Tacos were one of my favorite meals growing up! In my family, we would stack them with as many toppings as we could fit and eat them while watching The Simpsons on a Tuesday night.

Whether you’re reliving an old family tradition or looking to start one of your own, you may be wondering what goes good with tacos!

I’ve got you covered, because today we’ll talk about some of the toppings, sides, and dips I love with my tacos – with options that aren’t just rice or beans. Let’s take a close look at what to eat with tacos!

Beans and Legumes

Mexican Black Beans

Mexican black beans are a must-have for tacos. They’re just so scrumptious and add so much texture to tacos, especially when mixed with juicy beef.

This recipe incorporates yummy flavors like ground cumin and chipotle peppers. It’s also super easy to make, so it won’t eat up too much of your time either!

Craving some extra kick? You can adjust the heat of this recipe by adding more chipotle peppers. This recipe will make about four servings – perfect for a family gathering.

Refried Beans

This is another great bean recipe that’s so, so good in tacos. It’s also quite simple as well!

For this dish, you'll need to cook pinto beans in water, then mash and fry them in a pan.

Refried beans can be bought canned, but this recipe is so amazing that it’s worth the extra effort of using fresh beans!

You can also keep the leftover bean broth to add to leftovers, but do note that this will thicken when refrigerated.

Charro Beans (Mexican Frijoles Charros)

Charro beans are a splendid mix of gorgeous flavors and textures.

These are usually made with pinto beans that are soaked and then cooked, but I always skip straight to cooking thanks to my trusty pressure cooker!

This recipe also includes bacon which gives a salty, meaty profile to the dish. It also has some bold spices such as ground cumin, chili powder, and dried oregano – absolutely delicious on tacos!

Rice Sides

Mexican Rice

Mexican rice is bursting with flavor – so much so that it’ll make any dish tastier!

This recipe is full of zesty goodness and made with heaps of veggies as well, making it an incredibly healthy side.

It’s made with bell peppers, tomato sauce, jalapeno, and garlic, along with popping spices. It’s honestly a superb side dish to your tacos!

Spanish Rice

Spanish rice is very similar to Mexican rice. However, instead of using cumin, Spanish rice uses saffron which lends the dish a slightly sweeter profile.

Because of its taste, I also love this with tacos. The rest of my family agree too!

Cilantro Lime Rice

Light and refreshing, cilantro lime rice makes for a reliable palate cleanser between heavier dishes – especially those that commonly accompany tacos!

Cilantro lime rice uses fresh cilantro, lime zest, scallions, and just a little jalapeno for heat. It’s also quick to whip up and very tasty, so it’s ideal for family and guests!

What to Serve with Tacos Besides Rice and Beans

Corn & Breads

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

What goes best with tacos aside from rice and beans? Try out some Mexican street corn!

This iconic corn-on-the-cob dish is perfect for Taco Tuesday nights. The corn cobs are grilled until slightly charred and then topped with cotija cheese, cilantro, lemon juice, and chili powder.

Eat them the usual way or stick a skewer in one end to act as a kind of handle. Trust me, these with tacos are a total no-brainer!

Corn Pudding

Nothing finishes off Taco Tuesday nights better than corn pudding! When dinner is over, bring out this delectable dessert and wow your friends and family.

This pudding is a type of cake made from corn, and it’s absolutely divine. Keep in mind that our recipe is a sweeter version, but you can always make it savory by adding some bacon or jalapenos!

Esquites

This dish is a little like elote, but instead of corn on the cob it’s more like a corn salad. Esquites are sometimes called “corn in a cup” because…well, they’re usually served in a cup!

Similar to Elote, Esquites are topped with cotija cheese and chili, and you can also add avocado or sliced jalapenos.

Mayonnaise is mixed throughout the corn to give it a creamy flavor. All things considered, this is a treat I love pairing with my tacos!

Sopapillas

Sopapillas are little pillows of goodness that will be very popular on your taco night (seriously — make more than you think you need!).

They’re made from fried squares of dough and taste even better when topped with honey. If you like, you can fill them with beef or chicken to make them more savory!

Think of them as tacos’ little cousins, and it quickly becomes obvious why these two go so well together!

Sauces and Dips

Pico De Gallo

This salsa recipe is simply to die for. Pico de gallo is made with fresh, chunky veggies, so it’s an excellent taco topping!

