Tacos are known for their flavorful combinations. Taco salads add the healthy element to tacos and make them a light, fresh alternative. It may leave you wondering what to serve with taco salad.
Many side dishes can be great compliments to your taco salad. All of them bring new flavors to the dinner and make the salad seem like a heartier dish.
If you know the best dishes to include with your taco salad, you can create a well-rounded dinner. Read on to learn about 17 side dishes that can be great for a taco salad.
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17 Side Dishes to Serve With Taco Salad
The crispy tortillas found in the salad and the flavors used in seasonings for this taco salad make it a flavorful explosion. These festive side dishes are perfect for taco salads.
1. Chips and Salsa
Tortilla chips and salsa are a staple for any Mexican side dish. The crunchy saltiness of the chips is great with the zesty sweetness of the salsa. The taco salad freshness works perfectly with this.
Taco salads usually have a meat and vegetable combination, and the flavors of the crunchy chips and sweet salsa bring out the flavors. It is a great compliment.
2. Mexican Rice
Mexican rice is a great side dish. The heartiness and the creamy salad dressing or topping to the salad mix well together because of the flavors.
Mexican rice is heavily seasoned and can use the cooling of the vegetables and other flavors to make rice the perfect side dish.
3. Black Bean Soup
Soup and salad are a classic combination. A black bean soup can be a soft and flavorful soup. Black beans can add a flavor to the dish and add some heartiness as well.
A soup can be a perfect combination because it is also light and can be an ideal complement to chips or bread in the salad.
4. Re-fried beans
Refried beans are another hearty side. The salt and the flavors of the refried beans, along with their smoothness, make it a great side dish.
A salad is typically crunchy, and taco salads are usually crunchier than most. The smoothness of the beans is a good contrast and adds a heartiness to the salad that may have been missing.
5. Pico de Gallo
The fresh ingredients un pico de gallo are great for a salad. The combination of flavors adds a zing while also adding freshness to the salad.
The pico de gallo can be served with chips and can be a great addition to flavor to the freshness of the salad.
6. Five Bean Salad
A taco salad can be complemented with a bean salad. A bean salad adds a hearty meatiness, along with a vinaigrette dressing.
The zestiness of the vinaigrette brings out the Mexican flavorings and will complement a large number of vegetables within the salad.
7. Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
Mexican street corn is a sweet and crunchy flavor that works so well with the taco salad. Otherwise known as Elotes, the flavors are typically heavily seasoned and have a chipotle sauce smothering the kernels, making it a perfect combination.
The seasonings on the Mexican street corn are perfect for taco salads because they bring out the sweetness of the vegetables and the smoothness of the sauce.
8. Guacamole
The perfect topper for any Mexican dish is the creamy, zesty flavors of guacamole. Avocado is a rich fatty food that helps balance the crunchiness of the taco strips or pieces of the salad.
One of the best reasons for this side dish is that the spice level can be changed depending on your preferences and add a creamy taste to the salad.
9. Queso
Just like guacamole and salsa, queso is another great side of the salad. The flavors and creaminess of the cheese are a great complement to the crunchiness of the salad.
The cheese can be used with other sides or just added to the top of the taco salad to help bring out the different flavors of the salad.
10. Corn Salsa
The creaminess of the salad dressing and the sweetness of the corn makes it a complement to the taco salad.
Corn salsa also usually has the zing of the onion, which can add to the salad and cut through the creamy dressing of the salad.
11. Stuffed Peppers
A stuffed pepper is a fresh addition to the taco salad. When you stuff a pepper, you can use many different ingredients. The rice, veggies, meat, and seasonings you can stuff in a pepper makes
Peppers are also baked and can add spiciness and sweetness that may be missing from the salad.
12. Cilantro Lime Rice
Another rice dish that is an excellent complement to a taco salad is cilantro lime rice. The zestiness and earthy flavors of the cilantro bring out the crunchiness of the salad.
The heaviness of the rice, along with the seasoning flavors, make this an excellent side dish, making it well-rounded.
13. Nachos
Nachos are the perfect side dish for most Mexican side dishes. The crispy saltiness of the chips and cheese, along with other toppings, make a nacho the perfect side.
The freshness of the vegetables needs the saltiness and creaminess of the cheese to make them a good complement.
14. Flan
Flan is a creamy caramelized custard. Flan is a great side dish to a salad because it is also a light dessert and can be extremely tasty.
Flans’ sugary sweetness is a perfect end to a meal and demonstrates the light flavors also found in the salad.
15. Churros
A light fried dough coated in cinnamon and sugar is another great dessert for the taco salad. A churro is light and can be an explosion of flavor.
Taco salads are similar because of the seasonings being an explosion in your mouth. They mirror each other and can be great complements.
16. Dulce de Leche
A dulce de leche cake has a creaminess that melts in your mouth. The cake is soaked in milk and makes it a perfect end to a meal.
The light creaminess of the cake mirrors the same lightness of the salad, making it another great option.
17. Margaritas
Finally, margaritas are a perfect side dish. The sweet sourness of a margarita is the best drink to bring out the flavors of the saltiness and freshness of the salad.
The tequila used in margaritas adds a strong flavor that can bring out the seasonings and saltiness found within the salad.
Wrap Up
A taco salad is a great light dinner entree. These side dishes help the salad be more grounded but also mirror the lightness found within them.
Any of these side dishes can be used in tandem and create a well-rounded meal. They all add something to the dish that may be missing just in the salad alone and can make a perfect dinner!
What To Serve With Taco Salad
Ingredients
- Chips and Salsa
- Mexican Rice
- Black Bean Soup
- Re-fried beans
- Pico de Gallo
- Five Bean Salad
- Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
- Guacamole
- Queso
- Corn Salsa
- Stuffed Peppers
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Nachos
- Flan
- Churros
- Dulce de Leche
- Margaritas
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe from the list above.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prepare and enjoy in 30 minutes or less!