Tacos are a versatile meal that can be enjoyed any day of the week, especially on Taco Tuesday. While tacos are delicious on their own, adding the right side dishes can transform your meal from good to extraordinary.
The perfect taco sides complement the flavors of your main dish without overpowering it.
You’ll find that the best taco sides include a mix of traditional Mexican options and creative alternatives to round out your meal.
From fresh salsas and guacamole to corn-based dishes like elote and esquites, there are countless ways to enhance your taco experience. Whether you prefer something light like a cilantro lime salad or heartier options like beans, these sides will elevate your next taco night.
1. Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Mexican Street Corn, or Elote, is a tasty side dish that perfectly complements tacos. This popular treat features corn on the cob coated with a mix of butter, mayonnaise, spices, and cheese.
You can serve Elote on sticks as they do at Mexican food stands, or cut the kernels off and make it into a salad. The combination of creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors makes this dish irresistible.
To make it at home, simply grill or boil corn, then add mayo, sour cream, lime juice, cumin, and chili powder. Sprinkle with cotija cheese for an authentic finish.
2. Refried Beans
Refried beans are a classic taco side dish that adds creamy texture and rich flavor to your meal. They’re made by cooking pinto beans until soft, then mashing them with spices and often cooking them again with fat.
You can serve refried beans plain or top them with cheese, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream. They also make an excellent filling for tacos if you want to add more protein to your meal.
Pair refried beans with Mexican rice for a complete taco night experience. You can make them from scratch for the best flavor or use canned varieties when you’re short on time.
3. Fresh Pineapple Salsa
Fresh pineapple salsa brings a tropical twist to your taco night. This bright and zesty topping combines sweet pineapple chunks with cilantro, red onion, and jalapeños for a perfect balance of flavors.
You can make it with fresh pineapple for the best taste, though canned will work in a pinch. The lime juice adds a refreshing tang that complements the sweetness of the fruit.
Serve this versatile salsa alongside your tacos or as an appetizer with tortilla chips. It pairs especially well with seafood tacos like shrimp, scallops, or white fish for a delicious tropical-inspired meal.
4. Lime Cilantro Rice
Lime Cilantro Rice is a bright, flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with tacos. It’s easy to make and adds a fresh element to your taco night.
This versatile rice combines the zesty kick of lime with the herbaceous flavor of cilantro. You can make it with white or brown rice, depending on your preference.
For a lighter option, you can even substitute cauliflower rice. This side dish works well with fish tacos, chicken tacos, or vegetarian options.
The refreshing taste balances spicy taco fillings and adds texture to your meal. It’s a simple way to elevate your taco Tuesday spread beyond the basics.
5. Guacamole
Guacamole is a classic taco companion that adds creamy richness to every bite. Made from mashed avocados, this dip brings healthy fats and a buttery texture that balances spicy taco fillings.
You can keep it simple with just avocados, lime juice, and salt, or add diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños for more flavor. The tanginess of lime juice cuts through the heaviness of meat fillings while enhancing the overall taste experience.
Serving guacamole alongside tacos gives your guests the option to add as much or as little as they prefer. For best results, make your guacamole just before serving to prevent browning.
6. Charro Beans
Charro beans make an excellent taco companion with their rich, soupy texture and smoky flavor. These Mexican-style pinto beans are typically cooked with bacon, chorizo, and spices for a hearty side dish.
What makes charro beans special is their versatility. You can serve them as a simple side, but they’re also substantial enough to be a main dish on their own.
They work wonderfully with any taco variety and can even be used as a filling in burritos or on top of nachos. For a complete meal, pair your tacos with charro beans and some Mexican rice.
7. Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Black bean and corn salsa is a quick and versatile side dish that perfectly complements your taco night. This colorful mix combines black beans, corn, red peppers, jalapeños, and avocado for a fresh flavor explosion.
You can prepare this salsa in less than 10 minutes with simple ingredients. Many recipes also include tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro to enhance the taste.
This salsa works as more than just a taco topping. You can serve it as a dip with tortilla chips, a side salad, or even as a topping for grilled meats. Its bright flavors and varied textures make taco night more exciting without much extra effort.
8. Taco Slaw
Taco slaw is a crunchy, tangy side dish that perfectly complements your tacos. It’s made with sliced green cabbage, red onion, and carrots for a colorful mixture that adds freshness to any taco night.
The dressing typically combines lime juice, cilantro, and sometimes jalapeño for a bit of heat. This creates a spicy-creamy coating that balances the rich flavors of your taco fillings.
You can prepare taco slaw ahead of time, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Just toss your veggies with the dressing about 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend while maintaining the crisp texture.
9. Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad)
Esquites offers all the flavors of Mexican street corn in a convenient salad form. This savory dish combines sweet corn kernels with lime juice, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and a hint of chili powder.
You can serve esquites either warm or cold, making it perfect for any taco night. No need to fire up the grill to enjoy this delicious side!
