Taco salad is mainly used as an appetizer or a side item.
So, what would it go with if it's served as a main dish?
This post answers "what to serve with taco salad".
You can have this salad as the main dish as there is no rule to it unless you're a purist.
That said, we'll list the ten best side dishes with this refreshing salad.
You'd be surprised to know that a variety of food items complements taco salad.
So, without further ado, let's get into it.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Taco Salad?
As stated earlier, taco salad is popular as a side dish or an appetizer.
Considering this, we can say it's a light food item.
So, if you plan to have this as the main item, adding a side dish seems inevitable.
Perhaps a look into the ingredients would clear the doubt.
A taco salad is served in a fried tortilla shell with various toppings, including diced tomatoes, sour cream, iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, guacamole, and ground beef.
These are common ingredients that you'll find in this salad.
Expect a burst of flavors in your mouth, and to neutralize the flavor, adding a side dish would be great.
What to Serve with Taco Salad? 10 BEST Side Dishes
Check out the list of the ten best side dishes to go with taco salad:
1. Chips and Salsa
Get a heavenly taste by pairing chips and salsa with taco salad.
If you love different flavor variations, this combo is what you should be looking for.
You can try different ingredients for salsa besides tomatoes.
Pineapple, mango, and sweetcorn salad go well with taco salad.
This side item is easy to prepare, plus perfect for any event.
Taco salad has always been a crowd favorite, and including chips and salsa would be a hit.
Take a chance with this combo and be ready for the crowd to swoon over it.
2. Mexican Street Corn
Mexican street corn, also referred to as elotes, is a perfect side item to go with taco salad.
This juicy yet charred corn enhances the taste of the refreshing salad.
If you're throwing a barbeque party, this combo would be excellent.
All you need is to grill the corn and then smother it with tangy and creamy sauce.
Since taco salad is light, having it with corn would be filling and healthy too.
Corns are high in carbs but are a great source of energy.
Regardless, this combo tastes impressive, and having them once in a while would be great.
3. Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
Accompany taco salad with cheesy beef quesadillas to have a flavorful experience.
Both have a sharp and distinct taste.
But having them together leaves you with carving for more.
Quesadillas are a popular food item like taco salad, and it is only fitting to include them in the list.
A cheesy beef quesadilla is savory and rich in flavor.
The ingredients mainly consist of ground beef, white cheddar cheese, tomato paste, onions, and taco seasoning.
You can infuse your style and create your version of this food item.
However, ensure that it doesn't overpower the taste of the main dish.
4. Mexican Rice
Expect a lot of Mexican dishes on the list, as it's only fair to include them.
One such is Mexican rice which you can have fried or boiled.
Taco salad alone is light, so adding a rice-based dish would be excellent.
It's a heavily seasoned food item but blends with the salad.
The refreshing taste of the taco salad complements the savory Mexican rice.
It's a perfect inclusion if you plan to have it as lunch or dinner too.
Give this combo a shot if you haven't tried them yet.
Let your taste buds experience a new flavor.
5. Margarita
So far on the list, we have mentioned only food items.
Perhaps a cocktail would spice up the list to make it more interesting.
Margarita is a popular cocktail drink that most people know well.
It goes well with taco salad allowing you to have a delightful experience.
This combo is great for parties, and you don't require fancy ingredients to make this drink.
Some of the common ingredients are orange liqueur, lime juice, and tequila.
Since this drink contains a certain percentage of alcohol, ensure that you have attained the legal age to have this cocktail.
6. Black Bean Soup
Black bean soup is a nutritious and healthy soup perfect to have with taco salad.
The combination of the warm soup and refreshing salad leaves you in a daze.
If you have black beans in your pantry, get them to use.
Use a cooker or crockpot to prepare this soup.
It's a slow cooking process but worth the effort.
Black beans are a rich source of minerals and other nutrients.
Including this in your meal routine would be great if you're on a balanced diet.
Besides, the soup tastes incredible with taco salad.
It'd be a crime not to include black bean soup in the list.
7. Coleslaw
Coleslaw will be a great addition if you prefer a simple side dish with taco salad.
All you need is fresh cabbage, mayonnaise, and vinaigrette.
Take a mixing bowl to mix these ingredients.
You can also add other vegetables like carrots and red cabbage.
It's a refreshing combo that is perfect to have in summer.
When it comes to flavor, coleslaw is less flavorful than taco salad which makes it the perfect side to go with the salad.
A side item shouldn't overpower the taste of the main item but enhance it instead.
Thus, making coleslaw an ideal side to go with taco salad.
8. Guacamole
A dipping sauce would be an excellent addition to go with taco salad.
One such sauce that is worth mentioning and is quite popular is guacamole.
It's an avocado paste with onion, salt, cilantro, and lime juice.
There are different variations to it, like using basil leaves instead of cilantro.
Regardless, it tastes incredible with taco salad.
If you prefer a simple side item, guacamole would be perfect.
Guacamole is a popular side item and a crowd's favorite too.
This combo will be a hit if you're throwing a party.
9. Refried Beans
Another Tex-Mex cuisine on the list is refried beans.
It's a popular side item often served with varieties of main dishes.
It's a versatile side dish that goes well with most food items.
Here pinto beans are commonly used, but you can use other variations too.
The paste is highly nutritious and blends perfectly with taco salad.
It's a good combination of savory and refreshing flavors.
10. Mango Salsa
Mango salsa is a fast and super easy recipe that goes well with taco salad.
This side item is a mix of spice and sweetness, enhancing the main dish's taste.
If you have mangoes to spare, prepare this salsa with this salad.
You can also have it with other main dishes since it has a versatile taste.
You don't need fancy ingredients to prepare this salsa.
All you need is mangoes, cilantro, onions, salt, pepper, and red bell peppers.
