Burritos are undeniably satisfying meals on their own, packed with flavorful fillings and wrapped in a warm tortilla. But have you ever considered taking your burrito experience to the next level by pairing it with the perfect side dish? While burritos are indeed hearty, the right accompaniments can introduce exciting textures, flavors, and a refreshing contrast to your main course.
In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of mouthwatering side dishes that perfectly complement burritos, transforming your meal into a well-rounded and truly unforgettable dining experience. Whether you’re craving something fresh and light, or rich and savory, we’ve got you covered with a selection of options that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more. Get ready to discover the best side dishes to serve with burritos!
Why Consider Side Dishes for Burritos?
You might be thinking, “Burritos are already a complete meal, why do I need a side?” That’s a valid point! Burritos are designed to be substantial and filling. However, adding side dishes can significantly enhance your meal in several ways:
- Balance Flavors and Textures: Side dishes can introduce contrasting flavors and textures that complement the richness of a burrito. A fresh salad can cut through the heaviness, while a crunchy slaw adds delightful texture.
- Create a Well-Rounded Meal: Sides can boost the nutritional value of your meal by adding extra vegetables, vitamins, and fiber.
- Elevate the Dining Experience: Serving sides makes your meal feel more special and complete, whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a fun weekend gathering.
- Offer Variety: If you’re serving burritos to a group, offering a selection of sides allows everyone to customize their plate and find something they love.
Now, let’s dive into some of the best side dishes that will make your burritos shine even brighter!
Top Side Dishes to Serve with Burritos:
1. Mexican Bean Salad
Looking to add a burst of freshness and vibrant color to your burrito meal? A Mexican Bean Salad is the perfect choice. This salad is a delightful mix of beans, corn, bell peppers, red onion, and cilantro, all tossed in a zesty lime vinaigrette. It offers a wonderful crunch and a refreshing counterpoint to the soft, warm burrito.
Why it Works with Burritos: The acidity and freshness of the bean salad cut through the richness of the burrito fillings, providing a balanced and invigorating element to your plate. It’s especially delicious with chicken burritos, adding a light and healthy touch.
Fresh and colorful Mexican Bean Salad served as a side dish for burritos
2. Mexican Corn (Esquites)
For a taste of authentic Mexican street food right alongside your burrito, Esquites, or Mexican Corn Salad, is an exceptional choice. This dish features grilled or roasted corn kernels mixed with creamy mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. The smoky and slightly spicy flavors of Esquites are incredibly addictive and pair wonderfully with burritos. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a dollop of homemade chipotle mayo.
Why it Works with Burritos: Esquites brings a creamy, smoky, and slightly sweet dimension to your meal. The charred corn adds a delightful texture contrast, and the overall flavor profile enhances the Mexican-inspired taste of burritos. It’s particularly delicious with tortilla wrap burritos, offering a street food vibe.
Authentic Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites) with creamy chipotle mayo, a flavorful side for burritos
3. Mexican Salad
When the weather is warm, or you’re simply craving something light and refreshing, a classic Mexican Salad is an ideal side for burritos. This colorful salad typically includes fresh salad leaves, carrots, radishes, spring onions, feta cheese, avocado, and black beans. A light chipotle dressing and a sprinkle of tortilla chips for crunch complete this vibrant and healthy side.
Why it Works with Burritos: The Mexican Salad offers a refreshing and healthy counterpoint to the often-rich fillings of a burrito. Its diverse textures and flavors, from creamy avocado to crunchy tortilla chips, make each bite interesting and satisfying. It pairs particularly well with spicy jackfruit burritos, providing a cooling and balancing effect.
Fresh and colorful Mexican Bean Salad served as a side dish for burritos
4. Mexican Coleslaw
Looking for a side dish with a zesty kick and satisfying crunch? Mexican Coleslaw is your answer. This slaw takes the traditional coleslaw and elevates it with a spicy dressing made from chipotle mayo and lime juice. The crisp cabbage and flavorful dressing create a refreshing and tangy side that complements burritos beautifully.
Why it Works with Burritos: The Mexican Coleslaw’s crispness and tangy, spicy dressing provide a wonderful textural and flavor contrast to the softer, richer burrito. It’s especially fantastic with black bean burritos, adding a layer of bright and bold flavors.
Authentic Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites) with creamy chipotle mayo, a flavorful side for burritos
5. Lime and Coriander Rice
Rice is often found inside burritos, but serving Lime and Coriander Rice on the side adds an extra layer of fresh, zesty flavor to your meal. This fragrant rice dish is infused with lime juice and fresh coriander, creating a light and aromatic accompaniment. For an even deeper flavor, consider using chipotle lime paste in your rice preparation.
