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    Home » Side Dishes

    Updated: Aug 24, 2024 · Published: Nov 5, 2021 · by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    What to Serve With Tacos

    If you are trying to figure out what goes well with tacos for dinner or a taco party, this list is exactly what you are looking for. Crispy or street tacos is a simple hearty meal that can be hearty with meat such as beef, chicken, seafood, or pork but also vegetarian. The best sides to serve with tacos are all right here.

    What to Serve with Tacos PN1 4 recipe images for pinto beans jalapeno moscow mule fried ice cream and avocado salad

    Many fellow food bloggers have shared some of their quick and easy side dish recipes to serve and eat with tacos besides just beans and rice. If you want a salad, baked goods, vegetables, or dessert, we have you covered with so many choices on what to enjoy with your next taco Tuesday.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Categories
    • Drinks & Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook
    • Drinks & Appetizers to Serve With Tacos
    • Classic & Unique Mexican Side Dishes
    • Healthy Side Dishes
    • Desserts to Serve With Tacos

    Recipe Categories

    This is a tasty list of what sides to eat with your homemade tacos  There is a variety of side dish options that include low-carb, vegan, gluten-free, healthy, and dairy-free.

    To help you decide what to serve with tacos, I have broken down the list into some subcategories. This list includes the best of what to cook and enjoy with tacos:

    • Drinks & Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook
    • Drinks & Appetizers to Serve With Tamales
    • Classic & Unique Mexican Side Dishes
    • Healthy Side Dishes
    • Desserts to Serve With Tacos

    Drinks & Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook

    All of these recipes can be found on the website and are what to eat with tacos the next time you make them at home. These are some of our family favorites & love them with any tacos, keto chicken enchiladas, & carnitas burritos.

    TEQUILA SUNRISE COCKTAIL: TWO UNIQUE TWISTS ON A CLASSIC
    A gorgeous colorful cocktail with tequila, citrus juices, and grenadine.
    Tequila Sunrise
    Tequila Sunrise Cocktail
    Texas Ranch Water (keto & low-calorie)
    Texas ranch water is a refreshing 3-ingredient cocktail recipe. Ranch water is simply the easiest tequila cocktail you can make at home. Its the best low-carb & light cocktail for summer.
    Texas Ranch Water
    Texas Ranch Water two glasses with lime wedges.
    Spicy Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule
    A refreshing and spicy twist on a Moscow Mule that includes jalapenos and basil. A wonderful vodka cocktail that is an easy recipe and a crowd-pleaser.
    Spicy Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule
    spicy jalapeno moscow mule with basil garnish in copper mugs
    Watermelon Pico de Gallo (salsa)
    Sweet and spicy watermelon pico de gallo is the summer salsa great with chips or on seafood tacos.
    Watermelon Salsa
    watermelon pico de gallo in a bowl with chips on the side.
    Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Red Rice
    Tastes just like the flavorful, bright, and fluffy Mexican rice you get in your favorite authentic Mexican restaurant. This easy recipe for Mexican Red Rice (arroz rojo) is great served with any of your favorites - tacos, enchiladas, steaks, seafood, & in burritos.
    Easy Mexican Rice
    Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
    Easy Mexican Street Cornbread Muffins
    Mexican street corn (elote) meets cornbread muffins for this fun sweet, savory, salty, and spicy side dish.
    Mexican Street Cornbread Muffins
    Easy Mexican Street Cornbread Muffins
    Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
    The flavors of this chicken tortilla soup are rich and deep thanks to the slow cooker process.
    Check out this recipe
    Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
    Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad
    A refreshing summer salad with the zing of Tajin added to watermelon, cucumber, and toasted pepitas. This simple recipe is a great side dish with all your Mexican favorites - tacos, enchiladas, & tortas.
    Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad
    mexican watermelon cucumber salad close up the short order cook

    Drinks & Appetizers to Serve With Tacos

    Start off dinner with a cocktail or appetizer the next time you have tacos or any other Mexican entree at home.  Enjoy a margarita, chips & dip, and more with these recipes that are the best to get things started.

    Tamarind Margarita
    This cocktail is inspired by a sweet and sour Mexican tamarind candy. This Tamarind Margarita recipe is a great start to your Mexican meal!
    Tamarind Margarita
    What to serve with Tacos Mexican-Candy-Margarita-2-683x1024 thesoccermomblog
    Matcha Horchata
    For a cool refreshing drink, try this homemade matcha horchata. This easy vegan recipe is a combination of rice and almond milk with a ton of flavor from the matcha green tea powder and cinnamon combination.
    Matcha Horchata
    What to serve with Tacos MatchaHorchata2 veggiedesserts
    Roasted Tomato & Habanero Salsa
    Every taco night needs a wonderful spicy homemade salsa to serve with it. This recipe is just the right amount of heat and flavor for those that like to kick up the flavor.
    Roasted Tomato & Habanero Salsa
    What to serve with Tacos Roasted-Tomato-and-Habanero-Salsa-August-2020-11-780x1040 realfoodwithsarah
    Shrimp Ceviche
    Homemade ceviche is so easy to make, it really should be part of any taco night at your house. Plump shrimp with citrus and crisp onion and jalapenos is the flavor combo that makes this a classic Mexican appetizer.
    Shrimp Ceviche
    What to serve with Tacos Ceviche-683x1024 mealsbymolly

    Classic & Unique Mexican Side Dishes

    This list of sides to serve with Mexican food includes some of the best authentic and new recipe ideas. 

