This article was updated on the 8th of September 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your taquitos, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 15 of the most popular side dishes for taquitos.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with taquitos are Mexican sweet potatoes, cheesy enchiladas cups, guacamole, or refried beans. You can also serve salsas like salsa verde, corn salsa, or mango slaw. More filling options include jalapeno cornbread and Mexican rice.
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.
Traditional Mexican Sides
Whether you’re making a batch of traditional or fusion taquitos, they’re guaranteed to go well with these classic Mexican dishes.
Mexican Rice
4.9 ⭐️ (27 ratings) | 30 mins
When you’re serving a Mexican main, you can’t go wrong with this restaurant-style Mexican rice.
It has delicious bold flavors that hold their own against the taquitos and highlight their crunchy texture. Plus, this rice dish is easy to make in bulk, so it’s great if you’re cooking for a crowd.
And if you’re not, you can save the leftovers for the next day. I love serving this with other dishes like carnitas, carne asada, and even simple seared salmon!
What readers are saying…
Thank you for this recipe! My craving is satisfied – but this is going to become a regular side dish.
“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.“
“What a flavorful side dish for Mexican favorites like tacos, enchiladas, and burrito bowls! It’s perfect for mid-day meals, and family gatherings.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
5.0 ⭐️ (8 ratings) | 30 mins
Want a fun way to jazz up taco Tuesdays? A Mexican street corn salad AKA esquites is the way to go.
This dish is everything we love about elotes — sweet corn kernels, jalapenos, green onions, and cilantro smothered with a creamy mayo-cotija dressing — but less messy.
Most Mexican corn salads use charred or grilled corn, but Cafe Sucrefarine uses microwaved corn, so it’s much more low-effort (but just as tasty!).
Psst… if you want more of a kick, add some chili powder.
What readers are saying…
“This is the 4th time I’ve made this, and we absolutely love it! I have used both fresh and pickled jalapeño, with my favorite being a combination of the two for both heat and vinegary tang.“
“The flavors mingle beautifully! Great make-ahead dish because you quickly warm it in the microwave before serving.“
“Oh I just LOVE Mexican corn and I could really eat this WHOLE dish! Cotija Cheese is one of my favorites! All that deliciousness in one bowl, YUM!“
Deliciously different alternatives…
🥗 Corn and Grilled Zucchini Salad
🫑 Roasted Corn and Pepper Salad
Guacamole
5.0 ⭐️ (446 ratings) | 15 mins
Taco nights wouldn’t be complete without our favorite fresh Mexican dip — guacamole!
It’s delightfully creamy, zesty, and best of all, healthy. As a bonus, this classic dip is vegan-friendly because there’s zero dairy. And when it comes to flavor, it brings a refreshingly zesty taste that takes the heat out of any taquitos that are a tad too spicy.
But what I really love about guac is you can dress it up to your preference. You can try adding bacon bits or pineapple cubes to switch things up. I personally prefer corn kernels for a bit of sweetness.
What readers are saying…
“Delicious and easy recipe! Tasted amazing!”
“Easy to make and delicious every time… Thank you for sharing.”
“It really is the BEST EVER. Alot of recipes say that – but this one truly is.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
4.9 ⭐️ (446 ratings) | 103 mins
Not really feeling creamy guacamole for your taquitos? Try a homemade salsa verde instead.
It’s just as bright and vibrant as guacamole, but with more tang and spice to liven up your meal. Garlic is an optional ingredient for this salsa, but I like adding at least three cloves for that extra bite.
Drizzle this bright green salsa over your taquitos, or leave it as a dip on the side and serve it with a few extra tortilla chips.
What readers are saying…
“Terrific base recipe.“
“Easy to make and delicious every time… Thank you for sharing.”
“It really is the BEST EVER. Alot of recipes say that – but this one truly is.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Pico de Gallo
4.9 ⭐️ (446 ratings) | 15 mins
Who can resist a homemade pico de gallo? Not me! Especially when you have crunchy taquitos for a main.
Pico de gallo is all about showcasing plump, juicy tomatoes. It’s easy to make and has the Mexican essentials of cilantro and lime, giving you the perfect zesty kick to contrast the bold flavors of your taquitos.
Cookie and Kate also adds jalapeno peppers for a bit of kick, but you can also use green bell peppers if you’re sensitive to spicy food.
