Tamales are essential during the holidays but they aren’t exactly a whole meal. If you are wondering what to eat with tamales we’ve got lots of ideas. From flavorful bean options featuring sofrito, bacon, and chorizo, to spicy salsas and refreshing drinks like tamarind agua fresca and blood orange beergaritas. Here are 37 side dishes and drinks to start your holiday on a tasty note.
Making tamales is no small feat and of course you want to make them the star of your holiday table.
But what do you serve with them? They are a bit complicated—fluffy masa, meaty-rich filling, complex sauce all wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves. You don’t want anything too starchy, too heavy, or too rich as a side dish. Not to mention, too complicated—you just made a huge batch of tamales after all.
I’ve gathered 36 perfect Mexican side dishes, drinks, and salsas that will round out your tamales meal. The full list is below.
Beans are always a top choice for tamales side dishes—especially if you’re hosting a crowd. I always like to offer a delicious soupy pot of beans, like my charro beans or my favorite refried beans. One of the most popular recipes on the site are my borracho beans, made in the slow cooker they are incredibly easy.
Salsas are also fantastic to prepare in advance. All salsas (except guacamole) can be made up to 5 days ahead of time. A batch of charred tomatillo salsa is a classic option, or try tomatillo avocado salsa or spicy arbol chile salsa instead.
Tamales are meant for celebrating special occasions so let’s not forget about celebratory drinks and appetizers!
For more inspiration, here are all of my side dish recipes and here are 70+ Mexican side dishes for any occasion.
What To Eat With Tamales
1. Avocado Bruschetta with Bacon & Jalapeños
This easy appetizer takes a Mexican twist to bruschetta with ripe avocado tossed with fresh lime juice, crisp bacon, and spicy jalapeños all piled on toasted baguette.
2. Smoked Maple Butter Popcorn with Habanero Salt
Gorgeous sweet and spicy popcorn drizzled with the ultimate combo of smoked maple syrup, melted butter and habanero chili powder salt.
3. Spicy Papaya Lime Shrimp Skewers
Have I told you I’m a sucker for grilled shrimp? They’re the perfect way to start a holiday party, especially when paired with sweet papaya and tamales afterward.
4. Grilled Oysters with Green Chile Garlic Butter
Christmas time means everything should be a little special and these grilled oysters are the deceptively easy (they pop open as they grill!) but sophisticated appetizer your party needs.
5. Guacamole Deviled Eggs
If deviled eggs are at the appetizer table they are always the first thing I reach for. These Mexican-inspired ones swap avocado and jalapeno pepper for the traditional mayo.
6. Honey Chipotle Cocktail Meatballs
A batch of glossy honey chipotle cocktail meatballs with their sweet spice go with a festive tamales feast. Plus bonus, they use store-bought meatballs (although you could certainly make your own) and are super easy to make.
7. Spicy Shrimp Aguachile Rojo
Mexican cuisine is full of raw seafood dishes. This aguachile produces shrimp that are softer in texture and more bracing in flavor than ceviche. The red chile adds complex notes that work wonderfully with the citrus.
8. Chile Piquin Molcajete Spicy Salsa
A molcajete is a traditional Mexican dish that is similar to a mortar and pestle but with rough edges that helps grind foods like this spicy salsa into an obsessively-good sauce to spoon over your tamales.
9. Pico de Gallo
A lot of tamales recipes have mole sauce inside the tamales and on top. If you’re looking for something simpler, serve tamales with fresh pico de gallo instead. Also good with tortilla chips.
10. Salsa Verde
Bright salsa verde plays a prominent role in my chicken tamales. I also like to mix it with the masa harina to have the salsa really penetrate into all parts of the tamal. Make an extra batch for serving on top.
11. Red Chile Tomatillo Salsa
This salsa is filled with dried chile de árbol, lots of cilantro, tomatillos, and crushed garlic. Serve this salsa with a little Mexican crema or sour cream on top of your favorite tamales for a tangy, spicy treat.
12. Salsa Roja {Salsa Ranchera}
If you’re looking for a rich red salsa that is way easier than all moles, check out this salsa ranchera recipe. I like to make a triple batch, add some to the corn dough, the filling and drizzle on top of my tamales with a little Cotija cheese.
13. No Soak Crockpot Pinto Beans
When your main dish is tamales, you need a side of these easy, super delicious pinto beans. The slow cooker does all the work, just put the dried beans and water in, add some aromatics, and 6-8 hours later you have a beautiful pot of beans.
14. Elote {Mexican Street Corn}
Delicious side dish that is welcome at any Mexican feast is elote or Mexican street corn. Even if corn on the cob is not at its prime, cooking it in a milk bath (my secret) brings out all those sweet corn flavors.
15. Baby Kale and Avocado Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette
This is a great side dish for rich tamales. The grapefruit vinaigrette is punchy and perfect for the crunchy kale and smooth, creamy avocado.
