This article was updated on the 30th of August 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your pulled pork tacos, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 15 of the most popular side dishes for pulled pork tacos.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with pulled pork tacos are guacamole, Mexican coleslaw, and loaded baked potato salad. You can also try cucumber and tomato salad, or a mango pico de gallo for more refreshing options. I also like Mexican rice or a salsa verde.
For each side dish, I’ve provided alternative options to cater to various diets and lifestyles, including vegan, quick and easy, and health-conscious options.
Fresh and Fruity Accompaniments
These dishes are light and delicious, and they all have a refreshing sweetness that provides a delectable contrast to the richness of your pulled pork tacos.
Mango Pico de Gallo
5.0 ⭐️ (103 ratings) | 5 mins
If you want something sweet to pair with your pulled pork tacos, why not try mango pico de gallo?
After all, sweet and savory is always a good combo. Plus, the mango’s fruity sweetness, combined with the acidity of the lime juice and the bite of onions, is exactly what you need to balance the pulled pork’s savory flavors.
Another thing I love about this salsa is how easy it is to make – chop everything, give it a mix, and this salsa is ready to go!
What the chef says…
“Try peaches or pineapple instead of mango. These fruits will also add a nice sweetness… This mango pico de gallo is the perfect dip to make ahead of time because it becomes more flavorful as it sits. In fact, I prefer making it one day before serving.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Tropical Guacamole
Total Time: 10 mins
Is it possible to eat tacos without guacamole on the side? I don’t think so. But if you find it too predictable, why not switch things up with this tropical-inspired version?
This jazzed-up guac features pineapple and mango chunks folded in with the creamy avocados. It’s a zesty side with a hint of sweetness, and you can use it as a dip for the tacos or spoon it into them. You’ll never want plain guacamole again!
Psst… this goes great with the mango pico de gallo above.
What readers are saying…
“This is my new addiction! I found it on Pinterest, and now that summer is finally close it’s the perfect snack. I left out the cilantro (I think it tastes like soap)…”
“Love this tropical spin on guacamole.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Cucumber Tomato Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (6 ratings) | 20 mins
This cucumber and tomato salad is crunchy and bright. And with the acidity from the vinegar and a squeeze of lime, it’s guaranteed to add freshness to your pulled pork tacos.
The recipe also uses dried mint to add a lingering cool effect that refreshes the palate, but I prefer using fresh mint because I think the salad tastes better with it.
Pro tip: the smaller the tomato, the sweeter.
What readers are saying…
“I made this at least once a week! Especially in the summer.”
“I made this salad for the first time a week and a half ago and have made it 4 times since- it’s that good. It’s light and refreshing and a perfect side for any meal.”
“Refreshing salad!!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Watermelon Arugula Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (10 ratings) | 10 mins
This is the perfect summer salad for your pulled pork tacos.
The watermelon cubes have a refreshing sweetness that cleanses the palate in every bite, while the arugula adds a zippy kick that’ll tickle your taste buds.
Skinny Taste finishes off this salad with feta cheese, but I prefer using queso fresco to keep the Mexican theme going.
What readers are saying…
“I was looking for a quick and light summer salad last week, and this one checked all the boxes. It was a huge hit with my family…“
“So so good. Perfect for summer! Refreshing and light, but satisfying.”
“Eating this right now. So good, even better than I thought it would be.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Hibiscus Tea
5.0 ⭐️ (6 ratings) | 1 hr 5 mins
This isn’t technically a side dish, but you’ll need a cool drink to wash down your pulled pork tacos. And this hibiscus tea, also called Agua de Jamaica, is an excellent choice.
Hibiscus tea on its own is tart, so adding a sweetener is a must to achieve a balanced flavor. Meggan from Culinary Hill uses regular white sugar, but I prefer using maple syrup as a natural alternative to refined sugar.
Psst… honey is a good option too!
What readers are saying…
“Your recipe is amazing. I made it on the stovetop. It was so delicious, will definitely be making this again.”
“I love Agua de Jamaica! I tried yours and it is so refreshing on a hot day – not too sweet, so flavorful! Thanks for sharing. This is as authentic as it gets!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Hearty Sides
Think your pulled pork tacos won’t fill you up? Enjoy them alongside these tasty hearty dishes to complete the meal.
Jalapeño Cheddar Honey Cornbread
5.0 ⭐️ (6 ratings) | 23 mins
If your pulled pork tacos are saucy, this cheesy cornbread is just what you need to mop up all that sauce.
