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What To Serve With Tacos

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If you're wondering What to Serve with Tacos, I've gathered all of my best and favorite side dishes here in one place for you! These are perfectly suited to pair with taco night meals any night of the week or to make your Cinco de Mayo more festive and flavorful!!

Square split image showing different sides for tacos.

The Best Sides for Tacos: From Chips & Dip to Much More!

I love meal planning! Especially when there's something fun on the horizon! With Cinco de Mayo just days away, I had to gather up some of my favorite sides to round out a festive dinner!

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When you're getting ready to plan out that taco dinner, don't forget to check out my homemade flour tortillas, the best taco seasoning mix, and my list of awesome taco toppings! Plus, I have a great assortment of tacos and taco meats to star in the meal!

Mexican Picadillo • Ground Beef Taco Meat • Pork Carnitas •
Barbacoa Beef Cheeks • Tacos Dorados • Albóndigas • Turkey Carnitas

You can also check out the tasty sides for tacos web story here!

The Best Salsas & Dips to Serve with Your Tacos

The most basic and most likely one of the most popular sides for tacos is quite simply chips and dip!  Here's a great assortment of salsas and Mexican-flavored dips to choose from to start your Taco Tuesday out right!

1. Salsa Roja

This delightfully tasty salsa is full of rich tomato flavor with just the right amount of spice and seasoning! It's a great all-purpose salsa to serve up with any meal and absolutely perfect as a taco topping!

Roasted Salsa Roja
This salsa roja is an incredibly delicious homemade treat that only takes a few minutes to roast the vegetables and prepare! Leave it coarse or blend it to a smooth consistency, whichever way you like it! I like to finish my salsa in a cast iron skillet for an amazing flavor boost to this better than restaurant quality salsa!
Check out this recipe
Square image of salsa roja.

2. Salsa Verde (Tomatillo Salsa)

This tomatillo-based salsa is a personal favorite! I've been hooked on it since I fell in love with Baja Fresh in my 20s (this restaurant chain was my go-to for lunches)!

It's a super simple salsa to make, and you can blacken your ingredients for a robust roasted flavor, too!

Salsa Verde
This salsa verde is loaded up with fresh tomatillos for an authentic homemade salsa that is so much better than the kind from the store! It is such a light and fresh salsa with just the right amount of lime that compliments the cilantro flavor and the heat of the jalapeno, just perfect! Pair it with chips, add it to dip, or use it to top off some of your favorite burritos, tacos, and more!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of salsa verde in a jar with tortilla chips.

3. Pico de Gallo (Salsa Fresca)

What more can I say about this classic pico?! It is SO GOOD! And once upon a time, I wouldn't have touched anything with raw tomatoes with a 10-foot pole. Not anymore!

It's my husband's version that got me hooked on this quick and easy salsa. It is now a household staple for pairing with anything Mexican-inspired!

Pico De Gallo (Salsa Fresca)
This family-favorite pico de gallo recipe strikes the perfect balance of flavors. It features just the right amount of heat from the jalapeno, complementing the freshness of the ingredients without overpowering them. Made with crisp onions, ripe tomatoes, zesty lime, and fragrant cilantro, it's all mixed in ideal proportions to create an amazing homemade salsa. Simple to make, this is the best homemade salsa to pair with your beloved Mexican dishes and chips!
Check out this recipe
wide sideview image of pico de gallo with chips and fresh vegetables.

4. Pineapple Salsa

The combination of sweet pineapple in this fresh salsa is divine! It's a wonderful salsa to serve with fish tacos!

Fresh Pineapple Salsa
This fresh pineapple salsa is an incredibly easy and refreshing recipe with the perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors! It's loaded with fresh pineapple, red bell pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, red onion, and lime juice! Serve it with some tortilla chips as an appetizer, add it to your favorite tacos, or enjoy it with your favorite main course as a tasty side dish!
Check out this recipe
Wide image showing a cut in half pineapple filled with pineapple salsa.

5. Mango Salsa

Another sweet and fruity take on fresh pico is this mango salsa! It's a wonderful salsa to use with pork carnitas!

