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What to Serve With Tacos: 15 Best Side Dishes

Enhance your taco night with a delightful array of side dishes that complement the flavors and add flair to your meal. Guacamole offers a creamy and nutritious option. Mexican street corn, or elote, brings a vibrant, flavorful touch with its combination of mayo, cotija cheese, and lime. Refried beans, rich in protein and fiber, provide hearty goodness. Cilantro lime rice adds a fresh, zesty element. Salsa verde offers a tangy kick. Explore charro beans for a savory delight, jalapeño poppers for a spicy treat, and mango salsa for a sweet, invigorating twist. Discover the rest for an unforgettable feast!

Guacamole

celebrating national guacamole day

Guacamole, a creamy and flavorful avocado-based dip, is a classic and popular side dish that perfectly complements tacos. This versatile dip boasts regional variations, with each area adding its unique twist.

Beyond its delicious taste, guacamole offers numerous health benefits, such as healthy fats and essential vitamins.

Whether paired with tacos or enjoyed alone, guacamole remains a beloved culinary staple.

Mexican Street Corn

delicious grilled corn recipe

A vibrant and flavorful side, Mexican Street Corn, also known as elote, pairs perfectly with tacos, offering a delightful combination of textures and tastes.

To prepare, grill corn until charred, then coat with a mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice. Sprinkle with cotija cheese, chili powder, and fresh cilantro.

Serve hot, with lime wedges for extra zest and a burst of freshness.

Refried Beans

mexican food staple item

Complementing the vibrant flavors of Mexican Street Corn, refried beans offer a hearty and creamy addition to any taco spread. Easy cooking methods include using canned beans or starting from scratch with pinto or black beans.

Besides being delicious, they are rich in protein and fiber, enhancing the nutritional benefits of your meal. Refried beans truly elevate the taco experience.

Cilantro Lime Rice

delicious rice side dish

Cilantro Lime Rice brings a revitalizing and zesty twist to your taco meal, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Simple cooking techniques blend cilantro, lime juice, and zest into cooked rice, creating a vibrant side that pairs perfectly with tacos.

This delightful combination of flavors adds a fresh, aromatic touch, making each bite more enjoyable and complementing the savory elements of your taco feast.

Salsa Verde

flavorful green sauce recipe

Salsa Verde offers a tangy, vibrant accompaniment that enhances the flavors of your taco spread. This salsa pairing is made from tomatillos, cilantro, and jalapeños, adding a zesty kick to your meal.

Verde variations can include additional ingredients like avocado or lime for extra depth. Whether mild or spicy, Salsa Verde is an ideal side that complements any taco dish.

Pico De Gallo

fresh salsa with tomatoes

Another delightful option to enliven your taco night is Pico De Gallo, a fresh and chunky salsa made from diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice.

This vibrant mix of fresh tomatoes and diced onions adds a burst of flavor and color to your meal. Its invigorating taste perfectly complements the savory fillings in tacos, making it an essential side dish.

Churros

delicious fried dough treat

Indulging in churros, a classic Spanish dessert, can provide a delightful sweet contrast to the savory flavors of your taco feast. Originating in Spain, churros have a rich history and are beloved for their crispy exterior and soft interior.

Rolled in cinnamon sugar, these treats are perfect for adding a touch of sweetness, making them an ideal addition to your taco spread.

Black Bean Salad

fresh and flavorful dish

A vibrant black bean salad can serve as a nutritious and flavorful complement to your taco meal. Packed with nutritional benefits, this dish is rich in protein and fiber.

For preparation tips, combine black beans with colorful veggies like corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Add an invigorating dressing of lime juice and olive oil, and you have a revitalizing side dish ready to enjoy.

Elote

mexican street corn snack

Complementing the vibrant black bean salad, elote brings a rich and savory flavor to your taco meal. This beloved Mexican street food features corn preparation methods like grilling or boiling, enhancing its natural sweetness.

Seasoning variations include tangy lime, spicy chili powder, and creamy cotija cheese, creating a delightful balance of flavors. Elote is a perfect, flavorful side dish that elevates your taco experience.

Queso Fundido

melted cheese appetizer dish

Queso Fundido offers a warm, melted cheese delight that pairs exceptionally well with tacos. This skillet dish, featuring melty cheese often combined with chorizo or peppers, provides a rich, savory complement to any taco spread.

Served bubbling hot, it invites diners to scoop with tortilla chips, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures that enhances the taco experience beautifully.

Mexican Slaw

spicy and tangy cabbage

Mexican Slaw introduces an exhilarating crunch and zesty flavor that elevates any taco meal. This delightful side dish combines a fresh cabbage mix with a tangy dressing that balances perfectly with the richness of the tacos.

The crisp texture and vibrant taste offer an invigorating contrast, making each bite more enjoyable. Easy to prepare, Mexican slaw is a surefire way to enhance your taco experience.

Charro Beans

flavorful mexican side dish

Charro beans, a flavorful and hearty side dish, add depth and authentic Mexican flair to any taco spread. Utilizing simple yet effective cooking techniques, these beans are simmered with onions, garlic, and spices.

Regional variations often incorporate ingredients like bacon or chorizo, enhancing the dish's robust taste. Perfect for complementing tacos, charro beans bring a comforting, home-cooked essence to the table.

Jalapeño Poppers

spicy cheese filled appetizer

Bursting with spicy flavor and creamy filling, jalapeño poppers make an irresistible side dish for tacos. These stuffed peppers are filled with spicy cheese, creating a delightful contrast to the savory elements of your taco spread.

The combination of heat and creaminess not only enhances the overall meal but also introduces a fun, finger-food element that guests will love.

Mango Salsa

sweet and spicy flavors

Mango salsa, with its vibrant blend of sweet and tangy flavors, serves as an invigorating complement to the rich and savory taste of tacos.

This delightful side dish adds a tropical twist that livens up any taco experience.

The combination of juicy mangoes with other fresh fruit pairings creates a rejuvenating balance, making your taco meal more exciting and enjoyable.

What Are Some Great Side Dishes to Serve with Tacos as well as Apple Salsa?

When serving tacos with flavorful apple salsa, some of the best side dishes for apple salsa are grilled street corn, Mexican rice, and black bean salad. These dishes complement the sweet and tangy flavors of the salsa and add variety to the meal. Kick your taco night up a notch with these delicious sides!

Grilled Vegetables

healthy bbq side dish

Shifting from the vibrant flavors of mango salsa, grilled vegetables offer a savory and smoky complement to tacos that enhances their overall taste and texture.

Roasted peppers add a sweet and slightly charred flavor, while zucchini skewers bring a tender, juicy element.

These veggies not only balance the richness of tacos but also add a colorful and nutritious touch to your meal.