When serving tamales, it’s essential that the right side dishes be available! From light snacks like salad and crudite to heartier fare such as stew or sausage and beans – we have everything covered!
Black beans are an ideal accompaniment for tamales. Their creamy texture accentuates their savory taste, providing a delightful contrast in flavors and textures – an experience you won’t soon forget!
Black Bean Soup
Serve this hearty black bean soup alongside tamales for an easy yet flavorful side dish. Made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, making this an economical meal option. Best when enjoyed with vegan sour cream, pico de gallo or fresh corn salsa as the finishing touches!
This delicious black bean recipe begins with a classic can of black beans and then gets elevated using fresh cilantro, lime juice, and red pepper flakes to give an extra zesty kick! Your entire family is sure to enjoy this healthy and filling soup recipe!
Tamale recipes boast the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors, making them the ideal accompaniment to rich Mexican vegetables like red bell pepper, green bell pepper and orange bell pepper, all caramelized on the stove top with sweet onion and sprinkled with smoked paprika for added spice. This dish takes it even further!
If you’re looking for an easy and delicious side dish that won’t weigh down the meal, give this Jicama Slaw a try. Its crunchy texture provides an ideal contrast to soft and spicy tamales and it takes no time or effort at all to prepare.
With tamales comes many delicious dips and spreads that pair beautifully, and this Roasted Poblano Pepper Salsa is no different. Quick and simple to prepare, this quick dish will impress guests and is an easy way to use up any extra tamales you might have lying around!
Fresh Fruit
As the masa found in tamales is rich and satisfying, fresh fruit provides a refreshing accompaniment that provides much-needed balance to this indulgent dish. Strawberry and blackberry are popular choices; other possibilities could include citrus fruits, pomegranate, mango or pineapple. If you want an added crunch try serving some prickly pear cactus paddles – popular Mexican dish staples that should feature healthy, vibrant green leaves that have not become brown with age – – just make sure they remain firm before picking!
Whoever enjoys something sweeter can also appreciate a simple fruit salad made up of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries as an easy side dish that children and adults alike will find satisfying.
Another popular side is a crunchy, refreshing slaw – particularly Jicama Slaw; however there are other varieties such as collard Slaw, carrot and root vegetable Slaw or avocado salsa verde that you could try as well.
Beans are another delicious side dish to pair with your tamales, such as whole beans, soup or refried beans. For an extra special touch, you could create your own mole sauce as a special addition!
Tamales come in all sorts of sizes, ranging from handheld versions to platters that hold over 20. While most tamales contain pork or chicken as the fillings, they can also contain vegetables such as squash and chayote; even vegan options can be filled inside these delicious pastries! Most people eat them using a spoon; others may like dipping them in flavorful salsa verde, red salsa, and chile relleno sauces!
Mexican Street Corn
Mexican street corn (elote), an incredible and easy accompaniment, makes an excellent pairing with tamales as it offers both salty sweetness and light sweetness. A delicious combination, it provides an exquisite counterpoint for their rich texture and flavor!
Elote is an easy and straightforward dish to prepare in just about any cooking vessel, and requires just corn, water and seasoning such as paprika or cumin for flavoring. For an additional twist of citrus flavor that balances out tamales perfectly. Add lime or orange zest for even greater zesty goodness!
Salsa verde is another delicious side dish to serve alongside your tamales. A classic of Mexican cuisine, salsa verde pairs well with almost every variety of tamale. For something extra flavorful and aromatic, add chopped cilantro for an elevated dish!
As an alternative, serve your tamales with some homemade guacamole – this Mexican dip adds both color and texture to any meal! Plus it is extremely simple to prepare! Guacamole pairs perfectly with many dishes – including tamales!
Finish off your tamale feast with an authentic Mexican rice dish – this classic side dish offers rich Spanish-inspired flavors from its combination of smoked paprika and ground cumin, and you could also consider topping it off with fried eggs and chopped cilantro to add that special something!
Fried Eggs
Tamales are enjoyed all over the world and traditionally served on special occasions like weddings, birthdays and Christmas. Constructed of corn dough shaped around either savory or sweet fillings and then steamed for several minutes until firm, this process has been an integral part of Mexican life since pre-Hispanic times.
Tamales come in many varieties and may include ingredients like chicken or pork meat, cheese, vegetables or even chocolate! Some are filled with filling while others don’t, and both types may feature different spices or seasonings for extra flair.
Fry eggs as one of the primary side dishes served with tamales is an age-old tradition, adding richness and texture to an otherwise spicy and smoky meal. A simple method to prepare it involves simply frying it in some butter!
Add an extra dash of spice and zest to your tamales with a bowl of hot sauce! Store-bought or homemade salsa is often recommended, as both options provide delicious results. Simply combine chopped tomatoes, onions, garlic, chili peppers, lime juice cumin salt and pepper until a thick, creamy sauce emerges for extra zingy taste!
For an alternative way of eating tamales that’s lighter on fat and calories, pair it with a salad for an attractive, healthful meal! Add extra texture by topping your salad off with crumbled tortilla chips for extra spice and crunch – it will leave you feeling satisfied and healthy at once!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Traditionally, this simple side dish is often served alongside tamales to add a lively, fresh kick of color and texture. From using store-bought black beans or making your own from scratch, the pairing offers delightful contrasts in texture and flavor that are sure to delight guests at any dinner party!
Cilantro lime rice is an easy stovetop meal to create and meal prep staple. Simply cook long-grain white (or brown, if preferred) rice until fluffy and tender before stirring in freshly squeezed lime juice, chopped cilantro leaves, butter or ghee for additional richness – and enjoy immediately or use leftovers in soups and stir fries to add extra flavor and texture!
Tip: Before beginning to cook your rice, be sure to thoroughly rinse it to remove excess starch and prevent clumping. Although this step might seem unnecessary at first, many people neglect this important step altogether.
Prep Ahead: This delicious rice dish can be prepared up to one day in advance and frozen for later. Simply wait to add the cilantro at serving time, and reheat as needed in either the microwave or stovetop.
If you’re making a large batch of tamales for an upcoming celebration or simply to keep on hand as an essential staple, using an electric pressure cooker could make the process quicker and reduce over-steaming of cornmeal mixture. An Instant Pot pressure cooker offers safe use in this regard and also makes perfect fluffy rice in no time at all!