Fresh Mango Salsa
This fresh mango salsa is an incredibly refreshing and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in so many different ways! Scoop it up with some chips, add it to tacos, or enjoy it by itself as a side dish! Just grab some fresh mangos and veggies and you are ready to get started!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of mango salsa.

6. Guacamole

The classic guacamole needs no extras when served up fresh! Pile up your guacamole on just about anything, from tacos to soups, enchiladas, and much more!!

You can also try my creamy guacamole or hatch chile guacamole for some major flavor variations!

Guacamole (How To Make The Best Ever Guacamole!)
This incredibly easy homemade Guacamole is the perfect combination of creamy avocado, lime, fresh cilantro, diced Roma tomatoes, and diced red onion that is seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika! Seriously tasty and addictive flavors from wonderfully fresh ingredients!
Check out this recipe
wide image with bowl of guacamole and tortilla chips.

7. Rotel Queso Dip

OMG Yummy! Silky beefy cheesy Rotel queso dip is a delightful nacho or taco topping! It's a tasty dip that will make your bag of chips disappear!

Cheesy Rotel Dip
Rotel dip blends hearty taco-seasoned ground beef, creamy Velveeta cheese, and Rotel tomatoes with chiles! It combines to make an amazing game day dip to satisfy your queso cravings! All you need is a bag of tortilla chips!
Check out this recipe
Wide closeup on the rotel dip in skillet with chip dipped.

8. 7 Layer Dip

The classic 7-layer dip is an awesome appetizer, or make it a meal in itself! It's one of those dishes that you could serve up 'taco bar' style and let everyone pile up their plates with their personal faves!

7-Layer Dip
This 7-Layer Dip is a tasty combination of refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, diced tomatoes, and sliced black olives! Your easy taco dip can be served warm or cold; either way, it's always a hit at parties, a game day get-together, or an amazing family dinner! Best of all, you can throw this 7-layer dip together in just 10 minutes flat!
Check out this recipe
Wide side image showing the layers in 7 Layer Dip.

Beans & Rice Sides for Serving With Tacos

Beans and rice side dishes are commonly served with Mexican food, and I love the way that they just belong together! Plus, they're a great way to stretch the dollar for some very economical meals!

9. Cilantro Lime Rice

This delightfully zesty rice is a flavorful addition to burritos and burrito bowls and is perfect with picadillo filling for your tacos, too! It's a super simple upgrade to plain rice!

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is an incredibly tasty rice side dish that is suitable for so many meals! From pairing with your Mexican food entrees to serving with seafood, or a Thai-inspired dish, this fragrant rice is sure to become a household staple! Once you see how easy it is, you'll want to make rice in your Instant Pot from here on out!
Check out this recipe
Overhead closeup of the instant pot cilantro lime rice in white bowl.

10. Mexican Rice (Restaurant Style)

My Mexican rice is made restaurant-style for maximum flavor! It's one of my favorite sides to serve with enchiladas or 'enchilada-style' burritos!

Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
It is hard to find a restaurant-style Mexican rice recipe that delivers authentic flavor, but this recipe may be the best. It has just enough of a hint of spicy and a deliciously rich tomato flavor. It may be even better than the kind you can find at restaurants.
Check out this recipe
Delicious better than restaurant quality Mexican rice is easy to make at home!

11. Refried Black Beans

Homemade refried black beans is where it's at! These are incredibly easy to make but so amazingly tasty! You'll never go back to store-bought canned refried beans!

Refried Black Beans
These refried black beans are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish to complement any of your favorite Mexican dishes! Regardless of whether you are looking to keep your calories low, eating around dietary restrictions, or just want to enjoy some tasty refried black beans...you will love how flavorful they are! In just 20 minutes, you'll have the most delicious refried beans and will want to make them over and over again!
Check out this recipe
White bowl of refried black beans with garnishes on top.

