Pair your Mexican cornbread with these delightful side dishes for a complete, flavorful meal. Start with Mexican rice, a perfect blend of fluffy rice, tomatoes, and spices. Elote adds a savory, tangy touch with its mix of grilled corn, mayo, lime juice, and cotija cheese. Brighten your plate with a vibrant fiesta corn salad, loaded with fresh corn, avocado, and cotija cheese. Refried beans, seasoned with onions and garlic, provide a hearty complement. Or, try soft corn tortillas, crafted from masa harina, to elevate your dining experience. Ready for more delicious options to enhance your meal?
Mexican Rice
Mexican Rice is a staple side dish in Mexican cuisine. It offers a perfect blend of rice, tomatoes, and spices that complement a variety of meals. This versatile dish pairs wonderfully with refried beans, burrito bowls, and taco dinners.
Fresh, fluffy, and full of flavor, Mexican Rice is easy to customize. It is a fantastic option for meal prep, enhancing any meal with its vibrant taste.
Elote
Elote, a beloved street food, captivates with its blend of grilled or boiled corn coated in mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, and cotija cheese.
This iconic Mexican food offers a savory, tangy, and slightly spicy taste that's perfect for outdoor gatherings.
Often enjoyed at festivals, elote can be customized with toppings like cilantro or hot sauce, making it a delightful companion to Mexican cornbread.
Fiesta Corn Salad
A vibrant and invigorating side dish, Fiesta Corn Salad combines fresh corn, avocado, and cotija cheese to create a perfect summer accompaniment.
This green salad is quick and easy to make, bursting with exhilarating flavors that hit all the right notes.
Ideal for gatherings, its medley of fresh ingredients is stimulating, invigorating, and pairs wonderfully with Mexican cornbread.
Refried Beans
Refried beans, a staple in Mexican cuisine, offer a delicious and nutritious complement to Mexican cornbread.
This comfort food is made from cooked and mashed pinto or black beans, seasoned with onions, garlic, and spices for extra flavor.
Rich in fiber and protein, refried beans can be cooked in lard or healthier options like olive oil, making them a versatile side dish.
Corn Tortillas
Corn tortillas, essential in Mexican cuisine, are crafted from masa harina and water, offering a versatile and gluten-free option that pairs perfectly with Mexican cornbread.
Serve with cornbread, these soft and slightly sweet tortillas can be used for wrapping flavorful fillings or dipping into rich sauces.
Their authentic taste and texture enhance the overall dining experience, making them an excellent side dish choice.
Street Corn Queso
Moving from the soft textures of corn tortillas, Street Corn Queso introduces a crunchy, spicy component that elevates any meal with its rich and indulgent flavors. This dip, featuring extra cheese, corn, and a mix of spices, is perfect for parties.
Top it with cotija cheese and cilantro for a Mexican street corn-inspired flavor. Pair it with Homemade Salsa for an irresistible combination.
Beef Empanadas
Beef Empanadas, traditional Mexican pastries filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, and peppers, offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures that can complement Mexican cornbread perfectly.
These savory treats, which can be made in an Instant Pot for convenience, are either baked or fried until golden and crispy.
Their customizable filling makes them a versatile addition to your meal, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Homemade Salsa
To further elevate your Mexican cornbread and beef empanadas, consider adding a homemade salsa, a vibrant and flavorful condiment rooted in the culinary traditions of the Incas and Aztecs.
This salsa, often made with cherry and vine tomatoes, offers a fresh taste, similar to tomato sauce. Perfect for dipping or topping, it's quick and easy to prepare, bringing zest to any meal.
Black Bean Salad
A black bean salad serves as an invigorating and nutritious side dish, perfectly complementing the flavors of Mexican cornbread.
This dish features black beans, corn, bell peppers, and onions, dressed in a zesty sauce, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Packed with protein and fiber, its vibrant colors and crisp ingredients create a visually appealing and tasty contrast to the cornbread.
Guacamole
Guacamole, a beloved staple in Mexican cuisine, is renowned for its creamy texture and tangy flavor. This versatile dish is made from mashed avocados, lime juice, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. It pairs wonderfully with Mexican cornbread.
Rich in healthy fats and nutrients, guacamole can be enjoyed as a dip, spread, or topping. It adds a nutritious and delightful element to any meal.
Pickled Onions
Complementing the creamy richness of guacamole, pickled onions bring a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that enhances the overall dining experience when paired with Mexican cornbread.
This vibrant food condiment, made by marinating thinly sliced onions in vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices, adds a delightful zesty touch. Easy to make at home, pickled onions can be customized with herbs or chili peppers for added flair.
Esquites Fritters
Frequently drawing inspiration from Mexican street food, esquites fritters are bite-sized crispy treats that elevate any party or gathering.
This simple dish pairs perfectly with Mexican cornbread, offering a delightful combination of textures and tastes.
With a crispy exterior and flavorful interior, esquites fritters are an irresistible appetizer, providing guests with a convenient and tasty snack that satisfies both sweet and savory cravings.
Flour Tortillas
Building on the array of Mexican-inspired delights, flour tortillas serve as a versatile and essential component in crafting a variety of classic dishes. Their soft, chewy texture pairs beautifully with a dollop of sour cream, making them perfect for wrapping tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.
These tortillas can be easily customized with meats, cheeses, and vegetables, adding flavor and convenience to your meal.
Pico De Gallo
A quintessential accompaniment to Mexican cornbread, Pico De Gallo brings a vibrant and invigorating burst of flavor with its blend of fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice.
Make sure to prepare this bright and acidic salsa for a quick, convenient, and versatile topping or dip. Its fresh and zesty taste enhances dishes like tacos, burritos, and grilled meats beautifully.
What are the best side dishes to serve with Mexican dishes?
Some of the best side dishes for Mexican chicken casseroles include traditional favorites like rice and beans, as well as fresh salsa, guacamole, and corn salad. These sides complement the bold flavors of the casserole and add variety to the meal while enhancing the overall Mexican dining experience.
Chipotle Corn Salsa
How does one elevate the flavor profile of Mexican cornbread? Pretty much, adding Chipotle Corn Salsa does the trick.
This side dish, inspired by Chipotle's recipe, combines sweet corn kernels with smoky chipotle peppers, zesty lime juice, fresh cilantro, and red onions.
The sweet and spicy blend not only adds a burst of flavor but also introduces delightful texture, making it a perfect companion.