Wondering what to serve with carnitas? Whether you’re looking for something simple or something more elaborate, find a perfect side dish here!
I love making these Crispy Instant Pot Carnitas and Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas. They’re always a crowd pleaser, and it leaves room for pairing them with some delicious sides and sauces!
Here are a few tips for serving carnitas with sides:
- Make sure to have a variety of sides to choose from. This will give your guests options and ensure that everyone has something they enjoy.
- Serve the carnitas and sides warm. This will help to bring out the flavors of the food.
- Don’t forget the tortillas! Tortillas are essential for serving carnitas. They can be used to make tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.
When serving carnitas for dinner, there are 3 essentials in my book:
- An amazing homemade sauce – like chipotle crema 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 side dishes.
Be sure to check out these 25+ Mexican Desserts too!
But, what else goes with carnitas for a side?
Here are 30+ AMAZING sides for carnitas!
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
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 Street Corn Soup Recipe
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
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
Elote Salad with Shrimp
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
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
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
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
Beans // 4 Ways!
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
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
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
Instant Pot Black Beans (No Soak!)
These no soak Instant Pot Black 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 black beans can be ready in under an hour.
Instant Pot Black Beans
Rice – An Essential Mexican Side Dish
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.
Arroz Verde
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!
Southwestern Instant Pot Lentils & 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
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!
Quick Pickled Onions
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
Mexican Pickled Carrots
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
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 tacos, carnitas, grilled meats, and more. The ingredients are simple, but the flavor is extravagant!
Salsa Taquera
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
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
Chipotle Crema
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
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
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
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
What Drink Goes with Enchiladas?
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.
Elderflower 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 Carnitas Besides Beans and Rice?
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these carnitas 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
- PLUS → 30+ Mexican soup recipes
More Side Dish Recipes
Did you Make Any of These Carnitas Side Dishes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sides for carnitas. 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 Carnitas: 30+ Easy Sides
Carnitas are a delicious and versatile Mexican dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Whether you're looking for something simple or something more elaborate, there's a side dish out there that's perfect for your carnitas. Try this Rice Cooker Mexican Rice. It’s a foolproof recipe made entirely in your automatic rice cooker!
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Serves 6 people
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice (rinsed)
- ½ medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups bone broth (chicken broth, or water)
- 2/3 cup tomato sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro (minced)
Instructions
- Combine rinsed rice, onion & garlic, broth, tomato sauce, bay leaves and salt in the rice cooker liner.
- Cook on the “quick” setting or white rice setting.
- After the cook time is up, allow the rice to sit for 5-10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves.
- Sprinkle in the salt, peas and cilantro and fluff the rice with a fork. Season with additional salt, to taste. Enjoy.
Nutrition
Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 217IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
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