15 Traditional Mexican Side Dishes and Appetizers
Complete your Mexican-inspired feast with these 15 traditional side dishes and appetizers that are bursting with authentic flavors!
Whether you’re hosting a fiesta or simply enhancing your weeknight meals, these dishes are perfect for pairing with any main course.
From creamy guacamole and zesty pico de gallo to classic elote (Mexican street corn) and crispy taquitos, these recipes offer a variety of textures and flavors to satisfy any craving. Don’t miss out on comforting sides like Mexican rice, refried beans, and cheesy esquites.
These traditional Mexican appetizers and sides are easy to make and bring a festive touch to any table. Let’s dive into these crowd-pleasing recipes and bring the taste of Mexico home!
1- Mexican Corn Salad Recipe

This Mexican Corn Salad is the perfect summer recipe! It’s made with fresh corn that is loaded with smoky flavors from charring it on the grill. Then it’s tossed together with a creamy and citrusy dressing and topped with vegan feta cheese.
2- Yuca Fries

This dish is a popular treat in many Latin American countries and is gaining popularity worldwide for its unique taste and texture. Making Yuca Fries at home is easy and the results are simply fantastic!
Your whole family will love these. The best part? They are healthier than your regular fries!
3- Pulled Pork Nachos

These pulled pork nachos are crispy, cheesy, and so flavorful! This quick and easy recipe is great as an appetizer or entertaining family and friends. Great way to use up leftover pulled pork. Everyone loves this recipe!
4- Homemade Beetroot Tortillas

These beet wraps made using boiled beet puree are amazingly rich in nutrition and are absolutely stunning! Stuffed with vegetable filling of onion, tomatoes, corn, green beans, and capsicum, these homemade beet tortillas gather quickly and are filling!
5- Miller’s Style Chicken Quesadilla Ring

The best game day appetizer is this easy spicy-and-sweet chicken quesadilla ring with a creamy dipping sauce.
6- Slow Cooker Refried Beans

These Slow Cooker Refried Beans take only 5 minutes prep, turn on the slow cooker and leave them! No soaking the beans is required.
7- Mexican Cornbread Recipe

This Mexican Cornbread keeps all the moist and buttery sweetness of classic cornbread but adds two types of gooey melted shredded cheese and diced jalapeños for a spicy flavor kick. Super easy to make and perfect with soup, stew, and chili!
8- CREAMY VEGAN CASHEW QUESO

This plant-based queso dip makes a tasty alternative that’s completely dairy-free. Using potatoes to create a creamy texture and a blend of spices and ingredients to infuse this cashew queso with plenty of umami flavors so you will never miss the cheese!
9- Mango Pico De Gallo Recipe

Elevate your summer meals with this refreshing Mango Pico de Gallo recipe. Made with sweet ripe mangoes, red bell pepper, and jalapeño.
10- SERRANO SALSA

Filled with tangy tomatillos, spicy serrano peppers, fresh onion, garlic, and cilantro, this homemade Serrano Salsa recipe will have your taste buds singing! It’s the perfect flavorful addition to all your favorite Mexican dishes!
11- Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

If you want an easy and quick side dish to serve with your tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and more. This Restaurant-style Mexican rice is a perfect choice. It only takes five minutes to put together and twenty minutes to cook, so it’s done in less than 30 minutes.
12- HIBISCUS PICKLED RED ONIONS

Making hibiscus pickled red onions is a sweet and tangy way to flavor burgers, tacos, salads, and more. Dried hibiscus flowers add a splash of color to this pickled vegetable.
13- WHOLE30 KIELBASA SKEWERS

These Whole30 Kielbasa Skewers are bursting with fresh and bold flavors. I absolutely love grilling anything in the summertime, but I’m able to achieve a similar taste with my indoor grill in the winter.
14- BEST MANGO HABANERO SALSA

This Mango Habanero Salsa is sweet and spicy, flavorful, and way better than store bought salsa. It is bursting with bold fresh flavors. This homemade Whole30 approved salsa is great for vegetables, chips, grilled meats, and so much more!
15- Mexican Sopa De Conchas

Mexican Sopita o Sopa de Conchas is a simple and hearty soup that can be made with only four ingredients, and the whole family loves it.