What to Serve with Tamales: 25+ Sides

Wondering what to serve with tamales? Look no further! Here’s 25+ great options. From healthy side dishes, to sauces and appetizers, this handy guide will help you find what you want to make to complete your Mexican themed dinner.

The BEST Sides for Tamales

When serving tamales for dinner, there are 3 essentials in my book:

1. An amazing homemade sauce – like this chipotle crema or cilantro lime sauce. Here are even MORE: 15+ Sauces for Tamales.
2. Margaritas. Keep reading below to find some great options!
3. And, of course, some really delicious side dishes.

Be sure to check out these 25+ Mexican Desserts too!

When it comes to serving tamales for dinner, you can never go wrong with the classics, like Mexican black beans, tortilla chips, and salsa.

But, what else goes with tamales for a side? Here’s some of our favorite options.

What to Eat with Tamales

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.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Blistered Shishito Peppers

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 Soup

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 Street Corn Soup

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

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! 

Mexican Carrots

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 Coleslaw

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

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 // 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

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

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

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

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! 

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!

Taquera Salsa

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

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 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

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

What Drink Goes with Tamales?

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 Margarita

Italian Margarita

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

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 Margarita

Full Recipe

What to Serve with Tamales: 25+ Great Sides

Wondering what to serve with tamales? Here's 25+ great options. Healthy side dishes, salads, appetizers and more! Try this Mexican Street Corn Salad. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Serves 6 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 ears corn (husked)
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups pearl couscous
• ▢ 1 cup chicken broth
• ▢ 3/4 cup water
• ▢ 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (divided (6-8 limes))
• ▢ 2 teaspoons salt (divided)
• ▢ 1/2 red bell pepper (chopped)
• ▢ 1/2 small red onion (finely chopped)
• ▢ 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• ▢ 5 green onions (chopped)
• ▢ 1 jalapeno pepper (diced (and seeded if less heat desired))
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons sour cream
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1/2 cup cotija cheese (or feta, crumbled)

Instructions

• Prepare grill for medium heat. Grill corn, turning occasionally, until tender and charred, 8–10 minutes; let cool slightly. Cut kernels from cobs and transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, prepare the couscous. In a saucepan combine the broth, water, 1/4 cup lime juice and 1 ½ teaspoons salt, bring the mixture to a boil, and stir in the couscous. Cover the pan, and let the couscous simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff the couscous with a fork and let it cool in the pan.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ¼ cup lime juice, sour cream, mayonnaise, paprika, cumin, black pepper and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
• To the bowl with the corn, add the cooled couscous, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, green onions, and jalapeno. Stir to combine. Drizzle on the dressing, and the cheese and toss gently to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.

Notes

• DO AHEAD: Dressing can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Corn can be grilled and cut from cobs 1 hour ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
• You can also use frozen corn. There’s no need to defrost it. Just heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat and add 3 cups of frozen corn. Cook until it gets a nice char, about 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 1108mg | Potassium: 327mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 795IU | Vitamin C: 24.5mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1.3mg

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