Esquites works wonderfully alongside any type of taco, from beef barbacoa to chicken or fish. The creamy, tangy flavors complement the spices in your tacos while adding a fresh element to your meal.
This crowd-pleasing side is also perfect for BBQs, picnics, or weeknight dinners. Your guests will love this authentic Mexican dish.
10. Pico de Gallo
Pico de gallo is a fresh, uncooked salsa that makes a perfect side for tacos. This vibrant mix combines diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice for a bright, zesty flavor.
You can easily make pico de gallo at home with just a few ingredients. The freshness cuts through the richness of your taco fillings, creating a balanced bite every time.
Serve it alongside your tacos or spoon it directly on top. The versatility of pico de gallo makes it a must-have for any taco night. It adds both color and a fresh flavor dimension that complements both meat and vegetarian tacos.
11. Seven-Layer Dip
Seven-layer dip is a crowd-pleasing side that pairs perfectly with tacos. This colorful dish features layers of refried beans, guacamole, taco-seasoned sour cream, and various toppings.
Start with a base of beans, then add layers of guacamole and seasoned sour cream or yogurt. For a healthier version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
The remaining layers typically include shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and black olives. You can customize it with your favorite taco toppings.
Serve this dip with tortilla chips for a delicious accompaniment to your taco night. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and always impresses guests.
12. Cilantro Lime Dressing
Cilantro lime dressing adds a zesty, fresh flavor to your tacos. This bright dressing combines tangy lime juice with fragrant cilantro for a perfect balance.
You can drizzle it over your tacos or use it as a dip for chips while waiting for the main dish. The dressing also works great on taco salads if you’re looking for a lighter option.
Making cilantro lime dressing at home is simple. Just blend cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and oil with a touch of honey to balance the acidity. You can adjust the thickness by adding more oil or water.
13. Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad
Tex-Mex quinoa salad brings vibrant flavors to your taco night. This hearty dish combines protein-rich quinoa with black beans for a filling side that complements tacos perfectly.
The salad gets its personality from a zippy chili-lime vinaigrette that adds tanginess to every bite. Fresh vegetables like bell peppers, corn, and diced tomatoes provide color and crunch.
You can customize this salad with your favorite additions like avocado, jalapeños, or cilantro. It’s a versatile option that works well as both a side dish and a base for vegetarian tacos.
This potluck-friendly option stays fresh in the refrigerator, making it ideal for meal prep.
14. Chili Lime Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Chili lime roasted sweet potatoes bring a zesty kick to your taco night. These colorful and flavorful roots transform into the perfect taco side with just a few simple ingredients.
To make them, cube sweet potatoes and toss with chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic salt. Roast them in the oven for 30-40 minutes until they’re crispy outside and tender inside.
Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice for brightness. The smoky-sweet combo pairs wonderfully with any taco filling, especially ones with bold flavors like chipotle or spicy meat options.
You can also stuff these tasty potatoes directly into hard shell tacos for a vegetarian option that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
15. Mexican Coleslaw
Mexican coleslaw adds a zesty twist to traditional taco night. This tangy side combines sliced green cabbage, red onion, and carrot for a colorful base.
What makes it “Mexican” is the addition of jalapeño for heat and fresh cilantro for herbal notes. A simple dressing of lime juice and a touch of oil brings everything together.
You can prepare this slaw in just minutes. It provides a refreshing crunch that balances rich taco fillings perfectly. The bright flavors cut through fatty meats like carnitas or carne asada.
Serve it on the side or pile it directly onto your tacos for an extra layer of texture and taste.
16. Spicy Grilled Avocados
Grilled avocados bring a smoky element to your taco night that’s unexpected and delicious. Cut ripe avocados in half, remove the pit, and brush with lime juice and olive oil.
Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne for heat. Grill cut-side down for 2-3 minutes until grill marks appear.
The heat softens the avocado while adding a smoky flavor that complements tacos perfectly. You can stuff the grilled halves with corn salsa or use them as a base for guacamole with extra depth.
They’re simple to prepare but add a wow factor that elevates your taco spread beyond the ordinary.
17. Texas Caviar
Texas Caviar (also called Cowboy Caviar) is a zesty bean salad that adds freshness to your taco night. It combines black beans, black-eyed peas, and colorful vegetables in a tangy dressing.
The chili-lime vinaigrette gives this side dish its distinctive flavor. Many recipes include corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions for extra crunch and color.
You can serve Texas Caviar as a side dish or use it as a topping for your tacos. It also works great as a dip with tortilla chips while you’re preparing the main meal.
This budget-friendly option is easy to make ahead of time and gets more flavorful as it sits in the refrigerator.
18. Chipotle Mexican Rice
Chipotle Mexican Rice adds a smoky kick to your taco night. This flavorful side dish combines fluffy rice with chipotle peppers, giving it a distinctive heat that complements tacos perfectly.
To make it, you’ll need long-grain rice, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, tomatoes, onion, and garlic. The peppers provide both smokiness and spice that elevates the dish beyond ordinary Mexican rice.
