38 Sides for Tacos to Serve on Taco Tuesday (or Any Day, Really)
When it comes to taco fillings, the limit does not exist. Luckily, the same goes for accompaniments. From avocado rice to Mexican street corn dip (!!!), this list has everything you need to host an epic dinner fiesta. Read on for 38 sides for tacos that venture beyond store-bought guacamole.
57 Taco Recipe Ideas to Get You Through Every Tuesday of the Year
1. Mango Guacamole
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegan
Keep the beach vibes strong year-round with a scoop of mango guacamole alongside your fish tacos. Chopped mint is an unexpected addition, but it helps give it a palate-cleansing finish.
2. Avocado Rice
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Why didn’t we think of this copycat sooner? This recipe gives Chipotle's cilantro-lime rice a run for its money.
3. Seven-Layer Dip
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
No dinner fiesta is complete without this killer dip that's got it all, from refried beans to fresh scallions. Pro tip: Use fresh salsa (not the jarred, shelf-stable kind) for a bolder, less salty take on the app.
4. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, vegan, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, <30 minutes
This cold summer soup is impossibly refreshing. Garnish your bowl with crunchy tortilla strips and a lime wedge.
5. Zucchini Rice
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly
You and zoodles go way back. But have you met its rice-inspired cousin? Our take is seasoned with plenty of salty Parmesan cheese.
6. Light and Tangy Coleslaw
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
Enjoy it like a cool, crisp salad alongside your tacos or use it to top the tacos themselves. (We're partial to this crispy baked fish number.)
7. Mexican Street Corn Deviled Eggs
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
This appetizer is arguably the most epic mash-up of all time. It's about time the timeless starter got a makeover.
8. Avocado Black Bean Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, make ahead
Is there anything this magical green fruit can’t do? (No. The answer is no.) Feel free to prep the pasta salad ahead: It keeps in the fridge like a charm.
9. Mexican Caesar Salad
Gimme Some Oven
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
Brace your taste buds for buttery avocado, salty tortilla chips and creamy cotija, along with a lightened-up Greek yogurt dressing.
10. 15-Minute Cucumber-Avocado Blender Soup
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, one bowl, <30 minutes
Low on work, high on flavor. Feel free to skip the cheesy baguette to save time if you're serving the soup with tacos (or, um...don't).
11. Mexican Corn and Quinoa Salad
What's Gaby Cooking
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
Two types of cheese? Count us in. Quinoa gives this side a protein boost, while the jalapeño gives it a nice kick.
12. Easy Mexican Coleslaw
Foodie Crush
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, vegan
You should always have a mayo-free slaw recipe in your back pocket for picnics and cookouts. This take on the barbecue staple is loaded with hot sauce to boot.
13. Avocado 'Fries'
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, dairy free, crowd-pleaser
No deep-frying required, thanks to your trusty sheet pan. Might we suggest using them as the crowning glory on your next burger?
14. Mexican Street Corn Dip
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
This is what summer tastes like. It's almost more delicious than the mighty elote itself, but twice as easy to eat.
15. Mexican Posole
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pot, special occasion-worthy
You are officially entering the comfort food zone. This old-school soup, starring hominy (that's extra-large corn kernels), is rumored to be a stellar hangover cure.
16. Roasted Poblano and Corn Guacamole
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan
Between the roasted poblano peppers, charred corn kernels and diced red onion, *this* is the ultimate chunky guac. Bonus points for serving it with homemade tortilla chips.
17. Tater Tot Nachos
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, high protein
We love tortilla chips too, but crispy frozen tots can hold their own against spicy chorizo, cheese and sour cream without turning to mush.
18. Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, one pot, kid-friendly
You can serve it with a bowl of chips for dipping—or use the casserole to fill everyone's taco shells.
19. Instant Pot Refried Beans
Well Plated by Erin
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, Instant Pot recipe, one pot
Behold: a weeknight miracle. Cooking beans from scratch can be an all-day affair, but with the help of a pressure cooker, it'll take you less than two hours.
20. Grilled Corn with Spicy Aioli
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
A white-hot grill or grill plate > a pot of boiling water. Go the extra mile by seasoning the corn with queso fresco crumbles, cilantro and lime juice before serving.
