What to Serve With Mexican Picadillo: 15 Best Side Dishes

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Mexican picadillo is a hearty, flavorful dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, enhancing every bite. Consider serving it with Mexican rice, which adds savory notes and a hint of aroma, or refried beans for a creamy and satisfying touch. Soft tortillas, whether corn or flour, are essential to make each serving even more delightful. Avocado salad offers a fresh and creamy contrast, while elote provides smoky, tangy flavors that perfectly balance the rich picadillo. There's also black bean salad, Mexican slaw, and sweet plantains. Explore these options to elevate your meal and discover even more delicious pairings!

Mexican Rice

tasty tomato based rice dish

Essential to complementing the robust flavors of Mexican picadillo, Mexican rice offers a savory and aromatic side dish that enhances the meal's overall experience.

Using simple cooking techniques like sautéing rice with onions and garlic before simmering in broth, this dish becomes both flavorful and nutritious.

Rich in vitamins and minerals, it provides a well-rounded accompaniment to the hearty picadillo.

Refried Beans

delicious mexican side dish

Refried beans serve as a creamy and flavorful side dish that perfectly complements the savory notes of Mexican picadillo. Whether you opt for a homemade recipe or use canned beans, this dish adds a rich, hearty touch to your meal.

Easy to prepare, refried beans provide a satisfying texture and depth of flavor, making them a beloved companion to picadillo.

Tortillas

versatile and delicious flatbread

Tortillas, whether corn or flour, serve as a versatile and essential accompaniment to Mexican picadillo, enhancing the meal with their soft texture and subtle flavor.

Corn tortillas bring an authentic touch, complementing the rich, savory notes of picadillo. Flour tortillas offer a slightly milder taste and a softer bite, perfect for wrapping around the delicious meat mixture.

Both types elevate the dining experience.

Avocado Salad

crisp fresh green delight

Complementing the versatility of tortillas, an avocado salad provides a rejuvenating and creamy contrast to the hearty flavors of Mexican picadillo. Rich in avocado nutrition, this dish can be tailored to various preferences with salad variations that include tomatoes, cilantro, and lime.

The fresh ingredients not only enhance the meal's overall texture but also add a delightful burst of flavor, making it a perfect side.

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

delicious corn on cob

Elote, a quintessential Mexican street food, offers a delightful blend of smoky, creamy, and tangy flavors that perfectly complement the robust taste of Mexican picadillo.

Masterful grilling techniques impart a charred, smoky essence to the corn, while cheese toppings like cotija or queso fresco add a creamy, savory element.

This combination creates a harmonious balance, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Guacamole

avocado based dip with spices

Guacamole, a staple in Mexican cuisine, brings a rich, creamy texture that pairs excellently with the hearty flavors of Mexican picadillo.

Homemade guacamole, crafted with ripe avocados, fresh lime juice, and aromatic cilantro, enhances any meal.

Guacamole variations, such as adding diced tomatoes, onions, or jalapeños, offer delightful twists.

Each version complements picadillo, making your dining experience even more enjoyable and satisfying.

Cilantro Lime Rice

flavorful rice dish option

Cilantro lime rice serves as a lively and invigorating side dish that perfectly balances the robust flavors of Mexican picadillo.

Simple cooking techniques, like sautéing rice and infusing it with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro, create a delightful flavor profile.

This combination adds a rejuvenating zest, making it an ideal accompaniment to the savory and hearty picadillo.

Enjoy the harmony of tastes!

Salsa Verde

spicy green chili sauce

As a lively and tangy accompaniment, salsa verde offers an invigorating contrast to the rich flavors of Mexican picadillo.

This zesty tomatillo sauce, made from green tomatoes and fresh herbs, provides a revitalizing burst of flavor. Its slightly tart and spicy profile not only complements the savory meat mixture but also brings a delightful brightness to every bite, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Pico De Gallo

fresh and zesty salsa

Following the vibrant tang of salsa verde, pico de gallo brings a rejuvenating and chunky texture that pairs beautifully with the hearty Mexican picadillo. Made with fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice, this invigorating side dish offers a burst of bright flavors.

Its crisp and revitalizing nature contrasts perfectly with the warm, savory notes of picadillo, making each bite delightful.

Quesadillas

mexican comfort food classic

Quesadillas, with their melty cheese and crisp tortillas, offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors that complement Mexican picadillo perfectly.

Exploring cheese varieties like Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, or even cheddar can enhance the experience. Simple cooking techniques like grilling or pan-frying guarantee a golden-brown finish.

This versatile side brings out the best in picadillo, making each bite a harmonious blend.

Chiles Rellenos

spicy stuffed pepper dish

Chiles Rellenos, often stuffed with cheese or meat and enveloped in a light batter, provide a robust and flavorful complement to Mexican picadillo.

These stuffed peppers, featuring a rich cheese filling, bring a delightful contrast in texture and taste. Their mild heat and creamy interior enhance the savory notes of picadillo, making them an excellent choice for a balanced and satisfying meal.

Black Bean Salad

healthy vegetarian bean dish

Adding a black bean salad to your meal brings a rejuvenating and nutritious side that complements the bold flavors of Mexican picadillo. Packed with protein and fiber, this salad offers impressive nutrition facts.

Its flavor profile combines the earthy taste of black beans with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing, creating a delightful contrast to the rich and savory picadillo.

Enjoy the balance!

Mexican Slaw

zesty cabbage and carrots

Mexican slaw is a vibrant and crunchy side dish that pairs exquisitely with the hearty flavors of Mexican picadillo. The cabbage crunch provides a invigorating contrast, while the tangy dressing adds a zesty kick that complements the robust spices in the picadillo.

This colorful slaw not only enhances the meal's texture but also adds a delightful burst of flavor to each bite.

Plantains

versatile starchy tropical fruit

Plantains, with their natural sweetness and versatility, make a delightful accompaniment to Mexican picadillo, adding both texture and a complementary flavor profile.

Sweet plantains, when fried, offer a caramelized, tender bite that contrasts beautifully with the savory picadillo. Alternatively, plantain chips provide a crunchy texture, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Both options enrich the meal, making it more enjoyable and satisfying.

What are the Best Side Dishes to Serve with Mexican Barbacoa Tacos?

When serving Mexican Barbacoa Tacos, the best side dishes for barbacoa tacos include traditional options like Mexican rice, refried beans, and elote (Mexican street corn). These dishes complement the rich and savory flavors of the barbacoa, adding depth and variety to your taco feast. Enjoy the combination of flavors!

Sopa De Fideo

mexican noodle soup recipe

Complementing the delightful sweetness of plantains, Sopa De Fideo offers a warm, comforting, and savory side dish that pairs perfectly with Mexican picadillo.

This traditional soup features toasted noodles, with fideo variations adding unique textures and flavors. Noodle preparation involves lightly browning the fideo, then simmering in a rich tomato broth.

The result is a hearty, satisfying dish that enhances any meal.