Let’s talk tamales. Are you a pork tamales or a chicken tamales person? Green chiles and cheese tamales, tamales de elote? Luckily for me, I’m not picky at all so I gorge myself with any kind! Today, I have collaborated with a group of talented bloggers to share a collection of the best side dishes for tamales. If you are wondering what to serve with tamales for an upcoming dinner, look no further!
Of course, these tamales side dishes are also perfect as sides for tacos, side dishes for enchiladas, or any other Hispanic entree you might be serving.
Keep Side Dishes for Tamales Simple
If you caught my recent post on adding easy chili topping for store-bought tamales, you know I like to keep things simple with tamales. Sometimes, I simply serve my smothered tamales alone with nothing but the chili topping and the chips. Other times, I like to choose one side item to go along with the main tamales dish.
Ideas for What to Serve with Tamales
Many people go the route of rice or beans when it comes to what to serve with tamales. If you pay much attention at authentic Mexican restaurants, these are the main two items typically served with tamales. However, you can expand and serve black bean salad, elote (Mexican street corn), guacamole salad, etc.
Serve Bean Side Dishes with Tamales
In the collection below, you will find recipes for salsa verde pinto beans, Insta pot refried beans, and slow cooker black beans.
Serve Rice Side Dishes with Tamales
Also, you will see Insta pot Spanish rice, Mexican rice, yellow rice, and cilantro rice. You will also find a recipe for authentic Costa Rican gallo pinto. For a flavorful blend, try the zucchini, rice, and bean blend included in the list.
Serve Fresh Salad With Tamales
In the round up, you will find recipes for pico de gallo which can be used to top the tamales or also used as a salad or like a dip with chips or veggies. You will also see a Mexican quinoa salad, a Mexican street corn salad, avocado salad, and another avocado salad with black beans and corn.
More Ideas for What to Serve with Tamales
For some true authenticity, try some of the plantain recipes in the collection. The patacones (tostones) and the tajadas de maduro are my mom’s Panamanian recipes! One blogger has also contributed a creamy guacamole blend dip, perfect for chips alongside your tamales.
What to Serve with Tamales
If you are brainstorming what to serve with tamales, check out our list of best side dishes for tamales, contributed by bloggers from all over.
Rice Side Dishes to Serve with Tamales
This Tex Mex Rice and Beans with Zucchini is a delicious meat-free side that’s packed with summer veggies, beans, and tons of flavor. Serve this zucchini black bean and rice skillet with the protein of your choice for a flavor-packed, nutrient-dense meal in under an hour!
Arroz Borracho means Drunk Rice or white rice that’s steamed in beer and water. It gives the finished rice a malty, rich flavor. Aromatics and spices, commonly used in Hispanic cooking, are also what makes this side dish so tantalizing good.
Cilantro rice is a delicious accompaniment to any Mexican dish!
Just like you would get in a Mexican restaurant with your Tamales, this Mexican Rice is perfectly spiced and turns out delicious every time.
The Instant Pot offers a shortcut to restaurant style rice! Instant Pot Spanish Rice cooks quickly with just a few ingredients, making it a perfect side dish for tamales.
This yellow rice is an easy and quick side dish that can be served with lots of different main courses including tamales.
Bean Side Dishes for Tamales
Explore these various styes of bean side dishes for tamales. Surely you will find just the right one!
Bacon, chorizo and melty cheese combine to bring you an authentic refried beans option to serve with tamales.
Slightly spicy and full of flavor these simple salsa verde pinto beans bathe in a rich and creamy broth that will leave you longing for more.
If you enjoy the taste of refried beans, ditch the canned version and learn how to make these Instant Pot Refried Beans with ease. The recipe is simple to follow and will leave you with delicious beans!
Offer this authentic Costa Rican rice and beans as a side dish for tamales.
These crockpot black beans are slow cooked with beer, bacon, onion, and spices! Let your crockpot do all the work with this easy recipe.
Salads to Serve with Tamales
If you are still wondering what to serve with tamales, maybe one of these yummy salads will do the trick! You will find an esquites recipe based off of the traditional Mexican elotes. There is black bean salad, avocado salad, and more!
This Mexican Street Corn Salad is an easy corn salad recipe with black beans, peppers, onions, cheese and a tangy dressing. It is perfect for serving with tamales.
This tomato, cucumber, and avocado salad is a healthy Mexican side dish to serve alongside tamales, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and other Latin dishes.
Avocado Black Bean Corn Salad is fast, easy, fresh and colorful! No cooking required - just chop the veggies and toss with a zesty Cilantro Lime Dressing.
Mexican Quinoa Salad is fresh, hearty, and flavorful! Quinoa, corn, black beans, cucumbers and tomatoes are tossed in a dressing made from cilantro and fresh squeezed lemon.
More Side Dishes for Tamales
Enjoy these plantain, pico de gallo, and skillet street corn recipes!
This Keto salsa comes together in a breeze, making for a great topping or side dish for tamales.
Buttery corn with a creamy sauce, a splash of lime and cotija cheese - this dish is everything you love about Elote corn on the cob but much easier to serve and enjoy!
This guacamole version is extra creamy thanks to the addition of sour cream.
Have some super ripe plantains? Make tajadas de maduro!
Tostones, platanos fritos, patacones...whatever you wish to call them, these unripe green plantains round out a meal of tamales!
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Hopefully, you found some inspirational ideas on what to serve with tamales!
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