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    Home » Side Dishes

    Published: Jul 8, 2021 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    What to Serve With Tamales

    Jump to Recipe

    If you are trying to figure out what to serve and eat with homemade tamales or tamale pie for dinner, this list is exactly what you are looking for. Tamales are a traditional Mexican meal that takes time to make homemade and is often a holiday or birthday favorite.  The tender meats or vegetarian fillings wrapped with fluffy sweet masa pair well with all sorts of side dishes.  All of these suggested sides work great for all your Mexican food meal ideas, including parties, potlucks, birthdays, New Year's Day, and any tamale dinner plans.

    The best sides to serve with tamales are all right here. Many fellow food bloggers have shared some of their quick and easy side dish recipes that go well with just about any tamale or tamale pie recipe. If you want traditional Mexican sides, salads, drinks, and even desserts, we have you covered with so many choices on what to eat. Whether you enjoy tamales filled with pork, chicken, cheese, chiles, vegetables, or seafood – all these sides pair well with your meal.  

     

     

    What to Serve with Tamales PN1 4 recipe images of black bean soup, queso and chips, strawberry margarita and mexican rice

     

     

    What to Serve with Tamales

    This is a tasty list of what sides to eat with your tamales, tamale pie, or tamale casserole These side dishes are also great to serve with tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, carne asada, and any of your favorite Mexican entrees.  There is a variety of side dish options that include low-carb, vegetarian, gluten-free, healthy, and dairy-free.

    To help you decide what to serve with tamales, I have broken down the list into some subcategories. So based on what course you are looking for these recipes all are perfect to serve with tamales including appetizers, drinks, side dishes, and even dessert.  There are healthy salads, slaws, mayo-based salads, vegetables, potatoes, and unique sides.  This list includes the best of what to make and serve with authentic tamales:

    • 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 Tamales

     

     

    Drinks & Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook

    All of these recipes can be found on the website and are what to eat with tamales the next time you make them at home.   These are some of our family favorites.

     

    TEQUILA SUNRISE COCKTAIL: TWO UNIQUE TWISTS ON A CLASSIC
    A gorgeous colorful cocktail with tequila, citrus juices, and grenadine.
    Check out this recipe
    Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

     

    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.
    Check out this recipe
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    watermelon pico de gallo

     

    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 salad with the zing of Tajin added to watermelon, cucumber, and toasted pepitas.
    Check out this recipe
    mexican watermelon cucumber salad close up the short order cook

     

    Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
    Tastes just like the flavorful, bright, and fluffy Mexican rice you get in your favorite authentic Mexican restaurant.
    Check out this recipe
    Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Rice

     

    Best Ever Mango Ice Cream (with Ice Cream Maker)
    Homemade mango ice cream is the best ever creamy frozen dessert. This tasty recipe takes a wonderful vanilla ice cream base and adds luscious fresh mango for the easiest mango ice cream. 
    Check out this recipe
    Best Ever Mango Ice Cream featured two bowls close mango bottom corner

     

     

    Drinks & Appetizers to Serve With Tamales

    Start off dinner with a cocktail or appetizer the next time you have tamales 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.

     

    Michelada Mexican Bloody Mary
    This cocktail recipe is a Mexican classic similar to the Bloody Mary. A tomato juice mixed with spices and beer is a refreshing and tangy drink perfect for any time of day.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales michelada-recipe-pin-word veganinthefreezer

     

    Strawberry Margarita
    This frosty blended strawberry margarita is a cocktail favorite. You can use fresh or frozen berries with tequila, lime, and more in this simple and easy recipe.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales 01-Strawberry-Margarita snacksandsips

     

    Traditional Chunky Guacamole
    This fresh guacamole recipe is a traditional take with a chunky texture and a ton of amazing flavorful ingredients. Serve as a side or appetizer with chips or top your favorite tamales with it.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales simply_fresh_traditional_chunky_guacamole_bella_bucchiotti_11 xoxobella

     

    Chile Con Queso
    Melted cheese is honestly just irrestible. This chile con queso recipe is perfection and the most addicting appetizer.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales chile-con-queso-2-683x1024 bakingbeauty

     

     

     

    Classic & Unique Mexican Side Dishes

    This list of sides to serve with Mexican food includes some of the best authentic and new recipe ideas.  If you want standards like rice or black beans, two amazing recipes are listed below.  Plus for a new twist on what to serve with tamales, try out a bowl of cilantro sweet potatoes or a hearty quinoa salad.  No matter which recipe you choose, they all taste amazing and go well with your next Mexican meal. 

