Side Dishes
Perfect accompaniments to complete any meal.
83 recipes curated from across the web
All Side Dishes Recipes
Pickled Jalapeños (with Carrots and Onions Too!)
Pickled Jalapeños are a very popular garnish, topping or side for plenty of Mexican foods like tortas, tacos, quesadillas, grilled meats, rice, beans, tostadas… just to name some. So much so, that in many Restaurants, they are placed in the center of the table along the side of salt, pepper and a breadbasket. Many people nibble on them right out of the bowl… They are popular in Mexican Pizzerias too!
Refried Beans
I’d like to offer my personal recipes for frijoles refritos and frijoles de la olla. The following recipe for refried beans is not only simple and delicious; it converts people who turn up their noses at ordinary refried beans into folks who insist on another helping!
Sweet potatoes with orange-piloncillo syrup and chile de árbol
This is one of the things I came up with and can’t wait for them to try: creamy and soft sweet potatoes bathed in a buttery orange-piloncillo syrup sprinkled, with toasted chile de arbol. How good are they? That fork in the picture I just shot accounts for my third consecutive serving today. How easy are they to make? Read below…
Tri-Color Salad with Fresh Cheese and Lime-Honey Vinaigrette
Here is the secret vinaigrette from our home, which I measured, so you can make it if you please. You can substitute the honey with brown sugar, the main point being, that you need a bit of sweet to make the rest of the ingredients shine through. I added Boston lettuce, tomato and Mexican avocado here, but you can play with more ingredients that you may have at home: asparagus, scallions, jícama, to name some…
Yellow Rice
From the two main kinds of Yellow rice in Mexican cooking, one has a saffron base and the other an achiote or annatto seeds base. Ironically, although saffron was brought to Mexico by the Spaniards almost five centuries ago and achiote seeds are native to Mexico, it is the saffron based rice which is considered to be the Traditional Yellow Rice in regions like Yucatán.
Zucchini Torte
Each time a vegetable torte is included in the menu of one of my classes, I have noticed a similar trend: tortes have a warm and friendly reception, that turns into a loving embrace once participants make the recipe at home and find out they want to make it again and again. Not to be confused with the other kind of tortas, (tortes translates to tortas in Spanish…) Mexico’s favorite sandwich made with a crispy bread roll adapted from the baguette; tortes are a cross between a fluffy and moist bread, a savory pudding, and now that I think of it, also a souffle.
Apple, Radish, Watercress Salad with Pistachio and Chile de Arbol
For the one on this post, which I have been obsessively repeating, I use watercress, called “berros” in Mexico (I happen to love that word). They are used tremendously in Mexican kitchens for salads. They are delightful: a bit bitter, made up on thin leaves but packed with flavor and such a nice delicate bite. On top goes a combination of thinly sliced tart green apples and pungent radishes. One ingredient snapped from a tree and another pulled from the ground!
Avocado and Hearts of Palm Chop Chop Salad
The buttery and luxurious Mexican avocados, the plump and fresh tomatoes, the sweet and crunchy corn, are all native Mexican ingredients. The hearts of palm are not, but its an ingredient that has been popular in Mexican kitchens for ages. Called palmitos, or little palm trees, when I was growing up in Mexico city, my grandmother and mother used to pair Palmitos and avocado for special occasions, just like many restaurants do.
Avocado Salad Recipe
Enjoy our Mexican avocado salad recipe prepared with cubed mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and red onion. It's a delicious summer salad that is quick and easy to prepare. It is lightly dressed with lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Beet Salad Recipe with Feta Cheese and Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette
Crave-worthy cold beet salad with a citrus balsamic vinaigrette topped with crumbled feta cheese and cilantro. Thought you didn't like beets? It will totally change your mind. It's a delicious, easy healthy salad.
Champiñones A La Mexicana Recipe
A warming dish for busy evenings, Champiñones A La Mexicana is easy to pull together. Serve with rice or beans and corn tortillas on the side! This recipe is vegetarian or vegan and gluten free.
Chayote and Zucchini Squash Salad
Chayote and zucchini squash salad recipe - simple to prepare with just a few ingredients. Lime juice brings out the bright, full flavor of the vegetables. Serve as a side dish for the midday meal. or dinner. In Spanish, it is called, ensalada de calabaza y chayote.
Cold Rice Salad Recipe
This Cold Rice Salad is filled with fresh Mexican flavors and good for you veggies. Have it as a side dish or add some protein to serve it as a main dish!
