Cheap and Easy Side for a Mexican Meal
Need some sides for your Mexican fiesta? Don't fret! We have all the sides you need to complete your meal – appetizers, soups, salads, dips, salsas – you name it!
For more collections: Mexican Dinner Ideas, Mexican Desserts, Mexican Soups, Mexican Beef Recipes, Mexican Appetizers
Our Favorite Mexican Sides
Whether you're making a weeknight dinner for your family or hosting a Mexican themed fiesta with friends, you can find the perfect side dishes to go along with the rest of your meal.
We have so many favorites on the site and have rounded up the best ones to go with your meal.
What are the most popular Mexican sides? Creating a Mexican feast is a salivating prospect. From the appetizer to dessert there are so many delicious recipes to choose from. Side dishes are not to be overlooked. Some of our most well loved side dishes include:
- Spanish Rice: this is definitely one of my most popular recipes on the entire Lil' Luna Site. It is easy to make, flavorful and can be served with just about any Mexican meal.
- Since corn is a Mexican food staple you'll often see it in side dishes like sweet corn elote, Mexican coleslaw, low-carb calabacitas and this Mexican Street Corn
- Frijoles (beans) are another favorite side such as Refried beans, black beans and Pinto Beans.
- Mexican Cornbread and Flour Tortillas are great to use. And useful in case the dish has some heat!
serving tips
Many Mexican Dishes are warm and it can be tricky to figure out how to keep all your different dishes warm while prepping the food and throughout the evening.
- A cooler is not just for keeping food cold. Its insulation will help retain heat.
- Use the grill. A gas grill, with a thermometer, will work to keep foods warm. Keep the internal temp around 200°F.
- Keep dishes like rice, beans, or dips in a crock pot set to low or warm.
- Use an insulated food carrier to transport to another location.
- Chafing Dishes are great for sides and main dishes.
Some classic main dishes to serve with these amazing Mexican side dishes include:
- Red Cheese Enchiladas
- Carne Asada
- Sweet Pork Barbacoa
- Bean Chimichangas
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Carnitas Tacos
- Beef Empanadas
- Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken
Once you've chosen your main dishes, it will be easier to pick the perfect sides!
Planning a party?
If you are planning a party, I've gathered some helpful tips:
- Sometimes side dishes can also be used as appetizers or even a main dish when making a simple meal. If you're creating a large menu be sure that the courses don't overlap.
- Use seasonal ingredients if you can. They're often fresh and cost effective.
- Find side dishes that can be prepped and/or made ahead of time.
- Be sure to test out new recipes before serving so you can work out any kinks.
- For 6 or fewer guests have 3-4 different sides, then add one more side for every 5 guests.
Our Go-To Mexican Sides
A good side can really make the meal. We have so many favorites, but these are the ones we use most often when we are serving Mexican food.
Sour Cream Rice – Mexican Sour Cream Rice filled with cheese, corn, green chiles, sour cream and cilantro. This delicious side dish is simple and great with any meal!
Easy Refried Beans – Get perfectly creamy restaurant style refried beans by adding just THREE extra ingredients to your canned beans! These refried beans are perfect served as a dip, side, or filling for burritos and tacos!
Mexican Cornbread РThis Mexican Cornbread (AKA jalape̱o cornbread) is light and fluffy and is filled with cheddar cheese and jalape̱o. It has a bit of a nip and a lot of flavor.
Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe – Restaurant-Style Spanish Rice (aka Mexican Rice), that is easy to make and tastes like it came straight from the restaurant, and is the best side dish to any Mexican entree.
Mexican Street Corn – Delicious Mexican Street Corn – a copycat version from Torchy's Tacos filled with butter, cheese, chili powder and cilantro.
What's a Mexican meal without tortilla chips and dip?!
We always have them (and our favorite are Juanita's – if you haven't try them, you must!) Along with the chips we love to serve some dips and salsas. We have a post with ALL our Mexican appetizers, but if we only had to pick a few to complete the meal, here are our favorites…
Avocado Lime Ranch Dip – It only takes a small handful of ingredients and a few minutes to whip up some creamy and delicious Avocado Lime Ranch Dip! Filled with cilantro, lime juice, and avocado, this ranch dip is perfect for dipping chips or topping Mexican dishes!
Cream Cheese Bean Dip – With sour cream, cream cheese, Mexican cheese, refried beans, and salsa, Cream Cheese Bean Dip is perfect to eat with chips, tacos, or any Mexican dish!
Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing РCopycat recipe for Caf̩ Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing is fresh and creamy with a hint of spice. We LOVE this stuff!
Simple Guacamole – Spicy, chunky simple guacamole is so easy and addicting, it's sure to be a crowd pleaser! You won't be able to stop eating it.
