If you plan to make tamales as part of your meal, you need to know what side dishes will pair well with them. In this article, I provide 5 ideas for the best side dishes you can serve with tamales.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dish for tamales is Mexican-style beans, tortilla chips, guacamole, or grilled vegetables. Try Mexican corn pudding or red quinoa salad for heartier sides — both are flavourful and versatile choices!
Ready? Let’s get cooking!
Mexican-style Bean Salad
Beans are a traditional accompaniment to Mexican food, including tamales. This easy-to-make bean salad is a great way to add flavor and texture to the meal. Plus, it’s healthy too!
For this recipe, choose your favorite kind of beans (black beans and pinto beans work well). Then mix them with chopped bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes for a delicious mix of crunchy veggies alongside the smooth texture of the beans.
Finally, dress it with olive oil and lime juice — seasonings like chili powder or garlic powder work great, too, if you’d like extra spice!
Tortilla Chips & Guacamole
This classic combo is always a crowd-pleaser when served alongside tamales. Buy pre-made tortilla chips (or go homemade!) and whip up some guacamole — no compromising on taste here!
Try subbing sweet potato chips instead of regular ones for an even healthier twist on this timeless combination.
Grilled Vegetables
Tamales are filling enough, so avoid feeling overly full by serving some colorful grilled veggies on the side! You can prepare them in advance, too – cut your favorite veggies into chunks on Sunday night, then marinate them overnight in olive oil, salt, and whatever other spices you prefer (teriyaki would be delicious!).
Finally, throw them onto the grill when ready – they’re perfect for that smoky flavor that pairs wonderfully with most types of smoked meats or sauces in Spanish dishes like tamale pie.
Mexican Corn Pudding
Who knew corn could taste so good? Try this tasty farm-fresh recipe next time: mix cubed cream cheese with frozen corn kernels before baking until golden brown!
This vegan side dish is incredibly cheesy yet light enough not to overshadow your main course — excellent for pairing with something hearty like a tamale casserole or spicy enchiladas con mole rojo y queso.
Red Quinoa Salad
Healthy meets delicious: red quinoa offers lots of essential minerals & vitamins while adding tons of variety to any plate; plus, it works incredibly well in salads thanks to its firm texture, which means it stands up firmly against dressing & won’t get mushy over time between refrigerator storage & reheating on the stovetop for dinners later in the week.
Mix diced fruits like mangoes & avocados, roasted sweet potatoes & onions, and plenty of greens (kale works wonderfully in this case) before drizzling it all with olive oil + lemon juice + lemon juice + herbs & spices such as cilantro + chili powder + oregano.
Once chilled separately, they all come alive together surprisingly well next to hot dishes like tamale pie or rellenos de papas con crema y queso together… Yummmmmm!!!
Mexican Style Rice & Beans
Nothing pairs better with a tender tamale than creamy Mexican-style rice and beans! This dish is all about bold flavors: cilantro, lime juice, chopped onion, garlic cloves, and plenty of spices like cumin powder or chili powder give it its signature taste.
Serve up some refried beans on the side for something hearty and satisfying.
Spicy Jalapeño Slaw
Give your palate something to rejoice in by making a fresh and flavorful slaw to accompany tamales. Core ingredients include jalapeños (for that level of heat!), shredded cabbage (which helps cut through richness), diced tomatoes (for sweetness), and a light dressing made from mayo or sour cream).
Make it extra special by throwing in fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley!
Enchiladas Verdes
Adding enchiladas verdes to your meal ensures that everyone enjoys classic Mexican flavors while they savor their tamale!
These mouthwatering enchiladas are served with green chilies in a creamy sauce – perfect when combined with fluffy corn tortillas pre-stuffed with a tasty combination of cheese and chili peppers.
Guacamole & Chips
You can’t go wrong pairing corn chips with guacamole and your tamales! Opt for homemade guacamole instead of store-bought if you have time – it tastes better since all the ingredients are fresher!
Salt your guac to enhance its natural flavor before serving it alongside the chips.
Chips & Salsa
For those who enjoy spicy food, serve crunchy, salty corn chips and homemade salsa! Add some onions, garlic, fresh tomato chunks, vinegar, or lime juice to balance things out – then enjoy!
You can use whatever type of pepper you like – pasilla chiles or jalapeños – to make salsa at home quickly in just a few minutes. A