Mexican food is a vibrant and flavorful cuisine, but often the side dishes can be an afterthought. Move beyond the usual chips and salsa with these exciting and healthy options that will complement your favorite Mexican dishes and add a burst of freshness to your table.
Vibrant Salads: A Burst of Freshness
Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad
This salad captures the irresistible flavors of elote in a healthy and refreshing way. It’s packed with veggies and flavor, without a single piece of lettuce in sight!
Key Ingredients:
- Corn: The base of the salad, offering a sweet and slightly charred flavor.
- Red Bell Pepper, Onion, and Jalapeños: These vegetables add color, crunch, and a touch of spice.
- Greek Yogurt: A healthy and tangy alternative to traditional mayonnaise-based dressings.
- Lime Juice and Spices: These ingredients create a zesty and flavorful dressing.
- Cotija Cheese: A salty, crumbly cheese that adds a delicious finishing touch (can be omitted for a dairy-free option).
Preparation:
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the corn and char it slightly for a roasted flavor (4-6 minutes).
- Chop the vegetables (peppers, onion, and cilantro).
- Whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt, chili powder, cumin, and paprika in a small bowl.
- Mix the charred corn, chopped vegetables, and dressing in a large bowl.
- Top with Cotija cheese and cilantro.
Tips and Variations:
- More Heat: Add an extra jalapeño or a dash of chipotle powder.
- Extra Veggies: Include chopped green pepper or green onions.
- Add Avocado: For extra creaminess and healthy fats.
This salad stays fresh for up to five days in the fridge, sealed in an airtight container.
Mexican Coleslaw
This mayo-free coleslaw is specifically designed for taco night, delivering an explosion of sweet, savory, salty, and spicy flavors that perfectly complement rich taco fillings.
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
This salad is all about fresh simplicity, mixing ripe tomatoes, cool cucumbers, and creamy avocado with lime juice and cilantro for a tangy pop.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
Other Salad Ideas
- Jicama Salad: Crunchy jicama, radishes, carrots, cabbage, and sugar snap peas in a creamy sweet dressing.
- Kale Salad with Mexican Flair: Tender baby kale leaves, roasted peanuts, queso fresco, and a tangy dressing made with shallots, lime zest, fresh mint, and apple cider vinegar.
- Beet and Grape Salad with Spicy Serrano Dressing: Serrano peppers shine in this spicy dressing that complements the sweet roasted beets and grapes.
Vegetable Medleys: Colorful and Customizable
Roasted Mexican Inspired Zucchini
This zucchini dish is a healthy and flavorful alternative to Spanish rice.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 medium zucchini, diced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Corn, chickpeas, summer squash, etc.
Mexican Vegetables
A colorful vegetable medley that takes only 15 minutes to make. It's highly customizable for whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 2 poblano peppers, sliced (optional)
- 1 zucchini, roughly chopped
- 1 squash, roughly chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Juice of 1/2 a lime
- 1/4 cup Cotija cheese, optional
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, zucchini, squash, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder.
- Cook until the vegetables have softened (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Squeeze lime juice and sprinkle Cotija cheese on the vegetables before serving.
Tips and Variations:
- Add Other Vegetables: Corn, fresh garlic, asparagus, or jalapeños.
- Make it Vegan: Leave off the cheese.
Calabacitas a la Mexicana
Zucchini (“calabacitas”) are a classic Mexican vegetable, often sautéed with corn, onion, and peppers.
Champiñones a la Mexicana
Mushrooms are quite popular in Mexican cuisine, often cooked with garlic, onions, and epazote.
Other Vegetable Ideas
- Cebollitas Asadas: Grilled green onions, a popular side to serve with carne asada.
- Chiles Toreados: Blistered chiles, a classic side to serve with tacos.
Beans and Rice: Hearty and Flavorful Staples
Refried Beans
A healthier version of bean dip that makes a fantastic taco night starter, using homemade or canned refried beans.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Black Beans and Rice
These protein-packed beauties take just 20 minutes and use simple pantry ingredients, adding heartiness to any taco spread.
Mexican Quinoa
A mix of colorful vegetables and quinoa, spiced up with fajita seasoning. Featuring black beans, tomatoes, corn, and zucchini, it's a healthy and satisfying side.
Mexican Rice
This quick Spanish rice (which is actually Mexican-style red rice!) uses salsa for bold flavor and adobo sauce for smoky undertones. It comes together quickly and makes a great accompaniment to any taco feast.
Other Bean and Rice Ideas
- Frijoles Borrachos (Drunken Beans): These delicious beans are hearty enough to double as a main dish.
- Charro Beans: My most popular bean recipe by far.
- Arroz Verde (Green Rice): Cilantro-lime rice, an aromatic rice side that enhances any taco spread.
- Mexican Rice Recipe: This easy Mexican rice recipe is a staple at almost all of our meals.
Dips and Salsas: Flavorful Condiments and Sides
Guacamole
A simple guacamole recipe is best, balancing simple ingredients for a smooth, flavorful result.
Salsa Fresca
This fresh and zesty salsa takes just minutes to prepare and adds bright flavor to any taco night, starring tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lime.
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Black Bean Dip
This tasty black bean dip is creamy, smoky, and full of flavor, pairing well with tortilla chips, veggies, or pita bread.
Mexican Cheese Dip
A play on white chili, using white beans, mild green chiles, corn, and a gooey mess of Mexican cheeses.
Other Dip and Salsa Ideas
- Pico de Gallo: A beginner-friendly pico de gallo recipe that's a great side, appetizer, or topping for tacos.
- Tomato-Avocado Salsa: A refreshing and flavorful salsa that complements any Mexican meal.
- Salsa Ranchera: The most classic salsa, you’ll make it over and over again.
Other Unique and Delicious Sides
Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
When corn is in season, Mexican street corn is a must-try side. This traditional street food features sweet corn charred on the grill, then slathered with creamy sauce, seasoned with chili powder, and topped with crumbled cheese. Simmering the corn in a milk bath is a secret to perfect elote every time.
Papas Estilo Zamora (Spicy Mexican Potatoes)
Despite the low-carb craze, potatoes are a good source of fiber and potassium. These spicy Mexican potatoes are a flavorful and satisfying side.
Oven-Baked Tostadas
Tostadas are a good source of fiber and resistant starch, making them a healthier alternative to fried tortilla chips.
Make-Ahead Tips and Serving Suggestions
- Make-Ahead Sides: Mexican Coleslaw, Black Beans and Rice, and Mexican Quinoa actually taste better after the flavors have time to meld. Prepare them up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate until serving.
- Serving Temperature: Most of these sides taste best at room temperature, making them perfect for buffet-style serving.
- Storage: Most vegetable-based sides keep for 2-3 days refrigerated, while grain-based sides like rice and quinoa last up to 5 days.
- Pairing Suggestions: Light, fresh sides pair beautifully with fish tacos. Try Mexican Coleslaw, Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad, or Cilantro Lime Rice.
Drinks to Complement Your Meal
- Classic Margarita: The perfect companion to taco night.
- Mexican Beer with Lime: A refreshing and classic choice.
- Agua Fresca: A light and fruity non-alcoholic option.
- Horchata: A creamy rice-based drink.
- Hibiscus Tea (Jamaica): A tart and refreshing herbal tea.