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21 Top Mexican Sides for Tamales

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What are your favorite Top Mexican Sides to serve with tamales? Do a little or a lot with these great Mexican side dish choices.

You all know how much I love tamales. I’m building a little arsenal of tamales right now with my Authentic Tamales Recipes.

chicken tamales on a red plate with a small salad, pintos and yellow rice
Small batch of tamales perfect for the beginner.

This Chicken Tamales recipe makes only 20 or so tamales so you can learn without it being overwhelming. I’ve served them with pinto beans, yellow rice and a light salad here, but there are so many other choices as well.

My Favorite Tamales Recipes

I know that I can have tamales all by themselves. Just give me a plate and a fork then I’m good. With that said, it’s still a good idea to have a great list of top Mexican sides so you can pick and choose your favorite.

Top Mexican Sides to Pick and Choose

Pick and choose from this delicious list of sides, appetizers, beverages and more.

Recipes for Rice

Rice is, of course, a staple in Mexican kitchens. It’s usually not plain white rice, though.



Golden Garlic Rice
I love yellow rice but I’ve been using the Mahatma brand. It already has the flavoring added to it. With this Golden Garlic Rice recipe from Plant Based On a Budget, I can make yellow rice from scratch. The coloring is from achiote, which I love! Gotta use it sparingly, though, or it overwhelms.
Recipe


Easy Mexican Red Rice Not Spicy
This easy Mexican Red Rice, arroz rojo in Spanish, is the most requested side dish for Mexican food. So tasty in this non spicy version of restaurant style rice. Delicious, infused with the flavors of chicken and tomato.
Recipe

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Recipes for Salsa

Salsa takes many forms in Mexican cuisine. Spicy, not spicy, tomatoes, no tomatoes, even fruit!



Salsa with Charred Tomatoes
If you’re looking for a change from your typical tomato salsa, trying roasting the tomatoes like this. In Kathy’s Charred Tomato Salsa recipe, you get a nice darker color as well as a sweeter flavor with more depth.
Recipe


How to Make Pico De Gallo From Scratch
Learn how to make Pico de Gallo from scratch to serve this fresh and healthy side to any authentic Mexican meal of enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, beans and more.
Recipe


Mango Peach Salsa
For something light and refreshing that screams summer, try this Mango Peach Salsa recipe from Profusion Curry. The mixture of orange and green also brings an especially beautiful array of colors.
Recipe


Queso Blanco
You can also try this Queso Blanco recipe from Krystle of Baking Beauty. Not only will it be perfect for dipping your tortilla chips, it will also be great for a drizzle over your tamales.
Recipe

Recipes for Sauces

Sauces, or condiments, can be used for dipping chips. Mainly, they’re used to drizzle over tamales, tacos, tostadas and well, just about anything that you want to add a little zip.



Easy Tomatillo Hot Sauce
From Joss at In the Kitch, you’ll find this Tomatillo Hot Sauce recipe. It’s a quick and easy recipe that can be easily adjusted for spicy or mild. It’s also a gorgeous green that will brighten up any meal.
Recipe


Tomatillo Red Chili Sauce Chipotle Copycat
Make your own Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa Chipotle Copycat from scratch and you'll never look back. When you make it yourself, you control your perfect spicy heat level.
Recipe

Recipes for Soups

Soups are a popular alternative and can be made as a side or as the entire meal, if you want. With Chicken Tortilla Soup, the best part is all the garnish!



Chicken Tortilla Soup
Anecia of Smarty Pants Kitchen has a recipe for a traditional tomato based Chicken Tortilla Soup. She doesn’t disappoint with her listed ingredients. Her special secret ingredient is one of my favorites!
Recipe


Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Instant Pot Recipe (+video)
This creamy chicken tortilla soup made in the Instant Pot is bursting with a delicious mixture of chiles and juicy morsels of chicken. It's creamy and cheesy with just the right amount of heat.
Recipe
plate of birria tacos with link to recipe

Recipes for Other Sides

There are so many fun recipes that can be used for a tamales dinner. I had a hard time picking only these few.



