Traditional Mexican dishes like tamales pair beautifully with various side dishes. From classic staples such as refried beans and Mexican rice to more adventurous options like grilled shrimp or fresh salad, choosing appropriate side dishes can enhance the experience and increase its satisfaction.
Pair hearty soup or stew with tamales to create a comforting and filling meal, such as spicy black bean and sweet potato soup or warming beef chili.
Rice and Beans
Tamales are delectable delights that stand on their own, yet also provide a wonderful platform for other side dishes and toppings. Rice and beans pair nicely with tamales; alternatively, try something unique like black bean dip or refreshing cucumber salad made with healthy ingredients that pair beautifully with these delectable treats.
Mexican rice is easy and deliciously satisfying dish to make at home, boasting high levels of fiber while adding depth of flavor thanks to spices like cumin. Perfect as a side dish alongside any dish from roast vegetables to earthy poblano peppers used in tamales!
Serve tamales alongside street corn (elote). This classic Mexican snack features salty cotija cheese, creamy mayo and spicy chile sauce for an authentic dining experience; its leaves may even remain intact when eaten directly off of the cob!
Refried beans are another incredibly versatile recipe perfect for accompanying tamales: slow-cooked beans can provide an abundance of protein while providing plenty of enjoyment. One way of enjoying them alongside tamales is topping off a bowl with cooked chorizo, melted cheese and spicy chipotle pepper.
Grilled vegetables make an excellent complement to tamales if beans aren’t your thing; their sweetness provides a welcome balance to the rich savory taste of tamales. When cooked on a grill, veggies such as zucchini, squash and eggplant become even richer and their flavors deepened even further.
Guacamole is an easy and delicious addition to any plate, adding an instant burst of freshness. Our Quick Guacamole Recipe or the more traditional version using avocado, onion, cilantro and chili powder for maximum flavor will take just minutes to make!
No Mexican meal would be complete without an equally refreshing beverage! For an alcoholic option, we offer Sopa d’Arroz or Agua de Jamaica: both are created by mixing ripe tomatoes with chicken broth to create a tropical blend of fruits and herbs – or you could serve iced tea or lemonade as nonalcoholic alternatives!
Soups
If you love Mexican cuisine, chances are you have experienced tamales. Crafted from corn dough stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables and wrapped in either banana leaves or corn husks before steaming them to perfection – often as part of holiday feasts but always enjoyable any time! Tamales pair well with many dishes such as refried beans, pico de gallo and jicama salad to provide an amazing array of flavors!
One of the best complements to tamales are black or pinto beans. They make for an easy side dish in any Mexican meal and can easily be made in large batches. If you want an added bit of spice, add ground cumin or chili powder. Alternatively, cook your beans using water instead of chicken broth if any vegetarian guests will be joining your dinner celebrations.
Salsa verde is another delicious accompaniment to tamales that pairs wonderfully. Tomatillos, which are similar to tomatoes in terms of taste but feature an earthier tang, form the centerpiece of this delicious condiment, easily available and relatively affordable in most grocery stores. Add chopped cilantro and jalapenos for additional flavoring or heat for even greater appeal!
Jicama Slaw is a delicious side dish to complement tamales. Jicama is an irresistibly crunchy and mildly sweet root vegetable that pairs perfectly with many foods. Simply toss sliced jicama in a mix of white vinegar, light mayonnaise, salt and fresh ground pepper before topping off with drizzles of sour cream and fresh ground pepper for an unforgettable treat!
Refried bean soup is an easy, flavorful way to pair tamales with a warming meal. While your soup simmers, remove all paper wrapping from each tamale and chop into bite-size pieces (don’t cut lengthwise). Add chopped pieces directly into your soup for heating.
Pineapple and pico de gallo pair perfectly when pairing tamales. Their sweeter sweetness balances well against its earthier flavors while adding brightness through pico de gallo’s acidic crunchiness.
Salads
Tamales can be balanced by pairing them with various salads that pair the tartness of their flavors with refreshing and delectable salads. A light vinaigrette-dressed greens salad pairs perfectly with their flavors and offers a refreshing change in texture; citrus avocado salad combines orange, grapefruit or blood orange segments with creamy avocado slices in an irresistibly flavorful salad that pairs well with any combination of beef, pork or chicken tamales!
Salads featuring both vegetables and imitation crab meat make the ideal complement for tamales as they add an unexpected twist to this traditional Mexican dish. Furthermore, making your own version at home using seasonal produce and frozen imitation crab meat is easy; while its combination of lime juice and olive oil for its dressing provides just the right combination of sweetness and zestiness.
When selecting a salad to complement tamales, several essential elements must be taken into account. Texture should be one such factor as its dense texture should be offset with lighter textures from salad. Crunchy ingredients such as jicama, peppers or radishes can help create this balance; additionally toasted nuts or crumbled tortilla strips add another textural dimension that completes this perfect match!
Salad can be served either individually in its own serving bowl, or can be placed alongside tamales and other side dishes on a plate. A great idea would be to provide guests with various condiments like sour cream, guacamole and salsa so that they may customize their meal to their preferences.
Tamales can be eaten either with their plantain or banana leaves still attached, or removed and discarded before eating. Washing leaves thoroughly is recommended before trying to take them off as they can become slimy when removed, and for optimal results it’s best to store tamales in an airtight container in the refrigerator – this will preserve taste and quality and prevent them from spoiling before they can be consumed!
Drinks
Drinks make an excellent accompaniment to any tamale dish, adding yet another dimension of flavor and texture to the meal and providing relief after indulging in spicy fare like tamales. From classic salsa or guacamole, to something more exotic like chocolate mousse – there is sure to be an assortment of beverages that perfectly pair with your tamales!
If you’re in search of healthier tamale options, consider pairing yours with roasted vegetables. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, making roasted veggies an excellent addition to tamales as they also offer fiber and vitamin benefits. It can easily be made at home using any number of veggies with spice combinations such as zucchini, peppers and carrots – popular choices among chefs include these ingredients in combination.
As an added touch, you can serve tamales with various dips and spreads for added flavor and texture – such as salsa, queso and guacamole – that pair beautifully with them! They’re relatively straightforward to prepare as well.
Try sipping on some cool lemonade or iced tea as an easy and healthy way to soothe your palate after tasting all those intense spices in your tamales.
Wine makes a wonderful accompaniment to tamales. The acidity in wine helps cut through its spicy bite, while simultaneously complementing its sweet corn masa. Rose wines such as Brachetto d’Acqui or Sangue di Giuocchi provide a fruity finish that blends beautifully with both masa and raisins in many tamales.
Hot chocolate is another delicious accompaniment for your tamales, providing the perfect way to balance their richness. There are numerous recipes for this classic Mexican treat online.