Chili Cheese Dip – Just four ingredients make for the BEST and yummiest chili cheese dip! Melty cheese and hearty chili are so tasty together! It's the perfect appetizer for any party.
7 Layer Bean Dip – This 7 Layer Bean Dip recipe is a must-have at every function! It has loads of flavor and all your favorite dip ingredients including avocados, olives, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole and more!
Jalapeno Popper Dip РJalape̱o Popper Dip is packed with 4 kinds of cheese, just enough spicy Jalape̱os to give it a kick, and a golden crispy topping. This dip is sure to be a hit at your next party!
Tamale Dip – Tamale Pie Dip – this cheesy dip is going to be a new favorite at any gathering! Filled with shredded chicken, creamed corn, cream cheese, Mexican cheese, and sour cream!
Queso Blanco – This delicious queso blanco is made in no time, and will be the perfect addition at your next get together, especially served with tortilla chips and veggies.
Taco Dip Recipe – Loaded with all of your favorite taco toppings, this creamy taco flavored dip is perfect for dipping with tortilla chips.
Easy Mexican Side Dishes
It's always good when the side dish is not only tasty, but easy!! These simple sides whip up in no time and are the perfect compliment to your favorite Mexican dishes.
Cilantro Lime Rice – This recipe tastes just like Cafe Rio and Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice! If you've ever been to either of these restaurants, you know how delicious cilantro rice is inside a salad, burrito, or taco. Now you can make this delicious lime rice from home!
Homemade Flour Tortillas – Homemade Flour Tortillas made from 5 Ingredients. They're so soft, easy to make, and can be used for burritos, tacos, quesadillas, however you like!!
Loaded Nachos – Piled high Loaded Nachos are the perfect game day food and appetizer. They're easy to make and customize with your favorite nacho toppings!
Southwest Egg Rolls – These delicious Southwest Egg Rolls are fried to perfection and are filled with chicken, corn, peppers, beans, spices and more! Serve them with salsa, sour cream or guac and they are sure to be a favorite party appetizer.
Esquites – Esquites is a tasty corn salad topped with chili and cotija cheese. It's incredibly delicious and easy to whip up!
Healthy Mexican Side dishes
We love any dish full of Mexican spices. Some of our favorites are soups and salads. We have a whole post dedicated to Mexican Soups, but when we we are looking to add one of these to the menu, we have a few that we love most. Here they are:
Southwest Quinoa Salad – Southwest Quinoa Salad is bursting with freshness. It's got a ton of texture going on and a whole lot of flavor!
Mexican Soup – Filling and Flavorful Mexican soup is packed with chicken, beans, and veggies with just a little bit of heat!!
Southwest Salad – Simple and delicious Southwestern Chopped Salad filled with chicken, peppers, beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and topped with a homemade cilantro ranch dressing.
Chicken Taco Salad – Crunchy and fresh chicken taco salad is a weeknight dinner dream! Easy, flavorful, and a recipe that everyone will enjoy.
Albondigas Soup – Albondigas soup is a delicious Mexican recipe filled with meatballs, vegetables and spices! Packed full of flavor, this simple Albondigas soup is sure to become a favorite.
Green Chili Chicken Soup – Perfectly spiced Green Chili Chicken Soup is like an enchilada in soup form! It's hearty, delicious, and is always a crowd pleaser.
Sopa De Fideo – This quick, simple and delicious Sopa (soup) de fideo is a family favorite. It's also cheesy and flavorful! Just 5 Ingredients and you'll have dinner in no time.
Taco Pasta Salad – Delicious Taco Pasta Salad filled with beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and more!!
Caldo De Pollo – Hearty and delicious caldo de pollo is a homey chicken soup filled with Mexican spices and flavors. It is warm, comforting, and SO yummy!!
Chicken Tortilla Soup – The BEST slow cooker chicken tortilla soup is filled with chunks of chicken, beans & corn. It is easy to make and full of flavor!
Can't forget the best part – the salsa!! These are some of our go-to's for any fiesta we have.
Homemade Salsa – This is such an EASY homemade salsa recipe! All you have to do is throw all the ingredients into your blender, and blend!
Mango Salsa – This sweet and savory Mango Salsa is perfect with chips or any Mexican meal. It's filled with sweet pineapple, cilantro, mangoes, onion, cilantro and jalapenos making it full of flavor and simple to make.
Black Bean And Corn Salsa – This Black Bean and Corn Salsa is one of our favorite dips and appetizers. It's great with any Mexican dish or served with tortilla chips!!
Tomatillo Salsa – Easy tomatillo salsa is spicy and delicious! It's great with tortilla chips or as a sauce on top of your favorite Mexican dishes!
Strawberry Salsa – You can't go a summer without eating this sweet and spicy strawberry salsa! The flavors are so unique. Grab some cinnamon and sugar chips or your favorite tortilla chips and dig in!
