Creating the perfect Taco Tuesday experience is not just about the tacos themselves, but also about the delicious sides that accompany them. A well-crafted selection of complementary dishes can elevate the entire meal and provide a more authentic taste of Mexican cuisine. But no Taco Tuesday celebration would be complete without some tasty side dishes – that’s why we’ve curated this list of the 13 best sides to serve with your tacos!
Each one has been carefully selected to add variety, flavor, and texture to your Taco Tuesday feast. Whether you’re looking for ideas of what to serve next Taco Tuesday or just need a few suggestions to mix things up, this comprehensive list is sure to have something for everyone. So let’s dive in and explore the many possibilities available.
Roasted Pepper Veggie Delight Salad
Delving into the world of nutritious salads, this particular dish stands out as a great option for health-conscious foodies. Drawing from an assortment of colorful peppers, this recipe showcases their versatility when combined with other wholesome ingredients. Detailed preparation involves roasting four different types of pepper to bring out their natural sweetness, before sautéing them with creamy avocado, pungent onion, and sweet corn.
The finishing touch is a squeeze of lime juice, which adds a much-needed zesty kick. Those who prefer a raw approach can simply skip the roasting step and still reap the benefits of these nutrient-dense ingredients.
Easy Black Bean Salad for Taco Nights
Zeroing in on the perfect accompaniment for Taco Tuesday, this black bean salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. Rather than spending time cooking dried beans from scratch, it’s perfectly fine to use canned black beans as a convenient alternative. Simply combine these with corn, diced pepper, tomatoes, onion, jalapenos, and your choice of seasonings in a large bowl, then give the mixture a good toss to evenly distribute the flavors.
For an added burst of freshness, consider serving this salad alongside a side of cilantro lime rice for a nutritious and mouth-watering accompaniment that’s quick to prepare.
Easy Nacho Side Dishes in Minutes
Dishing out a side dish that’s just as satisfying as the main course is easier than you think with a simple plate of nachos. Don’t feel like you need to go all out with an elaborate recipe when making tacos – instead, use some leftover taco filling to save time and effort (it’s a pro tip, after all!). Simply layer some salsa and cheese on top of a bed of chips, pop it under the grill for a few minutes, and voila! You’ve got yourself a tasty side dish that’s quick to make.
Feel free to mix things up by adding ground beef, refried beans, sour cream, or any other toppings you like – the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your own personalized nacho masterpiece.
Easy Baked Sweet Potato Tacos
Zero in on the ultimate side dish for your tacos with these mouth-watering baked sweet potatoes, packed with an array of delectable fillings! Simply bake some sweet potatoes in the oven until their skin turns crispy and the inside becomes fluffy, before adding your favorite toppings. Think fried vegetables, melted cheese, creamy guacamole, and tangy pico de gallo – all popular choices that will elevate your taco game.
What’s more, this recipe is not only a treat for your taste buds but also a healthier alternative to many other options on the list, making it perfect if you’re craving authentic Mexican cuisine that’s as nutritious as it is delicious!
Spicy Mexican Slaw Recipe
Often overlooked but never underappreciated, a tangy and crunchy Mexican slaw is the perfect accompaniment to elevate your tacos. Omitting no key ingredients, this recipe combines shredded red cabbage with grated carrots and chopped fresh cilantro to create a harmonious balance of flavors. Optimally, a squeeze of lime juice brings out the best in each component, while a dash of heat from chopped jalapenos adds depth without overpowering the dish.
Originating as a palate cleanser between bites, this slaw is equally effective as a refreshing side dish. Best of all, it can be prepared in under 20 minutes or even made ahead of time and refrigerated for later use, freeing you to focus on other aspects of your meal.
Fresh Taco Salsa in Minutes
Like many beloved condiments, pico de gallo is an essential accompaniment to Taco Tuesday, and for good reason – its vibrant flavor profile elevates any dish it touches. The key to its success lies in the simplicity of its ingredients and the care taken in their preparation. Fresh tomatoes, chilies, and onions are carefully chopped into small pieces, allowing each component to shine through. Next, add some roughly chopped cilantro along with a pinch of salt and a generous squeeze of lime juice.
