What To Serve With Empanadas (25+ Best Sides Dishes)
Empanadas are a popular and delicious dish that can be filled with a variety of savory flavors. Whether you prefer chicken empanadas with a tangy dipping sauce or vegetarian empanadas stuffed with Mexican sweet corn and cream cheese, there’s no denying their deliciousness.
But what makes empanadas even better? The perfect side dishes to go with them.
Let’s explore the best sides to serve with empanadas. From Mexican street corn salad to sweet potato fries, these sides will complement the savory filling of your empanadas perfectly.
Looking for a quick answer? Here are my favorite sides for empanadas.
Some of the best side dishes to serve with empanadas are Mexican street corn salad, guacamole, Cuban black beans, Mexican potato salad, fried plantains, refried beans, salsa verde, strawberry salsa, Mexican rice, arugula salad, chimichurri sauce, charro beans, pico de gallo, sweet potato fries, green salad, cilantro lime rice, avocado aioli, arroz con pollo, smoky parmesan corn, Mexican coleslaw, tomato salsa, cheese sauce, garlic aioli, mango salad, sweet potato salad, and sweet corn fritters.
1. Mexican street corn salad
Mexican street corn salad is a great way to balance out the savory flavors of empanadas. The sweet and tangy flavors of the salad complement the rich and savory empanada filling, making it a perfect side dish for this popular Latin American snack.
Plus, the fresh and crunchy ingredients in the salad provide a nice contrast to the soft and flaky texture of empanadas.
Make your own version of Mexican street corn salad at home with fresh sweet corn, bell peppers, and a zesty lime dressing or a dollop of sour cream.
We love: Mexican Street Corn Salad (by Served From Scratch)
2. Guacamole
Empanadas are a beloved and classic Latin American dish, and a side of guacamole pairs perfectly. The creamy and tangy flavors of guacamole go well with any type of savory empanada, from beef to chicken to vegetarian options.
I make a zesty guacamole with lime juice, red onions, and a splash of hot sauce.
With its fresh and bold flavors, guacamole is a versatile dip that pairs perfectly with empanadas.
We love: Best Guacamole Recipe (by Natasha’s Kitchen)
3. Cuban black beans
Cuban black beans are a fantastic side dish to serve with empanadas. The hearty and flavorful beans add a touch of Latin flair to the meal, making it the perfect accompaniment for savory empanadas.
These delicious black beans are also easy to make in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, allowing you to focus your efforts on the main dish of empanadas.
We love: Frijoles Negros (Cuban Black Beans) (by A Sassy Spoon)
4. Mexican potato salad
For a tasty and satisfying meal, pair your empanadas with a side of Mexican potato salad. This flavorful side dish is a great way to add a Mexican twist to your meal.
The creamy texture of the potato salad pairs well with the rich flavors of the empanadas. And for an extra kick of spice, serve the empanadas and potato salad with hot sauce on the side.
We love: Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad (by Three Olives Branch)
5. Fried plantains
Empanadas, with their savory fillings and crispy crust, are a delicious staple of Mexican cuisine. But what should you serve on the side to complement these tasty treats? Look no further than fried plantains!
Fried plantains are a popular side dish in many Latin American countries and they go well with empanadas. They have a similar texture to french fries but with a sweeter taste, making them a unique and tasty side dish. You can even make them in the air fryer for a healthier twist.
For a complete Mexican-inspired meal, serve your empanadas with fried plantains, some creamy coleslaw, avocado tomato salad.
We love: Crispy Fried Plantains With Mayo Ketchup Dip (by The Novice Chef)
6. Refried beans
Refried beans are a classic Mexican side dish that goes well with empanadas.
For a complete Mexican-inspired meal, serve your empanadas with a side of refried beans, some homemade tortilla chips, and a refreshing salad. Try a Mexican sweet potato salad or street corn salad.
We love: Easy Homemade Refried Beans (by Lexi’s Clean Kitchen)
7. Salsa verde
Salsa verde is a flavorful sauce that works well with empanadas. This tangy and spicy green salsa adds a delicious and unique flavor to the dish.
Drizzle the salsa verde over your empanadas or serve on the side as a dipping sauce.
For a complete and satisfying empanada meal, serve with some black beans and rice, and creamy coleslaw or light salad.
We love: The Best Italian Salsa Verde (by Sip and Feast)
8. Strawberry salsa
For a taste of Tex-Mex with your empanadas, try serving them with a side of strawberry salsa. The fruity and tangy flavors of the salsa work well with the savory and flaky pastry of the empanadas.
This fresh and easy snack is a delicious option to pair with your empanadas. And the best part? It’s made with simple ingredients like strawberries, red onion, and cilantro.
