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Need some sides for your Mexican fiesta? Don’t fret! We have all the Mexica Side Dishes you need to complete your meal – appetizers, soups, salads, dips, salsas – you name it!

For more collections: Mexican Dinner Ideas, Mexican Desserts, Mexican Appetizers

Mexican side dishes collage.


Our Favorite Mexican Sides

Whether you’re making a weeknight dinner for your family or hosting a Mexican-themed fiesta with friends, 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 Mexican Side Dish recipes 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!
Queso dip in a white bowl with tomatoes and cilantro on top.

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.
  • Oven. 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:

Once you’ve chosen your main dishes, it will be easier to pick the perfect sides!

Dipping a chip into chili cheese dip.

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 8 or fewer guests have 3-4 different sides, then add one more side for every 8 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!

1 Sour Cream Rice Recipe

Side Dish Sour Cream Rice Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes
5 from 14 votes
Get the recipe

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!

2 Canned Refried Beans Recipe

Appetizer Canned Refried Beans Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 29 votes
Get the recipe

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.

3 Spanish Rice Recipe

Side Dish Spanish Rice Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
4.99 from 3615 votes
Get the recipe

Mexican Cornbread

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.

4 Mexican Cornbread Recipe

Bread Mexican Cornbread Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
4.89 from 62 votes
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Mexican Street Corn

Delicious mexican street corn – a copycat version from Torchy’s Tacos filled with butter, cheese, chili powder and cilantro. 

5 Mexican Street Corn Recipe

Side Dish Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Total Time: 13 minutes
5 from 74 votes
Get the recipe

Chips & Dip

What’s a Mexican meal without tortilla chips and dip?!

We always have them (and our favorite is Juanita’s – if you haven’t tried 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!

6 Avocado Lime Ranch Dip Recipe

Appetizer Avocado Lime Ranch Dip Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
4.92 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

Bean Dip

This easy cheesy bean dip is ready to enjoy in only 30 minutes. It’s a favorite to eat with chips, tacos, or any Mexican dish!

7 Bean Dip

Appetizer Bean Dip
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.99 from 293 votes
Get the recipe

Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing

Copycat recipe for Café Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing is fresh and creamy with a hint of spice. We LOVE this stuff!

8 Cafe Rio Dressing Recipe

Dressing Cafe Rio Dressing Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
4.83 from 35 votes
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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.

9 Simple Guacamole Recipe

Appetizer Simple Guacamole Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

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.

10 Chili Cheese Dip Recipe

Appetizer Chili Cheese Dip Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 14 votes
Get the recipe

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!

11 7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe

Appetizer 7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
4.98 from 40 votes
Get the recipe

Jalapeno Popper Dip

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!

12 Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe

Appetizer Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

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!

13 Tamale Dip Recipe

Appetizer Tamale Dip Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

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.

14 Queso Blanco Recipe

Appetizer Queso Blanco Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
4.96 from 73 votes
Get the recipe

Taco Dip Recipe

Loaded with all of your favorite taco toppings, this creamy taco flavored dip is perfect for dipping with tortilla chips.

15 Taco Dip Recipe

Appetizer Taco Dip Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

Easy Mexican Side Dishes

It’s always good when the side dish is not only tasty but an easy side dish too!! These simple sides whip up in no time and are the perfect complement 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! 

16 Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

cropped-cilantro-lime-rice-resize-2.jpg
Side Dish Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.97 from 53 votes
Get the recipe

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!

17 Loaded Nachos Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Loaded Nachos Recipe
Total Time: 27 minutes
5 from 16 votes
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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.

18 Southwest Egg Rolls Recipe

Appetizer Southwest Egg Rolls Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 13 votes
Get the recipe

Esquites

Esquites is a tasty corn salad topped with chili and cotija cheese. It’s incredibly delicious and easy to whip up!