Mix all the ingredients together, and you’ll be rewarded with a sweet, spicy, and slightly acidic pico de gallo that’s ready to go!
Flavorful Mexican Rice for Tacos
Generally considered a staple in many Mexican cuisines, Mexican rice is a popular side dish that elevates the flavor and aroma of various Mexican dishes. By cooking rice with chicken stock and tomato sauce, then adding finely chopped vegetables such as onions, peppers, and sweetcorn along with some essential spices, this delicious accompaniment can be perfectly paired with tacos.
On top of its great taste, Mexican rice is surprisingly easy to prepare, requiring minimal effort and time – in fact, it can be cooked in under 30 minutes, allowing you to multitask while cooking other dishes. One of the best aspects of making Mexican rice is that most of the cooking process involves simmering, which means you can leave it to cook while preparing your tacos.
This perfect balance of gentle heat and subtle sweetness makes Mexican rice a fantastic side dish, but be sure to save enough room for your tacos – they won’t want to share their space! Go To Recipe
Crispy Mexican Sopes with Savory Fillings
Understanding the art of Mexican cuisine is not just about mastering traditional dishes like tacos and enchiladas. Unbeknownst to many, sopes are another staple street food that deserves attention. Made from a masa dough base, these treats are created by frying the dough after it has been flattened into circles and partially baked. The partially cooked dough is then shaped into a small bowl by pinching the sides into a shallow rim, creating a crispy foundation for an array of savory fillings.
From grilled meats like chicken or steak to flavorful salsas and vibrant vegetables, the possibilities are endless. If you’re considering taking on the challenge of making sopes at home, be warned: they can be a bit finicky, but the combination of textures and flavors is sure to make them a new favorite. With their perfect balance of crispy base and delicious fillings, it’s not uncommon for enthusiasts to find themselves craving these Mexican gems more than traditional tacos!
Mexican Queso Dip Recipe
Often considered an essential component at Mexican restaurants, a well-crafted queso dip elevates any dish – and tacos are no exception. The following recipe utilizes a blend of American cheese and pepper jack (if you’re interested in exploring alternative options, check out our article on ‘What Can I Replace My Pepper Jack Cheese With? 5 Best Substitutes’) – feel free to substitute the American cheese with mature cheddar for an added sharpness.
To prepare this queso dip, simply sauté some onions, garlic, and jalapenos until they’re fragrant, then add your chosen cheeses along with a splash of milk to maintain its creamy texture. Next, incorporate diced chilis and tomatoes before finishing it off with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, salt, and pepper. This queso is versatile enough to be enjoyed alongside tacos or broken into pieces for scooping up on its own – making it an excellent accompaniment to your favorite Mexican dishes.
If you’re also preparing some nachos, this dip will pair perfectly with them as well.
Make-Ahead Mexican Avocado Dip Recipe
Generally speaking, guacamole is one of the most beloved Mexican dips, right up there with salsa and queso. Its popularity stems from its simplicity and exceptional taste. To make this iconic dip, you’ll need just a few ingredients, including avocado, onion, chilis, and some additional flavor enhancers. Once you have these ingredients on hand, it’s time to get creative in the kitchen!
Simply mash up the ripe avocado along with some finely chopped onion and chili until you achieve the perfect consistency – whether that’s chunky or smooth is entirely a matter of personal preference. After that, add a pinch of salt, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and a handful of chopped cilantro to bring out the flavors and textures. With these simple steps, you’ll be enjoying delicious homemade guacamole in no time!
Lime Zest Rice with Fresh Cilantro
Lightly flavored with citrusy notes, cilantro lime rice has become a staple in many Mexican-inspired dishes. Like its counterpart, Mexican rice, it’s a popular choice to accompany tacos and other savory meals. Its refreshing taste makes it an excellent palate cleanser between bites of rich or spicy food. The recipe itself is straightforward: the rice is sautéed with garlic and olive oil before being simmered in water or chicken stock infused with lime zest.
