What To Serve With Tamales (20 Best Side Dishes)

There’s nothing quite like the flavorful, traditional Mexican dish of tamales. These steamed corn husks filled with savory meat and spices are a favorite among many.

But, have you ever scratched your head about what to serve with tamales?

Look no further! I compiled a list of the best side dishes to serve with tamales. From classic Mexican rice and refried beans to more unique options like grilled pineapple and cucumber with lime and chili powder, these sides will take your tamales to the next level.

If you love Mexican food as much as I do, you’ll love these traditional Mexican side dishes.

1. Refried beans

Refried beans are a classic and delicious side dish that pairs perfectly with tamales.

As a staple in Mexican cuisine, refried beans add a touch of authenticity to any tamale dinner. They also have a similar texture to tamales, making them a perfect complement to the main dish.

Refried beans have a rich and savory flavor that pairs well with the tanginess of lime juice and the freshness of cilantro. So, the next time you’re serving tamales with refried beans, be sure to add a crisp salad with lime and cilantro dressing to the mix!

We love: Easy Homemade Refried Beans (by Lexi’s Clean Kitchen)

2. Spanish rice

Tamales are a staple in Mexican cuisine and are often served with a variety of tasty side dishes. One of the best side dishes to serve with tamales is Mexican or Spanish rice.

This flavorful rice dish complements the rich and spicy flavors of tamales, making it a perfect side dish. It is packed with delicious flavors that will enhance your tamale experience. Plus, it’s gluten-free and can be easily made in a slow cooker or instant pot.

We love: Easy Spanish Rice (by Five Heart Home)

3. Mexican street corn salad

This street corn salad is another classic Mexican recipe that makes the perfect side dish to serve with tamales.

The combination of tender tamales and sweet corn is a match made in heaven. The sweet and savory flavors of a Mexican street corn salad perfectly complement the hearty and slightly spicy flavors of tamales.

Add some crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese and serve with a refreshing agua fresca.

We love: Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) (by Dessert Now Dinner Later)

4. Guacamole

Tamales are a classic Mexican dish that tastes great with any Mexican side dish. But, it’s especially delicious served with guacamole.

The creamy avocado pairs perfectly with the tender masa and flavorful filling of the tamales. Plus, the tangy flavors of the guacamole help to balance out the richness of the dish.

For a complete Mexican meal, serve your tamales and guacamole with more Mexican sides like refried black beans, cilantro lime rice, spicy tomato salsa, and tortilla chips.

We love: Best Guacamole Recipe (by Natasha’s Kitchen)

5. Pico de gallo

This classic Mexican side salad is made with fresh diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice, making it a refreshing and flavorful accompaniment to the hearty tamales.

For a complete Mexican meal, serve the tamales and pico de gallo with more traditional Mexican recipes like charro beans, ensalada de aguacate (avocado salad) or guacamole, or a bowl of hot and creamy black bean soup.

We love: Pico de Gallo Recipe (Easy & Authentic) (by Downshiftology)

6. Salsa verde

Salsa verde is a popular and delicious side dish to serve with tamales. This tangy and spicy green salsa pairs well with the savory flavors of the tamales and adds a burst of flavor to each bite.

You can either drizzle the salsa verde over the tamales or serve it on the side for dipping.

For a more authentic Mexican experience, make your own salsa verde using fresh ingredients like tomatillos, jalapeños, and cilantro. It’s so much better than store-bought salsa!

We love: Authentic Mexican Salsa Verde (by Isabel Eats)

7. Black bean and corn salad

Black bean and corn salad is a delicious and versatile side salad that pairs perfectly with tamales. The combination of black beans and sweet corn adds a nice balance to the rich and savory flavors of tamales.

This Mexican-inspired dish can also be easily customized to your liking by adding ingredients such as diced avocado, red onions, or a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

It’s a great way to add some freshness to your tamale dinner. And, you can serve the easy salad at room temperature, making it a convenient option for busy cooks.

We love: Corn and Black Bean Salad with Mexican Vinaigrette (by Urban Cowgirl)

8. Salad with cilantro lime dressing

What better way to complement the bold flavors in tamales than with a fresh salad tossed in a zesty cilantro lime dressing?

This healthy side dish adds a burst of freshness and tanginess to the meal, cutting through the richness of the tamale. Plus, the cilantro and lime flavors are a perfect match for the traditional Mexican spices used in tamales.

We love: Mexican Salad With Cilantro Lime Dressing (by Carlsbad Cravings)

9. Grilled vegetables

Grilled vegetables are not the most traditional recipe to eat with tamales. But, it makes a great side to add some color and freshness to the plate.

Some popular vegetables to grill alongside tamales include bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and sweet corn. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with some Mexican spices like chili powder and cumin for a delicious Mexican twist. Drizzle with homemade salsa.

We love: Grilled Vegetables (with Best Marinade) (by Valentina’s Corner)

10. Ceviche

Ceviche is a refreshing and delicious side dish to serve with tamales. The tangy citrus flavors of the ceviche perfectly complement the rich and savory flavors of the tamales.

You can also serve it with a creamy dressing like Mexican crema or sour cream to balance out the acidity of the ceviche.

We love: Easy Shrimp Ceviche Recipe (by Kathryn’s Kitchen)

11. Elote

Nothing beats this classic Mexican street food favorite: elote, or Mexican corn on the cob.

