30+ Healthy Taco Sides

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From cilantro lime rice to 3 ingredient guacamole, corn salad loaded with avocado to quick pickled red onions, there are so many side dishes that are loaded with veggies, different textures and flavours for you to choose from. Browse over 30 excellent options to turn your simple taco into a complete meal and to create a stunning taco night menu. 

My Go-To Taco Night Ingredients 

One of the best things about Mexican cuisine is the fresh and healthy vegetables and other simple ingredients that are used. Here are some of my favourites. 

• tomatoes – essential for the perfect salsa.
• black beans and refried beans – adds protein, complex carbohydrates and fibre. 
• fresh corn – a great source of vitamin A and fibre. 
• jalapeño – for added spice. 
• tortilla chips – a staple for taco Tuesday. Most tortilla chips are gluten-free but just double check the pack if you’re gluten intolerant. 
• sour cream – for a dairy free version try this easy vegan sour cream recipe made from cashews. 
• cabbage – for a more tex Mex style, use cabbage to make the a fresh and crunchy slaw.

Salads & Vegetables

Tex Mex Salad with Corn Chips

If you’re looking for a salad that is packed full of flavour, crunch and all-round awesomeness, then my Tex Mex Salad is here for you. Sweet corn, avocado and black beans, drizzled with a honey lime dressing, I highly recommend scooping this salad up with white corn tortilla chips.

Contents:

Simple Summery Citrus Slaw

This fresh and vibrant Citrus Slaw is the perfect salad to serve alongside chicken or fish. It’s sweet & tangy with so much crunch in every bite and comes together in just 20 minutes. 

Prawn and Mango Salad with Chili Lime Dressing

This delightful prawn mango salad is the perfect Summer salad. With layers of crispy gem lettuce, marinated grilled prawns, juicy mango and creamy avocado all drizzled in a chili lime dressing is a serious show stopper. 

Chopped Kale Salad with Ginger Citrus Dressing

Deliciously fresh and vibrant in both colour and flavour, this Chopped Kale Salad has hearty kale, crunchy toasted sunflower seeds and sweet pops of dried cranberry in every mouthful, all drizzled in a Ginger Citrus Dressing.

Mexican Street Corn Chopped Salad

This Mexican street corn chopped salad features all the classic components from the traditional salad including charred sweet corn and a creamy fresh lime dressing as well as juicy grilled chicken and crisp lettuce.
Recipe: Whole and Heavenly Oven

Easy Mexican Cucumber Salad

This Cucumber Salad is a healthy, refreshing, easy side that will be the hit at every potluck, picnic, and barbecue. Instead of just cucumbers, this Cucumber Salad recipe is a Mexican inspired medley of veggies spiked with cilantro and Cotija cheese, tossed in a light honey chipotle dressing. It can be thrown together in 20 minutes, is make-ahead friendly, and is fiesta, crunchy texture heaven!
Recipe: Carlsbad Cravings

Roasted Mexican Zucchini

Roasted Mexican Zucchini is the perfect low carb side dish that’s easy to make and ready in only 20 minutes! Tossed with a handful of seasonings, lime juice, cilantro, and cotija cheese, it’s a quick and flavorful side that goes well with any Mexican lunch and dinner.
Recipe: Isabel Eats

5 Minute Cilantro Lime Slaw

This Cilantro Lime Slaw is the perfect addition to any taco! Crisp, crunchy, and, tangy, it comes together in about 5 minutes and is loaded with all real ingredients! This slaw is tossed in a Mexican-inspired lime vinaigrette which leaves it tasting light, zesty, and refreshing!
Recipe: Midwest Foodie

Sweet and Spicy Mexican Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sweet and spicy Mexican roasted sweet potatoes! The perfect easy-to-make sweet potato side dish to pair with all of your Mexican themed dinners. Made with pantry friendly sweet potatoes, a few simple spices, a short blast in a hot oven, and a generous drizzle of sticky sweet honey.
Recipe: Nyssa’s Kitchen

Spicy Watermelon Salad with Cilantro and Lime

This spicy watermelon salad with cilantro and lime is a real crowd-pleasing delight during the warm summer months! It’s spicy, sweet, and draped in a bright and citrusy dressing for the ultimate watermelon salad experience. Refreshing and FULL of summer flavor! 
Recipe: Nyssa’s Kitchen

Chipotle Honey Roasted Carrots

Sweet and spicy chipotle honey roasted carrots make a perfect gluten free and paleo side dish! Just a handful of ingredients add a whole lot of flavor to tender roasted carrots.
Recipe: Chelsea Joy Eats

Toppings

Quick Pickled Red Onion

These quick pickled red onions are made without cooking. Quick pickling onions reduces the bite that raw red onions have, while increasing the sweetness. They are perfect used to top salads, tacos, loaded nachos, avocado toast and anything else that you fancy! 