Pineapple Salsa – Sweet and spicy pineapple salsa that you won't be able to stop snacking on. Eat it with your favorite tortilla chips and share with friends and family!
Salsa Verde – Sweet Salsa Verde – a delicious salsa recipe that is sweet and takes just minutes to make. Ingredients include tomatillos, jalapenos, sugar, & cilantro.
Corn Salsa – Savory corn salsa has a little kick of spice! There are so many yummy uses for this delicious and simple salsa.
Chili's Salsa – The restaurant salsa you know and love, made at home anytime you like! This Chili's Salsa copycat recipe is literally made in minutes with the help of a blender.
Peach Salsa – Fresh peach salsa is delicious with chips, on top of fish or pork, or spooned over tacos! You'll love the flavor combinations in this recipe!
The complete list
Here are the picture cards for all of the fantastic Mexican Side Dishes listed above.
Side dishes are usually simple, and we think you'll find these side recipes just that – easy and delicious for your next Mexican dinner! Let us know which recipes are your favorites!
Bread Mexican Cornbread Recipe
This Mexican Cornbread (AKA jalapeño cornbread) is light and fluffy and is filled with cheddar cheese and jalapeño. It has a bit of a nip and a lot of flavor.
Total Time: 50 minutes
Check out this recipe
Side Dish Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Delicious Mexican Street Corn – a copycat version from Torchy's Tacos filled with butter, cheese, chili powder and cilantro.
Total Time: 13 minutes
Check out this recipe
Side Dish Sour Cream Rice Recipe
Mexican Sour Cream Rice filled with cheese, corn, green chiles, sour cream and cilantro. This delicious side dish is simple and great with any meal!
Total Time: 55 minutes
Check out this recipe
Side Dish Spanish Rice Recipe
Restaurant-Style Spanish Rice (aka Mexican Rice), that is easy to make and tastes like it came straight from the restaurant, and is the best side dish to any Mexican entree.
Total Time: 45 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Refried Beans Recipe
Get perfectly creamy restaurant style refried beans by adding just THREE extra ingredients to your canned beans! These refried beans are perfect served as a dip, side, or filling for burritos and tacos!
Total Time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Side Dish Flour Tortilla Recipe
Homemade Flour Tortillas made from 5 Ingredients. They're so soft, easy to make, and can be used for burritos, tacos, quesadillas, however you like!!
Total Time: 31 minutes
Check out this recipe
Side Dish Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
This recipe tastes just like Cafe Rio and Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice! If you've ever been to either of these restaurants, you know how delicious cilantro rice is inside a salad, burrito, or taco. Now you can make this delicious lime rice from home!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Loaded Nachos Recipe
Piled high Loaded Nachos are the perfect game day food and appetizer. They're easy to make and customize with your favorite nacho toppings!
Total Time: 27 minutes
Check out this recipe
Side Dish Esquites Recipe
Esquites is a tasty corn salad topped with chili and cotija cheese. It's incredibly delicious and easy to whip up!
Total Time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Southwest Egg Roll Recipe
These delicious Southwest Egg Rolls are fried to perfection and are filled with chicken, corn, peppers, beans, spices and more! Serve them with salsa, sour cream or guac and they are sure to be a favorite party appetizer.
Total Time: 40 minutes
Check out this recipe
Salad Southwest Salad Recipe
Simple and delicious Southwestern Chopped Salad filled with chicken, peppers, beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and topped with a homemade cilantro ranch dressing.
Total Time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe
Salad Southwest Quinoa Salad Recipe
Southwest Quinoa Salad is bursting with freshness. It's got a ton of texture going on and a whole lot of flavor!
Total Time: 35 minutes
Check out this recipe
Salad Chicken Taco Salad Recipe
Crunchy and fresh chicken taco salad is a weeknight dinner dream! Easy, flavorful, and a recipe that everyone will enjoy.
Total Time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe
Soup Mexican Soup Recipe
Filling and Flavorful Mexican soup is packed with chicken, beans, and veggies with just a little bit of heat!!
Total Time: 50 minutes
Check out this recipe
Soup Albondigas Soup Recipe
Albondigas soup is a delicious Mexican recipe filled with meatballs, vegetables and spices! Packed full of flavor, this simple Albondigas soup is sure to become a favorite.
Total Time: 50 minutes
Check out this recipe
Main Course, Soup Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
The BEST slow cooker chicken tortilla soup is filled with chunks of chicken, beans & corn. It is easy to make and full of flavor!
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Check out this recipe
Soup Sopa de Fideo Recipe
This quick, simple and delicious Sopa (soup) de fideo is a family favorite. It's also cheesy and flavorful! Just 5 Ingredients and you'll have dinner in no time.
