals!

Get the RECIPE from Pinch and Swirl

Southern collard greens broken down into bite-sized pieces that slowly simmer away and tenderize in a rich, meaty, and flavorful pot likker!

Get the RECIPE from Butter be Ready

These Southern Green Beans are rich and flavorful with hearty pieces of smoked meat throughout. The best southern-style green beans, y’all.

Get the RECIPE from Butter be Ready

Are you ready for the absolute best tasting cornbread? This Brown Sugar Cornbread recipe is golden on top, fluffy in the middle, and tastes amazing with hints of molasses.

Get the RECIPE from Bellyfull

This vegetarian succotash recipe is fresh, vibrant and bacon-free. It features seared corn, plump lima beans, fresh peppers and butter!

Get the RECIPE from Cookie and Kate

Creamy and Rich Corn Pudding made from scratch with brown butter, heavy cream and corn. No boxed jiffy corn mix or canned corn needed!

Get the RECIPE from Chef Savvy

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these clam chowder side dish recipes and sauces can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

More Seafood Side Dish Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Clam Chowder Side Dishes?

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