Tamales, a beloved staple of Mexican cuisine, are savory pockets of masa filled with a variety of delicious ingredients, steamed to perfection in corn husks or banana leaves. Whether you’re enjoying them for a festive occasion, a cozy family dinner, or simply craving authentic Mexican flavors, pairing them with the right side dishes elevates the entire meal. If you’re wondering What To Serve With Tamales to create a balanced and satisfying feast, you’ve come to the right place. From traditional accompaniments to flavorful complements, here are 15 incredible side dishes that will perfectly enhance your tamale experience.
1. Classic Refried Beans
Refried beans are a quintessential Mexican side dish and a natural partner for tamales. Their creamy texture and earthy flavor provide a comforting contrast to the hearty tamales. This simple yet satisfying side is made from cooked pinto beans that are mashed and then fried, often with onions and garlic for added depth. For a quick option, using high-quality canned beans is perfectly acceptable, or you can simmer dried beans from scratch for a more authentic taste. A sprinkle of cotija cheese or a dollop of sour cream can further enhance their richness.
2. Flavorful Spanish Rice
Vibrant Spanish rice, an excellent accompaniment to tamales
Spanish rice, also known as Mexican rice or arroz rojo, is another classic side dish that beautifully complements tamales. Its fluffy texture and savory tomato-based flavor provide a delightful contrast to the dense and rich tamales. Made with long-grain rice, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chicken broth, Spanish rice is both flavorful and versatile. The slight acidity from the tomatoes cuts through the richness of the tamales, creating a balanced and harmonious meal.
3. Zesty Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Delicious Mexican street corn, a flavorful side option for tamales
For a burst of flavor and a touch of indulgence, Mexican street corn, or elote, is an excellent choice. This popular street food is made with grilled or boiled corn on the cob, slathered with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. The creamy, cheesy, and spicy flavors of elote offer a vibrant and exciting counterpoint to the savory tamales. You can easily adapt this recipe using frozen or canned corn kernels if fresh corn on the cob isn’t available.
4. Seasoned Roasted Potatoes
Perfectly roasted potatoes seasoned for a Mexican flavor profile, a hearty side with tamales
Roasted potatoes might seem like an unexpected side for tamales, but when seasoned with Mexican spices, they become a surprisingly delicious pairing. Tossing potato wedges with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano before roasting brings a warm and savory element to the meal. The crispy exterior and fluffy interior of roasted potatoes provide a satisfying textural contrast to the soft tamales, making for a well-rounded and comforting plate.
5. Irresistible Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Spicy and savory bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers, an exciting side dish for tamales
If you’re looking to add a spicy kick and a touch of decadence to your tamale dinner, bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are the way to go. These appetizers feature jalapeño peppers stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon. The heat from the jalapeños, the creaminess of the cheese, and the smoky saltiness of the bacon create an explosion of flavors that is both addictive and complementary to the savory tamales. Be warned, these poppers tend to disappear quickly!
6. Fresh and Creamy Guacamole
Homemade guacamole, a refreshing and cool side or topping for tamales
Guacamole, a classic avocado dip, is a refreshing and cooling side that perfectly balances the richness of tamales. Made with ripe avocados, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and sometimes jalapeños or tomatoes, guacamole offers a creamy texture and bright, zesty flavor. Whether served as a side dish or as a topping directly on the tamales, guacamole adds a layer of freshness and healthy fats to your meal, enhancing the overall dining experience.
7. Hearty Charro Beans
Flavorful charro beans, a robust and savory side dish option for tamales
For a bean side dish with more depth and complexity than refried beans, charro beans are an excellent choice. These flavorful beans are simmered with bacon, onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and various spices, resulting in a hearty and slightly smoky dish. The broth is rich and flavorful, making charro beans almost like a soup. They provide a robust and savory counterpoint to the tamales, creating a truly satisfying and authentic Mexican meal.