16. Easy Mexican Rice
Obviously no Mexican meal is complete without fluffy red rice and my recipe is absolutely foolproof. You fry the tomato sauce and rice like normal but then cover and finish in the oven. Comes out perfect every time.
17. Sweet Cumin Radish Pickles
In the easy, quick pickle that brightens everything column are my sweet cumin pickled radishes. These are a great option because they can (and should) be made ahead and add a nice crunch to the soft tamales.
18. Cilantro Lime Rice
Another super easy rice to serve with savory tamales is bright and cheery cilantro lime rice. Just steam rice then stir in fresh cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest.
19. Garden Salad with Queso Fresco and Crispy Tortillas
Coming back around to crunchy salads is this simple garden salad topped with blanched green beans, radishes, or anything that needs using in your fridge. The easy olive oil and thinly sliced onion dressing is adds a healthy finishing touch.
20. Pickled Red Onions
Mexican food is always better with pickled red onions. I keep a batch in my fridge at all times. They are so quick to make and add a pronounced but delicate crunch to everything they touch.
21. Roasted Carrots with Chipotle Honey Butter
If your taste buds crave zingy sweet flavors, try these roasted carrots. The carrots get nice and caramelized in the oven then tossed with a creamy smoky chipotle and honey butter sauce.
22. Sweet and Spicy Fresh Fruit Salad
The ingredients to this salad can be versatile to what looks good in the market but the idea is the same, crunchy fruits and veggies like cucumber and jicama are tossed in a lime and Tajín dressing, just like you get at the corner fruit stand, but in salad form.
23. Mexican White Rice with Vegetables {Arroz Blanco}
This peppy rice dish is especially good with pork or beef tamales—extra veggies to make up for all the meat. It also soaks up mole sauce so beautifully, if you plan on serving some with your tamales.
24. Warm Coconut Quinoa Salad with Roasted Squash
This less traditional option is super festive the green herbs and pops of red from pomegranate are reminiscent of the season and the textures are such a joy. Super healthy too!
25. Pickled Jalapeño Peppers Stuffed with Goat Cheese
Homemade pickled jalapeños and carrots are spicy…and spice-y. I like to use Zatarain’s Crab Boil to season the pickling liquid. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s the perfect amount of spice. Oh, did I mention these are stuffed with goat cheese—yum!
26. Mexican Black Beans
These sofrito black beans are legend at our house and no holiday meal is complete without them. Creamy tender black beans floating in a sea of richly spiced broth. They get better as they sit so go ahead and make a huge batch.
27. Charro Beans
If you’re looking for a meatier option, try these charro beans. They start with sautéed bacon and chorizo and only get better from there. Finished with fresh tomato and pickled jalapeños there’s nothing shy about these beans.
28. Cranberry Agua Fresca with Mint and Lime
A holiday favorite at the Ramos house, fresh cranberries make exquisite agua fresca. This giant mint and lime ice cubes are a fun touch that lend chill and flavor to this refreshing drink.
29. Pink Grapefruit and Cilantro Spanish Gin Tonic
Both light and boozy at the same time if you’ve never had the Spanish version of this classic gin drink it starts with herbs (in this case cilantro), lots of fruit juice (fresh grapefruit), a little gin, and some bubbly tonic water.
31. Blood Orange Beergarita
Winter time means citrus time! Celebrate and make a beer margarita with fresh blood orange juice. Lower in alcohol than a classic margarita and with a sweet yeasty tang.
32. Atole de Arroz
Atole, Mexican hot chocolate, and other hot sweet beverages are classic to serve with sweet tamales for breakfast, afternoon snack or dessert. This sweet rice drink is like the best warm horchata or silky, smooth rice pudding you’ll ever have.
33. Agua de Tamarindo {Tamarind-Orange Agua Fresca}
Homemade tamarind and orange agua fresca is another wonderful alcohol-free option that is sweet and sour and absolutely refreshing with a plate of rice, beans, and tamales.
34. Tamarind Rum Punch
If you are a tamarind lover (like me) here’s a more boozy option. This punch is fantastic with tamarind, ginger, rum, and Moscato to make everything sparkle. It makes a large batch too—great for parties.
35. Mezcal Rhubarb Sour
For more intimate gatherings, make a batch of these beautiful mezcal sour cocktails. If rhubarb is hard to find this time of year, make the simple syrup using pomegranate instead.
36. Mango Lime Agua Fresca
Another kid-friendly drink is my fresh mango and lime agua fresca. This is one of my favorite agua frescas. It is simply outstanding especially when the mango is super ripe, sweet, and juicy and balanced with just the perfect amount of sour from the lime.
37. Chambord Sangria
It’s always fun to set up a bar and let guests help themselves. My favorite is a sangria bar with different wines, fruit, and a Chambord-lavender syrup for that extra special touch.
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