12 Best Steak Tacos Sides You’ll Enjoy
If you’re like me, you’re a big fan of tacos, and not just on Tuesdays! Whether it is chicken, carne asada, shrimp, or you name it, I am all for it.
There are so many reasons to love tacos, from their rich and savory filling to their crispiness, to just how easy it is to put together.
However, it can be challenging knowing what to pair with your tacos on any given day, and the last thing you want is to get stuck, repeating the same taco side dish over and over again.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of the 12 best side dishes for steak tacos to inject some variety into your menu.
Each of these sides has been carefully selected to perfectly complement the steak tacos’ flavors. From simple sides like pico de gallo and guacamole to more complex dishes like Mexican street corn salad and grilled pineapple salsa, there is sure to be something on this list that you’ll love.
Sides For Steak Tacos
- Mexican Street corn
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
- Grilled pineapple salsa
- Chips & salsa
- Cilantro rice
- Rice & Mexican beans
- Coleslaw vinaigrette
- Pepper salad
- Corn pudding
- Blacked beans with lime
- Baked sweet potato
Mexican sweet corn
Sweet corn is a popular side dish in Mexico and is the perfect accompaniment for steak tacos.
The sweet, juicy corn is drizzled with a delicious mix of mayonnaise, chili powder, and lime juice, then sprinkled with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. The sweet corn’s savory taste complements the steak tacos’ savory flavor.
It’s a quick and easy recipe that will add flavor and excitement to your tacos!
Guacamole
Who doesn’t love guacamole? The creamy, flavorful dish is the perfect addition to steak tacos.
The key to good guacamole is using ripe avocados and fresh lime juice. I also like to add in some diced red onion, fresh cilantro, and a little bit of jalapeno for a bit of spice.
Guacamole is a great way to add some creaminess and flavor to your tacos.
Pico de gallo
Pico de gallo is a fresh, flavorful salsa that is perfect for steak tacos. It’s simple, fresh, and flavorful – and it goes so well with the smoky, juicy steak.
To make the salsa, I combine diced tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, coriander, and lime juice.
I love to serve mine with a big dollop of sour cream on top, but you could also add some diced avocado if you want. This recipe is really easy to make (but it tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen)!
So give it a try next time you’re looking for a dish you can whip together in a limited time.
Grilled pineapple salsa
This salsa is a bit more unique, but it’s one of my favorites to serve with steak tacos.
The pineapple adds a lovely sweetness to the salsa, while the grilled jalapeno gives it a bit of heat. I also like to add in some diced red onion and fresh cilantro for flavor.
To make the salsa, simply grill the pineapple and jalapeno until they’re slightly charred. Then, combine them with the other ingredients in a bowl and give it a good stir.
This salsa is best served fresh, but you can store it in the fridge for up to a week.
Chips & salsa
You can’t go wrong with this classic tacos side dish. I like to make my salsa, but you can also use store-bought salsa. Just be sure to get a good-quality one – it makes all the difference!
To accompany the salsa, I like to serve a big bowl of tortilla chips. They’re perfect for scooping up all that deliciousness in the tacos and the salsa.
This is the perfect tacos side dish when you want something flavorful and simple to prepare.
Cilantro rice
Rice is a classic side dish, but it can be boring if you don’t dress it up a bit. That’s why I love to add some fresh cilantro to my rice when I’m serving steak tacos.
The fresh cilantro flavor and the lime juice give the rice a lovely zing. It’s the perfect side dish to balance out the richness of the steak tacos.
To make this dish, simply cook your rice according to the package directions. Then, stir in some chopped cilantro and lime juice. That’s it!
Rice & Mexican beans
This is a really easy recipe that only takes a few minutes to prepare, and it’s perfect for adding some extra flavor and Tex-Mex flair to your tacos.
To start, you’ll need some cooked rice. I like to use brown rice whenever possible, but white rice will work just fine too.
Next, you’ll need some Mexican beans. I like to use black beans, but any type of Mexican bean will do. Simply drain and rinse the beans if they’re canned, or soak them overnight if you’re using dried beans. Then, cook them until they’re nice and soft.
Once your rice and beans are cooked, simply combine the rice and beans with a bit of salt, pepper, and chili powder to taste. Then, scoop the mixture into some warm tortillas, and top with some juicy steak tacos! Enjoy!
Coleslaw vinaigrette
The acidity of the vinaigrette helps to balance out the richness of the steak, and the crunchy cabbage adds a lovely texture to the dish.
To make the coleslaw, I simply combine shredded cabbage, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro. For the vinaigrette, I whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, lime juice, and honey.
To prepare, start by mixing some shredded cabbage, diced onion, and a few tablespoons of vinaigrette dressing. To make homemade dressing, use oil, vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
For a pop of color, I like to add in some diced red bell pepper and carrots. You could also use green bell peppers. Once the coleslaw is mixed, pop it in the fridge to let the flavors meld.