Wondering what the best side dishes for tacos are? Look no further! I’m here to answer the question – What should be on the menu for a taco night? From healthy sides for tacos, to Mexican sides and appetizers, this handy guide will help you find what you want to make in a hurry!
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What Should be on the Menu for a Taco Night?
When serving tacos for dinner, there are 3 essentials in my book:
- An amazing homemade taco sauce – like chipotle crema or cilantro lime sauce. Here are even MORE tasty taco sauces!
- Margaritas. Keep reading below to find some great options!
- And, of course, some really delicious side dishes.
When it comes to a taco dinner, you can never go wrong with the classics, like refried beans, tortilla chips, and salsa.
But, what else goes with tacos for a side?
Here are 39+ AMAZING sides for tacos!
Be sure to check out these Mexican Appetizers, Mexican Soup Recipes, Mexican Desserts and Mexican Breads too!
Starters + Appetizers
This Mexican Corn Soup recipe has all the flavors of Mexican street corn in soup form. This creamy corn soup is flavored with chile powder, poblano peppers and cotija cheese.
Mexican Corn Soup
Take your snacking to the next level with this Cheesy 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
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 Veggie Chili
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Green Tahini Sauce are perfect for summer barbeques and so simple to prepare.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
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.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This Easy White Chicken Chili 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 Tacos
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
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
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
Easy Mexican Street Corn- this street corn is super easy to make on the grill and is the perfect side dish that everyone will enjoy!
Get the RECIPE from Food with Feeling
Mexican Street Corn
Get the RECIPE from Food with Feeling
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 Tacos
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.
Red Cabbage Slaw
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) 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
Elote Salad with Shrimp is the ultimate summer side dish! Smoky shrimp, grilled corn, fresh veggies, and tangy cotija cheese are tossed in a rich and zesty dressing, making it a must-try side for grilling season.
Elote Salad with Shrimp
Beans // 3 Ways!
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.
Pinto 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 Refried Beans require no presoaking. Plus, they're virtually fat free and can be made vegetarian or vegan with some simple swaps.
Refried Beans
Rice – An Essential Mexican Side Dish
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!
Mexican 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.
Arroz Verde
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!
Lentils & 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!
Instant Pot Rice
Salsas, Sauces & Condiments
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!
Quick Pickled Onions
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
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
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
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
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
Learn how to make Mexican Pickled Carrots at home! Tender-crisp carrots are pickled with spicy jalapeños and aromatics to create the perfect tangy-hot, crunchy condiment to add to any meal. They stay fresh and crisp for up to 2 weeks, and there’s no canning needed!
Mexican Pickled Carrots
Add some smoke and spice to your favorite recipes with this Chipotle Crema. A Mexican-inspired sauce, this creamy mix is made with chipotles in adobo to give a boost to tacos, salads, and more!
Chipotle Crema
Chips + Tortilla Strips
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
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
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
What Should I Bring to a Taco Potluck?
I love this Mexican side dish because it travels well and everyone loves it!
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 meatballs are great to bring to a potluck, because you can keep them warm in a slow cooker.
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
What Drink Goes with Tacos?
Margaritas, of course! Here are some amazing ones to try!
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
This Grapefruit Habanero Margarita is the perfect spicy cocktail for sipping on summer days!
Grapefruit Habanero 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.
Elderflower Margaritas
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
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 Tacos Besides Beans and Rice?
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these taco 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
- Fish Taco Bowls
- Taco Zucchini Boats
- Migas
- Mexican Breakfast Tostadas
- Cauliflower Tacos
- Instant Pot Carnitas
More Side Dish Recipes
- Sides for Enchiladas
- Sides for Quesadillas
- Side Dishes for Salmon
- Potato Side Dishes
- Sides for Pizza
- Sides for BBQ
- Sides for Burgers
- Sides for Ribs
- Side Dishes for Steak
Did you Make Any of These Taco Side Dishes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of taco 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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What to Serve with Tacos: 40+ BEST Side Dishes
Over 39 best side dishes for tacos – besides just rice and beans. One of my favorite side dish recipes is these easy pickled onions!
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Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
- 1 small red onion (halved and thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/8 – 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Add sliced onions to a medium bowl. Pour enough boiling water over them to fully cover and count to 10. Drain onions and place in jar or bowl.
- Heat vinegar, lime juice, 1/8 cup sugar, chili flakes and salt in small saucepan over medium heat until sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes.
- Taste for sweetness and add more sugar as needed.
- Pour vinegar mixture over onions.
- Allow to stand at room temperature, until fully cooled. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Storage: These pickled onions will keep in your refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
Nutrition
Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 3499mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin C: 26.3mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.5mg
