24 Delicious Mexican Sides To Complete Your Meal

Rice and black beans make an excellent side dish to virtually every Mexican dish.

Their creamy, hearty, and slightly smoky flavors complement each other perfectly, creating an irresistible combination that will become a staple in your kitchen.

Cilantro lime rice is a tasty side dish that pairs perfectly with any Mexican dish.

This simple recipe features fragrant basmati rice and fresh cilantro and lime for an aromatic, zesty flavor that is sure to become a new favorite.

I like to use Jasmine rice for cilantro lime rice as well, but any long-grain white rice will do the trick.

Who doesn't love guacamole? This classic Mexican side dish is the perfect addition to any meal, whether you're serving up tacos, enchiladas, or fajitas.

I like to put it on virtually everything or even eat it alone with chips.

The creamy texture of mashed avocados mixed with the zesty lime juice and spicy jalapenos is simply to die for.

People use tortillas as an ingredient for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more, but you can also view them as a side dish themselves.

Because they are the base of so many delicious Mexican dishes, learning how to make good Mexican tortillas is a great skill to have. 

Fresh mango salsa is one of my all-time favorite Mexican side dishes.

The juicy, sweet mangoes pair perfectly with spicy jalapenos and fresh cilantro, making the perfect combination of bold flavors.

I enjoy eating it on its own with fresh corn chips or with my favorite chicken or fish tacos.

This is my favorite kind of salsa!

Mexican cornbread is similar to regular, Southern cornbread but includes a few additional ingredients, such as jalapenos, cheese, and green onions.

The cheese gives the cornbread a nice, creamy texture and richness that pairs perfectly with the spicy flavors of jalapenos and onions.

If you think the term "Mexican rice" refers to any type of rice you eat in a Mexican meal, I'm happy to introduce you to this recipe that might change your world!

Mexican rice is tomato-based rice that incorporates intense flavors like onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, and cumin for an explosion on your taste buds with each bite.

I love using Mexican rice instead of regular white rice for burritos or simply eating on the side.

Homemade salsa is an incredible side treat for almost any Mexican dish.

Something about combining tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapenos makes for a truly special flavor that is impossible to resist.

Whether you're making fajitas, enchiladas, or even just chips and guacamole, this homemade salsa is a must-have.

I always have a jar of it in my refrigerator for an easy, delicious, and healthy snack.

Grilled Mexican street corn, called elotes, is a delicious and irresistible side dish.

If you're wondering how something so simple as grilled corn can rock your world, imagine covering it in sour cream, mayo, garlic, lime juice, cotija cheese, and more. It's not your average corn on the cob, that's for sure!

If you already know and love Mexican street corn, why not give it a try in salad form?

The salad version is essentially the same idea, combining Mexican corn with a handful of flavorful ingredients.

But what's nice about the salad version is that you can eat it with a spoon and add it to other dishes like tacos or fajitas.

Refried bean dip is a delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizer that is perfect for any Mexican-food-inspired get-together.

If you like the creaminess of black beans, you'll love the mega-creaminess when they are re-fried.

Plus, when you make a bean dip, you can add sour cream and various kinds of cheese for an irresistible taste and texture.

Salsa Verde, or green salsa, is another type of classic salsa that goes well with everything that classic tomato salsa goes well with.

The main difference is that it uses tomatillos, which are a type of green tomato, thus adding a nice, bright flavor to your Mexican meals.

The cilantro, garlic, and onion also heighten the tomatillos' flavor, usually creating a spicier salsa than your classic salsa.

If you're looking for a tasty and easy side dish to make your Mexican dinner even more amazing, look no further than baked Mexican potatoes.

These roasted potatoes are a perfect balance of savory and spicy, thanks to the cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika that gets mixed into the potatoes before going in the oven.

Try out Mexican corn casserole if you love Mexican corn but want even more cheese on your side than an elote. 

This cheesy, creamy dish is loaded with corn, bell peppers, and all your favorite Mexican spices.

I like consuming some veggies while still enjoying something super comforting, filling, and memorable.

Another excellent veggie-based dish is roasted Mexican zucchini.

This versatile dish is packed with flavor thanks to the combination of garlic and spices like cumin, black pepper, and onion powder.

I like to take it up a notch and add additional spices, such as cayenne pepper and paprika, for an extra kick.

If you're looking for a refreshing and light dish to add to your Mexican meal, I recommend whipping up a simple Mexican avocado salad.

This dish is creamy yet light because it doesn't include oil or mayo.

The creaminess is from the avocado and black beans, and the corn, tomatoes, and red peppers add a more dynamic consistency throughout.

One of my favorite Mexican side dishes is black bean soup. This simple but hearty soup is super easy to make and ideal for the winter.

I love that this recipe calls for chorizo, as I think chorizo adds the perfect element to a dish filled with spicy peppers, potent onions, and sweet tomatoes.

Chiles Rellenos are arguably the most underrated Mexican side dishes around.

These stuffed poblano peppers are filled with flavorful cheeses and served alongside other side dishes such as guacamole, sour cream, and rice.

You can use poblano, anaheim, or hatch green chiles, but I prefer the latter.

Pico de Gallo is another classic staple in the world of Mexican side dishes.

If you're a fan of homemade salsa but want a dip with a more chunky consistency, pico de Gallo is for you! I never order a Mexican dish without it because it does a great job of adding every food characteristic to the dish - flavor, texture, color, and aroma.

If you're looking for something a little different but still classic, try out Mexican ceviche.

This seafood dish is made by marinating raw fish in fresh lime juice and other bold, savory flavors.

It's a great way to enjoy all the protein and nutrients of fish without having to cook it, making it perfect for summertime or when you want something refreshing.

No Mexican meal is complete without an indulgent appetizer like bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers.

I make this decadent dish by stuffing jalapenos with cream cheese, wrapping them in bacon, and baking them to crispy perfection.

Mexican pozole is a pork-based satisfying and comforting dish that is perfect for cold weather.

This rich, hearty stew is packed with bold flavors from the pork and seasonings like cumin and chili powder, while the white hominy adds a nice touch of sweetness.

I love to sprinkle fresh cilantro and squeeze fresh lime into my bowl for the finishing touch.

Even if you're not a fan of standard coleslaw, you may enjoy Mexican coleslaw because of the added flavors and textures.

It includes some of the ingredients you might expect from coleslaw, like shredded cabbage (or a coleslaw mix) and mayonnaise but then amps up the flavor with cilantro, lime juice, jalapenos, and other amazing Mexican-inspired flavors.

Last but far from least is queso fundido with chorizo. It's a simple dish that appeals to genuine cheese lovers.

Queso fundido is an excellent backyard party dish, but be sure to make enough because people will surely keep coming back for more!