Tacos can make for a great lunch or busy weeknight meal. And choosing the right taco side dish can make all the difference. Here are 20+ delicious ideas for what to serve with tacos that will take your meal to the next level.
We love tacos in my family because they’re so versatile. From traditional beef tacos, to ones made with chicken, fish, or other seafood like Shrimp tacos, there’s a kind that will please most any palate.
I also like to use the Instant Pot for a lot of taco dishes as it cuts down cooking time. Some favorites include Instant Pot Mexican shredded beef, Instant Pot pulled pork, and Instant Pot Salsa Chicken.
But it can sometimes be challenging to find the right dish to serve alongside tacos, especially ones you don’t want to spend too much making.
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🌟 About these recipes
That’s why I compiled a list of more than 20 easy taco side dishes. From crunchy to creamy and salsas to slaws, there’s something for everyone. And most take just a few minutes to put together. Examples include:
- mango pico de gallo
- restaurant style salsa
- cucumber tomato salad
- air fryer corn ribs
- grilled asparagus in foil
- corn with basil lime butter
🍽 Serving ideas
What makes these dishes so fun are that you can serve them in so many different ways. Use a hollowed-out pineapple for Pineapple Mango Salsa. Or serve Filipino Macaroni Salad with pork belly tacos to really accentuate the sweet, rich flavors.
And for backyard get-togethers with friends, add some refreshing cocktails like Cantaloupe Margaritas or Tequila Mojitos.
👩🏻🍳 FAQs
Corn, bell peppers, black beans, and slaws all go great with tacos. The sweetness of the corn and bell peppers can cut through richer meat tacos made with pulled pork and beef, while beans will complement them. And tangy slaws add some nice acidity to seafood tacos. Jalano and habanero peppers are also great ways to add flavor and heat. If you want the flavor without the heat, try poblano peppers. If you don’t use them often, you can freeze poblano peppers and dice them up as needed for side dishes.
You can store leftover taco meat in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you need to save it for longer periods, it will keep for up to four months in the freezer. Before storing, allow the meat to cool completely, then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag to help prevent freezer burn.
What to Serve With Tacos
Tacos are incredibly versatile, so they can go great with a wide variety of dishes. Here are some delicious side dish recipes for your next taco night.
Served alongside your tacos or inside them, Instant Pot Garlic rice is flavorful and aromatic. And perfect for tacos of any kind.
The colorful veggies and fruits in this Summer Slaw with Corn, Peaches, and Tomatoes are the ideal refreshing complement to meat or fish tacos.
Salsa lovers unite! This Pico de Gallo recipe is packed with fresh tasty ingredients and done in just 5 minutes! Great for dipping with chips or as a topping for your tacos.
Both sweet and savory, crisp Mango Pico de Gallo will transport you to the tropics and have you longing for sunny weather. Great for tacos as well as seafood and chicken.
Fresh and fruity, Pineapple Mango Salsa will add some tropical tanginess to your tacos. Make a statement by serving it in a hollowed-out pineapple.
This rich, mild Restaurant-Style Salsa is packed flavor and ideal for salsa lovers who don't like foods that are too spicy. Delicious with tacos, nachos, chips, and more!
If you like a creamy queso but without the dairy, this Dairy-Free Queso Dip is for you. Packed with bacon and peppers and ready in under 30 minutes.
So fresh and bright, this Asian Carrot Cucumber Salad is satisfyingly crunchy and refreshing. Just the side taco dish for a backyard summer get-together.
Filipino Macaroni Salad is crunchy and slightly sweet. The ideal side for dishes with richer meats like pork belly tacos.
Fresh, colorful, and bright, Simple Fruit Salad pairs perfectly with lighter dishes like fish or shrimp tacos.
Serve some healthy, crunchy vegetables alongside tacos with these Instant Pot Green Beans. A simple, tasty dish made with garlic and olive oil.
Using just 4 ingredients, Cucumber Tomato Salad is flavorful and vibrant. And the addition of fresh dill gives it a nice tasty, herbiness.
These Air Fryer Corn Ribs are finished with a creamy drizzle of mayonnaise for some extra tanginess. A delicious veggie side dish for any type of taco.
Fresh and crunchy, air fryer broccoli is done in just minutes. Squeeze some lemon over them for a bit of citrus flavor and serve with seafood tacos.
Level up your fruit side dish with Air Fryer Pineapple. Bursting with fresh, tropical flavor, they'll pair well with shrimp tacos and pork tacos.
What's better than asparagus? Grilled asparagus! Seasoned with garlic and grilled with butter, these grilled asparagus spears will elevate your next taco night.
Made with garlic, lemon, olive oil, and red pepper flakes, this Marinated Feta Cheese will add some flavor and kick to your tacos.
Colorful Creamy Confetti Corn is fresh, crunchy, and topped with bacon. Need we say more?
Silky and citrusy, Corn with Basil Lime Butter is ideal for backyard BBQs and parties. Plus, it pairs seamlessly with most any kind of taco.
Try some Mediterranean flavors with your tacos with Creamy Avocado Pesto. Works great as a taco topping or even as a dip for tortilla chips.
Sort of like a deconstructed taco, this Taco Dip with Ground Beef is great for dipping chips into. And add it to taco shells for a quick and tasty appetizer!
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make these recipes? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you’ll need:
Instant Pot
Some of the recipes call for an Instant Pot, but you can use a Ninja Foodi or other electric pressure cooker if you prefer.
Air Fryer
Any standard-size air fryer will work for the air fryer recipes. I use a Ninja Foodi 10-quart Dual Zone Air Fryer, which I LOVE because it’s so easy to clean and it air fries quickly. Any 6-quart or 8-quart basket-style air fryer or tray-style air fryer will work, too.
Other kitchen tools
I also use a variety of smaller tools to help with a lot of these recipes. They include:
- Spoon or spatula – wooden spoon or heatproof silicone spatula to stir ingredients together.
- Cutting board and sharp knife – A sturdy cutting board and a sharp kitchen knife are essential as many of the recipes call for chopped veggies and fruits.
- Tongs – I use stainless steel tongs to flip most foods in the air fryer. They’re heatproof and sturdy.
More Mexican-inspired recipes
Did you make any of these recipes? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating and comment below letting us know which one you made and how it turned out. Thank you!
