Name: What To Serve With Quesadillas
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 portion quesadillas

Table of Contents

If you’re wondering what to serve with your quesadillas, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 45 of the most popular side dishes for quesadillas.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve with quesadillas are chicken tinga, Mexican rice, street corn, jicama slaw, and pickled jalapenos. You can also pair them with avocado and kale dip, cowboy beans, avocado fries, or nachos. For salad options, try an everyday Mexican salad or a shrimp and avocado salad.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Related: how to reheat quesadillas

Chicken tinga

This Mexican classic features shredded chicken cooked in an extra flavorful roasted tomato sauce.

It’s superb as a taco or burrito filling, but I especially love it with cheese quesadillas.

After all, cheese and tomato are a flavor match made in heaven!

Psst… save the sauce to use as a dip for your quesadillas.

Why we love this recipe: it only has 65 calories per serving.

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Chicken tinga
Make it familiar
Pulled pork
Go meat-free
Jackfruit tinga

Avocado, kale, and artichoke dip

Step aside, guacamole – there’s a new dip in town!

Load your avocados up with hemp seeds, sauteed curly kale, and artichoke hearts.

This dip is super healthy and super tasty. Plus it will go with any quesadilla version you can think of.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a unique spin on a well-known favorite.

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Avocado, kale, and artichoke dip
Go back to basics
Guacamole
Skip the avocado
Spinach artichoke dip

Roasted peppers and onions

These roasted peppers and onions are a great way to perk up your cheese or chicken quesadillas.

Roasting the veggies releases their natural sugars, so they become lightly sweet and you get some smokiness from the charred edges.

They’ll also add a gorgeous splash of color to your plate.

Why we love this recipe: no hands-on cooking is needed – just a bit of chopping.

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Roasted peppers and onions
Make it meaty
Chorizo frito
Ditch the oven
Sauteed fajita vegetables

Jicama, carrot, radish slaw

This slaw is the perfect summer addition to your quesadillas.

It’s crunchier than your usual coleslaw, and it has a fresh, citrusy flavor, thanks to the cilantro and lime vinaigrette.

Not a cilantro fan? Swap it for thinly sliced green onions.

Why we love this recipe: it’s super nourishing and low-carb.

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Jicama carrot radish slaw
Make it Mexican-inspired
Mexican coleslaw
Add a fruity note
Mango, jicama, and cucumber salad

Cowboy beans

This recipe transforms your plain old can of baked beans into a rich, indulgent dish that’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.

Along with creamy beans, you have ground beef, crunchy bacon bits, mustard, and BBQ sauce.

It makes a great chunky dip for some cheese quesadillas.

Why we love this recipe: you can eat the leftovers for breakfast (or freeze them).

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Cowboy beans
Keep it simple
Refried beans
Make a classic
Classic chili

Everyday Mexican salad

Keep things simple with a salad.

Fresh mixed greens, avocado slices, cilantro, cherry tomatoes, and pepitas (for extra crunch), are all tossed with a tangy, earthy cumin-lime dressing.

Pair it with some quesadillas (I recommend meaty ones) for a light, nourishing meal.

Why we love this recipe: it takes 15 minutes to put together.

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Everyday Mexican salad
Skip the lettuce leaves
Mexican street corn kale salad
Add a fruity note
Mexican papaya salad

Street corn (elotes)

Complete your Mexican feast with a platter of these famous elotes!

If you’ve never had them, you’re missing out – the combination of sweet corn kernels with luscious Mexican crema, salty cotija, and smoky seasoning is simply irresistible.

Fresh, grilled sweet corn is usually used, but frozen corn on the cob will work in a pinch.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a fun side that will get everyone excited.

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Street corn (elotes)
Off-the cob
Mexican street corn (esquites)
Fire up the stovetop
Elote fritters

Roasted tomatillo and jalapeno salsa

Skip the jarred salsas and give this homemade vibrant green salsa a try!

In this version, the tomatillos are roasted with garlic and onions, giving you a smoky flavor that compliments the tomatillos’ acidity.

And adding cilantro brings another layer of fresh, zesty flavors.

