SaurabhStruggling to figure out what to serve with tacos? Fortunately, tacos are among the most versatile food items with their bold flavors blending well with a variety of sides. Further, they go well with any occasion, allowing you to match the serving with the nature of the event.
Whether serving them street style on a food truck or on Taco Tuesday midweek dinner, there’s always the right side for your tacos. Sure, they go well even on their own. But why not take it a notch higher with sides? We’ve put together a list of what to serve with tacos as sides; these 27 practical and creatively good side dishes will get you started and keep the crowd coming back for more.
1. Mexican Rice
When it comes to classics, it doesnt get any better than Mexican rice and tacos. However, this staple is a classic for a reason. Mexican rice is cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices and blends well with the equally spiced-up taco for a hearty and filling meal.
2. Plain or Cilantro Lime Rice
If you want your tacos to be the main star of the dish, however, opt for plain white or brown rice instead. Or, opt for rice options with mellow tastes, such as lime cilantro rice, that would otherwise bring out the flabors of the tacos. Opting for this side dish allows you to truly savor the flavors of the taco while also having a filling meal.
Tip: Opt for this side option if you choose taco fillings with more bold flavors you want to experience.
3. Refried Beans
Refried beans are another classic side that goes brilliantly with tacos. This traditional taco side offers a smoky and creamy contrast to the crunchier tacos. You can opt for refried beans made from black or pinto beans for a rich and smooth texture, adding depth to your dish.
4. Chili
Chili serves diners who want bolder, bolder-flavored bean sides to complement mellow-tasting tacos. The warm and spicy blend of meat, beans, and spices offers a more filling, warm, and hearty companion to lighter tacos.
5. Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
A perfect summer ensemble, tacos and elote go well on many occasions. Picture a picnic, lunch by the pool, or even a BBQ with family and friends. Elote or Mexican street corn features fire-roasted or grilled corn on the cob smothered in mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lime juice, and powder. This creamy, crunchy, and tangy delight goes perfectly well with tacos, offering a unique combination of textures and tastes – a sure crowd pleaser!
6. Salsa
When it comes to the best side dish for tacos other than rice and beans, salsas don’t disappoint. The best part of choosing salsa is perhaps the varieties that exist today. In fact, you can even craft your own salsa to go with the flavor and texture profile of your taco. If you are serving a crowd, you can evn put together a salsa bar for people to put their own versions together.
One thing is for sure: the freshness of salsa guarantees to complement the heavier, spicy, and meaty tacos. A few good examples include fresh salsa (pico de gallo), mango salsa, pineapple salsa, corn salsa, salsa roja, and salsa verde, to name a few.
7. Queso Dip
A good dip goes pretty well with tacos, allowing you to dip them to enhance flavor instantly. Queso dip offers a warm and cheesy indulgent option that goes great for any taco occasion. Whether it’s football night or a cozy night in, this combination provides a perfect comfort food option.
8. Ceviche
Ceviche sounds like an unlikely accompaniment to tacos; it shines better on its own. However, like salsa, ceviche adds a refreshing element to the dish. This lighter accompaniment is made from fresh fish or shrimp marinated in lime juice with onions, cilantro, and peppers. Its bright acidity helps to counter and balance richer tacos.
9. Black Bean Salad
Beans go with tacos in a range of preparation styles, and this black bean salad is another incredible option. This protein-packed side goes great with tacos for diners who want a more refreshing side option. Combine black beans, grilled corn, peppers, and cilantro to make this quick, flavorful, and healthy salad.
10. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables offer a simple, light, and yet, satisfying side to tacos. The best part? You can choose a variety of vegetables, from your favorite to the season’s best produce. Our personal favorite is charred zucchini, peppers, and onions with a sprinkle of queso fresco, which add flavor and nutrition to the dish. They are also a great vegetarian side option, adding balance to the heavier tacos.
11. Jalapeño Poppers
If you are a spice lover, jalapeno poppers are the perfect side to complement your tacos. Jalapeno poppers are typically stuffed with cream cheese and then baked or fried for a fiery and delicious flavor profile.
12. Mexican Caesar Salad
A twist to the classic Caesar salad, Mexican Caesar salad may seem like an unlikely side for tacos. However, its combination of ingredients offers a similar profile to tacos, helping to complement them. This refreshing salad combines romaine, cotija cheese, corn, black or pinto beans, tortilla strips, and creamy chili-lime dressing for a crisp, tangy, and taco-friendly finish.
13. Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad)
Turn regular elote into a more filling and flavor-diverse side by transforming it into a salad. Esquites or Mexican corn salad turns Mexican corn into a delicious, tangy, zesty, and creamy salad. Sautéed roasted corn kernels with butter, lime, cheese, and spices for this delicious side.
14. Tamales
A truly traditional and iconic dish, tamales add that authentic spin to tacos as a side. This hearty side is made with pork, chicken, or cheese fillings wrapped in masa and corn husks, delivering a warm and filling finish. Tamales also add a mellow accompaniment to the otherwise spicier and bolder tacos.
15. Chiles Rellenos
A bolder twist to jalapeno poppers, chiles rellenos offer a spicier approach against jalapeno popper’s creamy element. Chiles rellenos feature stuffed peppers filled with cheese or meat and then battered and fried for a rich and bold finish.
16. Caldo de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Soup)
Soup goes incredibly well with tacos, particularly Mexican chicken soup. This light yet comforting soup goes well with the heavier, crispy tacos. Caldo de Pollo is made using chicken, vegetables, and rice, and is one of the best sides for taco night on chilly fall or cold winter nights.
17. Elote Mac & Cheese
Elote Mac & Cheese offers a beautiful blend of spicy, smoky, and creamy sides, perfect to accompany “drier”, crunchy tacos. As the name suggests, elote mac & cheese features Mexican street corn kernels tossed with classic mac and cheese for a truly delicious side that can even stand out on its own as a light meal.
18. Chili-Lime Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another perfect accompaniment to tacos if you want a more filling option. Add more flavor to the already sweet potatoes with chili and lime for a spicy, sweet flavor profile; great for balancing savory tacos.
19. Sweet Corn Fritters or Hush Puppies
These sweet corn fritters or hush puppies add crunch to a taco dish and make for a great light summer dish. Made using sweet corn in place of potatoes, sweet corn fritters or hush puppies offer a pillowy interior texture and crispy exterior with a slightly sweet finish. The slight sweetness balances spicy tacos.
20. Quinoa with Roasted Poblanos & Corn
Quinoa caters to diners who want a healthier but equally delicious and filling alternative to rice. Like the recommended rice sides to tacos above, the quinoa recipe doesnt have to be boring, either. This healthy and protein-rich recipe takes a Mexican flavor approach, with taste enrichment from roasted poblanos and corn.
21. Charro Beans (Frijoles Charros)
Charro beans offer a rich, hearty, and smoky twist to your taco sides, complementing the equally bold taco flavors. This warm dish is made using Pinto beans stewed with bacon, tomatoes, chili, and herbs.
22. Jicama, Orange & Mint Salad
Ever wondered how fruits pair with Tacos? Well, not so bad. In fact, the right fruits offer the perfect refreshing and lively balance to the otherwise bolder and spicier tacos. This jicama, orange, and mint salad is a perfect example, and the crunchy, citrusy taco pairs well with light seafood tacos.
23. Jicama sticks
Alternatively, you can make jicama the center of the side dish with this fried or baked jicama sticks recipe. Simply season the sticks with chili lime seasoning for a crunch and mild addition to your tacos.
24. Curtido
Lighter sides also complement tacos and help to bring out their flavors. So, if you want a quick taco fix, options like curtido are the perfect pair. This side is made from lightly fermented pickled cabbage slaw and is more common in Central America. Its characteristic zingy taste and crunchy texture pair well with any taco.
25. Mizeria
Mizeria is a great side for people who find tacos a little too spicy or even those who indulge in spicy varieties. This cucumber salad dressed with sour cream and dill offers a cooling and refreshing taste to mellow the spiciness and bring out the deliciousness of the tacos.
26. Kimchi or Gochujang Slaw Fusion
If you are all for fusion foods, you’ve arrived at the ultimate destination of ideas. This kimchi or gochujang slaw side goes perfectly with Korean-Mex taco recipes. Imagine pairing this fusion slaw with tacos that feature fusion fillings. This makes kimchi or gochujang slaws the ideal side dishes for taco meat such as bulgogi or tofu.
27. Wasabi Guacamole
Who said guacamole has to be boring? You can add a kick to regular guacamole to elevate the spicy element using wasabi. This unique side goes impressively well with fish tacos.
Knowing What to Serve with Tacos
Tacos are highly adaptable, but they stand out more and are elevated with the right company. Pairing tacos with our recommendations above creates an experience that engages all the senses. Whether a Tuesday night in, a summer BBQ, or even a potluck, these 27 taco accompaniments are sure to keep guests coming back for more.
