70+ Mexican Side Dish Recipes For Any Occassion

When the holidays roll around, fresh, easy, and flavorful side dish recipes are the name of the game. This list of 70+ Mexican side dish recipes includes everything from colorful salads and hearty black beans, to Mexican food favorites like cilantro-lime rice and street corn salad. Gather around the table and let’s eat!

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Favorite Mexican Side Dish Recipes

I’ve gathered over 70 Mexican side dish recipes to go with all your favorite Mexican dishes. Many of these are great for holiday get togethers but bookmark this list and save it for all year long because these are the ultimate way to round out any Mexican-inspired meal.

The recipes collected on this page highlight Mexico’s favorite flavors like zippy jalapeño and tomatoes, fragrant cumin, and juicy chorizo.

Speaking of Mexican ingredients, Mexican street corn, refried beans, and guacamole are top choices. The guacamole doubles as a side, appetizer, or topping for tacos. Clearly it goes with anything but it is an essential whenever I make burrito bowls, quesadillas, or burritos.

A half of a burrito with a bite taken out of one side on a piece of parchment paper and some sour cream and salsa next to it.

When enchiladas night rolls around, serve them with my beginner-friendly pico de gallo recipe, roasted asparagus or grilled sweet potatoes. Mexican corn salad is also incredible here, especially if you have garden-fresh corn on the cob in the summer. Try a batch and don’t forget to make my corn salsa too.

If you have a family of spicy-food lovers, everyone always raves about these garlic shishito peppers. They make the perfect appetizer or side dish with grilled chicken, vegetables, and cilantro pesto vinaigrette, sweet cumin pickled radishes , or tomato-avocado salsa to complete the meal. You can prep the peppers in advance then fry them in the pan when you’re ready to eat. They take less than 15 minutes!

A close up of blistered shishito peppers sitting on a try with half a lime.

I hope the following list of side dish ideas provides you with plenty of inspiration throughout the holiday season and beyond. If you’re looking for a fun Mexican dessert to follow the main meal, what better time to try my Café de Olla Cake or Mexican Hot Chocolate Crinkle Cookies? Or here are all my favorite Mexican holiday dessert recipes. I would never leave you hanging without tons of Mexican-inspired inspiration!

An overhead image of a prune cake with a slice being taken out of it.

70+ Mexican Side Dish Recipes

My Best Bean Recipes

1. Frijoles Charros

These delicious beans are hearty enough to double as a main dish.

A pot of frijoles charros recipe on a blue and white checked tablecloth

2. Crockpot Borracho Beans

My most popular bean recipe by far.

Overhead image of pinto beans in a black crock pot with cilantro on top.

3. Best Ever Canned Black Beans

Of all these side dishes, this is the one I make most often.

A copper pot of black beans sitting on a table next to a cutting board with limes.

4. Vegan Refried Beans

Obviously this is a Mexican side dish that goes with everything but I always make them when we’re having grilled fajitas or carne asada.

A dish of refried beans with slices of avocado on top and cilantro leaves.

Veggie Side Dishes

5. My Favorite Elote {Mexican Street Corn}

Simmering the corn in a milk bath is my secret to perfect elote every time.

An ear of elote sprinkled with cilantro and cheese

6. Rajas Con Crema

Charred poblano peppers and caramelized onions in a rich cream sauce.

A baking dish filled with strips of poblano pepper and onions in a cream sauce with a wood spoon.

7. Quick Mexican Pickled Red Onions

One of those Mexican sides that goes with ev.ry.thing!

A bowl of bright pink pickled red onions with a spoon and a fork in the bowl.

8. Baked Spaghetti Squash with Chipotle Cream

A belly-warming side for fall with smoky, spicy chipotle cream sauce.

Baked spaghetti squash takes on a whole new meaning when draped in fiery chipotle cream sauce and sprinkled with toasted breadcrumbs and Cotija cheese.

9. Cauliflower Ceviche

Lightly-cooked cauliflower tossed with lime, kumquats, and red onion and served on a crispy corn tortilla.

10. Blistered Sweet Potatoes with Serranos and Lime

These are a holiday must-have at our house.

11. Veracruz-Style Hominy

Earthy, chewy hominy simmered with green olives, lemon, and tomato—Veracruz-style.

Two plates of hominy with rice and two glasses of pink drink next to the plates.

12. Sweet Cumin Radish Pickles

The secret ingredient to this super easy refrigerator pickle is toasted cumin seed.

A white bowl filled with radishes and cilantro on a wood cutting board.

13. Calabacitas

Cheesy Mexican zucchini is a great side but also makes a whole meal when combined with rice.

A bowl with steamed cilantro rice with calabacitas on top of it sitting on a blue napkin.

14. Chorizo and Walnut Stuffed Mushrooms

These Chorizo and Walnut Stuffed Mushrooms use walnuts and cheese instead of breadcrumbs, making them extra special, super indulgent party food.

Theses Chorizo and Walnut Stuffed Mushrooms use walnuts and cheese instead of breadcrumbs, making them extra special, super indulgent party food. #stuffedmushrooms #chorizo #mushrooms #beststuffedmushrooms #chorizostuffedmushrooms

15. Roasted Carrots with Chipotle-Honey Butter

This is a super yummy veggie side dish for any Mexican meal, but especially great for the holidays.

16. Simple Stewed Green Beans with Tomatoes

One of those great family Mexican recipes I learned from my mother-in-law.

A terracotta bowl filled with green beans and yellow wax beans with a spoon in the bowl.