It’s an absolute staple not just with tacos but also with Mexican food in general. If I’m having a Taco Tuesday, I always make sure to prepare multiple bowls of pico de gallo because this dish vanishes in a flash!

Unlike other salsas, this one is unique in the sense that it’s not as liquidy. Instead, the chunky vegetables are the star of the recipe — pico de gallo is made with tomato, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. Yum!

Guacamole

Why bother thinking about what sauce to eat with tacos when you can go with classic guacamole?

Taco Tuesday just isn’t complete without (a lot of) guacamole. This gorgeous avocado dip is uniquely Mexican and has a delicious tangy flavor that’s hard to replicate.

There are many different variations of guacamole, but this recipe uses avocado, lime, spices, tomato, onion, and cilantro.

You can serve guacamole with tortilla chips as a side, or use it as a topping on your taco (Top Tip: it’s more fun if you do both!).

Mango Salsa

For a unique and fun condiment, try this mango salsa recipe. Mango salsa is an explosion of tropical flavors that’s impossible to ignore!

There’s the sweetness of the mango, the tanginess of lemon juice, and the heat of jalapenos — it’s summertime in a salsa!

This goes super well on tacos, but you can also serve it with tortilla chips. Fresh mango is best for this recipe, which you can easily peel and dice yourself at home.

Chips and Salsa

What’s better than tortilla chips? Tortilla chips with salsa! This is a simple and classic salsa recipe that you can make with household ingredients such as tomato, honey, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno.

Here’s something to keep in mind: this salsa is more liquid than pico de gallo.

Chips and salsa are a no-nonsense starter or side for your taco night; it’s simply bursting with so many tastes and textures!

Pineapple Salsa

Another delightfully sweet and tangy salsa, pineapple salsa is the perfect combination of flavors. It’s made from pineapple, onion, tomato, and cilantro, and doesn’t take long to make at all.

I like serving this with tacos or as a side, especially during hot summer afternoons with friends!

Salads

Cilantro Lime Slaw

Cilantro lime slaw is crisp and refreshing, and adds a tangy and zesty flavor to any dish – making it an excellent contrast to the often savory fillings in tacos.

Cheesy, meaty tacos are great, but adding some fresh slaw can really create a whole new taco experience!

This slaw is pretty straightforward and uses only cabbage, cilantro, onion, and lime juice for taste. You can also put some spice in the dressing to give it a little kick if needed!

Mexican Coleslaw

Mexican coleslaw is hands-down one of the best sides ever, and it’s also the easiest answer to the question of what vegetable goes with tacos!

This is another simple recipe, but don’t underestimate it — it’s as tasty as anything can get.

Unlike many slaws that have a thick mayonnaise dressing, this one’s a little more zesty with a yummy lime and garlic dressing.

The only veggies this slaw uses are cabbage, carrot, and cilantro. That’s it! For the dressing, you’re looking at lime juice, honey, garlic, spices, and salt and pepper.

Curtido (Salvadoran Spicy Slaw)

For a coleslaw with a bit more kickback, try this curtido recipe! Sometimes, slaw can work as a refresher from spicy dishes, but if you just can’t get enough of the spice: this slaw is for you.

Curtido is made with cabbage, carrot, green onions, and red pepper flakes (or jalapeno chili). The dressing is made with vinegar, which gives the slaw an unforgettable tangy flavor.

Crunchy Bell Pepper Salad

This colorful, summery salad is super tasty and adds so many unique notes to your tacos! It’s plenty crunchy and just a tad bit spicy, and it’s made with bell peppers, onions, and carrots.

The dressing for this side is a heavenly lemon honey drizzle. Tangy, crunchy, and sweet — simply scrumptious!

Tomato Avocado Salad

In my opinion, tomato with avocado is one of the most underrated food combinations out there. This salad pairs their individual flavors incredibly, creating a super refreshing bowl.

Other ingredients include cilantro and red onion for some crunch, while the dressing uses olive oil with lemon juice and pepper flakes. Remember to add the lemon juice first for best results!

Potatoes & Veggies

Mexican Sweet Potatoes

Who doesn’t love sweet potato dishes? This recipe is made by coating the sweet potato chunks in oil and spices and baking them in the oven.

They come out so delicious and are simply unbeatable when partnered with a pork or beef taco!

