Mexican side dishes are some of my most reliable recipes on Recipes Lace—bright, flavorful, and perfect for tacos, chicken dinners, and even summer side dishes when you need something fresh and simple. Whether you’re searching for Mexican side dishes for chicken, Mexican side dishes for tacos, or Mexican side dishes for potluck gatherings, this guide covers everything you need. I often pair these dishes with grilled meats, especially when I need the best sides for steak or lighter, healthier options on busy nights. Updated & Retested: November 2025.
If you enjoy simple meals, try reader favourites like my Chicken Pot Pie with Cream of Chicken Soup, Spiced Apple Cider, Protein Overnight Oats, and Chicken Piccata Pasta. These pair wonderfully with Mexican side dishes for chicken, tacos, and even healthy sides for steak. For potlucks and seasonal menus, don’t miss our Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad or Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes. According to Healthline, adding grains and vegetables helps support balanced energy and better digestion.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Mexican side dishes include flavorful options like rice, beans, corn salads, slaws, and roasted vegetables that pair perfectly with tacos, chicken, steak, and potluck meals. They’re quick, versatile, and made with simple pantry ingredients.
| Yield: | 4–6 servings |
| Prep Time: | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time: | 20 minutes |
| Total Time: | 30 minutes |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
| Cuisine: | Mexican |
| Calories: | ~180 per serving |
What Are Mexican Side Dishes?
Mexican side dishes are traditional accompaniments served alongside tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, grilled meats, and more. They include rice dishes, beans, roasted vegetables, corn salads, and fresh salsas—each adding colour, warmth, and balance to the meal. According to the USDA, grain-based sides provide essential B vitamins and steady energy.
Why You’ll Love Them
- Ready in about 25 minutes
- Warm, comforting flavour
- Made with budget-friendly pantry ingredients
- Easy GF/DF or lighter substitutions
- Great for meal prep and potlucks
- Kid-friendly and perfect for tacos or chicken
- Perfect for Mexican side dishes recipes collections
- Works for summer side dishes and potluck spreads
- Great with tacos, chicken, or the best side dishes with steak
Ingredients (+ Substitutions)
This Mexican Rice is one of the most popular Mexican side dishes and uses simple, flexible ingredients.
| Ingredient | Substitution / Diet Note |
| 1 cup long-grain white rice | Swap with jasmine; for whole-grain, use brown rice and increase cooking time. Try serving with Chicken Pot Pie with Cream of Chicken Soup. |
| 2 tbsp vegetable oil | Avocado or light olive oil; reduce to 1 tbsp for lighter rice. |
| 1 small onion, finely chopped | ½ tsp onion powder works in a pinch. |
| 2 garlic cloves, minced | Replace with ½ tsp garlic powder. |
| 1 tomato, blended or chopped | Use ¼ cup canned tomato sauce. |
| 1 ½ cups chicken broth | Use vegetable broth for vegetarian; water + bouillon works. |
| ½ cup peas & carrots mix | Any frozen mixed vegetables. |
| ¼ cup corn kernels | Use vegetable broth for vegetarians; water + bouillon works. |
| ½ tsp ground cumin | Add smoked paprika for more depth. |
| Salt to taste | Sea salt or low-sodium options. |
| Fresh cilantro | Optional; parsley works too. |
Diet Notes:
• GF: Use a gluten-free broth.
• DF: Naturally dairy-free.
• Lighter: Reduce oil and add extra veggies.
Equipment
You’ll need a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid to trap steam and cook the rice evenly. A wooden spoon prevents the grains from breaking, and a blender helps puree the tomato if you prefer a smooth base. Measuring cups ensure accurate broth-to-rice ratios for fluffy, separate grains every time.
How to Make Mexican Side Dishes (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Toast the rice.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the rice and toast 5–7 minutes until lightly golden.
Tip: Stir constantly to keep grains from burning.
Step 2: Sauté onion & garlic.
Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Note: Lower the heat if the garlic browns too fast.
Step 3: Add tomato & cumin.
Stir in the blended tomato and cumin. Cook 2–3 minutes to deepen flavour.
Tip: Let the moisture reduce slightly for fluffier rice.
Step 4: Add broth & season.
Pour in chicken broth and add salt to taste. Bring to a gentle boil.
Note: Keep the liquid ratio exact for perfect rice.
Step 5: Simmer covered.
Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook 15–18 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
Tip: Do not lift the lid while cooking.
Step 6: Add vegetables.
In the last 5 minutes, stir in peas, carrots, and corn. Cover again until tender.
Note: Add veggies late to keep colour bright.
Step 7: Fluff & serve.
Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with cilantro.
Tip: Fluff gently to avoid breaking grains.
Common Mistakes + Quick Fixes
- Rice too wet? Simmer uncovered 2–3 minutes.
- Rice too dry? Add 2 tbsp broth, cover, and steam 5 minutes.
- Sticky texture? Reduce stirring and avoid lifting the lid.
Try pairing this rice with other favourites like my Chicken Pot Pie with Cream of Chicken Soup or a refreshing drink like Spiced Apple Cider.
