25 Mexican Side Dishes

Looking for the perfect Mexican side dish?

From Spanish rice to Mexican corn cakes, here are 25 of our favorite Mexican sides.

I have nothing but love for Mexican food. I think it’s one of if not the most colorful, fun, and flavorful cuisines out there!

Whether it’s a taco, fajita, burrito, or enchilada, Mexican dishes are always welcome in my belly.

Scrumptious side dishes add even more excitement to the main course. They’re vibrant, delicious, and complement the flavors and textures of every Mexican dish.

So, the next time you’re serving Mexican to your family and friends, don’t forget to whip up some tasty sides, too. 

Can’t decide which ones to make? You’re in luck! I’ve rounded up 25 Mexican side dishes that will add even more flavor and color to your fabulous feast.

So whether you need a tasty avocado recipe or something more filling, you’ll find it here.

Let’s get the fiesta started!

1. Spanish Rice

Also called Mexican rice, this side is a hearty, fluffy, and perfectly seasoned side that goes well with enchiladas and tacos.

Plus, it only takes 10 minutes of hands-on preparation!

Flavored with chicken broth, garlic, tomato sauce, cumin, garlic pepper, and cilantro, this rice is easily the best thing to serve with your Mexican feast.

2. Tangy Mexican Slaw

Move over regular coleslaw, Mexican slaw is here to slay! This recipe is a tangy riff on the mayo-based classic, and the flavors are spot on!

In this tangy Mexican slaw, the cabbage and red onions are not coated in mayo. Instead, they’re bathed in a fresh and citrusy dressing made with cider vinegar and olive oil.

It’s seasoned with both cumin and seasoned cumin, so it definitely packs a lot of flavor.

Unlike the classic version, you don’t have to wait to serve this slaw. Once you’ve tossed the veggies in the dressing, it’s ready to go!

Whether you eat it on the side or on top of tacos, you’ll love it!

3. Mexican Street Corn (Elote) 

Regular grilled corn is already a delightful side as it is, but if it’s coated in mayo, cheese, and chili powder? Wow!

The combination of mayo with the other ingredients makes such a refreshing and well-balanced treat.

And that cotija cheese? Oh boy, you’re in for a treat! It’s like a cross between feta and parmesan: wonderfully crumbly and salty. 

Finished off with cilantro and lime juice, elote is as good as it gets.

4. Mexican Cornbread 

Also known as jalapeno cornbread, this side is fluffy, crumbly, and savory.

Whatever the main course is, you’ll want this Mexican cornbread on the table. Not only is it bursting with jalapenos, but cheddar cheese as well.

It’s a fantastic combination of savory and spicy. 

And the best part? This recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare, and the oven takes care of everything else.

5. Roasted Mexican Zucchini

Want a colorful and hearty side for taco Tuesday but also want to stay away from carbs? Roasted Mexican zucchini it is!

Just because this dish is all veggie and low-carb doesn’t mean it isn’t yummy. It’s brimming with savory, spicy, and smoky flavors!

In fact, it’s so tasty, I bet you won’t even miss having carbs on your plate. 

6. Black Beans and Rice

Black beans and rice is a staple in Mexican cuisine, and this recipe is a staple in mine. It’s simple and straightforward, yet packs a lot of flavor. 

It’s very easy to make, too! Just season your rice and black beans with salt, oregano, and cumin, and you’re all set. You can serve it on the side as is, or topped with guacamole. 

7. Guacamole

Okay, this one’s a no-brainer. Whether you use guacamole as a dip, filling, or a topping to your favorite Mexican dish, you’ll never go wrong. 

There are plenty of guacamole recipes online, so what makes this one a cut above the rest? 

What makes this recipe stand out is the perfectly measured ingredients, which give you the most flavorful, well-balanced guacamole there ever could be.

I’m not exaggerating!

8. Mexican Salsa

Here’s another Mexican staple: salsa. This recipe has a unique secret that makes it more flavorful than the rest.

While it is generally best to use fresh ingredients when cooking, salsa is an exception.

All other recipes will tell you to use only fresh tomatoes, but trust me, adding some canned ones in the mix will make it even better!

The combination of both fresh and canned tomatoes gives this salsa unbelievable flavor. I’m telling you, you’ll need to make a ton of this if you don’t want to run out.

9. Mexican Corn Pudding

Sure, cornbread is great, but Mexican corn pudding is even better. This recipe has all the flavors of the classic southern side but in souffle form.

It’s soft, fluffy, and melts in your mouth, and it’s perfect with grilled meats!

10. Cilantro Lime Rice

Aside from Mexican/Spanish rice, this cilantro lime rice is just as flavorful and hearty. It’s my go-to rice base for burrito bowls.

Flavored with garlic, jalapeno, red pepper flakes, lime juice, and cilantro, this side will surely knock your socks off.

And it’s so quick and easy, too. It’s just a matter of mixing all the herbs and seasonings with cooked rice.

For the perfect burrito bowl, top the cilantro lime rice with your favorite veggies, beans, guacamole, and salsa. So refreshingly good!

11. Black Beans

These black beans pair well with any Mexican dish and come together so quickly!

Seasoned with cayenne, cilantro, and salt, these black beans are both hearty and flavorful. They’re definitely a must-have for your next Mexican fiesta.