Cowboy Charro Beans
Cowboy Charro Beans recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 1, Episode 2 “Foods of the Mexican Revolution”
Ensalada Caesar de Ejotes (Green Bean Salad)
Caesar Green Bean Salad is a twist of the classic Caesar salad. Works perfectly for weeknight dinners as well as a simple no-fuss holiday side dish that will surely impress your guests.
Ensalada De Coditos (Mexican Macaroni Salad)
This Ensalada De Coditos is undoubtedly a classic Mexican recipe. Elbow pasta is tossed with creamy textures and dotted with crisp celery, carrots, corn kernels and flavorful peppers.
Esparragos Asados (Grilled Asparagus)
Esparragos Asados sprinkled with olive oil, salt & pepper and a little lemon zest. That's all they need to be delish!
Frijoles Refritos (Refried Beans) Recipe
These Three-Ingredients Refried Beans are all you need to complete your Mexican meals! Nothing fancy, nothing fake, just great beans from an easy recipe.
Green Beans with Peanuts and Chile de Arbol
The topic of Asian influence in Mexican cooking turned out to be so fascinating to research, in and out of my kitchen, that I devoted an entire episode of my upcoming Third Season of Pati’s Mexican Table, on Public TV, to this menu. (Yey! It’s in production now. I will be able to share the sizzle reel soon, and it will air in January!) This recipe for Green Beans with Cacahautes and Chile de Arbol is one of its highlights. Thanks to Miller’s basics, I could brush up on my stir-frying technique, so the dish turns out just like my grandmother liked her stir fries: tender, crunchy, fresh and full of flavor.
Hearty Bean & Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
Salads are usually dressed up in an oil and vinegar treatment, and Mexican cooks get very creative with them. We whip up vinaigrettes quickly, either in the blender or simply shaking them up in a jar. After they are made they can be refrigerated and re-used, with just a re-shake to emulsify. Every Mexican home that I know, has their home staple vinaigrettes of choice. Pick a flavor of your choice: say, cilantro! Fresh, grassy, strong.
How To Prepare Sofrito(Red and Green)
Sofrito! I love it! It's so good to step outside of your comfort zone and try your hand at some different ingredients and different recipes.
Mexican Green Rice Recipe
Recipe for Mexican green rice, also known as cilantro rice, a perfect side dish and not just for Mexican food. Its bright but not overpowering flavor goes really well with fish or chicken.
Mexican Red Rice
Mexican red rice, also known as "arroz rojo," is a traditional Mexican side dish that is easy to prepare. The rice gets its vibrant red color from the addition of tomato sauce during the cooking process, giving it a delicious flavor. Let me show you how to make it so it's fluffy each and every time.
Mexican Red Rice Recipe
Rustic Mexican red rice made with plum tomatoes, onion, carrot and peas. An easy to prepare, delicious side dish for beef, chicken or enchiladas.
Mexican Turkey Stuffing (Dressing)
Taumalipas style Mexican turkey stuffing made with ground beef, pork, bacon, and hotdogs. A really delicious stovetop stuffing to accompany your Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys.
Nopales A La Mexicana
These Nopales A La Mexicana (tender Mexican Cactus) are sauteed with onions, tomatoes and roasted peppers. It's a simple recipe that is loaded with flavor!
Pickled Red Onions a la Yucateca
Pickled red onions are also a permanent fixture at every single table in Yucatan. As they are mildly spicy, deliciously tangy and surprisingly crunchy they go well with so many things. These past couple weeks I learned first hand why they are such a fabulous pickle to have handy.
Potato and Poblano Rajas Salad
If you are going to try a new potato salad, it has to be this one. It’s rich. It’s filling. Yet at the same time, it’s light and bright. How can this happen? You may wonder…Soft tender potatoes are combined with an exuberant poblano chile rajas, or strips, and lightly caramelized red onion mix. It’s not a creamy salad, but one that has an unexpected vinegary kick, laced with olive and sesame oils.
Spicy Mexican Fruit Salad with Tajin and Chia
Versatile Mexican fruit salad, ensalada de fruta, prepared with jicama, pineapple, watermelon, Tájin chili powder, and chia seeds. It's crunchy, tart, sweet, and spicy. Preparation time is only ten minutes.
Spicy Tuna Salad
Mexican Style Spicy Tuna Salad Recipe. A tasty blend of tuna, avocado, vegetables, and serrano chile served on tostadas or saltine crackers.
Stewed Chayote in White Wine
Chayote, white onion, and raisins stewed in white wine and garnished with pumpkin seeds or pine nuts. A delicious vegan Mexican recipe.