17. Pickled Jalapeños with Goat Cheese

Delicious spicy pickled jalapeños stuffed with tangy goat cheese.

18. BBQ Saffron Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Aioli

This is a great side dish for grilling season!

A plate of grilled sweet potato slices on a blue napkin.

19. Artichokes with Tajín Butter

This is a great recipe when artichokes are in season in the Spring.

Step-by-step instructions on how to prep and cook artichokes then served with a chili-lime compound butter made from the classic Mexican seasoning, Tajín.

20. Roasted Mexican Street Carrots

Like Mexican street corn….but carrots.

A plate of roasted rainbow carrots topped with cream and cheese on a wood table.

21. Cheddar Bacon Jalapeño Poppers

A great way to start a meal or as a side with really any Mexican feast.

A brown plate with three jalapeño poppers on it and a pool of blue cheese dressing.

22. Cilantro-Lime Corn

Steamed corn slathered in a quick mixture of fresh cilantro and butter, sprinkle with salt, squeeze with lime, and season with some pepper, so good.

A dish filled with ears of corn topped with cilantro, cheese, and lime wedges.

23. Roasted Asparagus with Sweet Jalapeño Dressing

The best part of this recipe is the sweet and spicy dressing. You’re going to LOVE it!

A white dish with roasted asparagus in it with breadcrumbs on top.

24. Garlic Shishito Peppers

Shishito peppers can be mild or super spicy so be careful if you don’t like the heat.

A large platter of shishito peppers with a lime cut in half on the platter next to a glass and bottle of wine.

25. Oven-Baked Avocado Fries

Easy, creamy and crispy avocado fries with harissa ranch dipping sauce.

Several breaded and baked avocado fries next to a dish of pink sauce in a silver bowl.

26. Mexican Red Adobo Fries

Adobo paste creates a thin crust that is the perfect contrast to the tender, fluffy potato within.

A white plate piled with fries that are coated in a red adobo sauce.

27. Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Poblanos & Chorizo

One of the best Mexican side dishes to bring to Thanksgiving.

Creamy garlic mashed potatoes topped with crispy Spanish chorizo, charred poblano peppers and jalapeño. Basically the most delicious mashed potatoes ever. Serve with broiled salmon, roast chicken, or turkey for the ultimate holiday side dish. #mashedpotatoes #holidayside #potatoes #chorizo #garlicmashedpotatoes

28. Easy Fajita Veggies

This fajita veggies recipe comes together with a few simple ingredients, and a few minutes in a screaming hot pan.

fajita veggies in a blue bowl with a fork in it.

Mexican Salads

29. Sweet and Spicy Mexican Fruit Salad

This Mexican salad is perfect for summer parties.

A Mexican fruit salad in a watermelon on a tablecloth.

30. Grilled Asparagus Salad with Olive-Chile Dressing

Grilled asparagus with a chunky dressing of buttery California olives, bright lemon, and Fresno chiles.

Grilled asparagus salad in a white bowl with a blue stripe sitting on a wood table with a cutting board in the background.

31. Mango Cucumber Salad with Cayenne Dressing

This has been my most popular salad since 2015.

A white bowl filled with mango and cucumber salad with basil leaves next to it.

32. Baby Kale, Grapefruit & Avocado Salad

Made with simple ingredients this salad is all kinds of fresh.

A salad of romaine lettuce, pears, and salad dressing on the side.

33. Cilantro-Lime Slaw

A crunchy, no-mayo slaw that goes with everything from fish tacos to tostadas and more.

A blue dish filled with coleslaw made from thinly sliced red and green cabbage.

34. Jicama Slaw with Molasses Ginger Vinaigrette

This salad turns the humble jicama into a show-stopping side that is meant for Thanksgiving.

A bowl filled with strips of jicama and watercress with a ginger dressing on top.

35. Kale Salad with Roasted Peanuts and Queso Fresco

This salad has tender baby kale leaves, crunchy roasted peanuts, creamy queso fresco, and a tangy dressing made up of shallots, lime zest, fresh mint, and apple cider vinegar. So, so, so good!

A close up picture of a kale salad with roasted peanuts, crumbled queso fresco and two serving spoons.

36. Grape-Roasted Beet Salad with Serrano Pepper Dressing

Serrano peppers shine in this spicy dressing that is the perfect foil for the sweet roasted beets and grapes.

Beet salad close up: roasted red beets, fennel fronds, sliced fennel, red grapes cut in half, and chopped pistachios.

37. Cucumber Watermelon Salad

Fresh-squeezed lime juice and jalapeños are all you need to liven up this refreshing combo.

Watermelon-Cucumber Salad in a serving dish on a picnic blanket. #holajalapeno

38. Beet & Persimmon Salad with Candied Peanuts

A take off of Pati Jinich’s Ensalada de Navidad or Christmas Salad.

A red plate with beets and persimmons layered on it and peanuts on top.

39. Rainbow Jicama Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Crunchy jicama, radishes, carrots, cabbage, and sugar snap peas in a creamy sweet dressing.

Rainbow Jicama Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe. Latin recipe, healthy Latin food, vegetarian Latin recipe, jicama recipe. #healthylatinfood #latinrecipe #jicamarecipes #jicamasalad

40. Kale, Cara Cara & Smoked Almond Salad

Full of fresh produce this salad has tons of texture and flavor.

A blue dish with a salad on it and a serving spoon and fork next to it.

41. Warm Cauliflower Salad with Cumin Vinaigrette

This warm cauliflower salad gets drizzled with a cumin vinaigrette right after it’s been blanched and is still warm and steamy. So good on a cold winter’s day.