What to Serve With Barbacoa Tacos: 15 Best Side Dishes

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Enhance your barbacoa tacos with delightful side dishes to create a truly memorable meal. Spanish rice, with its aromatic blend of tomatoes, onions, and spices, perfectly complements the tender barbacoa beef. Creamy refried beans add a nutritious and flavorful element, while fresh guacamole provides a cool, creamy contrast. Nachos piled high with melted cheese and shredded barbacoa make for a fun and shareable dish. For a textural delight, try crispy tostadas topped with barbacoa, lettuce, and tomatoes. Each side dish adds a unique touch to your meal, promising a flavorful experience. Discover how to boost your barbacoa tacos even more!

Spanish Rice

aromatic tomato infused rice

Spanish Rice is a flavorful side dish made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. It is an ideal complement to the rich taste of barbacoa beef. This aromatic rice adds a satisfying element to your meal, perfectly enhancing the flavors of barbacoa tacos.

The savory blend of Spanish Rice balances the tender meat, making it a popular choice for creating a well-rounded, delicious dish.

Refried Beans

crispy tortilla chips

Refried beans are a staple in Mexican cuisine. They are a nutritious and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with barbacoa tacos. Packed with protein and fiber, these creamy beans add a satisfying texture that complements the tender barbacoa beef beautifully.

Easy to make at home, refried beans enhance the depth and flavor of your meal, creating a well-balanced and delicious eating experience.

Guacamole

delicious avocado based dip

Guacamole, made from ripe avocados and fresh ingredients, provides a creamy and cool contrast to the rich flavors of barbacoa tacos. This side dish is easy to make, combining lime juice, cilantro, onions, and seasonings to add freshness.

Whether topping your tacos or enjoying as a dip with chips, guacamole enhances the meal's overall flavor, making it an excellent choice.

Nachos

cheese chips salsa delicious

For an interactive and shareable side, nachos provide a flavorful and fun addition to your barbacoa taco meal. Crispy tortilla chips are piled high with shredded barbacoa, melted cheese, and a variety of toppings.

This dish not only showcases the rich and tender barbacoa beef but also offers a delicious combination of textures and flavors, making it a versatile and satisfying choice.

Tostadas

mexican street food favorite

Tostadas offer a delightful and crunchy base that pairs perfectly with the tender and flavorful barbacoa beef, creating a balanced and enjoyable dish.

The crispy, flat tortillas topped with barbacoa beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese provide a textural contrast that enhances the meal.

This combination of toppings makes for an interactive and flavorful eating experience, perfect for a Mexican-inspired spread.

Corn on the Cob

delicious summer bbq treat

Grilled corn on the cob is an excellent accompaniment to barbacoa tacos, offering a sweet and smoky flavor that enhances the overall meal.

The juicy kernels and charred taste of grilled corn provide a delightful contrast to the rich barbacoa tacos.

Perfect for summer cookouts and gatherings, this classic side dish elevates your dining experience, making every bite truly satisfying.

Pico De Gallo

fresh salsa with tomatoes

After enjoying the smoky sweetness of grilled corn on the cob, complement your barbacoa tacos with the vibrant and tangy flavors of Pico de Gallo.

This fresh salsa combines diced tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice for an invigorating kick. It cuts through the richness of barbacoa beef, adding a rejuvenating and colorful element to your meal.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

delicious summer barbecue side

Mexican Street Corn Salad offers a vibrant medley of flavors and textures that perfectly complement the rich and savory barbacoa tacos.

This invigorating side dish, with its mix of corn, avocado, and cotija cheese, adds a delightful contrast to your meal.

A squeeze of lime enhances its brightness, making it one of the best side dishes to serve alongside barbacoa tacos.

Flour Tortillas

soft versatile flatbreads made

Flour tortillas, with their soft and pliable texture, serve as an essential component for crafting perfect barbacoa tacos.

These versatile tortillas are perfect for wrapping up juicy barbacoa beef in tacos or burritos.

A staple in Mexican cuisine, flour tortillas offer a traditional and authentic touch, allowing you to create customized dishes that soak up all the delicious flavors of the meat.

Jicama Slaw

crunchy jicama salad recipe

Jicama Slaw provides a rejuvenating and crunchy side dish that perfectly complements the rich flavors of barbacoa tacos. Made from jicama, cabbage, and a tangy dressing, it adds a crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the tender barbacoa beef.

This slaw cleanses the palate, bringing a revitalizing element to the meal, and enhances the overall dining experience with its vibrant flavors.

Cilantro Lime Rice

cooked with fresh flavors

Cilantro Lime Rice frequently serves as an ideal accompaniment to barbacoa tacos, offering a vibrant and invigorating contrast to the rich, savory meat.

This simple yet flavorful side dish, made with fresh cilantro and lime, adds a burst of freshness to your plate.

Its aromatic and tangy profile balances the hearty flavors of barbacoa, making it a popular choice in Mexican cuisine.

Steak Fajitas

delicious sizzling meat fajitas

After savoring the invigorating flavors of Cilantro Lime Rice, consider adding Steak Fajitas to your meal for a sizzling and colorful side dish that perfectly complements the savory barbacoa tacos.

This Mexican-themed delight features tender barbacoa beef, sautéed peppers, and onions, making it a vibrant addition to your table.

The combination creates a fun, interactive, and flavorful dining experience everyone will enjoy.

Queso Fundido

melted cheese appetizer dish

Queso Fundido is a warm and indulgent melted cheese dip that offers a decadent addition to any barbacoa taco spread.

Often topped with savory barbacoa beef, this rich dip pairs perfectly with tortilla chips or warm flour tortillas.

Its creamy texture and robust flavors make it a crowd-pleaser, ensuring that your guests will enjoy this delightful and satisfying treat at any gathering.

Black Bean Salad

healthy and vibrant dish

A Black Bean Salad brings an invigorating and nutritious touch to your barbacoa taco spread. It features a vibrant mix of black beans, corn, tomatoes, and cilantro. Enhanced with a zesty lime vinaigrette, this healthy side dish offers a revitalizing burst of flavors and textures.

Its vibrant ingredients beautifully complement the rich tastes of barbacoa tacos, making it a perfect, balanced addition to your meal.

Are the Side Dishes for Barbacoa and Barbacoa Tacos Different?

Yes, the side dishes for barbacoa and barbacoa tacos can differ. Some of the best side dishes for barbacoa include rice, beans, corn tortillas, and salsa. On the other hand, barbacoa tacos are often served with traditional Mexican side dishes such as guacamole, pico de gallo, and lime wedges.

Chiles Rellenos

stuffed peppers from mexico

Chiles Rellenos, with their combination of mild poblano peppers, rich barbacoa beef, and gooey cheese, offer a flavorful and satisfying complement to barbacoa tacos.

These stuffed peppers are lightly battered and fried to perfection, adding a touch of heat to your meal.

The delightful contrast of flavors and textures makes Chiles Rellenos an excellent choice to elevate your taco night.