Why we love this recipe: you know exactly what’s going into it (and it’s all good things).

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Roasted tomatillo and jalapeno salsa
Skip the tomatillos
Roasted red pepper salsa
Make it no-cook
Authentic pico de Gallo

Buffalo chicken bites

Try some Mexican-American fusion with these buffalo chicken bites.

The wings are covered with paprika, garlic powder, and the secret ingredient – corn flakes! Before being baked (not fried) to crisp perfection.

Then they’re coated with a buttery, tangy buffalo sauce.

Why we love this recipe: they make for a great appetizer too.

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Buffalo chicken bites
Make it creamy
Creamy garlic parmesan chicken wings
Take an Asian route
Salt and pepper popcorn chicken

Mexican rice

You can’t go wrong with classic Mexican rice for a hearty side dish.

The rice is simmered in a mixture of chicken broth and tomato sauce, infusing the grains with flavor and giving them that fiery orange hue.

Pro-tip: saute your rice with your aromatics before you cook it to enhance its natural nutty flavor.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a budget-friendly, one-pot dish.

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Mexican rice
Change the flavor
Cilantro lime rice
Make it low-carb
Mexican cauliflower rice

Chicken tortilla soup

Beat the winter blues with a meal of cheese quesadillas alongside a fresh bowl of chicken tortilla soup.

The quesadillas will stand in for bread and you can use them to wipe the bowl clean once you’ve finished the comforting soup.

Why we love this recipe: it transforms basic ingredients into a heartwarming dish.

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Chicken tortilla soup
Make it decadent
Creamy chicken tortilla soup
Make it meat-free
Mexican bean soup

Avocado fries

If you’ve never tried avocado fries, you’re in for a treat.

They’re coated in breadcrumbs, giving them a crispy crust that perfectly contrasts with the creamy interiors.

You can follow the recipe’s lead and dip these in a ginger-soy sauce and garlic aioli, but they’re superb with salsa too.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a fun and tasty way to enjoy avocados.

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Avocado fries
Make it fusion
Air fryer avocado Southwest egg rolls
Make it savory
Bacon-wrapped avocado

Pickled jalapenos

These pickled jalapenos are an excellent pick-me-up for quesadillas.

The sharp, spicy bite will keep your meal from getting too heavy and wake up your tastebuds so you can really appreciate all the flavors in your quesadillas.

Another great thing about these jalapenos? You don’t have to cook anything!

Why we love this recipe: it’s foolproof – anyone can make these quick pickles.

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Pickled jalapenos
Lose the spice
Mexican pickled vegetables
Make it different
Jalapeno jelly

Warm shrimp and avocado salad

Not a fan of salads full of leafy greens?

This is the salad for you.

It’s packed with velvety avocado chunks, juicy shrimp, black beans, crunchy cucumbers, and spicy jalapeno peppers.

Psst… pair this with carne asada quesadillas for a unique surf-and-turf meal.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a delicious medley of different flavors and textures.

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Warm shrimp and avocado salad
Make it crisp
Bell pepper salad
Make it filling
Avocado pasta salad

Ultimate nachos

Whether you’re throwing a game day party or a Mexican-inspired feast, your spread wouldn’t be complete without nachos.

Top the nachos with the same fillings you’re using for your quesadillas, or go wild and try something completely different.

Whatever you do, it’ll be a hit.

Why we love this recipe: the flavor options are endless.

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Ultimate nachos
Skip the tortilla chips
Loaded sweet potato nachos
Ditch the meat and cheese
Vegan nacho platter with cashew cheese

What sauce goes with quesadillas?

My go-to sauce to pair with quesadillas is salsa. Try a tomatillo and jalapeno salsa or a mojo Picante. Fresh, zesty sauces like chimichurri or a salsa verde are great too. For something a little different, try avocado, kale, and artichoke dip.

Best sauces to serve with quesadillas

What salad goes with quesadillas?

Complete your quesadilla meal with an everyday Mexican salad featuring avocado. If you don’t like leafy greens, try warm shrimp and avocado salad or a black bean and corn salad. For something traditional, try a cactus salad.

Best salads to serve with quesadillas