If you have an air fryer, you can definitely use that instead of the oven to cook the potatoes. Or, simply fry them in a skillet!

Serve these with any sauce or condiment you like, but I personally prefer letting them be their divine, unadulterated self.

Calabacitas

This dish is often served as a side, but it’s definitely filling and nutritious enough to be a vegetarian main (and tasty enough too!).

Calabacitas is made with squash or zucchini mixed in with tomato, corn, and peppers.

This recipe includes a creamy cheese sauce to go with the veggies, making it a family-friendly dish that even the kids will adore!

Drinks

Horchata

What do you drink with tacos? If you want a truly authentic Taco Tuesday experience, make sure to prepare some traditional horchata drinks!

Horchata is a unique Mexican drink made with ground rice, milk, and cinnamon. Because milk is effective for relieving the effects of spice in your mouth, horchata is unbeatable for balancing Mexican food.

This beverage is creamy, satisfying, and refreshing. It’s also quite nice to look at to boot!

Horchata is often served over ice and can be kept in the fridge for up to four days. You can also make this drink dairy-free by using coconut milk instead of cow milk.

Classic Margarita

For any adults-only Taco Tuesday nights, the celebration isn’t really complete without whipping up a batch of classic margaritas!

Margarita is a punchy tequila cocktail made with lemon (or lime) and salt. This recipe also includes an orange liqueur (Cointreau works very well).

The salt goes on the rim of the glass, balancing out the citrus in the drink. It’s an iconic beverage, but prepare it in moderation to avoid leaving everyone wasted!

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail

This is another tequila drink that’s citrusy on the tongue.

It mostly incorporates tequila and grapefruit soda with plain syrup for sweetness. For an even more homemade feel, you can even make the grapefruit soda and syrup yourself!

Grapefruit Paloma cocktail is wonderful alongside your tacos, and it’s best served on the rocks. For presentation and taste purposes, I always add a salt rim to this drink as well!

Desserts

Churros

Once the tacos are eaten, it’s time for dessert! Churros are popular worldwide — and for good reason. They have a crunchy exterior with a soft interior and are covered in sweet cinnamon sugar, making them beloved by people of all ages.

Churros are made from a pancake-like dough, have a sugary flavor, and are right at home with a cup of warm chocolate or some caramel sauce.

Preparing these treats is fairly easy, and I’ve even experimented with the original recipe to make something uniquely my own!

Cinnamon Roll Tortilla Roll Ups

The kids will definitely love these sweet cinnamon roll-ups made with soft tortillas.

These are essentially made the same way as your classic cinnamon roll, but they’re a lot lighter and won’t fill you up as quickly.

The cinnamon mixture is spread onto the tortillas, which are then rolled, cut, and baked for 10 minutes. Easy-peasy!

Mexican Fresas con Crema

This treat is light, fluffy, and refreshing, featuring strawberries mixed into a soft whipped cream mixture.

The filling is made with cream, evaporated milk, condensed milk, sour cream, and vanilla for some rich, dairy delight!

For a more icy texture, you can use frozen strawberries for a frosty yet heavenly dessert. Everyone will definitely want seconds with this one!

Soups

Tortilla Soup

Once in a while, my family’s Taco Tuesday nights turn into debates over what soup goes with tacos. Call me basic, but tortilla soup hits the spot for me every time!

What I love about this warm chicken soup is that it’s guaranteed to warm both my tummy and heart!

It’s made with healthy veggies and classic black beans, with a generous topping of tortilla soup on top for a little bit of crunch. If chicken isn’t your thing, feel free to use turkey instead!

Another thing I adore about tortilla soup is that it’s zero hassle to prepare; it’s essentially a two-step recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes!

Authentic New Mexico Posole

Posole is a pork and hominy soup that’s authentic to New Mexico.

It’s a breeze to whip up, so it’s perfect as an added side to your taco night. And as with many Mexican dishes we’ve talked about, it also uses red chili sauce for an extra kick!

Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is a comforting bowl you can make in around 20 minutes! It’s awesome with cornbread, dinner rolls, and tacos.

For this one, you’ll need both blended and whole black beans. You’ll also use other common ingredients such as tomato, green chilis, and smoky spices! Trust me on this: you’ll love slurping up a spoonful with every bite of taco.

📖 Recipe