Why it Works with Burritos: Lime and Coriander Rice enhances the overall Mexican flavor profile of your meal while providing a light and fluffy texture. Its citrusy notes brighten up the palate and complement a variety of burrito fillings. It’s an excellent side for vegan burritos, adding a flavorful carbohydrate element.
Fresh and colorful Mexican Bean Salad served as a side dish for burritos
6. Mexican Rice with Chipotle
For a more robust and smoky rice option, Mexican Rice with Chipotle is a fantastic choice. This authentic rice dish is packed with carrots, peas, coriander, and a touch of chipotle paste, lending a smoky depth and subtle heat. It’s a flavorful and comforting side that complements the heartiness of burritos.
Why it Works with Burritos: Mexican Rice with Chipotle adds a layer of savory, smoky flavor that enhances the overall Mexican experience. The vegetables add texture and nutrition, making it a satisfying and well-rounded side. It’s particularly delicious with chili con carne burritos, reinforcing the rich and savory flavors.
Authentic Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites) with creamy chipotle mayo, a flavorful side for burritos
7. Pico De Gallo
When simplicity and freshness are key, Pico De Gallo is the ultimate side dish. This classic Mexican salsa is made with diced tomatoes, raw onion, chili, lime juice, and coriander. Its bright, zesty, and slightly spicy flavor profile makes it an incredibly versatile accompaniment.
Why it Works with Burritos: Pico De Gallo provides a burst of freshness and acidity that cuts through the richness of burritos. Its simple, clean flavors enhance the other components of the meal without overpowering them. It’s a perfect topping or side for chicken burritos, adding a vibrant and zesty element.
Fresh and colorful Mexican Bean Salad served as a side dish for burritos
8. Guacamole and Chips
No Mexican-inspired meal is truly complete without Guacamole and Tortilla Chips. Creamy, rich guacamole made with fresh avocados, lime juice, onions, and cilantro, paired with crispy tortilla chips, is a crowd-pleasing side that’s hard to resist. For an extra flavor boost, try adding tomatillo salsa to your guacamole.
Why it Works with Burritos: Guacamole and chips offer a creamy, rich, and slightly salty contrast to burritos. The crunchy chips provide a satisfying texture, and the guacamole’s flavor complements virtually any burrito filling. It’s a classic and universally loved side for any type of burrito.
Authentic Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites) with creamy chipotle mayo, a flavorful side for burritos
9. Mexican Black Beans
For a simple yet satisfying side that echoes the flavors of a burrito, consider serving Mexican Black Beans. These beans can be served warm, either on the side or even as an extra filling option. Garnish them with chopped onion, tomatoes, chillies, coriander, avocado, and a dollop of crème fraîche for added flavor and texture.
Why it Works with Burritos: Mexican Black Beans are a hearty and flavorful side that reinforces the Mexican theme. They provide a comforting and protein-rich addition to your meal. They are particularly well-suited to breakfast burritos, adding a traditional and wholesome element.
Fresh and colorful Mexican Bean Salad served as a side dish for burritos
10. Nachos
If you’re looking to go all-out and create a truly indulgent Mexican feast, Nachos are the ultimate side to serve with burritos. Load up tortilla chips with guacamole, chipotle salsa, sour cream, and cheddar cheese for a shareable and irresistible appetizer or side dish. You can customize your nachos with chicken or other toppings for a heartier option.
Why it Works with Burritos: Nachos are a fun, shareable, and indulgent side that amplifies the festive feel of a burrito meal. The combination of crunchy chips, creamy toppings, and savory flavors creates a delightful contrast to the burrito. They are especially great with pulled pork burrito bowls, adding a textural and flavorful dimension to a deconstructed burrito.
Authentic Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites) with creamy chipotle mayo, a flavorful side for burritos
11. Black Beans and Rice
Combining two classic burrito fillings into a side dish, Black Beans and Rice is a hearty and nutritious option. This simple dish is packed with flavor and provides a satisfying carbohydrate and protein boost to your meal. Adding smoky chipotle fajita and taco mix can elevate the flavor profile further, creating a truly delicious side.
Why it Works with Burritos: Black Beans and Rice is a comforting and substantial side that complements burritos without being too heavy. It reinforces the core flavors of Mexican cuisine and adds nutritional value. It’s a versatile side that pairs well with chicken burritos, providing a balanced and fulfilling meal.
Fresh and colorful Mexican Bean Salad served as a side dish for burritos
Conclusion
While burritos are fantastic on their own, adding the right side dishes can truly transform your meal from good to exceptional. From fresh salads and vibrant salsas to creamy guacamole and hearty rice and beans, the options are endless. Experiment with these suggestions and discover your favorite pairings to elevate your burrito experience. So next time you’re planning a burrito night, remember these delicious side dish ideas and get ready for a truly satisfying and flavorful feast!
