The top sides for Arepas include Bandeja Paisa, Corn and Pulled Pork, Tamales, Chicken Avocado Salad, and Garlicky Shrimp.
Bandeja Paisa
As you already know, arepas are a Colombian dish.
For a lighter option, try Garlicky Shrimp. Garlicky Shrimp
Here is another tempting side dish that you can serve alongside arepas.
Arepas, those warm, fluffy cornmeal cakes, are a solid option in the kitchen.
They bring a touch of comfort and tradition to any meal, acting as a versatile canvas for many flavors.
Pairing them with the right side dishes can turn an ordinary meal into something memorable.
From tangy salsas to hearty beans, each side dish recommendation here is handpicked to complement your arepas, making sure your dinner is both balanced and exciting.
Think of these pairings as your secret weapon for a meal that's guaranteed to impress.
Ready to discover the ultimate sides that will make your arepas stand out?
7 Flavorful Side Dishes for Arepas
Arepas are versatile, so you have a variety of choices when it comes to side dishes.
We've picked the 7 best side dishes that you can serve with arepas:
1 - Bandeja Paisa
As you already know, arepas are a Colombian dish.
Hence, pairing it with another popular Colombian meal sounds about right.
For the uninitiated, Bandeja Paisa is simply a variety of foods served on a frisbee-sized plate.
It consists of avocado, rice, minced meat, two types of Colombian sausages, fried pork rind, chorizo, fried egg and of course, arepa.
Considering the number of ingredients, you can make out that Bandeja Paisa is an extremely filling and heavy dish.
Hence, it's best eaten on special occasions or on days when you're extra hungry.
Arepa makes an important part of Bandeja Paisa.
It blends beautifully with other components on the plate and helps in rounding out the meal.
2 - Corn and Pulled Pork
Arepas go well with corn and pulled pork. It's a great combination for dinner.
Also, you can easily whip up this side dish in under 20 minutes, provided you use make-ahead oven-roasted pulled pork from your freezer.
Depending on the flavor of your pulled pork, this side dish can take your meal to the next level.
Sweet-and-spicy Asian pulled pork will go well with the slightly sweetened taste of arepas.
On the other hand, the spicy pulled pork recipe will add a kick to your meal.
So, depending on your preferences, you can make your pulled pork the way you want it.
Just add it on top of an arepa and toss in some corn too.
3 - Tamales
Tamale is a Mexican dish made from maize flour that is steamed in a banana leaf or corn husk.
Usually, it includes fillings made of meat, veggies, chilies, cheese, herbs, and fruits.
If you don't know how to make one, you can check out this easy recipe here.
Similar to arepas, tamale has a subtle corn taste.
Hence, there is no question why tamales wouldn't go with arepas.
Depending on what stuffing you use in your tamales, you can add a whole lot of flavors to your entire meal.
4 - Chicken Avocado Salad
Generally, people like stuffing their arepas with different kinds of fillings to have as sandwiches.
You have a variety of choices if you wish to do the same.
Chicken avocado salad, in particular, tastes exceptional when you stuff them inside arepas.
Plus, they are super quick and easy to make too.
There's no special recipe for this - make your chicken avocado salad the way you usually do.
Then, cut your arepa cakes in half, fill them with your salad, and voila.
5 - Garlicky Shrimp
Here is another tempting side dish that you can serve alongside arepas.
Or, you can use this as a filling to stuff your arepa patties.
For making this side dish, you'll need some basic ingredients like garlic, tomatoes, pepper, lime juice, cilantro, and of course, shrimp.
First, cook pepper and garlic in hot oil for about a minute.
Then, stir in the shrimp and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Make sure to keep stirring. Once the shrimp is cooked or turns pink, add tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro.
Mix all the ingredients, and there you have it. The garlicky and slightly-tangy flavor of this side dish will have you coming back time and again.
6 - Carnitas and Sweet Potato
Carnitas are simply braised pork, usually served with cilantro, diced onion, Guacamole, beans, salsa, and tortillas.
For this recipe, all you have to do is cook some carnitas mixed with sweet potatoes.
You can add your favorite herbs and seasonings for that extra boost of flavor.
Since both this side dish and arepas are fried, adding a dash of lime juice can help offset the greasiness of your meal.
7 - Guasacaca Sauce
Quite an interesting name, right? And you may instantly think of Guacamole, but guasacaca is nothing like it.
Guasacaca (pronounced wasakaka) is an incredibly delicious sauce popularly used in Venezuelan cuisine.
It is healthy too - since it's made of a variety of green veggies with a kick of heat.
Perhaps you're planning to have arepas for breakfast or as a snack.
Dip them in a bowl of freshly made guasacaca sauce to refresh your palate with a pop of flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bandeja Paisa As you already know, arepas are a Colombian dish. Corn and Pulled Pork Arepas go well with corn and pulled pork.
Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.
Steam or roast a vegetable while the main dish finishes. Bandeja Paisa As you already know, arepas is the simplest option since it needs minimal prep.
Toss with olive oil and salt and it is ready in the same time the entrée takes to cook.
Keep the seasoning on the side simple. Bold sauces or heavy spices can pull attention away from the main.
Let the supporting dish enhance rather than compete.
Not strictly. Mixing cuisine styles is common in home cooking.
Focus on flavor balance rather than regional matching - the plate will feel cohesive if the tastes work together.