✔ Updated · now 50 sides grouped by rice and beans, salsas, corn, salads, appetizers and desserts
Taco night is the most fun dinner of the week, and the right sides make it a proper fiesta. Here are 50 ideas, from cilantro lime rice and refried beans to street corn, slaws and churros.
The best sides for tacos are Mexican or cilantro lime rice, refried or black beans, chips with salsa and guacamole, and a fresh side like Mexican street corn, cilantro lime slaw or a black bean and corn salad. A simple taco night needs one rice or bean dish, two or three toppings and one crunchy, fresh side.
- Classic: Mexican rice, refried beans, chips, salsa and guacamole.
- Fresh and light: cilantro lime slaw, jicama slaw, cucumber-avocado salad.
- Crowd-pleasers: street corn, queso dip, nachos and quesadillas.
- Sweet finish: churros, sopapillas, tres leches cake or horchata.
How to Choose Sides for Tacos
Here's the easy formula I use: one rice or bean dish, two or three toppings or salsas, and one fresh, crunchy side. Match the sides to the filling and you're done.
| Taco type | Best sides |
|---|---|
| Ground beef tacos | Mexican rice, refried beans, queso, pico de gallo, street corn |
| Chicken tacos | Cilantro lime rice, black beans, salsa verde, corn salad |
| Fish or shrimp tacos | Cilantro lime slaw, mango salsa, cilantro lime rice, jicama slaw |
| Pork (carnitas, al pastor) | Pickled red onions, pineapple salsa, charro beans, salsa verde |
| Steak (carne asada) | Charro beans, elote, guacamole, grilled peppers and onions |
| Veggie or bean tacos | Mexican quinoa, calabacitas, guacamole, black bean and corn salad |
Rice and Beans
The classic taco-night base. One rice and one pot of beans turns a few tacos into a full, filling plate.
1. Cilantro Lime Rice
Fluffy rice tossed with lime juice, zest and fresh cilantro. A bright copycat of the burrito-bowl favorite.
Get the recipe →2. Mexican Red Rice
Rice toasted in oil, then simmered with tomato, onion, garlic and broth. The restaurant-style side everyone expects.
3. Texas Roadhouse-Inspired Seasoned Rice
Buttery, savory seasoned rice with a little onion and garlic. Mild enough for picky eaters.
Get the recipe →
4. Refried Beans
Creamy mashed pinto beans cooked with onion and topped with melted cheese. Rich, cozy and classic.
5. Seasoned Black Beans
Canned black beans simmered with garlic, cumin and lime in 10 minutes. Spoon them on the side or into the taco.
Get the recipe →6. Charro Beans
Pinto beans simmered in a smoky broth with bacon, onion, tomato and jalapeño. Brothy, hearty and full of flavor.
7. Popeyes-Inspired Red Beans and Rice
Creamy, smoky red beans over rice. A Southern twist that loves spicy beef or chicken tacos.
Get the recipe →8. Mexican Quinoa
Quinoa simmered with tomato, cumin, garlic, corn and black beans. A protein-packed, lighter swap for rice.
Salsas, Dips and Toppings
Set these out in little bowls and let everyone build their own. Most can be made a few hours ahead, which makes taco night so much calmer.
9. Chips and Salsa
Crunchy tortilla chips with a chunky tomato salsa. The non-negotiable starter for any taco night.
10. Guacamole
Ripe avocado mashed with lime, onion, cilantro, jalapeño and salt. Make it last so it stays bright green.
11. Pico de Gallo
Chopped fresh tomato, white onion, cilantro, jalapeño and lime. Fresh, juicy and great on every taco.
12. Salsa Verde
Tangy roasted tomatillo salsa with green chiles, garlic and cilantro. Perfect with pork and chicken tacos.
13. Pineapple or Mango Salsa
Sweet, juicy fruit with red onion, jalapeño, lime and cilantro. Amazing with fish, shrimp and al pastor tacos.
14. Queso Dip
Warm, silky melted cheese dip with green chiles. Spoon it over tacos or dunk chips in it.
Get the recipe →
15. Cream Cheese Bean Dip
A creamy, cheesy baked bean dip that's ready in minutes. Scoop it up with tortilla chips.
Get the recipe →16. Seven-Layer Dip
Beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, olives and green onions layered in a dish. A party classic.
17. Pickled Red Onions
Thin red onion slices quick-pickled in lime juice or vinegar. Bright pink, tangy and great on rich tacos.
18. Quick Pickled Red Cabbage
Crunchy, tangy pickled cabbage that adds color and crunch to fish and carnitas tacos.
Get the recipe →19. Pickled Jalapeños and Carrots
Escabeche-style spicy pickled jalapeños, carrots and onions. The taqueria side that wakes everything up.
20. Mexican Crema and Cotija
Tangy, pourable crema and salty crumbled cotija cheese. Two small toppings that make tacos taste restaurant-good.
Corn and Vegetable Sides
A fresh or grilled vegetable side keeps taco night from feeling heavy. Corn is the star here.
21. Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Grilled corn slathered with creamy sauce, cotija, chili powder and lime. Messy, smoky and irresistible.
22. Street Corn Salad (Esquites)
All the flavors of elote in a scoopable salad. Easier to serve to a crowd than corn on the cob.
23. Corn on the Cob
Simple buttery corn on the cob. Sprinkle with chili-lime seasoning for a taco-night twist.
Get the recipe →
24. Roasted Zucchini with Corn
Zucchini and corn roasted with garlic, chili and lime. A quick, colorful vegetable side.
