What To Serve With Tamales - The Short Order Cook

If you are trying to figure out what to serve and eat with homemade tamales or tamale pie for dinner, this list is exactly what you are looking for. Tamales are a traditional Mexican meal that takes time to make homemade and is often a holiday or birthday favorite. 

The best sides to serve with tamales are all right here. Many fellow food bloggers have shared some of their quick and easy side dish recipes that go well with just about any tamale or tamale pie recipe.

If you want traditional Mexican sides, salads, drinks, and even desserts, we have you covered with so many choices on what to eat. Whether you enjoy tamales filled with pork, chicken, cheese, chiles, vegetables, or seafood – all these sides pair well with your meal.  

Jump to:

• What to Serve with Tamales
• Drinks & Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook
• Drinks & Appetizers to Serve With Tamales
• Classic & Unique Mexican Side Dishes
• Healthy Side Dishes
•  
• Desserts to Serve With Tamales

What to Serve with Tamales

This is a tasty list of what sides to eat with your tamales, tamale pie, or tamale casserole These side dishes are also great to serve with tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, carne asada, and any of your favorite Mexican entrees. There is a variety of side dish options that include low-carb, vegetarian, gluten-free, healthy, and dairy-free.

To help you decide what to serve with tamales, I have broken down the list into some subcategories. So based on what course you are looking for these recipes all are perfect to serve with tamales including appetizers, drinks, side dishes, and even dessert. There are healthy salads, slaws, mayo-based salads, vegetables, potatoes, and unique sides. This list includes the best of what to make and serve with authentic tamales:

• Drinks & Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook
• Drinks & Appetizers to Serve With Tamales
• Classic & Unique Mexican Side Dishes
• Healthy Side Dishes
• Desserts to Serve With Tamales

Drinks & Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook

All of these recipes can be found on the website and are what to eat with tamales the next time you make them at home. These are some of our family favorites.

TEQUILA SUNRISE COCKTAIL: TWO UNIQUE TWISTS ON A CLASSIC A gorgeous colorful cocktail with tequila, citrus juices, and grenadine. Tequila Sunrise Spicy Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule A refreshing and spicy twist on a Moscow Mule that includes jalapenos and basil. A wonderful vodka cocktail that is an easy recipe and a crowd-pleaser. Spicy Jalapeno Moscow Mule Watermelon Pico de Gallo (salsa) Sweet and spicy watermelon pico de gallo is the summer salsa great with chips or on seafood tacos. Watermelon Salsa Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup The flavors of this chicken tortilla soup are rich and deep thanks to the slow cooker process. Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad A refreshing summer salad with the zing of Tajin added to watermelon, cucumber, and toasted pepitas. This simple recipe is a great side dish with all your Mexican favorites - tacos, enchiladas, & tortas. Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Red Rice Tastes just like the flavorful, bright, and fluffy Mexican rice you get in your favorite authentic Mexican restaurant. This easy recipe for Mexican Red Rice (arroz rojo) is great served with any of your favorites - tacos, enchiladas, steaks, seafood, & in burritos. Easy Mexican Rice Best Ever Mango Ice Cream (with Ice Cream Maker) Homemade mango ice cream is the best ever creamy frozen dessert. This tasty recipe takes a wonderful vanilla ice cream base and adds luscious fresh mango for the easiest mango ice cream.  Mango Ice Cream

Drinks & Appetizers to Serve With Tamales

Start off dinner with a cocktail or appetizer the next time you have tamales or any other Mexican entree at home. Enjoy a margarita, chips & dip, and more with these recipes that are the best to get things started.