The combination of sweet grilled corn and savory toppings like chili powder, cotija cheese, and lime juice pairs perfectly with the rich and flavorful tamales. Plus, elote is a versatile and easy Mexican side dish that can fit a variety of dietary needs.

So, whether you’re enjoying chicken tamales with mole sauce or other traditional Mexican tamales with spicy tomato sauce, elote is the perfect accompaniment to your tamale feast.

We love: Grilled Mexican Corn (by Amanda Cooks & Styles)

12. Empanadas

Savory tamales pair well with many different side dishes, but empanadas are a crowd-pleaser that will satisfy your taste buds.

Whether you prefer chicken, beef, or vegetarian tamales, empanadas are a delicious and easy recipe to make and pair well with these traditional Mexican dishes.

The crispy empanada dough and creamy texture of the filling, such as cream cheese and jalapeño poppers, make for a perfect combination with tamales.

Choose your favorite: 17 Empanada Recipes You’ll Want To Save For Later (by BuzzFeed)

13. Queso dip

Tamales are a delicious and hearty dish that is often served as a main course. To balance out the hearty flavors of tamales, a tasty side of queso dip is a must.

Queso dip, a hearty and creamy cheese dip, is a traditional side in Mexican cuisine. It adds an extra layer of flavor to the tamales and can also be used as a dipping sauce for other dishes.

For a tasty side, pair your tamales with a bowl of queso dip and some jalapeño poppers for a spicy kick. And if you want something a bit more indulgent, try this queso fundido (Mexican melted cheese and sausage dip) by Budget Bytes.

We love: Best Mexican White Cheese Dip Recipe (by Eating on a Dime)

14. Enchiladas

Enchiladas are probably my favorite traditional Mexican dish. I believe that they make the perfect side for everything!

The combination of fluffy, lightly seasoned tamales with flavorful enchiladas is a match made in heaven. Plus, you can mix and match different flavors and ingredients to create a unique and tasty meal.

For a full Mexican feast, serve your tamales with a side of enchiladas, along with more delicious tamale side dishes like pinto beans, pico de gallo, and arroz verde (green rice). Add a refreshing salad with cilantro lime dressing to complete the meal.

We love: 5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas (by Southern Bite)

15. Chiles rellenos

Chiles rellenos are a classic Mexican dish that make a perfect side dish for tamales. These stuffed peppers add an extra kick of flavor to your meal, taking it to a whole new level.

The red color of the chiles rellenos also adds a beautiful contrast to the green of the tamales, making for a visually appealing plate. And with ingredients like cheese tamales, chicken broth, and salsa verde, this dish is a perfect pairing for any type of tamale.

Try making them at home with this Taco Bell copycat recipe or order them at your favorite Mexican restaurant for a tasty side dish.

We love: Chile Relleno Mexican Recipe (by Eating Richly)

16. Avocado salsa

No tamale feast is complete without a side of avocado. Why not swap the classic guacamole for this a creamy and flavorful salsa.

This avocado salsa also makes a great salad or slaw dressing.

We love: El Pollo Loco Avocado Salsa (Copycat) (by Dinner, then Dessert)

17. Grilled pineapple

The sweet and tangy flavors of the pineapple perfectly balance out the bold and savory flavors of tamales.

This easy side dish adds a touch of tropical flavor to your meal. As a side dish, it pairs well with more classic dishes like arroz rojo and red cabbage slaw. But you can also serve it as a heathly sweet treat after dinner.

We love: Brazilian Grilled Pineapple (by It Is a Keeper)

18. Cucumbers with lime and chili powder

When it comes to the perfect side dish to lighten your tamales, look no further than cucumbers with lime and chili powder. This refreshing and tangy salad pairs perfectly with the rich and hearty flavors of tamales.

The cool and crisp cucumbers, combined with the zesty lime and spicy chili powder, provide a burst of flavor.

For an authentic Mexican meal, serve this alongside homemade tamales and other delicious recipes such as arroz verde (green rice) or southwest chipotle chicken. Serve with a pitcher of agua de jamaica (hibiscus ice tea) to cool down on a hot day!

We love: Chili and Lime Cucumber Snacks (by Chili Pepper Madness)

19. Stuffed sweet potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes are a great side dish to serve with tamales, especially those with a spicy kick.

The natural sweetness of the potatoes provides a refreshing contrast to the heat of the tamales, making it a perfect pairing. This dish also adds another element of Mexican cuisine to the meal, highlighting the rich culinary heritage of the country.

For a complete meal, serve tamales with a side of bean soup and a salad made with perfectly ripe avocados and jalapeño peppers. Your fellow food lovers will be impressed by the flavor bomb of this meal.

We love: Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (Vegan) (by Two Spoons)

20. Mexican hot chocolate

Now that we’ve explored so many delicious Mexican-style and traditional Mexican sides, it’s time for something sweet.

And, I can’t think of a better, or easier, way to end a Mexican feast. Mexican hot chocolate is a warm, comforting chocolate drink with just the right level of spice.

We love: Mexican Hot Chocolate (by The Recipe Critic)

Frequently asked questions

There you have it, some delicious and authentic Mexican side dishes to complement your next tamale dinner. From crisp and flavorful tomato salsa to creamy guacamole, these sides will add the perfect touch to your beloved tamales.

Share your favorite sides or any other tips in the comments below. Buen provecho!