Wondering what the best sides for quesadillas are? Look no further! Here’s 40+ great options. From healthy side dishes, to Mexican sides and appetizers, this handy guide will help you find what you want to make in a hurry!
Table of Contents
What to Serve with Quesadillas?
When serving quesadillas for dinner, there are 3 essentials in my book:
- An amazing homemade dipping sauce – like this quesadilla sauce or cilantro lime sauce. Here are even MORE tasty Mexican sauces!
- Margaritas. Keep reading below to find some great options!
- And, of course, some really delicious quesadilla sides. Think refried beans, tortilla chips, and salsa.
But, what else goes with quesadillas for a side?
Here are 40+ AMAZING quesadilla side dishes!
Be sure to check out these 30+ Mexican soup recipes and 25+ Mexican Desserts too!
Starters + Appetizers
Mexican Street Corn Soup
This Mexican Corn Soup recipe has all the flavors of Mexican street corn (or elotes) in soup form. This creamy corn soup is flavored with chile powder, poblano peppers and cotija cheese.
Mexican Corn Soup
Beef Enchilada Dip
Take your snacking to the next level with this Beef Enchilada Dip. Beans are layered with ground beef and enchilada sauce, and topped with lots of melty cheese, green onions and a dollop of sour cream.
Cheesy Enchilada Dip
Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)
Spanish Meatballs – or Albondigas – simmer in enchilada sauce and are topped with sour cream, radishes & cilantro. Serve them taco-style in tortillas or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
Spanish Meatballs
Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
Instant Pot Veggie Chili is delicious & nutritious. It cooks up quickly and easily with the help of your pressure cooker and tastes like it's been simmering all day.
Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Green Tahini Sauce
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Green Tahini Sauce are perfect for summer barbeques and so simple to prepare.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Green Tahini Sauce
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
This is the BEST Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup! It tastes like it’s been cooking all day, but it only takes minutes in your electric pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
White Chicken Chili
This is the BEST White Chicken Chili and it can be made in under 30-minutes. Spicy and smoky it's made with chicken, white beans, jalapenos, mild green chilis and plenty of monterey jack cheese. It's a delicious, creamy white chicken chili that perfect for cozy nights at home.
White Chicken Chili
Vegetable Sides for Quesadillas
Blistered Shishito Peppers Recipe
These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Couscous Corn Salad puts a salad twist on Mexican Street Corn. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.
Couscous Corn Salad
Mexican Carrots
I’m serving up these Oven Roasted Mexican Carrots elote style. Similar to how you’d dress grilled street corn, these delicious tender carrots are topped with lime, crumbled cheese, jalapenos and cilantro. So crazy good!
Oven Roasted Mexican Carrots
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Stuffed Poblano Peppers loaded with a mixture of beef & rice and topped with a zesty lime-crema. This healthy recipe will be on your table in 30 minutes.
Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa & Beef
These Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with Beef make a hearty, healthy, protein packed meal that's amazingly delicious and quick and easy to prepare.
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Healthy Sides for Quesadillas
Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo)
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.
Red Cabbage Slaw
Mexican Quinoa
Inspired by the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine, this protein-packed Mexican Quinoa is your new weeknight craving that’s ready in just 35 minutes using a single pan! Bursting with smoky spices, black beans, sweet corn, and fresh lime, it’s a versatile side that pairs perfectly with tacos, fajitas, or enchiladas.
Mexican Quinoa
Southwest Chicken Salad with Pico de Gallo
This Southwest Chicken Salad is topped with a chipotle seasoned chicken breast, black beans, avocado, fresh pico de gallo & a zesty lime vinaigrette.
Southwest Chicken Salad
Octopus Ceviche (aka Ceviche de Pulpo)
Octopus Ceviche (aka ceviche de pulpo) combines tender octopus with tangy lime juice, red onions, cilantro and chiles for a light and refreshing appetizer. Serve it with tortillas or chips and enjoy!
Octopus Ceviche
Mexican Pasta Salad
This Mexican Pasta Salad is a fiesta of tender pasta, black beans, sweet corn, and crisp veggies, all tossed in a creamy, zesty chili-lime dressing. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Mexican Pasta Salad
Beans // 3 Ways!
Mexican Black Beans
Jazz up the cans of black beans in your cupboard with this easy Mexican Black Beans recipe. It’s a low-fuss skillet recipe that’s quick and easy, and made with warm and smoky Mexican-inspired flavors. Serve them with tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, and more!
Mexican Black Beans
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Instant Pot pinto beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these beans can be ready in under an hour with no soaking required.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
The BEST Instant Pot Refried Beans
Instant Pot Refried Beans require no presoaking. Plus, they're virtually fat free and can be made vegetarian or vegan with some simple swaps.
Instant Pot Refried Beans
Rice – An Essential Mexican Side Dish
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Inspired by the flavors of the classic Mexican restaurant side dish, this Instant Pot Mexican Rice is perfect with enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, and more. It’s a foolproof recipe made entirely in your pressure cooker!
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Instant Pot Lentils and Rice Recipe
These EASY Cheesy Southwestern Instant Pot Lentils & Rice are the perfect quick vegetarian weeknight dinner recipe that's perfect for Meatless Monday! Hearty lentils and brown rice combine with southwestern spices, tomatoes, peppers & plenty of melty cheese!
Cheesy Southwestern Instant Pot Lentils & Rice
Rice Cooker Mexican Rice
Inspired by the flavors of the classic Mexican restaurant side dish, this Rice Cooker Mexican Rice is perfect with enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, and more. It’s a foolproof recipe made entirely in your automatic rice cooker!