12. Refried Bean Dip

I have tried sooo many refried bean dip recipes in my life, and I’m happy to say that I’ve finally found the best one. 

This refried bean dip is perfectly creamy and spicy! Nothing tops the combination of beans, cheese, cream cheese, salsa, sour cream, chili powder, and cumin. 

Whether you use it as a tortilla chip dip, a taco topping, or a burrito filling, it will not disappoint.

13. Mexican Sweet Potatoes

If you’re looking for something incredibly hearty and satisfying, look no further. Mexican sweet potatoes are great for accompanying any Mexican entree!

In this recipe, the sweet potatoes are roasted to perfection and then loaded with a cashew-based cilantro sauce and a spicy black bean salsa.

The combined flavors are a lovely sweet and savory blend. 

14. Mexican Pozole

Mexican pozole is a soup bursting with hominy, red chiles, and pork. It’s such a festive dish that it’s normally served on Christmas eve!

This recipe takes that rich soup to a whole other level by adding cilantro, lime, avocado, cabbage, and radishes into the mix!

It’s not the easiest dish to prepare, though. I highly suggest that you whip up a large batch and enjoy it with family and friends.

15. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Who can say no to a hot and cozy chicken tortilla soup? It’s the quintessential Mexican comfort food!

This chicken tortilla soup is loaded with all the Mexican ingredients we love so much. It has corn, beans, and chicken swimming in a delectable tomato soup.

Topped with avocado, lime, cilantro, and tortilla strips, it’s the complete Mexican package! 

Serve this soup with quesadillas, Mexican slaw, or Mexican corn salad for a fantastic feast.

16. Mexican Potato Salad

Sure, the classic potato salad is a delightful side. But have you tried Mexican potato salad? If your answer is no, then you have to try this recipe.

This Mexican potato salad takes the good old classic and elevates it into an even more spectacular side.

The potatoes are loaded with corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and Frank’s Redhot Buffalo Wing Sauce, which makes it extraordinary!

Topped with cilantro and crushed corn chips, this salad definitely gets an A+ for flavor and texture contrasts. 

17. Mexican Corn Cakes

They’re wonderfully sweet, moist, and go well with anything Mexican.

To say that these Mexican corn cakes are bursting with corn flavor is an understatement.

This recipe makes use of not just one, but three corn elements: corn kernels, corn flour (or masa harina), and cornmeal. Three times the flavor, three times the fun!

18. Mexican Street Corn Salad

This side takes all the lovely elements in the popular street food, elote, and turns it into a hearty and tasty salad.

This Mexican street corn salad is complete with black beans, fresh corn kernels, cotija cheese, jalapenos, and cilantro.

The dressing is a mixture of mayonnaise, olive oil, chipotle chili powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper. It’s the perfect side to any Mexican dish!

19. Tomato Avocado Salad

This tomato avocado salad is an excellent addition to any Mexican meal. Its vibrant colors will make your dinner table look like a fiesta!

With its combination of tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and cilantro, this salad is like a crossover between a salsa and guacamole.

Dressed with a lime juice and olive oil vinaigrette, this salad is tasty and refreshing. 

20. Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapeno poppers are always welcome in my belly – no matter if they’re served as an appetizer, a snack, or a side dish.

Stuffed with 2 kinds of cheese, these poppers have the perfect balance of rich and spicy.

You’ll also love how they’re not greasy at all! Unlike most poppers, these ones are baked, not deep-fried. 

From their crunchy exterior to their hot and creamy interior, they’re an absolute delight. 

21. Mexican Cauliflower Rice

This healthier version of the classic Mexican dish may not have the same texture as rice, but it’s actually pretty good! 

Cauliflower rice is the perfect solution to low-carb dieters who’d like to take part in a Mexican feast.

Plus, with all the spices and flavors infused in this faux rice dish, I bet you won’t even be able to tell the difference.

22. Homemade Tortillas

When your feast features saucy things like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream, you’ll definitely want an extra plate of tortillas on the side.

These homemade flour tortillas are slightly crisp on the outside, and super soft and tender on the inside. 

They’re the perfect vessels for scooping filling and sopping up sauces!

I’m not gonna lie, this recipe is a tad complex. But I also vouch that the tortillas are worth the trouble.

23. Nachos

These nachos are overflowing with ground beef, black beans, corn, jalapenos, cheese – the works!

Think of a nacho topping, and I’m sure these nachos have it. To say they’re mouthwatering is an understatement.

And because nachos are very versatile, you’re free to add whatever other topping your taste buds suggest.

These nachos are an ideal side dish, but because they’re so hearty, you can also serve them as an entree.

24. Mango Salsa

If you’re not new to my page, you know how obsessed I am with mangoes. 

So while salsa typically only contains tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, I also like to throw in some mangoes in there.

Not only do the mangoes add sweetness (or tartness, depending on how ripe they are) to the salsa, they also give it such a fun pop of color.

I mean, look at that red and yellow contrast! Gorgeous, isn’t it? 

25. Nacho Dip

This nacho dip has all the wonderful toppings you love in nachos combined in a bowl. 

Ground beef, tomatoes, jalapenos, olives, sour cream, cheese – this dip has all the goods. 

Naturally, this dip is best served with a bowl of nacho chips on the side. But, I also won’t object if you’d rather just enjoy it with a spoon