Sweet Potato Rounds with a Punch
Just like turkey, sweet potatoes are so familiar to me. Called Camote in Spanish, from the náhuatl Camotli, they’ve been part of Mexico’s culinary lingo since pre-Hispanic times. Mostly eaten cloaked in sugar or with a sweet spin, baked or roasted, they are culturally linked to the figure of the Camotero, a street vendor selling warm and soft sweet potatoes and plantains to order on a pushing cart, that moves around the city on cold evenings, turning people’s cravings on with the tune of its piercing whistle sound.
Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Casserole
Not sure what to do with your leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner? Combine your turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and more together in this delicious leftover turkey casserole recipe!
Arroz Verde
Arroz verde is a tasty Mexican side dish that gets its signature green color from herbs like cilantro and parsley and peppers like roasted poblanos and jalapeño.
Authentic Mexican Rice
This authentic Mexican Rice recipe is easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and better than rice you'll find at a Mexican restaurant!
Bolillo Bread
An easy bolillo bread recipe for the popular traditional Mexican rolls that feature a crusty exterior and a soft and pillowy inside.
Borracho Beans (Frijoles Borrachos)
Tender and creamy Borracho Beans (Frijoles Borrachos) are an easy Mexican dish made from pinto beans simmered in beer with bacon, onions and tomatoes.
Brussels Sprout Salad
Ready in only 5 minutes, this easy Brussels Sprout Salad is made with shaved brussels sprouts, juicy apples, dried cranberries and nutty pecan halves. Toss it together with a quick lemon dijon dressing for an easy side dish perfect for the holidays or any day of the week!
Chiles Toreados
Chiles Toreados add spice and flavor to all of your favorite Mexican meals! Pan-fried jalapeño and serrano peppers are seasoned with soy sauce and lime.
Chili Garlic Roasted Broccoli
Ready in only 15 minutes, this Roasted Broccoli is tossed in a chili garlic sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese for a healthy and delicious veggie side dish!
Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing
This chorizo cornbread stuffing is made with chorizo, onions, celery, and fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme. It's the perfect easy side dish to serve at your Thanksgiving and holiday celebrations!
Chorizo Stuffing
A flavorful chorizo stuffing made from Mexican chorizo combined with cubed bread, onions, celery, apples, and fresh herbs.
Corn Tortilla Recipe
The only corn tortilla recipe you'll ever need! Everything you need to know about making homemade corn tortillas - a Mexican food staple!
Crock Pot Pinto Beans
Easy and flavorful crock pot pinto beans pair with any meal and require no soaking at all! Only 7 ingredients required.
Cucumber Salsa
This Cucumber Salsa is easy to make, refreshing, and perfect for eating with crispy tortilla chips or on tacos, enchiladas, and grilled meats.
Easy Avocado Salad
An Avocado Salad recipe made with cucumbers, avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onions and a light vinaigrette. Fresh, healthy, and easy to make!
Easy Paleo Tortillas
These Paleo Tortillas are pliable, won't break when folded and are perfect for taco night! Made from coconut flour, tapioca flour and eggs.
Easy Roasted Radishes
These easy roasted radishes are great as a snack or side! Roasted with olive oil and spices, then tossed with lime juice and cilantro!
Ensalada de Nochebuena
Ensalada de Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve Salad, is a festive Mexican dish of fruits and veggies like beets and pomegranates in a sweet dressing.
Ensalada de Nopales
Ensalada de Nopales, or cactus salad, is an authentic Mexican side dish that features crisp nopales, tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and queso panela for a quick and refreshing recipe that pairs well with any Mexican meal.
Esquites
Esquites (also known as elote en vaso and Mexican street corn salad) is the best street food snack made of corn in a creamy mayo sauce!
Fish Taco Slaw
A creamy Fish Taco Slaw made from cabbage, mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, and lime juice. Great topping for fish tacos!
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Fresh green bean casserole recipe made with fresh green beans, a creamy sauce made from onions and mushrooms, and crunchy fried onions!
Frijoles Puercos
Frijoles puercos are a creamy Mexican dish made with refried beans, chorizo, and cheese. Perfect as a dip with chips or a side dish!
Green Chili Corn Casserole
You'll love this easy green chili corn casserole made from a mix of sweet corn, creamed corn, and a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix.
Grilled Romaine Salad with Jalapeno Ranch
A grilled romaine salad made from romaine lettuce hearts, corn, tomatoes, bacon, cotija cheese and hard boiled eggs. Serve with jalapeno ranch.
