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    Home » Mexican Recipes » Authentic Tamales Recipes » 21 Top Mexican Sides for Tamales

    21 Top Mexican Sides for Tamales

    Date: August 3, 2021 by Christian Guzman • This post may contain affiliate links. See Privacy Policy below.

    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

    • Homemade Pork Tamales with Red Chili Sauce
    • How To Make Tamales in the Instant Pot
    • Easy Mexican Tamales with Chorizo
    • Cheese and Jalapeno Tamales Recipe

    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
    • Recipes for Salsa
    • Recipes for Sauces
    • Recipes for Soups
    • Recipes for Other Sides
    • Beverages
    • Desserts

    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

    Have a browse at all
    24Bite recipes
    to customize your own search.

    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!

    All images from other bloggers are used with their permission.

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    24Bite Blog, Authentic Tamales Recipes, Mexican Recipes, Recipe Roundup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Genevieve says

      August 04, 2021 at 2:25 pm

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

      Reply
    2. Michelle says

      August 04, 2021 at 2:42 pm

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

      Reply
    3. Kay says

      August 04, 2021 at 4:47 pm

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

      Reply
      • Christian Guzman says

        August 05, 2021 at 3:49 am

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

        Reply
    4. Amy says

      August 04, 2021 at 5:09 pm

      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

        August 05, 2021 at 3:48 am

        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

      August 05, 2021 at 9:21 am

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

      Reply
    6. Linda says

      August 05, 2021 at 3:35 pm

      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

      August 16, 2021 at 8:21 pm

      Thank y’all for including me in this!

      Reply
      • Christian Guzman says

        August 17, 2021 at 3:58 pm

        You’re welcome!

        Reply

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