We know there’s nothing quite like a taco night. The excitement of setting out all the toppings is real. Tacos are like a blank canvas for flavors; each filling brings its magic to the table.
We’ve stuffed them with everything from grilled chicken to leftover meatloaf—yes, we did that. The question is, what do we serve alongside them? Side dishes can really elevate taco night to a party!
Think beyond the typical chips and salsa. We’ll sprinkle in some clever, fun ideas that pair perfectly with all those delicious fillings. Let’s make taco night truly memorable!
Top 13 Side Dishes for Tacos
Here are some of the best side dishes to serve with tacos:
| Side Dish | Main Ingredients | Flavor Profile | Difficulty | Time |
| Mexican Street Corn Salad | Corn, cotija cheese, lime, cilantro | Tangy, savory | Easy | 20 min |
| Black Bean and Mango Salsa | Black beans, mango, red onion, cilantro | Sweet, savory | Easy | 15 min |
| Cilantro Lime Rice | Rice, cilantro, lime, garlic | Fresh, zesty | Easy | 20 min |
| Jicama Slaw | Jicama, red cabbage, carrots, lime | Crunchy, tangy | Easy | 15 min |
| Avocado and Tomato Salad | Avocado, tomatoes, red onion, lime | Creamy, fresh | Easy | 10 min |
| Spicy Grilled Pineapple | Pineapple, chili powder, lime | Sweet, spicy | Easy | 15 min |
| Mexican Zucchini Boats | Zucchini, ground beef, cheese, salsa | Savory, hearty | Medium | 30 min |
| Cheesy Jalapeno Cornbread | Cornmeal, jalapenos, cheese, buttermilk | Savory, spicy | Medium | 35 min |
| Pico de Gallo with a Twist | Tomatoes, onion, cilantro, pineapple/mango | Fresh, tangy | Easy | 10 min |
| Refried Black Beans | Black beans, garlic, cumin | Savory, creamy | Easy | 20 min |
| Elote (Mexican Street Corn) | Corn, mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder | Tangy, savory | Medium | 25 min |
| Cucumber Avocado Salsa | Cucumber, avocado, red onion, lime | Fresh, creamy | Easy | 10 min |
| Chili Lime Watermelon | Watermelon, lime, chili powder | Sweet, tangy | Easy | 10 min |
1 – Mexican Street Corn Salad
This dish is a colorful mix we can’t resist. It combines sweet corn, cotija cheese, cilantro, lime juice, and a hint of chili powder.
The mix of flavors is vibrant. The corn is sweet, while cotija adds a salty kick. Lime brings freshness, and chili gives it a tiny edge.
We remember enjoying it at summer barbecues. It’s perfect for accentuating tacos. Pairing the salad with spicy meat enhances the experience we crave. The combination is fresh and satisfying, elevating our meals effortlessly.
2 – Black Bean and Mango Salsa
We love how this salsa combines black beans, ripe mango, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
The sweetness of the mango pairs brilliantly with the earthy black beans.
The refreshing lime adds brightness and a zesty edge we crave.
This salsa takes us back to summer picnics, where fresh flavors ruled.
With every bite, we relish the crunchy onions and the vibrant colours on our plates.
It’s a fun twist on traditional salsas that enhances any taco night.
3 – Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice is a staple for taco nights. It’s simple yet bursting with complementary flavors. We combine fluffy white rice with zesty lime and fresh cilantro for brightness.
Add a pinch of salt and a bit of garlic for depth.
This rice elevates every bite of taco goodness. We’ve served it at plenty of gatherings and love how it balances spice in our meals.
4 – Jicama Slaw
Jicama slaw brightens any plate. It’s crisp, refreshing, and provides a crunchy contrast to soft tacos.
We blend shredded jicama with carrots, lime juice, and a bit of salt. The sweetness of jicama and carrots balances the tanginess of the lime.
We often toss in a sprinkle of cilantro for an extra zing. This slaw pairs beautifully with fish or shredded chicken.
We enjoy it during summer BBQs, where it adds a fresh crunch to our tacos. Each bite is a satisfying mixture of textures and flavors.
5 – Avocado and Tomato Salad
This salad is all about freshness. We chop ripe avocados, juicy tomatoes, and add a splash of lime juice.