This rice works exceptionally well with chicken or beef tacos. You can adjust the heat level by changing how many chipotle peppers you add to the recipe.
Serve it hot alongside your tacos for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
19. Fresh Fruit Salad
A fresh fruit salad makes a surprisingly delightful side dish for tacos. The sweetness of the fruit offers a refreshing contrast to the savory, spicy taco fillings.
Try combining diced mango, pineapple, and strawberries for a tropical twist. You can also add melon, grapes, or oranges depending on what’s in season.
For a more Mexican-inspired fruit salad, sprinkle a little chili powder and lime juice over your fruit mixture. This adds a subtle heat and tanginess that complements your tacos perfectly.
Fruit salad is also a healthy option that adds vibrant colors to your taco spread. It works especially well for summer taco nights.
20. Charred Corn Salsa
Charred corn salsa brings smoky sweetness to your taco night. The slight char on the corn kernels adds depth that regular corn salsa just can’t match.
To make it, grill corn until it develops dark spots, then cut the kernels off the cob. Mix with diced red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
This salsa works wonderfully as both a taco topping and a side dish with tortilla chips. The combination of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors complements the savory elements in your tacos perfectly.
For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of cotija cheese or a dash of chili powder before serving.
21. Roasted Poblano and Corn Salad
Roasted poblano peppers and sweet corn make a perfect side dish for your taco night. The smoky flavor of roasted poblanos pairs wonderfully with the natural sweetness of corn.
To make this salad, start by roasting 2-3 poblano peppers until the skin blisters. Remove the charred skin, then slice them into strips.
While the peppers roast, grill or boil 2-3 ears of corn until tender. Cut the kernels off the cob once cooled.
Mix your poblanos and corn together with a simple dressing of olive oil, lime juice, and salt. You can add diced red onion for a bit of zing.
This colorful side brings a perfect balance of smoky and sweet flavors to your taco spread.
Complementary Flavors
Taco fillings taste even better when paired with sides that offer contrasting or enhancing flavors. The right combination of spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients can elevate your taco night from good to extraordinary.
Balancing Spices and Herbs
Mexican cuisine relies heavily on a distinctive blend of spices and herbs that create depth and complexity. Cumin, chili powder, and oregano form the backbone of many taco seasonings.
When planning sides, consider complementary herbs like cilantro for brightness or Mexican oregano for earthy notes.
For a balanced meal, pair spicy tacos with cooling sides. If your taco filling has heat from jalapeños or chipotle, serve it with creamy guacamole or sour cream to temper the spiciness.
Lime juice acts as a flavor enhancer for nearly all taco-adjacent dishes. The acidity brightens flavors and cuts through richness. Try squeezing fresh lime over elote (Mexican street corn) or mixing it into a simple cabbage slaw.
Enhancing Tacos with Fresh Ingredients
Fresh ingredients provide contrast to the warm, often rich flavors of taco fillings. Pico de gallo combines diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice for a simple yet vibrant side that adds juiciness and acidity.
Consider these fresh side options:
- Sliced avocados or guacamole
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped white onion with cilantro
- Sliced radishes for peppery crunch
Texture matters as much as flavor. Crisp vegetables provide pleasant contrast to soft tortillas and fillings. Try jicama sticks with lime and chili powder for a refreshing crunch.
For a complete meal, add sides with different temperatures too. Hot refried beans and room-temperature salsas create an interesting interplay of sensations that make your taco experience more memorable.
Pairing With Tacos
Creating the perfect taco meal involves more than just the taco itself. The right side dishes enhance flavors and create a balanced meal experience through contrasting textures and complementary temperatures.
Understanding Texture Contrast
Texture contrast makes taco meals more satisfying. Soft tacos pair wonderfully with crunchy sides like Mexican coleslaw or crisp corn salad. The crunch provides a pleasing counterpoint to tender taco fillings.
For crispy tacos, consider serving smoother sides like guacamole or refried beans. These creamy elements help balance the sharp crunch of hard taco shells.
Elote (Mexican street corn) offers both creamy and textural elements that work with any taco style. Its charred exterior and creamy coating create a perfect middle ground.
Consider layering textures within your meal. Start with soft rice, add crispy roasted vegetables, and finish with smooth sauces or dips.
Perfecting Temperature Harmony
Temperature variation keeps taco meals interesting. Hot tacos complement room temperature sides like pico de gallo or guacamole. They create refreshing contrast with each bite.
Warm sides like Mexican rice or black beans maintain the comfort of a hot meal when served alongside tacos. This temperature consistency works especially well for winter meals or comfort food occasions.
Some sides taste better chilled. Fresh salsas and certain corn salads deliver bright, cool relief against spicy taco fillings.
Consider your dining environment when planning temperatures. Outdoor summer gatherings benefit from more cool sides, while indoor winter meals might call for warming accompaniments.
Don’t forget beverage pairings! Cold drinks like horchata or lime agua fresca provide refreshing temperature contrast to hot tacos.