What readers are saying…
“Never made pico-de-gallo before this. Had with BBQ grilled fajitas last night… a game-changer! Great flavor and went heavy on the jalapenos.“
Love your Pico recipe. I’m obsessed and make it every week. I hope it’s healthy cos I’m really enjoying it. It’s so so good and fresh, I’m never buying store-bought salsa again
“This is my go-to recipe for the best Pico de Gallo I have ever tasted – thank you ( I have passed it to quie a few friends too).”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Spicy Refried Beans
4.9 ⭐️ (25 ratings) | 40 mins
You could cheat and use refried beans from a can, but I think homemade is always the best.
Homemade refried beans have so much depth, giving you spicy, savory goodness in every bite.
They also allow you to customize the consistency to your liking. I personally like my refried beans extra smooth when serving them with something crunchy like taquitos for a satisfying texture contrast!
What readers are saying…
“Good recipe! I’m making it for the second time again today.”
“These are perfect refried beans! Easy recipe – I didn’t change a thing.”
“I love how easy this was. This will be my go-to recipes for Mexican dinner nights going forward.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Fusion Sides
If you don’t mind staying traditional, why not shake things up with these fusion creations? They may be different from what you’re used to but one thing’s for sure — they’re guaranteed to be delicious.
Enchilada Cups
4.9 ⭐️ (25 ratings) | 40 mins
Taquitos are a great finger food for parties, and these enchilada cups are an excellent accompaniment. Have you seen anything cuter than these?
Your guests will be able to grab them and go and you can fill them with whatever you want. Princess Pink Girl uses chicken, but you can also go with beef or try beans and veggies to make these vegetarian-friendly. Anything goes!
Psst… the only mandatory ingredient in these enchilada cups is cheese.
What readers are saying…
“My husband loved it too. So easy to make too.”
“These were amazing! I can’t wait to make them again!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Mexican Sweet Potatoes
5.0 ⭐️ (25 ratings) | 35 mins
Want to add more substance to your taquito meal? This sweet potato side dish is super fun and satisfying.
It’s like nachos but with sweet potato slices instead of tortilla chips. It looks great in the center of your table, and the cheesy topping meshes really well with your taquitos.
Psst… Want to keep it simple? Cube the sweet potatoes and roast them with some smoked paprika (like in this recipe).
What readers are saying…
“Sweet potatoes are one of my very favorite foods so I’m always on the lookout for new ways to cook them. I love this one!”
“We made this for dinner last night and it was a huge hit with my whole family!! It was easy to make and had tons of flavor. Even my kids loved it!“
“I cannot stop eating this! i have to double the recipe so I can eat the sweet potato chips while I make the actual dish.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Miso Corn on the Cob
5.0 ⭐️ (3 ratings) | 35 mins
We all know no one can resist an ear of delicious grilled corn on the cob, especially during the summer months. And why not take a creative spin on a classic, and slather the grilled corn with miso butter instead of regular butter?
Miso butter is rich in umami flavor and has a real gourmet feel to it that’ll have you licking your lips.
And no worries, enjoying miso-flavored corn on the cob won’t weigh you down too much that you won’t be able to enjoy your taquitos!
What the chef says…
“Miso butter will keep in fridge for up to one week. Placing miso butter in fridge also makes for a firmer texture, more butter like. Opt-in for this if you prefer to spread onto corn like butter vs. painting or drizzling.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Fajita Vegetables
4.8 ⭐️ (42 ratings) | 30 mins
These fajita vegetables are an easy way to add nutrients to your plate. Simply look in your fridge, see what vegetables you have hanging around, chop them up, and season them. Finally, roast them in the oven for 20 minutes.
And before you know it you have a tasty, healthy side dish for your taquitos and a clean fridge. Now that’s what I call hitting two birds with one stone!
What readers are saying…
“Cooked this for dinner today with some rice and it was absolutely delicious! I already know it’s going to be a very regular favorite.”
“This recipe has become a fast favorite of ours, quick easy prep, and oh so delicious!! Thank you for sharing!“
“These were so delicious and easy to make!! Will definitely be making this again. Thanks!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Green Chile Cheese Cornbread
4.4 ⭐️ (19 ratings) | 42 mins
Getting bored of your usual plain cornbread? Spice it up by adding some green chiles and cheddar cheese.
And don’t worry if you’re not a fan of spicy food. The sweetness of your cornbread offsets the heat nicely, giving you an irresistible sweet-savory flavor that leaves you wanting more.
