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Wondering what to serve with tacos? Here’s a collection of recipes that are the perfect side dish for your next taco dinner. Whether you’re planning a taco bar party with friends or doing a simple taco dinner at home for your family there are plenty of options including salsas, dips, rice, beans, veggies and more! Plus some ideas for drinks, both cocktails and non-alcoholic. We’ve also included some easy dessert ideas that go with tacos to finish off your meal.
There are many options for side dishes when planning a taco dinner. Sometimes what you want can depend on which type of taco you are making, if you’re using beef for Birria, carne asada, or simply ground beef. You might be using pork to make carnitas, or using seafood like fish or shrimp. Classic side dishes include rice and beans. While sometimes it’s nice to have a fresh vegetable option to serve alongside the tacos, especially with fish tacos!
Bean Side Dishes:
Beans are a great side dish for any taco meal. They are inexpensive and easy to make. Authentic refried beans are the most popular version, however the Borracho beans and charro beans are more commonly served in most Tex Mex restaurants in Texas. For a healthier alternative the Refried Black Beans are a nice option and pair wonderfully with the cilantro lime rice.
Authentic Refried Beans
4.96 from 219 votes
These Authentic Refried Beans are so simple, only a handful of ingredients are needed. These are the perfect side dish to any Mexican or Tex Mex meal.
Borracho beans, or frijoles borrachos are flavorful, savory, and the perfect Tex Mex side dish! Pinto beans cooked up with bacon, onion and garlic all simmered in a dark beer broth for even more flavor.
Charro Beans. A Tex Mex favorite, these pinto beans are tender and simmered in a flavorful bean broth seasoned with onion, garlic and bacon. Jalapeño adds just a touch of heat. These charro Beans are the perfect side dish for any meal!
Rice is a wonderful side dish for tacos, there’s a reason why it’s a classic. Plus there’s lot of options when it comes to flavoring and seasoning your rice. I love serving the classic Mexican Rice when I’m serving ground beef tacos. Cilantro Lime Rice is my favorite when serving Carne Asada tacos since it pairs nicely with the flavors of the marinade. It’s also a wonderful pairing for the lighter flavors of fish and shrimp tacos. The green rice (arroz verde) is a nice match with carnitas tacos.
Perfect Cilantro Lime Rice
5 from 14 votes
Cilantro Lime Rice. This tender, fluffy rice is flavored with fresh zesty lime juice and chopped cilantro. Perfect for serving alongside chicken, fish, or shrimp.
Mexican Green Rice. Take your cilantro lime rice up a notch and make this Arroz Verde! Full of flavor thanks to roasted poblano peppers, onion, garlic, and of course lots of cilantro and fresh lime juice.
Mexican Rice!The best side dish for all your Tex Mex and Mexican meals! This rice is flavorful and fluffy! This is a great base recipe that you can add to and customize to make your own.
Mexican Street Corn, or Elotes. This grilled corn recipe is coated with a cooling lime Crema, spiced with some Chile powder, and topped with crumbled Cotija and diced cilantro. The perfect side dish or appetizer!
These Roasted Mexican Potatoes are seasoned with a blend of Tex Mex seasonings and fresh cilantro. Baked at a high temperature to ensure crispy skins on the outside and a creamy texture on the inside. This is a great gluten free, vegetarian side dish option to go with all your favorite Tex Mex meals!
Queso Fundido. Melty cheese loaded up with spicy chorizo, green chiles, Pico de gallo, and fresh cilantro. Perfect for serving with tortilla chips for a fun appetizer.
Esquites.This Mexican Street Corn in a cup is buttery, warm, and creamy. Top with some crumbled cotija, lime juice, hot sauce, chili powder, or kick it up a notch with some crushed up Hot Cheetos!
These roasted Mexican vegetables are a great, healthy side dish! Tender veggies with crisp edges are perfect for enjoying as a flavorful side dish or filling in your favorite Mexican meals.
This light and healthy Mexican Salad features crisp romaine lettuce and cold, refreshing toppings all coated with a homemade honey lime vinaigrette with fresh cilantro. This salad can be served as a side dish for all your favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex meals or as a main dish.
These flavorful and refreshing drinks are the perfect match for your taco dinners. Non-alcoholic options such as the agua frescas and horchata are always crowd pleasers. While those who enjoy a cocktail are sure to enjoy the frozen margaritas, classic margarita or the fresh grapefruit palomas!
Classic Margarita
4.94 from 16 votes
Only a handful of ingredients are needed to make these Easy Classic Margaritas at home! No pre-made mixes are required. Enjoy the flavors of fresh squeezed lime juice, orange liquor and your favorite tequila.
These Frozen Margaritas are cold, frosty, and fruity! You can blend up a batch of these slushy margaritas in less than 5 minutes and with only a handful of ingredients. The perfect drink for any hot and sunny day.
Horchata. This creamy, Agua de horchata is cold and refreshing. This cold and creamy authentic Mexican drink recipe is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day. This drink also pairs with all your favorite Mexican or Tex Mex meals!
This easy Agua Fresca Recipe can be used to make a refreshing, non-alcoholic, fruit drink using any of your favorite fruits. Perfect for cooling down and relaxing on a hot summer day.
Chips and salsa are a classic appetizer or side to serve alongside any type of taco. The fresher options are perfectly paired with fish tacos. The Texas Caviar makes a great addition to the taco itself, or can be served as a dip or side dish. It’s loaded with fresh flavors and is dressed with a cilantro lime vinaigrette making it a fun bean salad option.
Homemade Tortilla Chips
5 from 1 vote
Crisp and salty homemade tortilla chips perfect for loading up with your favorite salsa or guacamole.
Homemade restaurant style salsa! So easy to make and tastes just like it's from your favorite restaurant! Perfect for dipping chips into or spreading all over some tacos.
This tableside guacamole recipe is simply the best. The use of fresh ingredients makes all the difference, and the best part is that it's so easy to make. It's a go-to recipe for any gathering or just a little treat for yourself.
Texas Caviar. Fresh, zesty, and flavorful, this dish is loaded with black eyed peas, black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper and avocado all drizzled in a cilantro lime dressing. This easy to make recipe can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or salad!
If you’re looking to complete the meal these are some fun, easy desserts that pair perfectly with any Mexican or Tex Mex meal of tacos. Fresas con crema and the Cinnamon Tortilla roll-ups are nice for family meals, while the sopapilla cheesecake bars and Churro Cinnamon Squares are perfect if you are serving a larger group. Of course, you can always adapt the recipes if needed to meet your serving needs!
Fresas Con Crema (Strawberries and Cream)
5 from 44 votes
Quick and easy Fresas Con Crema (Strawberries and Cream) recipe! Ripe, juicy strawberries in a cold, sweet cream sauce. Perfect easy no bake dessert recipe!
This quick, simple and easy dessert recipe tastes like a churro but only needs a fraction of the time to make! This recipe can be made in under 10 minutes!
Quick and easy, these Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are a fun dessert ready to feed a crowd! Layers of flaky dough, with a creamy, sweet cheesecake in between. All topped with a cinnamon sugar crust.
Do you have a favorite side dish that goes with tacos?!
Please be sure to snap a picture of the wonderful Tex Mex or Mexican style meal you prepare for your favorite people and share it on Instagram. Tag us @houseofyumm and #houseofyumm so that we can see it!