19 Esquites Recipe

Side Dish Esquites Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 25 votes
Get the recipe

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!!

20 Flour Tortillas Recipe

Side Dish Flour Tortillas Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
4.96 from 49 votes
Get the recipe

Mexican Corn On The Cob

Mexican corn on the cob is one of the best street foods in the world!! It’s slathered in cheese, mayo and spices and is perfectly delicious!

21 Elote Corn Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Elote Corn Recipe
Total Time: 14 minutes
5 from 49 votes
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Mexican Corn Salad

Grilled Mexican Corn Salad is a quick, easy twist on Elote. It’s a perfect side for pairing with your Mexican favorites!

22 Mexican Corn Salad Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Mexican Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 3 votes
Get the recipe

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 are looking to add one of these to the menu, we have a few that we love most.

Southwest Salad

Simple and delicious southwestern chopped salad filled with chicken, peppers, beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and topped with a homemade cilantro ranch dressing.

23 Southwest Salad Recipe

Salad Southwest Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 14 votes
Get the recipe

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. 

24 Albondigas Recipe

Soup Albondigas Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
4.99 from 171 votes
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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!

25 Southwest Quinoa Salad Recipe

Salad Southwest Quinoa Salad Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

Mexican Soup

Filling and flavorful mexican soup is packed with chicken, beans, and veggies with just a little bit of heat!!

26 Mexican Soup Recipe

Soup Mexican Soup Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
5 from 4 votes
Get the recipe

Chicken Taco Salad

Crunchy and fresh chicken taco salad is a weeknight dinner dream! Easy, flavorful, and a recipe that everyone will enjoy.

27 Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

Salad Chicken Taco Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

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.

28 Green Chili Chicken Soup Recipe

Main Course, Soup Green Chili Chicken Soup Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
5 from 29 votes
Get the recipe

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. 

29 Sopa de Fideo Recipe

Soup Sopa de Fideo Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
4.99 from 162 votes
Get the recipe

Taco Pasta Salad

Delicious taco pasta salad filled with beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and more!!

30 Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

Salad Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

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!!

31 Caldo de Pollo Recipe

Soup Caldo de Pollo Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

Chicken Tortilla Soup

The BEST slow cooker chicken tortilla soup is filled with chunks of chicken, beans & corn with flavorful chicken broth. It is easy to make and full of flavor!

32 Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Main Course, Soup Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
5 from 160 votes
Get the recipe

Salsa

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!

33 Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 24 votes
Get the recipe

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.

34 Mango Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Mango Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

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!!

35 Black Bean and Corn Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Black Bean and Corn Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 16 votes
Get the recipe

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!

36 Tomatillo Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Tomatillo Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

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!

37 Strawberry Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Strawberry Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

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!

38 Pineapple Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Pineapple Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

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.

39 Chili’s Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Chili’s Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 3 minutes
4.89 from 34 votes
Get the recipe

Corn Salsa

Savory corn salsa has a little kick of spice! There are so many yummy uses for this delicious and simple salsa.

40 Corn Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Corn Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

Salsa Verde

Sweet salsa verde – a delicious salsa recipe that is sweet and takes just minutes to make. Ingredients include tomatillos, jalapenos, sugar, & cilantro.

41 Salsa Verde Recipe

Appetizer Salsa Verde Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
4.98 from 44 votes
Get the recipe

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!

42 Peach Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Peach Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 21 votes
Get the recipe

Easy & Delicious Mexican Side Dishes

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!

More Collections: Mexican Chicken Recipes, Mexican Casserole Recipes, Mexican Beef Recipes



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!

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3 Comments

  1. Cant really go wrong with any of these sides! There all so delicious and your family will love them.

  2. My girls sold your red and green salsa to raise money for girls’ camp. Everyone loved the recipes, particularly the sweet salsa verde.

  3. I think I have made almost everything on this list!! None of them disappoint!! I make your Spanish rice a few times a month & have people asking me for the recipe all the time!!