One serving of fajitas gives you a decadent combo of grilled chicken, peppers, caramelized onions, veggies, and spices all wrapped in a warm, toasty tortilla. Whether you use chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef, the combination of bell peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, garlic, sour cream, cheese, and various spices combine for an unforgettable meal. And while fajitas can certainly be a meal all to themselves, there are a few tasty side dishes that go perfectly with these hand-held delights. So if you’re having friends over for a fun-filled Mexican fiesta, try out these sides and let me know what you think!
1. Mexican Rice
Steamed white rice is a staple in many cuisines, but Mexican rice is like no other. It looks stunning, is packed with tons of flavor, and tastes incredible when stuffed in tortilla bread. Mexican rice is so good that some ditch the tortilla bread completely and turn the wrap into a bowl! The best part is, Mexican rice takes less than an hour to make.
2. Black Beans and Rice
Want to give your Mexican feast a Latin flair? Simple: Just add black beans to your rice! Throw in some green bell peppers and flavor it with lime, cilantro, and cumin, and you’ve got yourself a spectacular fajita side.
3. Spanish Rice
Spanish rice is another great side dish that has the same flavor profile as fajitas. It’s got tomatoes, green bell peppers, onions, chili powder, and green chiles – all fantastic ingredients that add even more spice to your meal.
4. Mexican Quinoa
Not a fan of rice but want grains to accompany your fajitas? Try Mexican quinoa! Quinoa is a much healthier option than rice and it tastes wonderful with fajitas. This dish is made even better with zucchini, black beans, tomatoes, and corn. Flavored with fajita seasoning and olive oil, it makes for an excellent side to serve with fajitas.
5. Mexican Street Corn
When it comes to Mexican parties, Mexican street corn or elote is always at the top of the menu list. It’s one of the most famous street snacks in Mexico, so it’s only fitting to serve it with your fajitas. What’s not to love? You’ve got juicy corn on the cob slathered with mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, topped with cotija cheese, and then grilled to perfection. Now, if you’re not a fan of the messy-to-eat side, you can transform the dish into a salad instead. Doing so will make it so much easier for your party guests to devour the refreshing dish. They could even add a spoonful into their tortilla wrap for a crunchy fajita!
6. Corn Salad
Another awesome way to add corn to your fajita dinner is to serve a vibrant bowl of corn salad with tomatoes and cilantro. It’s a refreshing summer salad perfect if you’ve got some leftover grilled corn. And it makes use of basic pantry ingredients, making it affordable.
7. Salad
Since fajitas are already on the heavy side, it’s nice to pair it with something light and refreshing. And what dish better fits the bill than a simple green salad? Go for a Caesar salad topped with shrimp for a creamy and flavorful side dish. Give the shrimp a nice charred flavor by grilling it for a few minutes! If you want something lighter, serve a bowl of chopped salad with a cilantro-lime vinaigrette. The combination of leafy greens and the vinaigrette dressing offers refreshing flavors that balance out the fiery flavors of the fajitas. Another fantastic option is to infuse some avocados into your meal. Avocados, cucumbers, and tomatoes are a classic Mexican combo, so making a salad out of those three is a great, not to mention nutritious, idea. Mix in some red onions, lime, and cumin, and top with a creamy avocado dressing, and you’ve got yourself a salad to die for. The cool and refreshing salad helps tone down the heat from the fajitas. Finally, how about some Mexican slaw? It’s a colorful side dish bursting with flavors from carrots, red onions, cabbage, cilantro, and apple cider vinegar. The tangy flavor complements the cheesy fajitas oh so beautifully.
8. Guacamole
We can’t have a list of Mexican sides without mentioning everybody’s favorite, guacamole. It’s another staple in Mexican cuisine and goes well with any Mexican dish, just like fajitas. Add a spoonful of this incredibly rich dip and taste how magically it transforms your fajita. And, best of all, it only takes a few minutes to make! You throw all the ingredients into a food processor, blend, and serve. It couldn’t get any simpler than that.
9. Salsa
We can’t talk about guacamole without mentioning salsa. The two are just made for each other. So, if you’re serving guacamole on your Mexican party, you have to have salsa as well. Don’t make the mistake of using jarred salsa, though, because it’s so much better and cheaper to make it yourself. It only calls for ripe tomatoes, onions, and cilantro – ingredients that you can find at your pantry any time. Want to kick things up a notch? Elevate this simple side and turn it into an avocado shrimp salsa. Picture this: sweet and juicy shrimp accompanied with rich and buttery avocados and drizzles with a lime-cilantro dressing. It’s like a hybrid of pico de gallo, guacamole, and ceviche – and it is divine.
10. Grilled Avocados
Here’s another way you can infuse avocados in your fajita feast: grill them! The simple method adds so much more flavor to the already rich fruit. It adds a nice smoky flair that complements the richness of fajitas.
11. Refried Bean Dip
Refried beans are another classic Mexican side dish. It’s a rich and creamy dip that makes for the perfect companion to chips. And, it’s also a great addition to your fajita wrap. You can either add some cheese for that nice umami goodness or spice it up with onion, cumin, and jalapeno for a fiery flavor. And since we can’t get enough of avocados, you could also throw in some avocados in there! No matter what option you take, refried bean dip makes for a fantastic appetizer or side dish to fajitas.
12. Roasted Potatoes
When it comes to sides, regardless of the cuisine, potatoes are always a top choice. They are delicious and filling, which helps satisfy your large appetite. What’s the best potato dish that goes well with fajitas? Why, some roasted potatoes, of course! Give the potatoes a nice Mexican flair by adding some taco seasoning, avocadoes, sour cream, chili powder, and cheese. And of course, some crispy bacon bits are always welcome.
13. Chorizo Con Papas
Also known as Mexican Chorizo and Potatoes, this recipe is yet another filling and a fitting side dish to fajitas. The combination of tender potatoes and chewy and smoky chorizo sausage is just a wonder to behold.
14. Grilled Peppers
Last on our list is a side dish that will add even more fiery flair to your fajita feast: grilled peppers! Don’t worry, once you grill peppers, their spiciness mellows down, making them edible and oh so delicious. Stuff those crunchy veggies with cheese and you’ve got yourself an irresistible side. And, did you know that it will only take you 10 minutes to make? It couldn’t get any better than that.
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