A pinch of salt enhances the flavors. The creaminess of the avocado plays well with the acidity of the tomatoes.
It’s super easy to make and perfect alongside tacos. We love serving it during gatherings—it never fails to impress.
The vibrant colors bring a lively touch to the table. We often sneak in some red onion for a little crunch and kick.
Overall, it’s a refreshing and light addition that balances the richness of the tacos beautifully. Each bite leaves us wanting more.
6 – Spicy Grilled Pineapple
Spicy grilled pineapple adds a sweet and spicy kick to taco night.
We blend juicy pineapple with a hint of chili powder for an unexpected flavor burst.
It’s all about that charred, caramelized goodness. Fresh lime juice brightens every bite.
Ingredients include fresh pineapple, olive oil, chili powder, and lime juice.
Grilling brings out the natural sweetness of the pineapple.
We love how it serves as a refreshing contrast against savory fillings, making every taco unforgettable.
7 – Mexican Zucchini Boats
These zucchini boats are fun and easy to make. We scoop out zucchini halves and stuff them with spiced filling, often featuring ground meat, beans, and cheese.
They offer a delightful blend of textures, with tender zucchini and savory filling. Add a sprinkle of taco seasoning for an extra kick.
Fresh cilantro as a garnish brightens the whole dish. We love serving them on taco night for a creative spin.
8 – Cheesy Jalapeno Cornbread
We adore this cornbread for its moist, fluffy texture and spicy kick from jalapeños.
The blend of sharp cheddar and jalapeños gives it depth. We mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, milk, butter, and of course, cheese.
Perfectly complements tacos; we love how it balances out bold flavors.
Once, we enjoyed it fresh out of the oven at a friend’s gathering. The cheese was gooey, and we couldn’t get enough of that perfect crunch from the jalapeños.
Every bite brings a burst of flavor. Whenever we make this cornbread, it never lasts long on the table.
9 – Pico de Gallo
Pico de gallo is fresh and bright. It combines diced tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeños.
This salsa brings a vibrant zest to every dish. We love how the acidity of lime sharpens the flavor. Fresh tomatoes burst with juiciness, while cilantro adds a refreshing herbal note.
Served at taco nights, it perfectly cuts through richness. We’ve enjoyed it with tortilla chips, as it’s crunchy and lively. Every bite feels like summer.
Making it is easy and quick—just chop and mix! It’s one of those dishes we whip up often.
10 – Refried Black Beans
Refried black beans are creamy and flavourful, perfect for adding depth to tacos. We mash black beans with garlic and onion to create a savory blend.
These ingredients elevate the dish. A sprinkle of cumin adds warmth. We often toss in some lime juice for a zesty finish, which livens up the flavours nicely.
We remember serving these beans with tacos at our last dinner party. Everyone loved how the smooth texture contrasted with crunchy toppings.
They are super easy to make, and leftovers heat up beautifully. Snagging some for nachos is a solid move!
11 – Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Elote is simply grilled corn on the cob with some serious flair. We coat it in mayo, sprinkle cheese, and drizzle lime juice for a burst of flavor.
Ingredients? Think corn, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime.
The combo of creamy, cheesy goodness with a kick from the chili makes every bite memorable.
We remember the first time we had it at a food truck. The smoky sweetness from the grill paired perfectly with the tangy toppings.
A summer barbecue staple, elote brings everyone together around the grill.
12 – Cucumber Avocado Salsa
Cucumber avocado salsa is our refreshing go-to for tacos. It combines cool cucumbers, creamy avocado, and zesty lime juice.
We throw in diced red onion and a sprinkle of cilantro for flair. It’s crunchy, smooth, and brings a burst of freshness that perks everything up.
Last taco night, this salsa disappeared fast—everyone loved the crispness against the savory toppings.
Think light, bright flavors that complement any dish beautifully. You won’t regret adding this to your next spread!
13 – Chili Lime Watermelon
Chili lime watermelon is a refreshing treat. We combine juicy watermelon chunks with a sprinkle of chili powder and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
This dish balances sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. The bright lime enhances the sweetness of the watermelon while chili adds a fun kick.
We first tried it at a summer party. Everyone was surprised by how the chili complemented the fruit’s sweetness.
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of CooksCrafter.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
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