Check out this recipe
Main Course, Soup Green Chili Chicken Soup Recipe
Perfectly spiced Green Chili Chicken Soup is like an enchilada in soup form! It's hearty, delicious, and is always a crowd pleaser.
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
Check out this recipe
Soup Caldo de Pollo Recipe
Hearty and delicious caldo de pollo is a homey chicken soup filled with Mexican spices and flavors. It is warm, comforting, and SO yummy!!
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Salad Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
Delicious Taco Pasta Salad filled with beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and more!!
Total Time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Chili Cheese Dip Recipe
Just four ingredients make for the BEST and yummiest chili cheese dip! Melty cheese and hearty chili are so tasty together! It's the perfect appetizer for any party.
Total Time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Avocado Lime Ranch Dip Recipe
It only takes a small handful of ingredients and a few minutes to whip up some creamy and delicious Avocado Lime Ranch Dip! Filled with cilantro, lime juice, and avocado, this ranch dip is perfect for dipping chips or topping Mexican dishes!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Guacamole Recipe
Spicy, chunky simple guacamole is so easy and addicting, it's sure to be a crowd pleaser! You won't be able to stop eating it.
Total Time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Dressing Cafe Rio Dressing Recipe
Copycat recipe for Café Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing is fresh and creamy with a hint of spice. We LOVE this stuff!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Cream Cheese Bean Dip Recipe
With sour cream, cream cheese, Mexican cheese, refried beans, and salsa, Cream Cheese Bean Dip is perfect to eat with chips, tacos, or any Mexican dish!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe
Jalapeño Popper Dip is packed with 4 kinds of cheese, just enough spicy Jalapeños to give it a kick, and a golden crispy topping. This dip is sure to be a hit at your next party!
Total Time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Queso Blanco Recipe
This delicious queso blanco is made in no time, and will be the perfect addition at your next get together, especially served with tortilla chips and veggies.
Total Time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Tamale Dip Recipe
Tamale Pie Dip – this cheesy dip is going to be a new favorite at any gathering! Filled with shredded chicken, creamed corn, cream cheese, Mexican cheese, and sour cream!
Total Time: 50 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Taco Dip Recipe
Loaded with all of your favorite taco toppings, this creamy taco flavored dip is perfect for dipping with tortilla chips.
Total Time: 5 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer 7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe
This 7 Layer Bean Dip recipe is a must-have at every function! It has loads of flavor and all your favorite dip ingredients including avocados, olives, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole and more!
Total Time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Black Bean and Corn Salsa Recipe
This Black Bean and Corn Salsa is one of our favorite dips and appetizers. It's great with any Mexican dish or served with tortilla chips!!
Total Time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Tomatillo Salsa Recipe
Easy tomatillo salsa is spicy and delicious! It's great with tortilla chips or as a sauce on top of your favorite Mexican dishes!
Total Time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Homemade Salsa Recipe
This is such an EASY homemade salsa recipe! All you have to do is throw all the ingredients into your blender, and blend!
Total Time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Strawberry Salsa Recipe
You can't go a summer without eating this sweet and spicy strawberry salsa! The flavors are so unique. Grab some cinnamon and sugar chips or your favorite tortilla chips and dig in!
Total Time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Mango Salsa Recipe
This sweet and savory Mango Salsa is perfect with chips or any Mexican meal. It's filled with sweet pineapple, cilantro, mangoes, onion, cilantro and jalapenos making it full of flavor and simple to make.
Total Time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Salsa Verde Recipe
Sweet Salsa Verde – a delicious salsa recipe that is sweet and takes just minutes to make. Ingredients include tomatillos, jalapenos, sugar, & cilantro.
Total Time: 6 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Chili's Salsa Recipe
The restaurant salsa you know and love, made at home anytime you like! This Chili's Salsa copycat recipe is literally made in minutes with the help of a blender.
Total Time: 3 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Peach Salsa Recipe
Fresh peach salsa is delicious with chips, on top of fish or pork, or spooned over tacos! You'll love the flavor combinations in this recipe!
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Corn Salsa Recipe
Savory corn salsa has a little kick of spice! There are so many yummy uses for this delicious and simple salsa.
Check out this recipe
Appetizer Pineapple Salsa Recipe
Sweet and spicy pineapple salsa that you won't be able to stop snacking on. Eat it with your favorite tortilla chips and share with friends and family!
Check out this recipe
So many great Mexican side dishes!
More Collections: Mexican Dinner Ideas, Mexican Chicken Recipes, Mexican Desserts, Mexican Christmas Food
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About Kristyn
My name is Kristyn and I'm the mom of SIX stinkin' cute kids and the wife to my smokin' hot hubby, Lo. My mom's maiden name is Luna, and I'm one of the many crafty "Lil' Lunas" in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!
Source: https://lilluna.com/mexican-side-dishes/
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