8. Bright Cilantro Lime Rice
Zesty cilantro lime rice, a light and flavorful side to serve with tamales
If you prefer a lighter and more vibrant rice option, cilantro lime rice is a fantastic choice. This fragrant rice is infused with fresh cilantro and lime juice, giving it a bright and zesty flavor that cuts through the richness of the tamales. Cilantro lime rice is particularly well-suited to accompany chicken or vegetable tamales, adding a refreshing element to the meal without being overpowering.
9. Crispy Fried Avocado
Delicious fried avocado, a unique and tasty side dish for tamales
For a unique and indulgent side dish, consider fried avocado. Avocado slices are coated in breadcrumbs or batter and then deep-fried until golden and crispy. The creamy interior of the avocado contrasts beautifully with the crunchy exterior, offering a delightful textural experience. Fried avocado can be served with a dipping sauce like chipotle mayo or enjoyed as is, adding a touch of unexpected luxury to your tamale feast.
10. Warming Menudo Soup
Hearty menudo soup, a traditional and comforting side for tamales, especially in colder weather
In colder weather, a warm and comforting soup like menudo is a perfect accompaniment to tamales. Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup made with beef tripe in a flavorful broth seasoned with chili peppers, onions, and oregano. Its rich and spicy broth and tender tripe provide a deeply satisfying and warming experience, making it an ideal side for a hearty tamale meal, especially during the fall and winter months.
11. Simple Black Bean Soup
Easy black bean soup, a healthy and quick side dish to pair with tamales
For a quick, healthy, and flavorful side soup, black bean soup is an excellent choice. This soup is made with black beans, vegetables like onions and peppers, and spices like cumin and chili powder. It can be served chunky or blended until smooth and creamy. Black bean soup offers a good source of protein and fiber, and its earthy flavors complement the savory tamales without being too heavy.
12. Nutritious Brown Rice
Healthy brown rice, a wholesome and simple side dish option for tamales
If you’re looking for a healthier rice option, brown rice is a nutritious and versatile side dish. Its nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture provide a pleasant contrast to the softer tamales. Brown rice is a whole grain, offering more fiber and nutrients than white rice. It’s a simple and wholesome side that allows the flavors of the tamales to shine while adding a healthy element to your meal.
13. Refreshing Pico de Gallo
Fresh pico de gallo, a vibrant and light topping or side for tamales
Pico de gallo, also known as salsa fresca, is a fresh and vibrant salsa made with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and lime juice. Its bright, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors make it an excellent topping for tamales, adding a burst of freshness and acidity that cuts through the richness. Pico de gallo is incredibly easy to make and brings a light and refreshing element to your tamale meal.
14. Smoky Grilled Corn
Grilled corn on the cob, a smoky and flavorful side dish for summer tamale feasts
During grilling season, smoky grilled corn is a fantastic side dish for tamales. Grilling corn on the cob brings out its natural sweetness and adds a delicious smoky char. You can simply grill the corn and serve it with butter and salt, or elevate it further by making grilled Mexican street corn (elote) as mentioned earlier. Grilled corn adds a summery and smoky dimension to your tamale feast.
15. Warm Flour Tortillas
Soft flour tortillas, a simple and versatile accompaniment to tamales
While tamales are already wrapped in corn husks, warm flour tortillas can be a comforting and versatile addition to your meal. They can be used to scoop up refried beans, charro beans, or any other saucy side dish. Warm tortillas also provide a soft and familiar texture that complements the tamales. Serving a stack of warm flour tortillas alongside your tamales allows everyone to customize their meal and enjoy every last bit of flavor.
With so many delicious options, deciding what to serve with tamales becomes an exciting culinary adventure. Whether you choose traditional sides like refried beans and Spanish rice, or opt for more adventurous pairings like bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers or fried avocado, you’re sure to create a memorable and satisfying Mexican feast. Enjoy exploring these side dish ideas and finding your perfect tamale complements!