Veggie Sides & Salads to Pair With Tacos

If you're keeping your starters light (to save room for dinner, right!), you can enjoy some of these tasty veggie-based dishes! From one of my all-time favorites below (calabacitas) to an amazingly flavorful Mexican coleslaw, there's something for everyone!

12. Calabacitas

Calabacitas
Grab the recipe for Calabacitas, a veggie loaded side dish packed with zucchini, corn, tomatoes, and poblano pepper and topped with melted cheese!
Check out this recipe
Calabacitas

You had me at summer squash, but add the corn and some heirloom cherry tomatoes, and yummy! I never turn this side dish down and seriously wish that the rest of my family loved squash as much as I do!

13. Tex-Mex Salad

This delicious and hearty salad is another great use of chicken, corn, beans, and cheese! I absolutely love topping it with some fresh cotija cheese crumbles!

Tex-Mex Salad
This Tex-Mex salad has so much wonderful flavor that it is hard to believe it's ready in only 15 minutes! It is loaded with chopped chicken, corn, beans, cheese, crushed tortilla chips, and more! Top it off with a homemade Tex-Mex salad dressing, and enjoy!
Check out this recipe
Square image of a Tex-Mex salad in a wooden bowl.

14. Avocado Fries

Now, these are straight up my hubby's alley! Deliciously crispy avocado fries with melt-in-your-mouth buttery avocado inside. What an amazing combination!!

Baked Avocado Fries
Oven baked avocado fries are coated with a crispy breadcrumb coating that makes them a delectable snack or appetizer! You can dip them in all of your favorite condiments and sauces, too! Plus they're much better for you than their deep-fried potato counterparts!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of avocado fries.

15. Mexican Coleslaw

I think this may be in the running for the best coleslaw ever! Crispy cabbage with a tangy Mexican-flavored dressing sounds like a match made in heaven to me!

Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
Taco Salad meets coleslaw in this creamy Mexican Coleslaw recipe! Packed with flavor, it’s the perfect side dish for Cinco de Mayo and summer cookouts!
Check out this recipe
Mexican Coleslaw Recipe

16. Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)

If you're looking for a fun change to your standard corn on the cob, you've simply got to try these elotes! They're simple to make but a big change to the standard ear of corn!

Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
This Mexican street corn (also called Elotes) is exactly what you need on a fantastic and warm summer day! Roasted corn (or grilled) with a creamy garlic chipotle sauce and then topped with queso fresco and smoked paprika for a ton of tangy flavors! Serve it alongside your favorite Mexican dishes for an authentic and delicious meal!
Check out this recipe
Square image of elotes.

17. Mexican Corn Fritters

Another great way to use up some corn on the cob, that also just happens to be a wonderful side dish, appetizer, or anytime snack! These quick and easy fritters fry up in no time at all!

Mexican Corn Fritters
These Mexican corn fritters are an easy-to-make appetizer or side dish you can serve in only 15 minutes. Fresh corn and diced jalapeno are folded into a simple batter and then pan-fried until golden. They'll be toasted and crisp outside, with a tasty, tender center everyone loves.
Check out this recipe
Square image of Mexican corn fritters.

Did I miss anything? Let us know your favorite and/or what you like with your tacos!

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Wide split image showing different sides for tacos.
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5 from 18 reviews

What to Serve With Tacos

If you're wondering What to Serve with Tacos, I've gathered all of my best and favorite side dishes here in one place for you! These are perfectly suited to pair with taco night meals any night of the week, or to make your Cinco de Mayo more festive and flavorful!!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 26kcal
Prep 15 minutes
Cooking 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
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Ingredients
 

Salsas & Dips

Beans & Rice Side Dishes

Veggie Sides & Salads

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Select your favorite menu items from the meal plan ideas shared here.
  • Prepare the appetizers, sides, or salads that you would like with your tacos.
  • Serve and enjoy a wonderful taco night dinner!

Nutrition

Calories: 26kcal (1%) | Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) | Sodium: 399mg (17%) | Sugar: 5g (6%) | Vitamin A: 266IU (5%) | Vitamin C: 3mg (4%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Appetizers, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican
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5 from 18 votes (18 ratings without comment)

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