Variations & Serving Ideas
Serve these Mexican side dishes vegetables alongside tacos, enchiladas, or grilled chicken. They also make great Mexican side dishes for potluck meals and pair wonderfully with the best sides for steak, as well as lighter, healthier options. For pasta lovers, you can even add simple pasta sides like our Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad for a full meal.
Slow Cooker: LOW 2–2½ hours.
Oven-Baked: 350°F for 35–40 minutes.
Air Fryer: 320°F for 25–28 minutes in a safe dish.
Extra-Cheesy: Add ½ cup cheddar or pepper jack.
Mild: Reduce cumin.
Spicy: Add jalapeño or chipotle.
Serve With: Tacos, enchiladas, grilled steak, chicken, Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, or Lime in the Coconut Cocktail.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead
Fridge: 4–5 days
Freezer: 3 months
Reheat: Microwave with a damp towel or warm in a skillet with broth
Perfect for storing and reheating, this rice stays fluffy even the next day!
Make-Ahead: Cool fully before storing; refresh with lime + cilantro.
Mini Q&A
Can you freeze Mexican Side Dishes Rice?
Yes, freeze it for up to 3 months in airtight containers.
Best way to reheat?
Reheat gently with a tablespoon of broth to restore fluffiness.
Best Mexican Side Dishes + Easy Rice Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet for toasting the rice
- 1 Tight-fitting lid to steam rice evenly
- 1 Wooden Spoon prevents breaking grains
- 1 Blender or food processor for tomato puree
- 1 Measuring cups for broth and rice
- 1 Fine mesh strainer (optional) if rinsing rice
- 1 Fork for fluffing the rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tomato blended or finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth or water + bouillon
- ½ cup frozen peas and carrots
- ¼ cup corn kernels optional
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish optional
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add rice and toast 5–7 minutes until golden.
- Stir in onion and garlic; cook 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add tomato and cumin; cook 2–3 minutes to deepen flavor.
- Pour in chicken broth and add salt. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15–18 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in peas, carrots, and corn during the final 5 minutes; cover until tender.
- Remove from heat, rest 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and garnish with cilantro.
Notes
Approximate per-serving values:
Calories: 210 – Carbs: 34g – Protein: 4g – Fat: 6g – Fibre: 2g – Sodium: 380mg
FAQs
1. What sides go well with tacos?
Fresh salads, Mexican Rice, beans, esquites, and grilled vegetables.
2. What sides go with tacos besides rice and beans?
Corn salad, cabbage slaw, pickled onions, roasted veggies.
3. What are 5 Mexican appetisers?
Guacamole, queso, nachos, taquitos, ceviche..
4. What sides go with Mexican casserole?
Rice, avocado salad, black beans, roasted veggies.
5. What appetisers pair with tacos?
Chips & salsa, queso, guacamole, shrimp cocktail.
6. What are tacos traditionally served with?
Rice, beans, lime, cilantro, salsa.
7. What to bring to a Mexican-themed party?
Rice, elote cups, salsa trays, pasta salad.
8. What is a good Mexican side dish to make ahead?
Mexican Rice, slaws, beans, roasted veggies.
9. What sides go with quesadillas?
Rice, pico de gallo, beans, grilled peppers.
Nutrition (With Disclaimer)
Here are the approximate nutrition values per serving of Side Dishes Rice (based on a 4-serving recipe):
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | ~210 |
| Carbohydrates | 34g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sodium | 380mg |
| Potassium | 160mg |
| Sugar | 2g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition values are estimates and will vary based on brands, substitutions, and portion size.
Recipe Cost
This Mexican Rice is a budget-friendly side dish, typically costing $3.00–$4.50 total or about $0.75–$1.10 per serving. Prices stay low because most ingredients are pantry staples like rice, broth, tomato, and spices. Adding extras like corn, fresh cilantro, or higher-quality broth may increase the cost slightly.
Reviews & Reader Tips
⭐ Melissa: “Perfect texture! I added jalapeños for extra heat—turned out amazing.”
⭐ Jordan: “Made this for taco night. The kids devoured it. Next time I’ll double the batch.”
⭐ Priya: “Used vegetable broth and added bell peppers. Great vegetarian option!”
⭐ Leo: “Freezes beautifully. I now meal-prep this rice every Sunday.”
⭐ Dana: “A squeeze of lime at the end makes the flavour pop.”
Reader Tips:
- Add chipotle powder for smoky heat.
- Swap the tomato with salsa for a shortcut.
- Mix in black beans for extra protein.
- Use jasmine rice for a softer texture.
Conclusion
This Mexican Rice is an easy, reliable side dish that pairs beautifully with tacos, chicken, steak, and all your favourite Mexican side dishes for potlucks or weeknight dinners. Its warm flavour, quick cook time, and pantry ingredients make it a staple here at Recipes Lace.
If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to save it to Pinterest so you can find it again for taco night! And join our Recipes Lace Facebook page to share your creations, get new recipe updates, and swap tips with other home cooks.
For more inspiration, explore similar dishes like my Ground Chicken Recipes Made Easy or Chicken Piccata Pasta Recipe, perfect mains to serve with this flavorful rice.
