Don’t let taco night pass by without adding some of the best side dishes for tacos! Get all the easiest and most delicious ideas for what to serve with tacos in this comprehensive guide!
It’s so much more than rice and beans! You’ll find 16 easy recipes for Mexican inspired salads, appetizers and more.
You can easily round out your favorite taco recipes with delicious, wholesome sides that the whole family will love!
You know we love tacos in this house. I’ve written a lot about the taco love in the past – and most recently, I’ve been creating these recipe guides to help you create more rounded meal plans.
It’s my hope that these recipe round-ups will help make your weeknight dinners easier, and give you inspiration to try something new!
Recently, we’ve chatted about the best taco toppings, salsa recipes and even the best cheeses for tacos. And if you’re going to set up a taco bar or serve walking tacos, you better set up a margarita bar, too!
With that said, today we’re giving you all the very best side dishes for tacos. You’ll find something to please every palette, and you might even find something unexpected!
Use the drop down Table of Contents menu to navigate this post. Don’t forget to pin and save for later!
Side Dishes for Tacos
Truthfully, sometimes tacos are a whole meal within themselves, am I right? If you top them with lettuce or salsa or crunchy cabbage, that can count as your vegetable I think.
Regardless of how you feel about that, sometimes you just want to round out a meal with another option or two. Whether you’re dealing with picky eaters or family members with dietary restrictions, you’re sure to find what you’re searching for here!
Choose from a variety of dips, vegetables, salads and more!
Tips
- A side salad is always a good idea! It’s such a wholesome, nutritious way to start a meal or serve as a side.
- Serve a few vegetarian sides to cover a variety of lifestyles, no matter what type of tacos you serve!
- These Stainless Steel Taco Holders make topping and serving your tacos so easy, and they help leave room on your plate for these delicious sides.
- Check out all of our favorite taco recipes below to suit every occasion!
Frequently Asked Questions
Serve tacos with a variety of chips and dips, as well as rice, beans, salads, and even corn on the cob and veggie dishes.
Yes, you can absolutely serve fruit alongside your favorite taco dinners! Fruit is a wholesome, kid friendly addition to a variety of Mexican inspired meals. Try these fabulous fruit skewers or even a fruit platter.
Taco Recipes
Before we share all the taco sides, we have to share our favorite tacos!
- Ground Beef
- Steak
- Chicken
- Chorizo
- Veggie Tacos
- Carne Asada Street Tacos
- Portobello Mushroom Tacos
- Breakfast Tacos
- Waffle Tacos
Taco Sides
Click through for all the details, and find the printable recipe card at the end of each post.
Mexican Street Corn
This Mexican street corn is made with mayonnaise, lime juice, cotija cheese (or queso fresco) and garlic.
This elote corn is bursting with flavor, quite literally. It’s slathered in mayonnaise and lime juice, which keep it so moist and juicy.
Cilantro Lime Salad
Add a little avocado to this incredible homemade dressing and you’ve got a fiesta! Give your salad a kick with this easy and delicious cilantro lime vinaigrette recipe!
It is made with fresh cilantro, olive oil, and jalapeno and easily blended in the food processor.
Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe
This Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe is delightfully sweet with a little heat! This easy dip or topping for tacos, quesadillas, burritos and more is full of fresh flavor! Add Chipotle Corn Salsa to your burrito bowls, nachos and salads for the ultimate Chipotle copycat.
Velveeta Cheese Dip
Velveeta Cheese Dip is the perfect appetizer for any event! This Velveeta dip is made with Velveeta cheese, fresh cream, and fresh vegetables including diced tomatoes, poblano and jalapeño peppers, onion, cilantro, and lime.
Homemade Guacamole
Fresh and flavorful Guacamole made with just a few classic ingredients in minutes. Get all the tips, tricks and variations to make the BEST guac! Want a fresh spin on the old classic? Try mango guacamole instead.
Pico De Gallo
Pico de gallo is a classic, traditional Mexican dip (or topping, or sauce, or slather-it-everywhere zesty and fresh flavor explosion). Basically, it’s an incredibly simple chunky, vibrant chopped salsa, and it’s ready in just minutes.
Mexican Layer Dip (7 Layer Taco Dip)
This is a classic Mexican Layer Dip that is seasoned to perfection! An updated and flavorful 7 Layer Taco Dip, your friends and family will be clamoring for more. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, game days and beyond, this Layered Taco Dip is the ultimate party food!
Mexican Pasta Salad
Easy 20 minute Mexican Pasta Salad – a light, and delicious pasta salad recipe makes the perfect side dish or stand alone dinner.
Fiesta Ranch Cauliflower
This Fiesta Ranch Baked Cauliflower is going to spice up your life! (Or at the very least, spice up your dinner!) This effortless Roasted Cauliflower with ranch is a deliciously healthy side dish.
Cheese Quesadillas
Get the secrets to make the best cheese quesadillas with crispy tortillas and creamy melted cheese. They are full of amazing flavor with the best accompaniments!
Sautéed Peppers
Sautéed peppers are a quick and easy way to add veggies with color, flavor and texture to an array of dishes. So simple to make, sautéed bell peppers are perfect for fajitas and topping everything from tacos to pizzas to cheesesteaks.
Smashed Sweet Potatoes
Add a little homemade taco seasoning to these smashed potatoes and you’ve got a delicious taco side dish! Boiled, baked and sprinkled with spices, these smashed potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside.
Homemade Mexicorn
This is the easiest Mexicorn substitute. It’s delicious all on its own, and fabulous when added to salads, burrito bowls, tacos, stir fry recipes, and so much more.
It’s packed full of vibrant color and so easy to make. Customize it to your tastes and add it to all your favorite recipes!
Cream Cheese Bean Dip
Easy 5 minute Cream Cheese Bean Dip recipe made with just 4 ingredients! Mexican bean dip is a perfect appetizer for game day and beyond.
Guacamole Bites
Looking for an easy appetizer that can be made in a flash? These Guacamole Bites are just the ticket. Gluten free and FULL of zesty flavor, these Guacamole Cups are cute to serve and a total crowd-pleaser.
Queso Blanco White Queso Dip
Queso Blanco, a recipe for a restaurant-style white queso dip without a lot of effort. This creamy, cheesy Queso Blanco is made on the stovetop (or in a CrockPot) with just four ingredients; white cheese, heavy cream, jalapeño and tomato!
Easy Chicken Nachos
Easy Chicken Nachos are a great weeknight dinner recipe or crowd pleasing appetizer. Quick to make with minimal prep and easy to adapt with your favorite toppings. These baked sheet pan chicken nachos are seriously the best!
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Margaritas to Serve on Taco Night
Side Dishes For Tacos
Ingredients
- Mexican Street Corn
- Cilantro Lime Salad
- Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe
- Velveeta Cheese Dip
- Homemade Guacamole
- Pico De Gallo
- Mexican Layer Dip (7 Layer Taco Dip)
- Mexican Pasta Salad
- Fiesta Ranch Cauliflower
- Cheese Quesadillas
- Sautéed Peppers
- Smashed Sweet Potatoes
- Cream Cheese Bean Dip
- Guacamole Bites
- Queso Blanco White Queso Dip
- Easy Chicken Nachos
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipes, or try one from each category!
- Organize all the requested ingredients, and print each recipe card to get organized.
- Prep and serve your sides – most are done in under 30 minutes.
Tips
- A side salad is always a good idea! It’s such a wholesome, nutritious way to start a meal or serve as a side.
- Serve a few vegetarian sides to cover a variety of lifestyles, no matter what type of tacos you serve!
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
