Look no further if you’re looking for creative ideas about what to serve alongside taco soup. We’ve rounded up some of the tastiest options to make taco soup a complete meal.
In a hurry? Here’s the short answer: try Mexican cornbread, nachos, chips, and salsa. You could go with chile relleno casserole or fajitas for something with more heft.
If you’re looking for a vegan option, tacos and burritos are always great.
Ready? Keep reading to learn more!
Guacamole & Nachos
A bowl of guacamole with freshly made nachos is always welcome for Mexican cuisine. Start by heating tortilla chips on the stove in oil until they become golden brown and crispy.
Once your chips are ready, prepare your guacamole by mixing mashed avocados with chopped onions, garlic, jalapenos, tomato sauce, and coriander. Lay out your nachos on a plate or board and spoon generous amounts of guacamole for an enjoyable snack or starter to any Mexican meal.
You can also add cheese and sour cream if desired!
Mexican Cornbread
This classic side dish is easy to make at home and pairs perfectly with taco soup for a complete meal. Start by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C), then gather all your ingredients: self-raising flour, yellow cornmeal, bacon grease or butter, sugar, eggs, and buttermilk, as well as chili flakes depending on how spicy you’d like it to be.
Mix these ingredients in a large bowl until well combined before pouring into a greased baking dish – adding additional toppings like jalapenos or cheddar cheese if desired – and baking in the oven for 25 minutes until the top turns golden brown. Serve warm with melted butter!
Tacos & Burritos
Taco soup often holds its own as the main course, but if you’re serving it alongside tacos or burritos, you won’t be disappointed either!
Start by warming up store-bought tortillas in the oven for 10 minutes before layering them with beef mince (or other ground meat), lettuce leaves/shredded cabbage mix, shredded cheese peppers/onions, plus whatever different fillings such as cooked beansprouts or refried black beans that you fancy.
Fold up one side of each tortilla so ingredients stay locked inside before wrapping closure – securing it with a toothpick if necessary.
Place on the prepared baking tray liner and sit under the heated grill for around seven minutes per side until golden brown crispness is achieved throughout the entire tortilla exterior surface area, giving a perfect crunch effect whenever the bite is taken into taco/burrito later down the line after serving onto plate accompanied by hot savory, rich soup classic!
What To Serve With Taco Soup?
If you’re having taco soup for dinner, you may wonder what to serve with it. Here’s a list of 5 side dishes that work perfectly with taco soup.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best sides to serve with taco soup are fresh cornbread, green salads made with kale or spinach, and roasted veggies like zucchini or bell peppers. Refried beans, Mexican rice, and avocado toast are also great options.
Ready? Let’s jump right in!
Cornbread
Is there anything better than freshly baked cornbread? It makes an excellent accompaniment to any Mexican-style dish – especially taco soup!
Cornbread is incredibly easy to make from home, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll never need a box mix again. Cornbread does take some time. However, plan accordingly if you want it for dinner.
This honey butter cornbread recipe is an incredibly delicious way to experience this classic side dish.
Kale or Spinach Salad
Sometimes, we also need some crispiness on our plates to appreciate warmth and comfort. In that case, try serving your taco soup up with a simple yet vibrant salad made with greens like kale or spinach!
Add lots of colorful vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and shrimp if desired – make sure they don’t overwhelm your soup since both components should be enjoyed on their own merits and together.
To dress the salad, nothing complements Mexican foods better than lime juice or fresh salsa – both will give your meal an extra flavor!
Roasted Veggies
Roasted vegetables are ideal when paired with southwest-inspired soups like tacos because they add even more flavor without removing the star ingredient: the tacos themselves!
Roast items such as zucchinis, mushrooms, and bell peppers alongside your tacos for added crunchy texture and sweet flavor will have people returning for seconds every time you make them together.
Refried Beans
Refried beans have been around for centuries and are essential to traditional southwestern cuisine.
They pair unbelievably well next to tacos since the two ingredients share so many passionate spices and complex flavors between them – plus, refried beans contain protein which will help fill up everyone who eats them no matter how small their portion size has been! A win-win all around!
Mexican Rice
This delicious side dish is essentially cooked white rice flavored heavily with garlic powder; cilantro; jalapeno; lime juice (and sometimes diced tomatoes or onions).
Mexican rice can be served steaming hot next to tacos to enjoy them warm while adding additional nutrition thanks to its healthy whole grain base – perfect if anyone at your table needs vegan/gluten-free options too!
Lastly, if people aren’t a fan of spicy food, reduce the amount of jalapeno used – it’ll still taste delicious without being overly fiery!
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast doesn’t traditionally go hand in hand with tacos. Still, upon tasting this combo, I guarantee it’s one that you won’t forget anytime soon – not just for its unique combination but also its lush flavor profile (think creamy avocados offset by zesty toppings which complement each other exceptionally well).
To achieve restaurant-quality avocado on toast at home, use only ripe avocados before mashing them lightly and spreading them on top-quality toast slices before piling them high!