    Homemade Refried Black Beans
    Instead of the same old pinto beans, try refried black beans. This easy recipe is done in about 10 minutes and has all the spices and flavors as your favorite restaurant-quality beans.
    Refried Black Beans
    What to Serve with Tacos 10-Minute-Homemade-Refried-Black-Beans-vegan-gluten-free-5 joyfoodsunshine
    Mexican Pinto Bean
    For a classic whole pinto bean side dish, try this easy recipe. It is no ordinary Mexican bean recipe, the spices and sundried tomato paste add so much richness, spice, and flavor.
    Mexican Pinto Beans
    What to Serve with Tacos Smokey-Tomato-Pinto-Beans.2-768x1024 bytheforkful
    Fresh Mexican Avocado Salad
    For avocado fans like myself, this will be your new favorite salad for any day of the week. WIth just a few ingredients and some fresh lime, this recipe could not be more simple or delightful to serve along with your favorite tacos.
    Fresh Mexican Avocado Salad
    What to Serve with Tacos avocado salad ready to eat Center-Bowl--819x1024 elisetriestocook
    Mexican White Rice (arroz blanco)
    For a mild rice side dish to serve with tacos, try this white rice recipe. Arroz blanco is a really super easy recipe that the whole family will love!
    Mexican White Rice
    What to Serve with Tacos white-rice-mexican-on-a-bowl maricruzavalos

    Healthy Side Dishes

    These ideas are all on the lighter side and include fruits, vegetables, and quality whole ingredients. These Mexican recipes include gluten-free, keto, paleo, vegetarian, and low-carb ideas.  

    Quick Pickled Red Onions
    I am such a sucker for pickled vegetables when I eat tacos. I love them all but onions are my absolute favorite. This quick and easy recipe is perfect to put on tacos or munch on the side.
    Quick Pickled Onions
    What to serve with Tacos sweet-spicy-pickled-red-onions-1 fitmealideas
    Fresh or Frozen Cauliflower Rice
    Whether you use frozen or fresh cauliflower, this rice is a healthy side dish for your Mexican meal. A little bit of onion and garlic for flavor and top with cilantro for a simple flavorful side dish.
    Cauliflower Rice
    What to serve with Tacos cauliflower-rice-8 cassidycraveablecreations
    Grilled Corn Avocado Salad
    For a fresh and colorful side dish with tacos, whip up this amazing salad. Corn, tomatoes, avocado, and a fresh lime dressing make this side dish the perfect Mexican-inspired salad.
    Check out this recipe
    What to serve with Tacos Corn_salad-2 supergoldenbakes
    Healthy Greek Yogurt Guacamole
    For a unique and healthy take on guacamole, try this homemade greek yogurt version. It is creamy and tangy with all the classic jalapeno and tomato ingredients too.
    Greek Yogurt Guacamole
    What to serve with Tacos greek-yogurt-guacamole chefsavvy

    Desserts to Serve With Tacos

    Any of these wonderful desserts would be great to complete your taco supper. See my full list of Desserts That Go With Tacos for over 20 ideas or try one of these below.

    Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists
    For a flaky buttery sweet treat, these puff pastry cinnamon twists are so amazing. This quick & easy recipe only uses 4 ingredients. The cinnamon sugar on the inside is so yummy with the crispy pastry. So fun to eat. Perfect with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for breakfast, brunch, snack, or dessert.
    Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists
    Plate of cinnamon twist made with puff pastry.
    Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes
    This dessert is a strawberry margarita lovers dream. The cupcakes include liquor so be ready for a kick with this sweet treat.
    Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes
    What to serve with Tacos strawberry-marg-cupcakes ottawamommyclub
    No Fry Fried Ice Cream
    Fried ice cream is a special treat and showstopper when you go out to Mexican restaurants. Now make this dessert at home with this delicious no fry method that still gives you that classic crispy outside and the cool creamy ice cream center. Dig in!
    No Fry Fried Ice Cream
    What to serve with Tacos No-Fry-Fried-Ice-Cream-with chocolate sauce and whipped cream savingdollarandsense

    MORE MEXICAN APPETIZERS, DRINKS, SIDE DISHES, & DESSERTS

    For more Mexican recipe options, check out these other posts that include more tasty choices.  All of these are wonderful to serve for your next dinner, party, or gathering when you want unique or authentic traditional Mexican flavors. 

    • WHAT TO SERVE WITH FAJITAS
    • WHAT TO SERVE WITH QUESADILLAS
    • WHAT TO SERVE WITH TAMALES
    What to Serve with Tacos PIN 4 recipe images for corn salad white rice greek yogurt guacamole and shrimp ceviche

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. As a former personal chef & caterer, I specialize in family recipes that taste great & are easy to make. I rely on my trusty stool every day to create & test recipes I know you will love.

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