     

    Mexican Green Rice
    This fresh and colorful rice pilaf is popular with Mexican food or grilled meats. Naturally colored and full of fresh spinach, it makes a healthy side dish that’s also vegetarian and gluten-free.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales Portrait-Spinach-Rice-Pilaf-468x700 atastefortravel

     

    Black Bean Soup with Baby Greens
    This spiced black bean soup is a hearty first course or side dish to your favorite Mexican entrees. It is also a fun recipe that everyone can make their own from a variety of great toppings.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales Black-bean-soup-with-baby-greens-served-as-soup-2 simplefreshnyum

     

    Cilantro Lime Sweet Potato Salad
    This flavorful cilantro lime sweet potato salad has Mexican spices and ingredients that packs a punch. It is fresh, simple to make, and takes only 30-minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales Cilantro-Lime-Sweet-Potato-Salad-4 taoofspice

     

    Southwestern Quinoa Salad
    Quinoa tossed with black beans, tomatoes, and more for a colorful side dish perfect for your next Mexican dinner. The homemade salsa lime dressing flavors this vegan and dairy-free salad.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales Finished-mexican-quinoa-768x1024 thehelpfulgf

     

     

    Healthy Side Dishes

    This category of ideas to serve with tamales includes quick, easy, and healthy recipes.   They 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.  Try a new fruit salsa, quick guacamole, or a healthy salad to complete your next tamale supper.

     

    Tequila Lime Fruit Salad
    Tropical fruits like kiwi and pineapple are dressing in a fresh lime tequila dressing for an amazing salad. This boozy fruit salad is like the best margarita disguised as a healthy side dish.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales Tequila-Lime-Fruit-Salad-8-683x1024 cookingonthefrontburners

     

    Air-Fryer Roasted Asparagus
    For a Mexican twist on air-fryer asparagus, try out this gluten-free, paleo, and keto-friendly recipe. In just 15 minutes this pico de gallo topped asparagus is a flavorful and wonderful side dish.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales air-fryer-roasted-asparagus-with-pico-de-gallo-1-1187x1536 fitmealideas

     

    Simple 5-Ingredient Avocado Sauce
    Yes, it only takes 5 simple ingredients to make an amazing sauce to top your tamales with. This avocado sauce is creamy, fresh, and yummy.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales Avocado-Sauce-Final-683x1024 hoorahtohealth

     

    Mexican Kale Salad
    This healthy chopped kale salad has Mexican flavors thanks to black beans, cotija cheese, and jalapeno. The cilantro lime dressing adds some zing for a healthy, colorful, vegetarian, and gluten-free salad that everyone will love.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales easy-chopped-mexican-kale-salad chefsavvy

     

     

    Desserts to Serve With Tamales

    A Mexican meal isn’t complete until you have dessert. Any of these wonderful desserts would be great to complete your tamale dinner.   Whether you want something rich or cool and spicy,  these dessert recipes are great to make.

     

    Caramel Custard
    These individual caramel custards are the perfect sweet treat to end your Mexican meal with. The creamy custard is both light and rich and completely wonderful with every silky bite.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales Individual-Carmel-Custard.-cookingwithcurls.com

     

    Hatch Chile Gelato
    For a fun spin on ice cream, this gelato takes it to a whole new level. With a bit of cream cheese in the mix, this gelato is the perfect combination of cool creamy key lime cheesecake with a spicy kick.
    Check out this recipe
    What to Serve with Tamales hatch-chile-gelato-title-compressor restlesschipotle

     

     

    More Mexican Appetizer, Drink, Side Dish, & 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

     

     

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

     

    What to Serve with Tamales PIN 4 recipe images of chunky quacamole, avocado cream sauce, michelada and mexican sweet potato salad

     

     

     

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    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

     

     

    What to Serve with Tamales PN1 4 recipe images of black bean soup, queso and chips, strawberry margarita and mexican rice

    What to Serve with Tamales

    Angela
    If you are trying to figure out what goes well with tamales or tamale pie this list is exactly what you are looking for. If you want salsas, cocktails, salads, rice, beans, or dessert this list has the best recipes for side dishes to eat with Mexican entrees.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 0 mins
    Course Appetizer, Dessert, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4

    Ingredients
      

    TRY ANY LISTED ABOVE

    • Mexican Rice
    • Queso & Chips
    • Black Bean Soup
    • Strawberry Margarita
    • Tequila Fruit Salad
    • Chunky Guacamole
    • Caramel Custard

    Instructions
     

    • Make your favorite tamale or tamale pie recipe.
    • Choose one or more wonderful sides from the lists above.
    • Enjoy!
    Keyword alcohol, beans, fruit, gluten-free, grain-free, Mexican, rice, salad, side dish, sides, tequila
     
    « Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #427
    Old-Fashioned Mini Blueberry Muffins »

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Christy says

      August 06, 2021 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      So many recipes and we had the avocado sauce. Will make it again and next time will try the rice.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        August 06, 2021 at 11:27 am

        Thanks for the note, Christy. The Mexican Rice is one of our favorites and we have it often.

        Reply
    2. Connor says

      September 05, 2021 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      We had carne asada and tamales tonight and wanted some rice. We tried the Mexican rice listed here and it was exactly what we wanted. We love it more than what we get at our taqueria up the street. I won't tell them that but wanted to tell you. Thank you so much.

      Reply

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