Rice Cooker Mexican Rice
Arroz Verde (Green Rice)
This easy Arroz Verde (Green Rice) recipe is inspired by the classic Mexican side dish. Fluffy white rice is mixed with green veggies and lime juice, lending a vibrant green hue and delicious, zesty flavors! Pair it with chicken, beef, or seafood, or use it as the tasty base for a grain bowl.
Green Rice
Rice Cooker Rice
With an electric rice cooker and this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll make tender and fluffy rice every time. This Rice Cooker Rice is as simple as measuring, pushing a button, and returning to a batch of perfectly cooked rice!
Rice Cooker Rice
Salsas, Sauces & Condiments
Quesadilla Sauce
This is the BEST Quesadilla Sauce. Creamy & flavor-packed with just a hint of spice, this easy sauce comes together in just 5-minutes!
Quesadilla Sauce
Quick Pickled Red Onions
Quick Pickled Onions are so easy to make at home. With just 5-minutes you can have your red onions pickling. Let them cool to room temperature before using and then you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks!
Pickled Red Onions
Taquera Salsa
Skip the jar of store bought salsa and make Salsa Taquera instead! It’s a smoky and vibrant condiment that’s perfect for quesadillas and tacos. The ingredients are simple, but the flavor is extravagant!
Salsa Taquera
Easy Guacamole
This fresh and vibrant Guacamole recipe is so easy! Mix it up in minutes for a creamy dip, a delicious topping for nachos, or to serve on Taco Tuesday.
Guacamole
Fresh Mango Salsa
This sweet Mango Salsa has tons of flavor and flair! The bursts of acidity and brightness from the juicy fresh mangos, jalapeno, lime juice, and red onion are delicious with tortilla chips or on fish tacos.
Mango Salsa
Cilantro Lime Crema
This quick and tangy Cilantro Lime Crema is ready in just 5 minutes. Better than sour cream, this Mexican condiment is flavored with fresh cilantro and lime juice to create a creamy and vibrant dressing, taco topping, or dipping sauce.
Cilantro Lime Crema
Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe
This fresh, easy Pico de Gallo recipe is a classic Mexican salsa made from tomatoes, onions, lime, chiles, and cilantro. It’s a delicious snack to enjoy with chips or as a topping on tacos, eggs, and burrito bowls!
Pico de Gallo
Pickled Cabbage (Quick & Easy)
You’ll want to keep a jar of this Pickled Red Cabbage in your fridge at all times. Not only is it fast and easy, but you can use it on anything! Pile it onto tacos, burgers, pork sandwiches, and so much more.
Pickled Cabbage
Chipotle Salsa
This 5-Minute Chipotle Salsa comes together easily with the help of your blender. It's a great sauce for tacos or dip for tortilla chips!
Chipotle Salsa
Chips + Tortilla Strips
Air Fryer Flour Tortilla Chips
These 3-ingredient Air Fryer Tortilla Chips are quick and easy to make, super crunchy, and light. They’re perfect for dunking in salsa, guacamole, hummus, and more! Made with flour or corn tortillas.
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
How to Make Tortilla Strips
Learn how to make tortilla strips at home with just 3-ingredients! They’re the perfect crunchy topping for chili, soups and salads.
Tortilla Strips
Homemade Baked Tortilla Chips
These Baked Tortilla Chips are made using store-bought corn tortillas. Just cut them into wedges, season them with Mexican spices, spray with oil and bake for a perfectly crispy, dippable chip!
Baked Tortilla Chips
What Drink Goes with Quesadillas?
Margaritas, of course! Here are some amazing ones to try!
Hibiscus Margarita
This Hibiscus Margarita recipe is a fun twist on a traditional margarita. Made with an easy homemade hibiscus tea concentrate, grapefruit juice and tequila. The ingredients are simple, but the taste is amazing!
Hibiscus Margarita
Grapefruit Habanero Margarita
This Grapefruit Habanero Margarita is the perfect spicy cocktail for sipping on summer days!
Grapefruit Habanero Margarita
St. Germain Margarita
Elderflower Margaritas can be made with just three ingredients – tequila, elderflower liqueur and lime juice. They're a delicious St. Germain cocktail that you'll love having in your arsenal.
St. Germain Margaritas
Italian Margarita Recipe
This Italian Margarita recipe is easy to make with just four ingredients! Orange juice, tequila, amaretto and lime juice combine in this delicious cocktail recipe.
Italian Margarita
Grilled Pineapple Margarita Recipe
This Grilled Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky. Caramelized grilled pineapple & a splash of vanilla make it extra delicious.
Grilled Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita
What to Serve with Quesadillas Besides Beans and Rice?
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these quesadilla side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
More Mexican Recipes
More Side Dish Recipes
Did you Make Any of These Quesadilla Side Dishes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of quesadilla sides. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Full Recipe
What to Serve with Quesadillas: 40+ Sides
Wondering what the best sides for quesadillas are? Here's 40+ great options. From healthy side dishes, to Mexican sides, drinks and more! This quick and tangy Cilantro Lime Crema is a delicious dipping sauce for quesadillas.
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Serves 6 people
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sour cream (regular or fat-free)
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise (regular or fat-free)
- ½ cup cilantro
- 1 lime (zested and juiced)
- 1 clove garlic (peeled)
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup pepitas
- ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Season with salt, to taste.
- Transfer to a jar or squeeze bottle and serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Pepitas and cheese are optional
Nutrition
Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 274IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
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