Believe me, it is AMAZING. Wonderfully light, crumbly, sweet, and savory, this recipe is a must-try.
But if jalapeños aren’t your thing, I’ve also had success with using roasted red peppers. They add a pop of red to the cornbread and a subtly smoky-sweet kick.
What readers are saying…
“Best cornbread recipe out there. I usually make it without jalapeno but this is a hit every time! Love it.”
“I used pickled jalapeños and it ended up quite spicy. I brushed some honey on the top when it was done baking to cut the heat. It was Delicious. I’ll make this again for sure.”
“This recipe is a hit every time and soo easy to make.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Chipotle Chicken Nachos
4.8 ⭐️ (136 ratings) | 40 mins
Nachos and tacos both hail from Mexican cuisine, and they’re both delightful to eat. The tacos bring a tender texture, while the nachos bring the crunch (and a whole lot of cheese).
These nachos are smothered with a jalapeño yogurt sauce that brings heat and a cooling effect to your taste buds. I recommend making extra so you can drizzle it over your pulled pork tacos too. Now that’s what I call a win-win!
The key to these nachos is to dig in as soon as they come out of the oven, so don’t let these sit out for too long or they’ll go soggy.
What readers are saying…
“A winner! Thanks for the tasty recipe.”
“These were so easy and DELICIOUS. Jalapeño yogurt is key! My friend said “it’s like a Mexican tzatziki” and she was absolutely right.”
“So good! Have used both ground chicken and turkey and great either way!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🍄 Loaded Vegetarian Mushroom Nachos
🍠 Grilled Sweet Potato Nachos
😇 Cauliflower Nachos
Mexican Rice
4.9 ⭐️ (27 ratings) | 30 mins
Mexican rice, aka Spanish rice, is an excellent filling accompaniment to your tacos. And this rice is anything but plain — it packs a bold, savory flavor, thanks to the combination of tomato sauce, cumin, jalapeño peppers, and spices.
It’s a real crowd-pleaser that’s guaranteed to have people asking for seconds.
But what I love about this recipe is that everything is cooked entirely in one pot, which means fewer dishes to clean. This rice dish also takes about 30 minutes to make from start to finish, making it great even for those busy weeknights.
What readers are saying…
“As close as I’ve come across to my late mom’s recipe! Thank you. Very easy to make, taste was phenomenal.”
“This recipe was a huge hit with my family.”
“The flavor is AH-MAZING!!!! I’m in love!!! Especially while being at home so much, I’ve been eating more rice, and i wanted a way to make It more exciting.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
4.8 ⭐️ (177 ratings) | 4 hrs 20 mins
This loaded baked potato salad is just as creamy as the traditional version but with a lighter, fluffier base.
And instead of only mayo, Heidi from Foodie Crush mixes in sour cream to create a luscious, tangy dressing that works really well to mellow out the bold, savory flavors of your pulled pork tacos.
Heidi also recommends planning ahead and giving this potato salad a few hours to chill before serving to let all the flavors meld together. I personally prefer letting it rest overnight for maximum flavor.
What readers are saying…
“This was amazing! Made it last week to take to friends’ for dinner and making it again this weekend, too!”
“Been making a similar tater salad and I add a dash of cayenne, and bit more pepper as I LOVE pepper. It is a keeper! I sometimes switch it up and keep the skins on as well. Delicious both ways!”
“I could eat this entire bowl every day for a year and never get tired of it. Seriously, love this kind of salad.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🤤 Tex-Mex Three-Bean Potato Salad
🇫🇷 French-style Potato Salad
Sweet Corn Fritters
4.4 ⭐️ (90 ratings) | 30 mins
If you’re serving pulled pork tacos in a pick-n’-mix kind of spread, sweet corn fritters are a great addition.
They’ll add a lightly crisp bite and a delectable sweet contrast to your saucy tacos. Plus, they’re small enough that everyone can enjoy a couple of pieces without feeling too full.
These golden treats are best served warm with maple syrup or honey drizzled on top. But if you want to shake things up, you can also dip them in your salsa or guacamole.
What readers are saying…
“I realized I didn’t have corn so used zucchini and drained it really well. Worked perfectly!”
“Easy and quick very good!”
“Excellent recipe! They were light and fluffy. I think the batter without corn would even make tasty donuts. Simply was delicious!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Toppings and Condiments
Pulled pork tacos are delicious as they are, but they’re even better with the right kind of toppings and condiments. Go for crisp, tangy sides like slaws or something creamy like a classic Mexican crema.
