What’s not to love? You’ve got flaky melt-in-your-mouth fish topped with sweet salsa, rich sauce, and embraced in a warm and tender tortilla. Just the thought of it is getting my taste buds all excited! I don’t know what it is about me and Mexican cuisine, but for some reason, I can’t just serve one type of dish and call it a day! To me, Mexican entrees long for the companionship of Mexican sides. So whenever I make fish tacos, I always make it a point to prepare at least one side to go with it. If you’re looking to transform your fish tacos into an unforgettable meal, today’s your lucky day! In this article, I will share with you 12 of the best dishes to serve with fish tacos. Whether you whip up hard or soft shell tacos, these sides are sure to be a hit.
1. Spanish Rice
Rice is a Mexican staple that pairs perfectly with fish tacos, especially if you’re having guests over. It’s such a hearty dish your friends’ tummies will fill up in no time! Sure, the humble steamed white rice will do the trick, but you know what will be even more exciting? Spanish rice! Also known as Mexican rice, this dish is flavored with tomato sauce, chicken broth, and cumin. It’s already addictive as it is, but you can add some additional ingredients such as corn kernels, peas, and carrots to give it an extra kick of flavor.
2. Refried Beans
Another staple in the Mexican cuisine is refried beans. If you’re not familiar with the dish, let me just clarify a little bit. The name does not mean the beans are fried twice. It just means they’re fried well, giving you a wonderful combination of sweet and earthy flavors. Refried beans are an excellent fish taco companion because their flavor and texture profiles match beautifully. You can either eat the beans on the side or use it as a taco topping. Perfect!
3. Black Bean Soup
Fish tacos are savory and salty, while black bean soup is earthy and hearty. Together, they make a meal to die for. Not only is black bean soup delicious, it’s also easy to prepare. If you’ve got some bacon, onions, Mexican spices, and canned black beans lying around the pantry, give this delectable dish a try!
4. Chips, Salsa, and Guacamole
Nothing screams more Mexican than chips and salsa. This appetizer is perfect with soft-shelled fish tacos in particular because of the contrasting textures. Not only is this classic combo addictive, it’s also easy to prepare. Even if you whip up salsa from scratch, it’s still effortless. All you need is to blend tomatoes, onions, and cilantro and flavor it with lime, salt, and pepper, and it’s done! Oh, and if you’ve got some avocados on hand, why not make guacamole? This rich and earthy spread makes an outstanding dip to chips and topping to fish tacos. How versatile! To make guacamole, all you need is to mash together avocados, jalapenos, tomatoes, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy.
5. Elote
Sure, a simple corn on the cob is already fantastic as it is, but since you’re serving a Mexican dish for dinner, why not make Mexican style corn as well? Elote is just grilled corn, but you top it with a bunch of Mexican elements to elevate it to a whole new level of awesomeness. It’s very easy to make – just slather grilled corn with a mayo and sour cream mixture, chili powder, and cotija cheese. Squeeze a little bit of fresh lime juice on top and serve. And, because elote is sweet, spicy, and refreshing, it balances out the richness of fish tacos, giving you an exceptionally harmonious meal.
6. Mexican Corn Pudding
Another corn-based side that tastes incredible with fish tacos is corn pudding! The sweet and milky flavors of the pudding is the perfect contrast to the umami-filled fish tacos. To make all you need are some corn kernels (canned is fine), cheese, milk, sugar, cornstarch, and egg.
7. Coleslaw
I love serving coleslaw with fish tacos. Not only is it tangy and refreshing, it also gives a crunchy contrast to the tacos. And it’s super easy to make! While I think the regular mayo-based coleslaw tastes great with fish tacos, you can also do it Mexican style, just so you’re still in keeping with the theme. Mexican coleslaw uses a vinaigrette dressing, instead of mayo, to coat the veggies. This is fantastic, especially if you want to give your fish tacos a healthy companion. And, aside from cabbage and carrots, you can add also add some Mexican favorites to your coleslaw such as peppers, corn, jalapenos, black beans, and cilantro.
8. Sweet Potato Fries
Another sweet side dish that goes well with fish tacos is sweet potato fries. Not only is it yummy, it’s also a lot healthier than regular fries. And it’s super easy to prepare too! All you need is to cut up some sweet potatoes into wedges, coat them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and pop them in the oven. If you want to give this flavorful dish a Mexican flair, easy! Just rub the sweet potato wedges with a spice mix of cumin, paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder before baking and taste the difference. Delicioso!
9. Tex Mex Salad
If you want to give your hearty fish taco a lighter accompaniment, make a Tex Mex salad! It’s refreshing, flavorful, and easy to make. A Tex Mex salad is a combination of various Mexican ingredients such as corn, beans, and pepper. For the dressing, combine mustard, vinegar, olive oil, lime juice, and cilantro.
10. Pineapple Salsa
Salsa is fantastic on its own, but you can make it even more irresistible by adding a little bit of pineapple! This vibrant fruit gives the sauce a wonderful balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. Top your fish tacos with this flavorful salsa and I bet you’ll never eat it without it ever again. Oh, and if you don’t have pineapple on hand, you can also try using papaya or mango slices as well. Try them and see which fruit works best for you!
11. Cilantro Lime Rice
Aside from infusing it with tomatoes and broth, here’s another way to elevate rice: add cilantro and lime. Seems too simple, but these two ingredients will make the humble white rice full of zest and flavor. Together with fish tacos, your guests will leave your home full and happy.
12. Churros with Dulce de Leche
When it comes to Mexican feasts, you better leave room for dessert. Mexicans make the best desserts, and churros are one of them. It’s deep-fried dough, but when coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture and dipped in Dulce de leche? It is mind-blowingly phenomenal.
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