25. Calabacitas
A Mexican sauté of summer squash, corn, tomato, green chiles and cheese. Fresh and comforting.
26. Grilled Peppers and Onions
Fajita-style peppers and onions charred with cumin and lime. Pile them on the side or into the tacos.
27. Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes roasted until tender and caramelized, dusted with chili powder. Sweet, smoky and healthy.
28. Roasted Cauliflower with Chili Lime
Cauliflower florets roasted crisp with chili powder, cumin and lime. A lighter side with plenty of flavor.
29. Sweet Plantains (Maduros)
Ripe plantains fried until caramelized and sticky. A sweet, tropical contrast to spicy tacos.
Salads and Slaws
Something cool and crunchy balances warm, spicy tacos. These are my go-to fresh sides.
30. Cilantro Lime Slaw
Shredded cabbage and carrots in a zesty lime and cilantro dressing. Use it on the side or right on the taco.
31. Creamy Coleslaw
Classic creamy, sweet-tangy coleslaw. Great on the side of fried fish or pulled pork tacos.
Get the recipe →32. Black Bean and Corn Salad
Black beans, corn, tomato, red onion and cilantro in a lime dressing. Make-ahead friendly and filling.
33. Cowboy Caviar
A colorful bean, corn, pepper and tomato salad in a tangy dressing. Doubles as a dip with chips.
34. Jicama Slaw
Crunchy jicama, carrot and cabbage with lime and chili. Light, sweet and super refreshing.
35. Cucumber, Tomato and Avocado Salad
Chopped cucumber, tomato, avocado and red onion with lime and salt. Cool and creamy.
36. Mexican Chopped Salad
Romaine, corn, black beans, tomato, avocado and cheese with a creamy chipotle or lime dressing.
37. Taco Salad
All the taco fillings over crisp lettuce. Great for anyone skipping tortillas.
Appetizers and Snacks
Got a hungry crowd? Add an appetizer or two so people can graze while the tacos are being built.
38. Nachos
Tortilla chips loaded with beans, cheese, seasoned beef and all the toppings. A copycat of the fast-food favorite.
Get the recipe →
39. Taco Bell-Inspired Nacho Fries
Seasoned fries with a warm nacho cheese dip. A fun, crunchy side for a casual taco night.
Get the recipe →
40. Quesadillas
Crispy tortillas filled with melted cheese and a creamy jalapeño sauce. Easy for kids and picky eaters.
Get the recipe →
41. Jalapeño Poppers
Jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and baked until bubbly. Spicy, creamy and perfect for parties.
Get the recipe →42. Chiles Rellenos
Roasted poblanos stuffed with cheese, battered and fried, then topped with tomato sauce. Rich and special.
43. Tortilla Soup
A light, brothy chicken and tomato soup topped with crispy tortilla strips, avocado and lime.
44. Cornbread
Moist, golden cornbread or jalapeño cheddar cornbread squares. A great Tex-Mex-style side.
Get the recipe →Desserts and Drinks
Finish taco night on a sweet note. For more ideas, browse our Mexican desserts.
45. Churros
Crispy fried dough sticks rolled in cinnamon sugar. Dip them in warm chocolate sauce.
Get the recipe →46. Sopapillas
Puffy fried pastry pillows drizzled with honey and dusted with cinnamon sugar.
47. Tres Leches Cake
Light sponge soaked in three kinds of milk and topped with whipped cream. Cool, creamy and sweet.
48. Mexican Horchata
A creamy, cinnamon-spiced rice drink served over ice. Refreshing next to spicy tacos.
Get the recipe →
49. Virgin Margarita
A zesty, alcohol-free lime margarita on the rocks with a salted rim. Fun for everyone at the table.
Get the recipe →50. Agua Fresca
Blended fresh fruit like watermelon or cantaloupe with water, lime and a little sugar. Light and thirst-quenching.
Planning a Taco Bar
For a taco bar, plan on 2 to 3 tacos per adult. Keep hot fillings and warm sides at 140°F or above (a slow cooker on warm is perfect), keep guacamole, crema and salsas cold, and don't leave anything out for more than 2 hours. Cook ground beef to 160°F and chicken to 165°F.
Need more ideas? Check out our Mexican appetizers, the copycat Taco Bell-inspired Enchirito or our chipotle shrimp tacos, and see what to serve with fajitas for even more sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular sides for tacos?
Mexican rice and refried beans are the classic pairing, along with chips, salsa and guacamole. Mexican street corn, cilantro lime rice, black beans and a crunchy slaw are also hugely popular, especially for a taco bar.
What vegetables go with tacos?
Corn is the favorite, whether as elote, street corn salad or corn on the cob. Grilled peppers and onions, zucchini, calabacitas, roasted cauliflower, sweet potatoes and fresh salads with cucumber, tomato and avocado also work well.
What is a healthy side dish for tacos?
Try black beans, a cilantro lime slaw, jicama slaw, a black bean and corn salad, roasted vegetables or cauliflower rice. Fresh salsas like pico de gallo and salsa verde add lots of flavor for very few calories.
How many sides should you serve with tacos?
For a family dinner, two or three sides are plenty: one rice or beans, one fresh side and a salsa or guacamole. For a party or taco bar, offer four to six sides plus a selection of toppings so guests can mix and match.
What dessert goes with tacos?
Churros, sopapillas, tres leches cake and flan are classic choices after tacos. For something lighter, try fresh mango with chili-lime seasoning, or serve horchata or an agua fresca alongside.