Pickled Red Onions
4.7 ⭐️ (63 ratings) | 1hr 15 mins
I always like to have a jar of pickled onions in my fridge. It goes well on virtually anything, from pulled pork tacos to burgers and sandwiches.
They add a bright zing that helps cut through the richness of the pulled pork taco filling nicely.
Just a heads up, though — the pickling brine can make the kitchen smell vinegary as it cooks, so follow recipe creator Stephanie’s lead and light a candle to offset the strong aroma.
What readers are saying…
“Love these pickled onions!! Not only do I eat them on these tacos but basically are good on any meal. Always have two jars in the fridge!! They are a must-make!”
“This was so easy to make and fabulous. Will make again. Only used 1/2 of the large onion.”
“I love these onions they are delicious and we used them with a lot of sandwiches.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Mexican Coleslaw
4.4 ⭐️ (233 ratings) | 15 mins
Coleslaw and pulled pork is a classic combination, so having this veggie side on the list is a no-brainer.
But of course, you need to give the coleslaw a little twist to keep the Mexican theme going. That’s why I love this recipe from Lemon Tree Dwelling. Aside from the usual carrots and cabbage, it features a medley of corn, cilantro, and jalapeños, all dressed in a taco-spiced mayo dressing.
It’s like half coleslaw, half taco salad!
What readers are saying…
“This is AMAZING – am eating some for lunch right now and sprinkled some pepitas on top. It is really a perfect slaw. Thanks so much for sharing!”
“This is such a perfect dish to take to a potluck!”
“This was amazing, Cathy–everyone loved it!!! I found refrigerating it overnight helped the flavors meld. It is such a fantastic twist on boring old coleslaw.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
4.4 ⭐️ (103 ratings) | 35 mins
Do you feel like your pulled pork tacos need a little extra something? Top them off with this vibrant tomatillo salsa.
It’s fresh, tangy, and has a subtle fieriness that complements the deep, meaty flavors of pulled pork tacos.
Traditional recipes involve boiling the tomatillos, but Simply Recipes recommends roasting them instead. The high heat caramelizes the natural sugars in the tomatillos, giving this green salsa a deeper flavor.
What readers are saying…
“It turned out great!! Tasted exactly like a premium locally made brand I buy regularly.”
“Very good–I doubled the garlic because you can never have enough garlic. I roasted my jalapeno and then removed the skin and chopped it up.”
“It was fabulously delicious!! My first attempt at salsa verde but definitely not my last.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Sauteed Peppers and Onions
4.6 ⭐️ (71 ratings) | 28 mins
These sauteed peppers and onions are the perfect quick and easy topping for your pulled pork tacos.
The veggies get delightfully soft and caramelized over the high heat, bringing a nice contrast to your saucy pulled pork filling.
Isabel Eats also seasons the veggies with a pinch of red pepper flakes and oregano, but you can easily skip them and stick with salt and pepper if you prefer.
What readers are saying…
“Delicious!! I’ve made this recipe multiple times now because it is a hit. This time I had extra bell peppers that I didn’t want to go bad so I made this and as usual, it was very tasty.”
“Great way to get your veggies as a side with Mexican food!”
“Unbelievably good. I added these to our veggie burgers and there are no words for how good they are. My 9-year-old son ate every bite. Yum!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Cilantro Lime Crema
4.7 ⭐️ (67 ratings) | 5 mins
Add a delicious creamy bite to your pulled pork tacos with a dollop of this cilantro lime crema.
It’s deliciously bright and zesty, perfect with the savory notes of your pulled pork filling.
This recipe blends sour cream with mayo to achieve that extra tang, but I prefer using Greek yogurt. It makes the crema a bit lighter, but still creamy. And as a bonus, you get to incorporate a healthy dose of probiotics into your meal. Yay!
What readers are saying…
“I’ve made it 3 or 4 times already, everyone who tries loves it and asks for the recipe.”
“Buenísimo! Put it on tostadas and Everybody loved it!”
“Simple and excellent!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
What To Serve With Pulled Pork Tacos – 15 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion mango pico de gallo
- 1 portion corn fritters
- 1 portion chipotle chicken nachos
- 1 portion pickled onions
- 1 portion mexican rice
- 1 portion tomatillo salsa verde … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your pulled pork tacos according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it!
- Side dishes include: mango pico de gallo, tropical guacamole, jalapeno cheddar honey cornbread, cucumber and tomato salad, chipotle chicken nachos, pickled onions, mexican rice, loaded baked potato salad, mexican coleslaw, sweet corn fritters, and tomatillo salsa verde.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
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