For a complete and satisfying meal, add some sweet potato fries or Mexican coleslaw to the mix. Your taste buds will thank you for this delicious combination of flavors and textures!
We love: Refreshing Strawberry Salsa (by Salt & Lavender)
9. Mexican rice
Mexican rice is a perfect side dish to serve with empanadas. The flavorful and hearty rice pairs perfectly with the savory and crispy empanadas, creating a satisfying and delicious meal.
For a more substantial meal, you can add cooked black beans and diced red bell pepper to the rice. Serve Mexican rice and empanadas with a tangy salsa or mayo-based dip for dipping the empanadas.
We love: Easy Mexican Rice (by Downshiftology)
10. Arugula salad
For a refreshing and flavorful side dish to serve with empanadas, look no further than an arugula salad.
The peppery taste of the arugula complements the savory empanada filling and adds a touch of freshness to the meal. Plus, the lightness of the salad helps to balance out the heaviness of the empanadas.
For a Mexican-inspired twist, top the salad with a creamy avocado aioli dressing and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any type of empanada.
We love: Citrus-Arugula Salad (by EatingWell)
11. Chimichurri sauce
Chimichurri sauce, a flavorful Argentinian condiment, is a great dipping sauce dish to serve with empanadas.
The savory filling of the empanadas, whether it’s beef, chicken, or vegetarian, pairs perfectly with the bold flavors of chimichurri sauce. And chimichurri is super simple to make.
Whether you’re making store-bought empanadas or a homemade empanada dinner, chimichurri sauce adds a refreshing touch to your meal.
We love: How to Make THE BEST Chimichurri Sauce (by FoodieCrush)
12. Charro beans
Charro beans are a tasty side dish to serve alongside empanadas.
The super easy pinto bean stew packs a tonne of flavor. When paired with empanadas, charro beans take the culinary experience to new heights. The spicy taste of the beans complements the savory and crispy empanadas, making every bite a delicious adventure.
For a complete meal, serve these two dishes with a side of creamy coleslaw or sweet corn cakes. And, for a refreshing touch, serve with a side of arugula salad and a generous serving of mango salsa.
We love: Mexican Charro Beans (Easy Pinto Bean Recipe!) (by No Spoon Necessary)
13. Pico de gallo
Pico de gallo is a delicious and easy Mexican side salad that pairs perfectly with empanadas. The tangy lime and freshness of the diced veggies in the pico de gallo provide a perfect balance to the rich and savory flavors of the empanadas.
For a complete and easy Mexican empanada dinner, serve with some black beans and rice, or some delicious corn on the cob. And for a little extra kick, add some spicy sauce, like chili powder or hot sauce.
We love: Pico de Gallo Recipe (Easy & Authentic) (by Downshiftology)
14. Sweet potato fries
While empanadas are a delicious and satisfying meal on their own, adding some sweet potato fries as a side dish makes it even better.
The crispy and slightly sweet fries are the perfect accompaniment to the savory flavors of the empanadas. You can even try air-fried sweet potato fries for a healthier twist on this classic side dish.
Serve your sweet potato fries and empanadas with some classic Mexican condiments like salsa, guacamole, or queso for a complete and satisfying meal.
We love: Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer (by The Hearty Life)
15. Green salad
A green salad is the perfect complement to any meal. The fresh, crisp greens provide a nice contrast to the rich and flavorful empanadas, creating a perfect balance on your plate.
You can also customize a simple green salad with Mexican flavors. Add some cooked black beans, cumin-spiced sweet potato cubes, or grilled corn and sprinkle with queso.
For a delicious and garlicky taste, toss the salad in a lime juice and extra virgin olive oil dressing.
We love: Best Simple Tossed Green Salad (by Creme De La Crumb)
16. Cilantro lime rice
Cilantro lime rice is a tasty side dish to serve with empanadas. The bright and tart flavors of the cilantro and lime complement the spicy flavors of the empanadas, creating a well-balanced meal.
It is also easy to make, and the ingredients are accessible and easy to find at most grocery stores.
For a complete and flavorful meal, serve the empanadas with a side of cilantro lime rice, some refried black beans, avocado tomato salad, and a creamy sauce for dipping – I love a savory cheese sauce like a Qdobo queso copycat sauce.
We love: Cilantro Lime Rice (by Megan Vs Kitchen)
17. Avocado aioli
Avocado aioli is the perfect side dish to accompany empanadas, whether as a quick snack or part of a delicious meal. This Mexican-inspired sauce is a great way to add a burst of flavor to your empanadas.
You can make avocado aioli from scratch – it’s much easier to make than traditional garlic aioli. But, if you’re short on time, go for a store-bought aioli and blitz some avocado into the pre-made sauce. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and cilantro.
We love: Avocado Garlic Aioli (by Beyer Eats and Drinks)
18. Arroz con pollo
For a flavor-packed and filling meal, serve empanadas with a side of arroz con pollo.