Healthy Mexican Chickpea Salad
This Healthy Mexican Chickpea Salad recipe is fresh, easy to make and packed with nutritious ingredients ready in only 15 minutes! (gluten free + vegetarian + vegan)
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
Topped with candied pecans, this healthy and easy Sweet Potato Casserole is made with sweet potatoes and butternut squash for a delicious holiday dish! (gluten free, vegetarian, paleo)
Homemade Flour Tortillas
Make homemade flour tortillas in under an hour! This flour tortilla recipe makes fluffy tortillas, perfect for burritos, fajitas, and tacos!
Honey Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
These Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts are oven roasted to perfection. Tossed with a bit of honey and balsamic vinegar, this recipe is the perfect side dish for any night of the week.
How to Cook Canned Black Beans
An easy way to cook and season canned black beans to make a delicious and healthy side dish in no time! Serve with Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites like tacos, enchiladas and burritos.
How to Cook Nopales
Learn how to cook nopales at home! How to choose the best nopales, how clean them by removing the spines, and how to cook them.
How to Cook Pinto Beans on the Stove
Learn how to cook pinto beans on the stove using this authentic and flavorful pinto bean recipe. They're inexpensive and easy to make!
Instant Pot Black Beans
The easiest way to make black beans in the Instant Pot! No soaking required and cooks dried black beans with the best texture and flavor.
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
This foolproof Instant Pot Mexican Rice recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, and makes perfectly fluffy Mexican rice every time!
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
These Instant Pot Pinto Beans come out tender and flavorful EVERY TIME. No soaking required! Easy step-by-step instructions for the best pinto beans ever.
Instant Pot Refried Beans
These Instant Pot Refried Beans require no soaking and cut the cooking time in half compared to traditional refried beans. Creamy and flavorful!
Jalapeno Corn Cakes
Quick and easy Jalapeno Corn Cakes that are gluten free and vegetarian. The perfect Mexican side dish!
Jicama Slaw
Jicama Slaw adds refreshing flavor and light crunch to healthy dinners and weeknight meals. Made from a combination of jicama, cabbage, lime juice, and cilantro.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These mashed sweet potatoes are easy to make, creamy, and seasoned with a touch of maple syrup and ground cinnamon. Great holiday side dish!
Mexican Brussels Sprout Salad
This Mexican Brussels Sprout Salad is made with grilled corn, brussels sprouts, feta cheese, radishes, and a lime vinaigrette.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
This Mexican Cauliflower Rice is a delicious and healthy low carb alternative to traditional Mexican rice. It's ready in only 25 minutes!
Mexican Quinoa Salad
A light and refreshing Mexican Quinoa Salad combines quinoa, black beans, corn, and tomatoes with a tangy lime vinaigrette.
Mexican Roasted Vegetables
These perfectly roasted Mexican vegetables are great for meal prep! In just 30 minutes, these tender veggies are ready to eat!
Oven Roasted Carrots with Maple Cinnamon
Tossed with melted butter, maple syrup, and a touch of cinnamon, these oven roasted carrots are a great side dish worthy at any holiday feast!
Queso Fresco Recipe
Learn how to make this homemade queso fresco recipe at home! Just 3 simple ingredients create this fresh, flavorful Mexican cheese.
Roasted Butternut Squash
This Oven Roasted Butternut Squash recipe is melt-in-your-mouth good! Made with maple syrup, honey and melted butter, it's tasty enough for a special occasion like Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, yet easy enough for a weeknight meal!
Roasted Corn Salsa
This roasted corn salsa is made with grilled corn, cherry tomatoes, onions, jalapeño, garlic, and more! It's an easy appetizer and side dish!
Roasted Mexican Zucchini
Roasted Mexican Zucchini is the perfect side dish that's ready in only 20 minutes! Tossed with lime juice, cilantro, and cotija cheese.
Roasted Poblano Peppers
Learn how to make roasted poblano peppers in an oven or over an open flame for use in many delicious recipes! Ready in 15 minutes or less!
Sauteed Peppers and Onions
Deliciously caramelized sauteed peppers and onions are a crowd-pleasing side dish for just about any meal! Made with herbs, seasonings and a splash of red wine vinegar. (gluten free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan)
Spicy Roasted Cauliflower
This Spicy Roasted Cauliflower recipe features cauliflower roasted to crispy perfection in an easy chipotle sauce making it a healthy and delicious low carb side dish!
Tortilla Strips
Homemade tortilla strips made with only 3 ingredients! They're a crunchy, salty garnish that can elevate your favorite soups or salads.