21. Quick Guacamole Quinoa Salad
Power Plates
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly
Want to take the cooking time down from 30 minutes to ten? Start with leftover cooked quinoa, so all you have to do is combine it with the beans and produce.
22. Quick and Easy Spicy Coconut Black Bean Soup
Emily Morgan
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, one pot
The best part about this recipe (besides the fact that it starts with easy canned black beans)? It calls for the soup to be whirred in a blender for a smoother, creamier consistency.
23. Grilled Mango Salsa
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, kid-friendly
Not only is this sweet-and-spicy side prime for dipping chips into, it also tastes divine atop grilled fish. Try it with red snapper or salmon.
24. Fish Taco Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, pescatarian, high protein
Sautéed tilapia with citrusy slaw, pico de gallo, avocado and crushed tortilla chips is our kind of salad. (Feel free to break up the fish and have the kids fill their taco shells straight from the salad plate.)
25. Queso Fundido
The Modern Proper
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, one pan, kid-friendly
A bubbling skillet of cheese and chorizo? We had a dream about this once. Pro tip: Use Mexican chorizo, which is uncooked and ground, rather than Spanish, which is dried and cured, if you can find it.
26. Beef Empanadas
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
Warning: Serve these to your kids on one Taco Tuesday and you'll have no choice but to make 'em every Tuesday after that, too. Plate them with mayoketchup for dipping.
27. Tortilla Chicken Soup
The Mom 100
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, one pot
Save yourself some time in the kitchen by frying the tortilla strips or cooking and shredding the chicken up to four days in advance.
28. Smoky Barbecued Corn
Kristin Perers/Round Ours
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
File this one under Reasons to Never Eat Plain Boiled Corn Again. The cobs are dusted with lime, chili powder, smoked paprika, Parmesan cheese and fresh cilantro.
29. Mexican Fruit Cups
Dinner at the Zoo
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, vegan
Oh, Tajín. The salty, spicy, citrusy seasoning of our sueños. How is it that you taste good on everything? Up the ante by drizzling the fruit with chamoy or spritzing it with lime juice.
30. Sheet Pan Chilaquiles
Elizabeth Van Lierde & Abagail Halstead/Everyday Entertaining
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, one pan, beginner-friendly
We're talking salsa roja-soaked chips, runny eggs, avocado and hot sauce. This sheet pan wonder is an easy way to serve Sunday brunch for a crowd.
31. Heirloom Tomato Salad with Cacao and Agave Dressing
Robert Billington/Ciudad de Mexico
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, vegan
Ooh, que fancy. Go the extra mile by infusing the cacao nibs into the dressing a few days ahead, so they have plenty of time to release their complex flavor.
32. Spicy Slow Cooker Green Chicken Chili
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 6 hours and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
This make-ahead meal only requires 15 minutes of hands-on prep. Your faithful Crockpot will take care of the rest.
33. Hasselback Honey-Glazed Squash with Pistachios and Chiles
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Use butternut, delicata or honeynut squashes, or even sweet potatoes for this balanced side. The produce section is your oyster.
34. Horchata, Three Ways
Esteban Castillo/Chicano Eats
Time Commitment: 8 hours and 15 minutes (includes soaking and chilling time)
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
This old-school agua fresca recipe is well worth the wait. Stick with the classic, or try tropical coconut or matcha horchata varieties instead.
35. Classic Pico De Gallo
Cookie and Kate
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan
This versatile number is only six ingredients away. Scoop it up with chips, use it as burrito filling, layer it on tacos or serve it plain as a side.
36. Kristin Cavallari’s Salmon BLT Salad with Spicy Tomatillo Ranch
Aubrie Pick/Truly Simple
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, beginner-friendly, high protein
We'll *definitely* be drizzling our carne asada with tomatillo ranch dressing from here on out. (The salmon can double as a tasty taco filling, too.)
37. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)
Esteban Castillo/Chicano Eats
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Who knew a few pantry staples could transform shrimp into something so finger-licking delicious? Serve with white rice or dinner rolls for soaking up the leftover garlic butter.
38. Beer Margarita
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, no cook
One sip and boom: You're chilling on a faraway beach. Use your favorite pilsner or Mexican lager for the base, and add a salt rim for marg-inspired flair.
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Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.
