What to Serve With Soft Tacos: 15 Best Side Dishes

Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support!

📦 Amazon Daily Deals 2025 DEALS

The wait is over. Shop the official price drops on Tech, Home, Kitchen & Apple products right now.

👉 Shop Amazon Sale

⚡ LIMITED TIME OFFERS • PRIME DELIVERY ⚡

When serving soft tacos, you have a variety of delicious side dishes to choose from. Mexican rice, rich with tomatoes, onions, and garlic, adds vibrant color and flavor. Refried beans provide a creamy, savory complement, full of protein and fiber. Guacamole, packed with healthy fats and a fresh, invigorating taste, always delights. Elote, or Mexican street corn, brings a savory and tangy note with its mix of mayonnaise, cheese, and lime. Pico de Gallo offers a invigorating burst of flavors with its fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. For more delightful options to pair with your tacos, stay tuned.

Mexican Rice

spicy flavorful side dish

Mexican Rice, with its vibrant color and rich flavor, is the quintessential accompaniment to soft tacos.

The dish’s flavor profiles are crafted through a blend of tomatoes, onions, and garlic.

Key cooking techniques involve lightly toasting the rice before simmering it in a savory broth.

This process guarantees each grain absorbs maximum flavor, resulting in a delightful, aromatic side dish.

Refried Beans

tasty mexican side dish

A staple in many traditional Mexican meals, refried beans offer a creamy and savory complement to soft tacos. Prepared by cooking and mashing pinto or black beans, they are then fried with onions and spices for added flavor.

Refried beans not only enhance the meal’s taste but also provide significant nutritional benefits, including protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, making them a wholesome side dish.

Guacamole

delicious avocado dip recipe

Guacamole, a rich and creamy avocado-based dip, offers a fresh and tangy contrast to the flavors of soft tacos. With roots tracing back to the Aztecs, guacamole boasts a fascinating history.

Avocados, the main ingredient, are packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, making this dip both delicious and nutritious. Its smooth texture and vibrant flavor enhance any taco experience.

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

delicious grilled corn dish

Elote is a beloved street food in Mexico. It features grilled corn on the cob slathered with mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder, and lime juice to create a delightful blend of flavors.

This side dish employs simple cooking techniques like grilling, while flavor variations can include adding different spices or using cotija cheese.

It’s a perfect companion to soft tacos, offering a burst of savory and tangy notes.

Pico De Gallo

fresh salsa with tomatoes

Another vibrant accompaniment to soft tacos is Pico De Gallo, a fresh and invigorating salsa made from diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapenos, and lime juice.

This traditional recipe uses fresh ingredients that bring a burst of flavor to any meal. The crisp vegetables and tangy lime juice create an invigorating contrast, making Pico De Gallo a perfect, mouth-watering side for your soft tacos.

Black Bean Salad

delicious and nutritious dish

Combining the earthy richness of black beans with fresh vegetables and a zesty dressing, Black Bean Salad offers a nutritious and flavorful side dish for soft tacos.

The nutritional benefits are impressive, providing protein, fiber, and essential vitamins.

The flavor profile includes a delightful mix of savory beans, crisp veggies, and tangy dressing, making it an invigorating complement to your taco meal.

Cilantro Lime Rice

zesty rice with cilantro

Cilantro Lime Rice adds a fragrant and zesty element to your soft taco meal, enhancing the overall dining experience with its vibrant flavors.

The simple cooking method involves simmering rice with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro.

This side dish offers nutritional benefits, providing essential vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy and delightful companion to your soft tacos.

Corn Salsa

fresh corn salsa recipe

Building on the vibrant flavors of Cilantro Lime Rice, Corn Salsa introduces a sweet and tangy dimension to your soft taco spread.

Featuring an array of corn varieties, this salsa is a colorful, crunchy addition. Salsa recipes often include fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, enhancing the natural sweetness of the corn.

It’s an invigorating, revitalizing side that complements any taco.

Jalapeno Poppers

spicy stuffed pepper appetizers

Elevate your soft taco experience with jalapeno poppers, which bring a delightful combination of heat and creaminess to the table.

These stuffed peppers, filled with a rich cheese filling, add a burst of flavor that complements the savory taste of soft tacos.

Perfectly crisp on the outside, jalapeno poppers offer a satisfying contrast that enhances your meal, making each bite more enjoyable.

Churros

deep fried dough pastries

After enjoying the savory delights of jalapeno poppers, complement your meal with the sweet and crispy indulgence of churros.

These delightful treats have a rich churro history, originating in Spain. Today, churro variations abound, from classic cinnamon-sugar to filled options with chocolate or caramel.

Their crunchy exterior and soft interior make them an irresistible choice to end your taco feast on a high note.

Grilled Vegetables

healthy colorful grilled veggies

Grilled vegetables provide a vibrant and nutritious complement to soft tacos, enhancing both flavor and texture.

Consider using vegetable skewers with a mix of bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes.

Grilled zucchini is another excellent option, offering a subtle sweetness and smoky taste.

These additions not only boost the visual appeal but also provide a well-rounded, satisfying meal experience for everyone.

Queso Dip

zesty cheese dip recipe

Queso dip is a creamy and flavorful cheese sauce that serves as an irresistible accompaniment to soft tacos. It adds a rich and indulgent element to the meal, with cheese varieties like cheddar, Monterey Jack, and even pepper jack offering diverse flavors.

Dipping techniques can vary. Some prefer a simple scoop, while others enjoy a drizzle over their tacos, enhancing the overall experience.

Mango Salsa

fresh and zesty topping

Mango salsa, with its vibrant colors and invigorating flavors, offers a delightful contrast to the savory elements of soft tacos.

This invigorating appetizer combines tropical flavors of sweet mango, zesty lime, and spicy jalapeños, creating a perfect balance.

It’s a visually appealing and flavorful side dish that complements the rich taste of tacos, making it a favorite addition to any taco night.

Avocado Salad

tasty summer side dish

Avocado salad, with its creamy texture and invigorating taste, serves as an excellent accompaniment to soft tacos.

The creamy texture of ripe avocados blends harmoniously with fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, creating a dish that is both delicious and nutritious.

Packed with health benefits, such as healthy fats and essential vitamins, avocado salad enhances any taco meal, making it more satisfying and balanced.

Are the Best Side Dishes for Korean Beef Tacos Different from Regular Soft Tacos?

When it comes to the best side dishes for Korean beef tacos, there are some differences compared to regular soft tacos. While traditional Mexican tacos may be paired with rice and beans, Korean beef tacos can be complemented with kimchi, pickled vegetables, or a side of steamed rice to enhance the Korean flavors.

Tortilla Chips

crunchy snack for all

Complementing the freshness of avocado salad, tortilla chips bring a delightful crunch that perfectly contrasts the soft texture of tacos.

These chips, dusted with homemade seasoning, elevate the flavor experience. Pair them with a variety of dipping sauces, like salsa or guacamole, to add even more depth to your meal.

They are a simple yet effective way to enhance any taco feast.