Every country has its own version of chicken rice, and they are all super delicious. I love to serve empanadas with Cuban arroz con pollo.
This versatile dish is also great for large gatherings as it can be made in a big batch. And leftovers are great for a quick lunch the next day! Serve with aioli or cheese sauce and a fresh side saald.
We love: Cuban arroz con pollo (by A Sassy Spoon)
19. Smoky parmesan corn
Empanadas are a delicious and filling meal on their own, but they can be made even better with the perfect side dish. Enter smoky parmesan corn on the cob, adding a smoky and savory touch to every bite.
Whether you’re making traditional Chilean empanadas with ground beef or trying out new fusion recipe ideas, smoky parmesan corn will complete your empanada dinner.
We love: Smoky Parmesan Corn on the Cob (by The Endless Meal®)
20. Mexican coleslaw
Mexican coleslaw is the perfect side dish to serve with empanadas. This hearty and flavorful dish features shredded cabbage, cilantro, red onion, and sweet corn dressed in a lime crema.
Customize your coleslaw with more Mexican flavors from black beans to smoked chipotle mayo and sliced jalapeños.
We love: Mexican Coleslaw Recipe (by Lemon Tree Dwelling)
21. Tomato salsa
A classic side dish that never disappoints, is tomato salsa. The slightly spicy and refreshing flavors of this Latin American staple are a perfect complement to the savory and rich empanadas.
Not only does tomato salsa add a burst of flavor to each bite, but it also comes together easily and is a great way to add some veggies to your empanada meal.
For a complete and balanced meal, serve empanadas and salsa with more complementary side dishes such as Mexican potato salad or brown rice with black beans.
We love: Homemade Fresh Tomato Salsa (by Little Broken)
22. Cheese sauce
A creamy cheese sauce is the perfect accompaniment to empanadas. The creamy texture and subtle tanginess of the sauce provide a perfect balance to the hot empanadas.
Add spices like cumin and chili powder to the cheese sauce for a Mexican flavor boost.
We love: Best Cheese Sauce Recipe (by Joy Food Sunshine)
23. Garlic aioli
Empanadas are a delicious and budget-friendly option for a weeknight dinner. And, whether you’re making them from scratch, or opting for store-bought empanadas, you’ll need a delicious dipping sauce!
Creamy aioli with its garlicky flavor is the perfect companion. It’s a versatile option that pairs well with a variety of fillings, from ground meat to veggie fillings.
You can easily make homemade aioli with oil, eggs, lemon juice, and garlic. Or make a cheat’s aioli by adding roasted garlic to store-bought mayonnaise. Add some Greek yogurt or sour cream for a refreshingly light dipping sauce.
We love: How to make Garlic Aioli (by The Food Charlatan)
24. Mango salad
Mango salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish that pairs perfectly with empanadas. A tangy lime-based dressing and the sweetness of the mango add a nice balance to the savory and rich flavors of the empanadas.
This summer side dish is super easy to put together, making it a great addition to any meal. You can also add in some coleslaw mix for a fresh crunch or top with sliced jalapeno peppers for an extra kick of spice.
We love: The Best Mango Avocado Salad (by My Chef’s Apron)
25. Mexcian sweet potato salad
Sweet potato salad is a perfect side dish to serve alongside empanadas. The creamy texture of the salad balances out the crispy exterior of the empanadas, creating a satisfying and delicious meal.
For a heartier option, try serving empanadas with a side of fried chicken or something more filling like a crescent roll or pie crust. Whatever you choose, adding a side dish like sweet potato salad is sure to complement the empanadas and make for a tasty and well-rounded meal.
We love: Mexican Sweet Potato Salad (by San-J)
26. Sweet corn fritters
Looking for a delicious and unique side dish to serve alongside your favorite empanadas? Look no further than sweet corn fritters!
These crispy, golden fritters are the perfect accompaniment to any empanada dish. The natural sweetness of the corn pairs well with the savory flavors of the empanadas, creating a delicious balance of flavors.
Serve alongside a dipping sauce to dip your empanadas and fritters in—try avocado aioli or creamy cheese sauce—and a refreshing Mexican-style salad.
We love: Quick and Easy Corn Fritters (by Just a Taste)
With so many delicious options, choosing the perfect side dish to serve with empanadas can be a tough task. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with these delicious sides that will take your taste experience to the next level.
For a classic Mexican meal, try serving your empanadas with some Mexican rice and refried beans. Or mix it up with a refreshing Mexican sweet potato salad or street corn salad. And always serve it with some refreshing lime wedges.
Whichever sides you choose, your empanada dinner will be a hit with these delicious options. Let me know your favorite combinations in the comments below.