35 Delicious Side Dishes for Tacos

Taco night always feels like a celebration at our house. And why not? They’re relatively easy to make, no matter how many people I’m feeding. The topping choices are endless and there aren’t nearly enough foods where we’re encouraged to get messy.

Tacos are such a big hit within our humble abode that I’ve developed several recipes beyond traditional ground beef to keep it “fresh.” Some of our favorites include Blackened Fish Tacos, Carnitas Tacos, and Butternut Squash Tacos. But what if I want a little more than just tacos?

Good news! I’m sharing 35 trimmings, toppings, and tasty sides. Browse recipes for salsas, salads, rice, beans, and more. Ready to kick Taco Tuesday up a notch?

Tasty Salsas and Sauces for Tacos

Try your hand at one of these easy-to-follow recipes and see how easy it is to break up with that brand-name bottle of sugar & salt.

• White Queso – Seriously, the BEST! With just 3 ingredients, this is the authentic queso blanco dip recipe that you can make just like Mexican restaurants.
• Blender Salsa – Make your own restaurant style salsa in with this tasty, two-step homemade salsa recipe that comes together in a flash.
• Avocado Crema – Avocado and cilantro blend with a creamy base to create a versatile and light sauce in less than 5 minutes.
• Mango Salsa – One of my favorite toppings for fish tacos.
• Roasted Tomato Salsa – Roasted tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, peppers, and garlic, make for robust, authentic flavor.
• Easy Cilantro Chimichurri – It's a perfect combination for grilled meats or veggies, it can quickly dress up a salad or infuse an extra burst of flavor into marinades.
• Poblano Cream Sauce – Get ready to spice up your dinner game with this creamy, quick poblano cream sauce.
• Salsa Taquera (Chili de Arbol Salsa) – If you like it HOT, this one’s for you. Arbol chilies has a distinguished presence among authentic Mexican taquerias.
• Tomatillo Salsa – Getting your green salsa from a jar? Not anymore. This easy recipe is vibrant, fresh, and comes together in 10 minutes flat.

Salsa Fresca and Ensalada Recipes

While classic salsa has a thin consistency from being blended or pureed, these recipes feature chopped ingredients which are distinctly discernable, similar to Pico de Gallo.

Homemade Pico de Gallo

Ready to try your hand at authentic, homemade Pico de Gallo? All you need for this recipe is five minutes and five ingredients. This delicious dish is low-calorie and gluten-free. Serve as a dip, topping, or side dish.

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Rice & Bean Recipes

You’ll find many varieties of beans in authentic Mexican food. Browse through these modern recipes featuring this classic culinary power couple.

Cilantro Lime Rice

Bright and herbaceous, Better-than-Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice is always a hit. A zesty recipe that pairs well with any Mexican food, made with just 6 ingredients.

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Soup DuJour

In Mexican culture, their midday meal is usually the largest. The first course? Soup!

Vegan Ceviche

Did you know that Ceviche is the national dish of Peru? This recipe may omit the seafood but doesn't skimp on flavor! Ripe tomatoes, radish, Spanish onion, fresh herbs and lime juice create a bright, acidic, soup that's refreshing any day.

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Side Dish Ideas

Of course, I had to include the many fresh and tasty side dishes to serve with tacos or other Mexican or Latin Inspired cuisines.

Calabacitas

Calabacitas is a super simple, traditional Mexican dish made with fresh zucchini or yellow squash. This recipe is perfect for meal prepping as it's easy to execute and tastes amazing and comforting!

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