fbpx

What to Serve With Cuban Picadillo: 15 Best Side Dishes

Serving Cuban Picadillo with the right side dishes can transform your meal into a feast. White rice is a classic choice, offering a fluffy, quick-to-prepare base that complements the rich Picadillo flavors perfectly. Black beans add a creamy texture and nutritional boost, while fried plantains offer a sweet balance with their caramelized exterior. A Cuban salad with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, onions, and creamy avocados adds freshness and vibrant colors to your plate. Don't forget to include tostones, twice-fried green plantains, for their crispy goodness. Explore more delightful pairings to elevate your Cuban Picadillo experience.

White Rice

simple meal staple food

As a staple side dish, white rice complements the flavors of Cuban Picadillo perfectly. This classic pairing balances the richness of the Picadillo, offering a neutral base that enhances its savory and tangy notes.

Quick and easy to prepare, white rice provides a fluffy texture, making it an ideal and traditional choice for Cuban recipes. This combination remains a popular favorite.

Black Beans

healthy protein rich legume

Black beans, a staple in Cuban cuisine, are an ideal accompaniment to Picadillo due to their rich protein content and earthy taste. They complement the flavors of Picadillo with their creamy texture.

Cooked simply with garlic, onions, and spices, black beans add nutritional value and depth to the meal. Paired with rice, they create a classic, satisfying combination.

Fried Plantains

delicious fried plantains recipe

Complementing the rich and savory flavors of Cuban Picadillo, fried plantains offer a delightful balance of sweetness and texture to the meal.

Sweet plantains, known as Platanos Maduros, are a beloved Cuban side dish. Caramelized on the outside and tender inside, these fried treats add a wonderful contrast to your plate, making them an irresistible addition to any Cuban-inspired menu.

Cuban Salad

fresh and zesty flavors

Enhancing the meal with its crisp textures and vibrant colors, a traditional Cuban salad provides an invigorating contrast to the rich flavors of Picadillo.

This light and fresh side dish features lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and avocados, dressed with olive oil, vinegar, and lime juice.

As one of the classic traditional Cuban side dishes, it perfectly balances the hearty and robust Picadillo.

Tostones

fried plantain slices recipe

How can one resist the allure of tostones, the twice-fried green plantains that are a quintessential part of Cuban cuisine? Their crispy exterior and soft interior make them an addictive treat.

Served with a savory garlic dipping sauce, tostones provide a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

This delightful side dish complements Cuban picadillo beautifully, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Yuca Con Mojo

tasty cuban yuca dish

Yuca con Mojo is a traditional Cuban side dish that features boiled cassava draped in a tangy citrus-garlic sauce. This delightful dish pairs perfectly with Cuban Picadillo, offering a flavorful contrast.

The mojo sauce, made from garlic, sour orange juice, and oil, infuses the starchy yuca with vibrant flavors. Easy to prepare, Yuca con Mojo is a satisfying and essential addition to any Cuban meal.

Arroz Congri

rice and black beans

Arroz Congri, a quintessential Cuban dish, marries rice and black beans in a flavorful union accentuated by traditional sofrito, bacon, and a blend of spices.

As a beloved side dish in Cuban cuisine, it symbolizes unity and harmony, often gracing tables at gatherings and special occasions.

Easy to customize, arroz congri pairs beautifully with meats or stews, making it a versatile and cherished favorite.

Sweet Plantains

golden fried plantains

Sweet Plantains, or Platanos Maduros, are a quintessential Cuban side dish that adds a delightful sweetness to complement the savory flavors of Picadillo.

In Cuban cuisine, these ripe plantains are sliced, fried until caramelized, and ready in just 15 minutes.

Their sweet and savory profile, with a caramelized exterior and tender interior, provides a perfect contrast to the hearty Picadillo, enhancing the overall meal experience.

Cuban Bread

delicious cuban bread recipe

Cuban bread, known for its crusty exterior and soft, airy interior, is a traditional staple that enhances the savory flavors of Picadillo.

This versatile side, often made with lard, offers a slightly sweet taste that complements the dish beautifully.

Serve it warm or toasted to soak up the rich juices, making every bite of your Cuban meal even more delightful.

Avocado Salad

refreshing summer avocado salad

A vibrant and invigorating addition to Cuban Picadillo, avocado salad brings a creamy texture and burst of fresh flavors to the meal. This invigorating side dish, made with ripe avocados, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, complements the hearty Picadillo beautifully.

Besides adding visual appeal, it offers a healthy dose of good fats, vitamins, and antioxidants, making it both delicious and nutritious.

Roasted Vegetables

delicious and nutritious side dish

Roasted vegetables serve as a versatile and nutritious accompaniment to the robust flavors of Cuban Picadillo. Common choices like bell peppers and zucchini, when roasted, caramelize their natural sugars, bringing a rich, savory taste.

Seasoned with garlic, herbs, and olive oil, these vegetables provide a colorful, visually appealing side dish that enhances both the texture and flavor of your Cuban Picadillo meal.

Corn on the Cob

grilled summer barbecue favorite

Corn on the cob, whether grilled or boiled, offers a delightful balance of sweetness and juiciness that complements the savory and spicy notes of Cuban Picadillo.

This side dish can be prepared to add a smoky flavor when grilled, or a simple, clean taste when boiled.

The natural sweetness contrasts beautifully with the rich flavors of the picadillo, making it a vibrant addition to your meal.

Mashed Potatoes

thanksgiving side dish classic

Creamy and buttery mashed potatoes serve as a comforting and filling side dish that complements the savory flavors of Cuban Picadillo.

The smooth texture of mashed potatoes creates a delightful contrast to the chunky Picadillo.

Adding garlic, herbs, or cheese can enhance the flavors, making this comfort food even more enjoyable.

Versatile and adaptable, mashed potatoes add richness to any meal featuring Cuban Picadillo.

Jasmine Rice

thai fragrant long grain

Jasmine rice, with its delicate aroma and light, fluffy texture, serves as an ideal complement to the rich and savory Cuban Picadillo.

This fragrant long-grain rice offers a subtle, elegant side dish that pairs perfectly with the bold flavors of Picadillo.

Its ability to absorb the dish's rich flavors enhances the overall meal experience, making it a must-try recipe for your next dinner.

Are the Same Side Dishes Suitable for Both Cuban Picadillo and Maque Choux?

When it comes to the best side dishes for Maque Choux, options like cornbread, rice and beans, and plantains complement the dish’s flavors perfectly. However, for Cuban Picadillo, traditional sides like black beans and rice or sweet fried plantains are more suitable. Each dish has its own unique accompaniments.

Pico De Gallo

fresh tomato salsa recipe

Bringing a burst of freshness and acidity, Pico de Gallo is a vibrant Mexican condiment made with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice that complements the rich flavors of Cuban Picadillo.

This zesty mix cuts through the richness of the meat and spices, enhancing the overall flavor.

Quick and easy to make, Pico de Gallo adds a delightful, balanced touch to your meal.