Enjoy your taquitos with a slice of this jazzed-up cornbread for a filling meal.
What readers are saying…
“This was great! It went perfect with some black bean soup I was already making. Cooked it in a cast iron pan and it came out nice and crisp on top with awesome flavor.“
“This cornbread is fabulous! Made it many times and always use my cast iron skillet for a crispy edge. Thanks for sharing.”
“Really enjoyed this! I followed the instructions exactly, but used a fresh, roasted poblano pepper and made half the flour King Arthur white wheat. Great flavor and crumb.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Fresh and Light Sides
Taquitos are usually fried so they can end up feeling pretty heavy. Offset your meal with something fresh and light on the side to avoid overwhelming your palate.
Jicama Mango Slaw
4.4 ⭐️ (19 ratings) | 42 mins
Elevate your taquitos by serving them with a side of jicama mango slaw.
It’s a light salad, with a sweet-spicy kick that can turn any frown upside down. The jicama provides a crunch different from what you’d get taquitos — it’ll leave you feeling refreshed. And not only does it have juicy mango cubes, but the dressing itself is made of the same fruit!
And if you can’t find jicama or mangoes, try this red cabbage Mexican slaw instead.
What readers are saying…
“This was great! It went perfect with some black bean soup I was already making. Cooked it in a cast iron pan and it came out nice and crisp on top with awesome flavor.“
“This cornbread is fabulous! Made it many times and always use my cast iron skillet for a crispy edge. Thanks for sharing.”
R”eally enjoyed this! I followed the instructions exactly, but used a fresh, roasted poblano pepper and made half the flour King Arthur white wheat. Great flavor and crumb.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Bell Pepper Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (14 ratings) | 10 mins
Step out of your comfort zone and choose a vibrant bell pepper salad instead of the usual green salad.
It has way more crunch than lettuce, especially with the addition of cucumbers and red onions. And everything is tied together with an acidic red wine vinaigrette that helps cut through your rich, meaty taquitos.
Pro-tip: Prepare this salad at least 30 minutes before serving to give the flavors time to meld and develop.
What readers are saying…
“We had a bunch of peppers and wanted to figure out a healthy side to make with them – the vinaigrette plus peppers was such a hit in our house!”
“This pepper salad was so light and refreshing! Such a great side dish for any meal.”
“Wow, how pretty and tasty! Everyone raved over this salad and I loved all the crunchy veg in it. The dressing was just right and not too sweet! A winner!“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Mexican Kale Salad
4.9 ⭐️ (29 ratings) | 25 mins
This kale salad is the perfect addition to your Mexican feast.
It’s loaded with a medley of corn, black beans, and bell pepper and dressed with a cilantro lime dressing that’ll make your taste buds sing.
Skip the croutons and prop a couple of taquitos over this salad for a fun, nourishing meal.
What readers are saying…
“This recipe is awesome! I grilled the corn and added some avocado too! This is a regular in my schedule.”
“Oh. My. Stars. This is literally one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life and if I could only pick one meal to eat for the rest of my life this would be it…thank you for sharing!“
“This salad was so flavorful! Definitely a keeper.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Pickled Red Onions
5.0 ⭐️ (33 ratings) | 2 hrs 5 mins
Not in the mood for a full salad but still want that tangy twist? Top your taquitos with pickled red onions instead!
They add a bright pop of color, and they have a sweet-tangy bite that perfectly cleanses your palate from the bold flavors of your taquitos.
Pick Up Lime recommends letting the onions soak for at least a day before digging in, but I won’t judge if you’re already sneaking in a taste after an hour or two (I honestly do the same)!
What readers are saying…
“So easy, so delicious. Nice addition to my favorite sandwiches!”
“This is so quick and easy. Love it”
“These are amazing and so simple to make! They add that little bit of extra that your dish needs. We’ve made of few batches to share with family and friends.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
What To Serve With Taquitos
Ingredients
- 1 portion guacamole
- 1 portion jicama mango slaw
- 1 portion green chile cheese cornbread
- 1 portion miso corn on the cob
- 1 portion mexican rice
- 1 portion bell pepper salad … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your taquitos according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: Mexican rice, esquites (Mexican street corn salad), enchilada cups, guacamole, jicama mango slaw, salsa verde, Mexican sweet potatoes, pico de gallo, miso corn on the cob, spicy refried beans, fajita vegetables, green chile cheese cornbread, and pepper salad.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!