Michelada Mexican Bloody Mary This cocktail recipe is a Mexican classic similar to the Bloody Mary. A tomato juice mixed with spices and beer is a refreshing and tangy drink perfect for any time of day. Mexican Bloody Mary Strawberry Margarita This frosty blended strawberry margarita is a cocktail favorite. You can use fresh or frozen berries with tequila, lime, and more in this simple and easy recipe. Strawberry Margarita Traditional Chunky Guacamole This fresh guacamole recipe is a traditional take with a chunky texture and a ton of amazing flavorful ingredients. Serve as a side or appetizer with chips or top your favorite tamales with it. Chunky Guacamole Chile Con Queso Melted cheese is honestly just irrestible. This chile con queso recipe is perfection and the most addicting appetizer. Chile con Queso

Classic & Unique Mexican Side Dishes

This list of sides to serve with Mexican food includes some of the best authentic and new recipe ideas. If you want standards like rice or black beans, two amazing recipes are listed below. Plus for a new twist on what to serve with tamales, try out a bowl of cilantro sweet potatoes or a hearty quinoa salad. No matter which recipe you choose, they all taste amazing and go well with your next Mexican meal.

Mexican Green Rice This fresh and colorful rice pilaf is popular with Mexican food or grilled meats. Naturally colored and full of fresh spinach, it makes a healthy side dish that’s also vegetarian and gluten-free. Mexican Green Rice Black Bean Soup with Baby Greens This spiced black bean soup is a hearty first course or side dish to your favorite Mexican entrees. It is also a fun recipe that everyone can make their own from a variety of great toppings. Black Bean Soup Cilantro Lime Sweet Potato Salad This flavorful cilantro lime sweet potato salad has Mexican spices and ingredients that packs a punch. It is fresh, simple to make, and takes only 30-minutes. Cilantro Lime Potato Salad Southwestern Quinoa Salad Quinoa tossed with black beans, tomatoes, and more for a colorful side dish perfect for your next Mexican dinner. The homemade salsa lime dressing flavors this vegan and dairy-free salad. Southwest Quinoa Salad

Healthy Side Dishes

This category of ideas to serve with tamales includes quick, easy, and healthy recipes. They are all on the lighter side and include fruits, vegetables, and quality whole ingredients. These Mexican recipes include gluten-free, keto, paleo, vegetarian, and low-carb ideas. Try a new fruit salsa, quick guacamole, or a healthy salad to complete your next tamale supper.

Tequila Lime Fruit Salad Tropical fruits like kiwi and pineapple are dressing in a fresh lime tequila dressing for an amazing salad. This boozy fruit salad is like the best margarita disguised as a healthy side dish. Tequila Lime Fruit Salad Air-Fryer Roasted Asparagus For a Mexican twist on air-fryer asparagus, try out this gluten-free, paleo, and keto-friendly recipe. In just 15 minutes this pico de gallo topped asparagus is a flavorful and wonderful side dish. Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus Simple 5-Ingredient Avocado Sauce Yes, it only takes 5 simple ingredients to make an amazing sauce to top your tamales with. This avocado sauce is creamy, fresh, and yummy. 5-Ingredient Avocado Sauce Mexican Kale Salad This healthy chopped kale salad has Mexican flavors thanks to black beans, cotija cheese, and jalapeno. The cilantro lime dressing adds some zing for a healthy, colorful, vegetarian, and gluten-free salad that everyone will love. Mexican Kale Salad

Desserts to Serve With Tamales

A Mexican meal isn’t complete until you have dessert. Any of these wonderful desserts would be great to complete your tamale dinner. Whether you want something rich or cool and spicy, these dessert recipes are great to make.

Caramel Custard These individual caramel custards are the perfect sweet treat to end your Mexican meal with. The creamy custard is both light and rich and completely wonderful with every silky bite. Caramel Custard Hatch Chile Gelato For a fun spin on ice cream, this gelato takes it to a whole new level. With a bit of cream cheese in the mix, this gelato is the perfect combination of cool creamy key lime cheesecake with a spicy kick. Hatch Chile Gelato

More Mexican Appetizer, Drink, Side Dish, & Desserts

For more Mexican recipe options, check out these other posts that include more tasty choices. All of these are wonderful to serve for your next dinner, party, or gathering when you want unique or authentic traditional Mexican flavors.

• WHAT TO SERVE WITH FAJITAS

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