Empanadas make for a delightful meal centerpiece, paired beautifully with side dishes that add flavor and texture to your dinner spread. Consider serving Mexican rice, which is rich and aromatic, or black beans and rice, a protein-packed staple. Refried beans provide a nutritious and flavorful option, while plantain chips offer a crispy, sweet contrast. Cilantro lime rice, with its zesty and fragrant blend, is another fantastic choice. For a invigorating touch, try a vibrant street corn salad or a fresh avocado tomato salad. Explore these combinations to create a satisfying and memorable dining experience. Discover all the delicious possibilities next.
Mexican Rice
Mexican rice is a quintessential side dish in Mexican cuisine. It enhances the dining experience with its rich flavors and aromatic ingredients. This flavorful dish features tomatoes, onions, and garlic cooked in chicken broth to achieve a delightful depth of flavor. Its fluffy texture and vibrant color make it a perfect companion to empanadas, providing a comforting and savory element to the meal.
Black Beans and Rice
Black Beans and Rice is a timeless, protein-packed side dish that pairs seamlessly with empanadas, offering both versatility and rich, authentic flavors.
This vegan dish, a staple in Mexican cuisine, combines black beans and rice with ingredients like onion, garlic, chiles, cilantro, salt, and cumin.
Ready in just 20 minutes, it can be served warm or mashed, making it a flavorful companion to your meal.
Refried Beans
Refried beans are a classic side dish made from cooked and mashed pinto or black beans. They offer a nutritious and flavorful complement to empanadas. Often seasoned with onion, garlic, and cumin, these beans are rich in protein and fiber.
A staple in Mexican cuisine, refried beans can be customized with toppings like cheese or cilantro, making them a versatile accompaniment to your meal.
Plantain Chips
Plantain chips are a crispy and flavorful snack made from thinly sliced ripe plantains. They offer a delightful alternative to traditional sides when paired with empanadas.
Popular in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, these gluten-free chips add a unique sweetness and crunch. They can be seasoned with salt or spices, making them a versatile and tasty accompaniment to any meal.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice, an invigorating and aromatic side dish, enhances the dining experience when served with empanadas.
This flavorful rice dish, combining zesty lime and fragrant cilantro, adds vibrant flavors to your meal.
Quick and easy to prepare in just 20 minutes, Cilantro Lime Rice pairs beautifully with savory empanadas, offering a revitalizing burst of freshness with its fluffy texture.
Roasted Corn
Roasted corn, with its smoky and slightly sweet flavor, serves as a delightful side dish that complements the savory essence of empanadas. This flavorful side dish is easy to prepare, offering a delicious contrast to the main course.
Versatile and customizable, roasted corn can be enhanced with spices like chili powder, lime juice, and Cotija cheese, making it an appealing addition to any meal.
Sweet Corn Cakes
Mexican Sweet Corn Cakes, crafted from masa harina and cornmeal, offer a sweet and moist contrast to the savory flavors of empanadas.
These corn cakes are a delicious side dish to serve, bringing a delightful taste experience with every bite.
The combination of sweet corn and masa harina makes them an ideal addition, enhancing your meal with their unique texture and flavor.
Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Complementing the sweetness of corn cakes, Stuffed Poblano Peppers introduce a bold and flavorful side dish option that pairs wonderfully with empanadas.
These peppers offer a unique, satisfying experience with their mild heat level. They are highly customizable, allowing you to experiment with various filling options like cheese, rice, beans, or meat.
This creative twist makes them an exciting addition to any meal.
Corn Casserole
Corn casserole, with its creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor, serves as a comforting and versatile side dish that pairs exquisitely with savory empanadas.
The creamy texture and comforting flavors of corn casserole provide a delicious contrast to the savory filling of empanadas.
This versatile side dish can be enjoyed warm or cold, adding a touch of balance to your meal.
Black Bean Salad
A vibrant and nutritious choice, Black Bean Salad brings an invigorating contrast to the savory richness of empanadas.
This side dish is packed with protein and fiber, ensuring a wholesome addition to your meal. Its customizable nature allows you to adjust flavors, making it a versatile and make-ahead option.
With its crunchy textures, Black Bean Salad serves as a delightful accompaniment.
Mexican Coleslaw
Mexican Coleslaw is a lively and energizing salad that enhances the dining experience with its medley of colorful vegetables and a hint of heat. This invigorating and creamy side dish features corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, and beans, all topped with a fresh citrus dressing.
Easy to prepare and bursting with flavor, Mexican coleslaw is the perfect complement to savory empanadas.
Street Corn Salad
Elevating the dining experience, Street Corn Salad bursts with savory, smoky, and spicy flavors that perfectly complement the richness of empanadas.
This Mexican side dish features grilled corn mixed with a creamy dressing of mayonnaise, lime juice, and spices. Easily customized with cotija cheese, cilantro, or jalapeños, it offers a light, fresh contrast to the indulgent flavors of empanadas, making it an irresistible addition.
Quinoa Salad
While Street Corn Salad offers a burst of vibrant flavors, Quinoa Salad introduces an invigorating and nutritious complement to empanadas.
This healthy, gluten-free dish is packed with protein and fiber, making it a satisfying choice. Customizable with an array of crunchy veggies and herbs, it's enhanced by a zesty dressing that ties everything together, creating a delightful, well-rounded side dish.
Potato Salad
A creamy and flavorful side dish, potato salad pairs perfectly with empanadas, offering a unique twist on the classic recipe.
Mexican Potato Salad, packed with black beans, corn, and cherry tomatoes, bursts with flavor and adds a delightful texture.
This versatile side dish can be served hot or cold, making it a convenient and satisfying addition to any empanada meal.
Can the Same Side Dishes Be Served with Both Empanadas and Enchiladas Casserole for Dinner?
For a delicious and cohesive dinner, the best side dishes for enchiladas can also be served with empanadas. The classic pairing of rice and beans complements both dishes perfectly, while a fresh salad with a tangy vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the enchiladas and empanadas.
Avocado Tomato Salad
Combining the creamy richness of avocado with the vibrant juiciness of tomatoes, Avocado Tomato Salad offers a revitalizing and nutritious complement to your empanada meal.
This quick and easy salad is packed with healthy fats from avocados and vitamins from tomatoes.
The creamy texture of avocado balances the invigorating acidity of tomatoes, creating a delicious, harmonious flavor blend that enhances your dinner experience.