What Can I Serve With Taco Salad: 20 Best Side Dishes

Taco salads are a summertime favorite, but what can I serve with taco salad? The best part about taco salads is that they can be served as appetizers or main dishes and paired with a variety of side dishes. It all depends on what you’re in the mood for!

This blog post gives you 20 ideas for what to serve with your next taco salad. If none of these ideas sounds good, check out our article on how to make taco salad from scratch too!

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What can I serve with taco salad?

If you’re looking for the perfect side dish to serve with your taco salad, this list of 20 is sure to have something that will fit the bill. There are some great choices from classic potato salad to more creative dishes like baked beans or fried okra!

It’s always hard deciding what goes best with a big plate of tacos- but not anymore. These side dish ideas are sure to please even the pickiest eater.

1) Guacamole

This one’s obvious but worth mentioning because guacamole makes any dish taste better!

2) Tortilla chips

These work well as a base to scoop up leftovers at the end of the meal or if you want something crunchy and salty.

3) Chips and salsa

This is a classic pairing for Mexican food. It’s simple but tasty!

4) Fried vegetables- zucchini, okra, green beans

If you want something fried with your meal, try any or all of these three great dishes. You can buy them in the freezer section at most grocery stores.

5) Mashed potatoes and gravy

Potatoes go great with any meal! If you’re not in the mood for a whole potato, try some mashed potatoes instead and add taco meat and cheese on top; yum!

6) Fried Rice

A fun way to mix up your side dishes is to make fried rice. It’s simple and always a crowd favorite.

7) Potato Salad

Potato salad is another classic side dish that pairs well with pretty much any meal, and it makes it even better if you add some taco meat to the top! 

8) Cole Slaw

This crunchy cabbage-based side goes great with chicken or beef. It’s even better if you mix in some taco meat!

9) Green Salad

Not everyone is a fan of the salad, but it’s always nice to have one green thing on your plate, just in case. If you want to make it more substantial, try adding some cheese or crushed Doritos on top.

10) Baked Beans

Baked beans are a great side dish that pairs well with pretty much any meal. Who doesn’t love some baked beans?!

11) Rice and Beans

I know this one is a typical Mexican blend, but it’s so good! Try adding cheese and tomatoes on top to make it even better.

12) Cornbread

Cornbread is an easy side dish that goes great with saucy meals like tacos. It’s simple and quick to make too!

13) Chips and Salsa

This is one of my favorite things to eat when I go out for tex-mex, so why not try it at home? This combo always hits the spot!

14) Quesadilla

This quesadilla recipe is quick and easy to make and tastes great with sour cream or salsa.

15) Waffles or Pancakes

If you want something sweet to pair with your meal, try making waffles or pancakes! They go great with things like tacos, chicken, beef- you name it!

16) French Fries

French fries are a classic side that everyone loves. They’re the perfect pairing for your summertime meals, no matter what you’re in the mood for.

17) Roasted Vegetables

Tacos go great with roasted vegetables! Try sprinkling some taco meat on top if you don’t feel like making a whole meal out of this. Yum!

18) Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed cauliflower is an interesting way to make your potato salad healthier, and you can’t even taste the difference!

19) Roasted Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts are just as good as broccoli- everyone knows that. Try adding some taco meat on top of these roasted veggies.

20) Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is a refreshing way to end your meal, and it’s even better with crushed up Doritos (or cheese) sprinkled on top!

What do you like to serve with taco salad? Leave your ideas in the comments below!

For more info on Taco Salad, check out the following:

Are taco salads bad for you?

Yes, if you’re not careful. There are about 500 calories in one traditional taco salad. And that would be without the shell or any of the other goodies inside like beans or cheese!

This is why you should make your own taco salad- it’s much easier to control what goes into your salad, and you can even use healthier ingredients (like low-fat sour cream or cheese). You can also use lettuce shells instead of taco shells, like in the photo above.

You should be careful with store-bought dressing because most of them are very high in calories and fat. Try making your own dressing at home with healthier ingredients, like this Ranch Dressing Recipe, or look for lower-calorie options at your supermarket.

What are some bad taco salad ingredients?

Probably the single worst ingredient in a taco salad is refried beans. Yes, they contain protein and fiber, but they also have a ton of calories that you don’t need. If you want to add some protein to your meal, try adding shredded chicken or beef instead of refried beans.

In addition to refried beans, sugary dressings and excess amounts of cheese can also add a lot of calories to your taco salad. Be wary- it’s easy to overdo these things! And if you want a low-fat option, try using nonfat or low-calorie dressing with reduced-fat cheeses.

What ingredients are OK in taco salad?

Tortilla chips, tomatoes, and lettuce, of course! They’re all essential parts of a taco salad. You might also like to add some salsa (it’s very low in calories) or chopped onions and cilantro. These ingredients add flavor without adding too many extra calories.

If you want some extra crunch, try adding chopped carrots or cucumbers or even your favorite veggies like broccoli or cauliflower. They’ll add texture to your dish without making it too high in calories.

Can you make taco salad healthier?

Of course! As I mentioned above, there are many ways to make a taco salad healthier. The simplest way is to use low-calorie ingredients, like reduced-fat sour cream, nonfat or low-calorie dressing, and reduced-fat cheeses. You can also use healthier shells like lettuce instead of taco shells or fried tortilla chips.

There are many ways to make a salad healthier depending on what you’re going to put in it! This Taco Salad Recipe is a good example of how you can add lots of different flavors without adding too many calories.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments below!