Frijoles Puercos Sinaloa Style (+video)
This recipe for Frijoles Puercos is like refried beans on steroids. Bacon, chorizo and melty cheese combine to bring you the bean dip of your dreams.
Recipe


Tajin Watermelon Salad
Elise from Elise Tries to Cook shares this Tajin Watermelon Mint Salad recipe. Tajin is a chile lime seasoning that goes hand in hand with watermelon. It makes a light, refreshing side, salad or dessert.
Recipe


Grilled Street Corn Salad
Even if you don’t have a street corner vendor, you can still get some of those great summer tastes! Liz from Life Love Liz has a recipe for her own Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad that will be great with tamales or at your next barbecue.
Recipe


Fajita Veggies
Vanessa from Maple & Mango has a great idea for a side to tamales. Her recipe for Fajita Veggies is made specifically for the iron skillet. Sauteed, crispy strips of colorful bell pepper and onion. It’s a quick, last minute prep for your next tamales.
Recipe


Hoppin’ John Black Eyed Peas
Beans are, of course, always a popular choice, but how about something a little different? Angela’s Hoppin’ John Black Eyed Peas recipe gives you all the comfort while adding something new. You can also serve this for New Year’s Day to fill that need for the Black Eyed Peas for good luck.
Recipe

Beverages

With all that delicious food, you will need something to wash it down. Don’t forget these favorites.



Strawberry Agua Fresca
You’ll need something light and refreshing after all that food. How about Tamara’s Strawberry and Passionfruit Agua Fresca for a treat. It’s almost a dessert by itself!
Recipe


Orange Agua Fresca
Elise’s Orange Agua Fresca is a popular choice. Be sure to remember this one the next time you pick up your favorite oranges. Make enough so you have some to drink with your breakfast in the morning.
Recipe


Traditional Mexican Horchata
If you’ve never tried Horchata, you’re in for a treat. This is, by far, my favorite drink. You’ll find a great recipe by Ana of Muy Delish for Mexican Horchata here.
Recipe

Desserts

If you don’t save enough room for dessert, have it for breakfast in the morning!



Dairy Free Tres Leches Cake Non Dairy
This creamy tres leches cake ("three milks" in Spanish) is made using all dairy free milks which give the cake a delicious coconut flavor. It's tradition with a non dairy twist.
Recipe


Mexican Flan
I’m not saying that you have to pick between Mexican Flan and Tres Leches Cake. I’m saying “Make Both!” Maggie of Mama Maggie’s Kitchen has both a written recipe and a video to help you through all the details of her Mexican Flan.
Recipe


Instant Pot Flan Recipe
This Instant Pot Flan recipe is a decadent treat that can be made easily with only six ingredients. Serve alone or with whipped cream and a homemade spun sugar decoration.
Recipe

Let me know how your Tamales dinner turns out!

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  1. Genevieve says

    I love this roundup! Now I know what to always sere with tamales. Thank you!

    Reply

  2. Michelle says

    Thank you for posting. I now have a go-to when wondering what sides to serve with tamales!

    Reply

  3. Kay says

    What a fabulous selection of ideas. Can make a few different menu combos using this!

    Reply

    • Christian Guzman says

      I agree! I can never have too much Mexican food!

      Reply

  4. Amy says

    I love Mexican cuisine but I live in Australia so I always have to rely on recipe to help me learn what goes with what. Tamales is something that is hard to come by here so I have been wanting to try and make them. Love these suggestions of what to have with them. They all look so delicious on it’s own too. Love the tomatillo sauce, the salads and that soup!

    Reply

    • Christian Guzman says

      I hope you’re able to find the supplies to make tamales. I love them and I have several recipes. I think the most difficult ingredients for you will be the corn flour (Maseca) and the dried chiles. If you’re unable to find dried red chiles, you may be able to make a green sauce instead. Good luck and thanks for visiting!

      Reply

  5. Jill says

    Thank you! this is so helpful! I love tamales but never know what pairs well with them!

    Reply

  6. Linda says

    I’ve had that question for some time and am glad you shared the options here. And tres leches? Who can say no to that?

    Reply

  7. Anecia Hero says

    Thank y’all for including me in this!

    Reply

    • Christian Guzman says

      You’re welcome!

      Reply