Cilantro Lime Tahini Dressing

This fresh and vibrant Cilantro Tahini Lime Dressing is not only tasty but healthy and nutritious as well! With healthy fats from the tahini and extra virgin olive oil, this dressing is a great way to add a nutrient boost to your next salad. 

Cashew Sour Cream

This cashew sour cream recipe requires only 4 ingredients, takes only 5 minutes to make and is completely dairy free.

Sides

Homemade Baked Tortilla Chips

Homemade Baked Tortilla Chips are made using store-bought corn tortillas. Just cut them into wedges, season them with Mexican spices, spray with oil & bake for a perfectly crispy, dippable chip!
Recipe: Platings and Pairings

Grilled Chili Lime Honey Butter Corn on the Cob

Jazz up any meal with perfectly grilled sweet kernel corn slathered with a mouthwatering flavored chili lime honey butter.
Recipe: Aberdeen’s Kitchen

Cilantro Lime Rice

Level up your rice game with this Cilantro Lime Rice. This simple, fresh and vibrant rice is perfect for many Asian and Mexican dishes.

Baked Zucchini Fries

Baked Zucchini Fries are a delicious way to incorporate more veggies into your diet – great for picky eaters!
Recipe: Six Sisters’ Stuff

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Vegetarian stuffed peppers—baked until tender and brimming with a taco-seasoned, cheesy bean-and-rice filling—are an easy, healthy dinner that’s sure to spice up your week.
Recipe: The Modern Proper

Charred Green Beans with Herby Lemon Salsa

These over-the-top Charred Green Beans with Herby Lemon Salsa will delight your tastebuds! Charred and blistered green beans are the star of the show, complimented by a refreshing, gourmet, yet simple lemon salsa on top. It’s a unique side dish that celebrates summer produce!
Recipe: Rainbow Plant Life

Salsa

Charred Pepper Salsa

This charred pepper salsa recipe may become your new go-to salsa. I love the smoky addition of the charred peppers, giving this salsa tons of character and depth. It’s slightly unique and really rich in flavor, yet still easy to execute.
Recipe: The Original Dish

Spicy Pico de Gallo

The best pico de gallo, this authentic recipe is savory, spicy, and unbelievably delicious thanks to a secret technique. Ready to eat in minutes, it’s perfect for dipping or adding refreshing flavor to a variety of recipes! 
Recipe: The Fit Peach

Pineapple Pico de Gallo

This Pineapple Pico de Gallo is a tropical twist on the classic fresh salsa. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for summer. Serve it with tortilla chips, in tacos, burritos, or as a side.
Recipe: The Healthful Ideas

Dips

Cilantro Lime Crema

Plain old sour cream can’t compare to this zesty cilantro lime crema recipe. It’s easy to make, and it adds bold, bright flavor to tacos, burritos, and more!
Recipe: Love and Lemons

Protein

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

These grilled shrimp skewers are tossed in a simple lemon garlic marinade and cook up in just 5 minutes! Pair them with veggies for a quick and easy dinner or serve them at your next summer cookout.
Recipe: Eating Bird Food

Easy Ceviche

This easy ceviche recipe uses fresh fish (or shrimp), tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. It can be served as an appetizer with tortilla chips or as a light, refreshing summer meal. 
Recipe: Feasting at Home

Kicked Up Black Beans

Mexican Black Beans just like the ones you love from Mexican restaurants but homemade! With a short list of budget-friendly pantry ingredients and 40 minutes, you can achieve gourmet flavors and the perfect creamy texture.
Recipe: Rainbow Plant Life

Drinks

Pineapple Coconut Margarita

This Pineapple Coconut Margarita is the perfect tropical drink for when you can’t decide between a margarita and a pina colada! It uses the classic margarita building blocks of tequila, lime and Triple Sec, but adds cream of coconut syrup and tangy pineapple juice for a delicious twist. It’s such a tasty summertime drink!
Recipe: Charming Cocktails

Mexican Mule

The Tequila Mule is a simple and delicious cocktail, perfect for so many occasions! A spin on the Moscow Mule, using tequila in place of vodka gives this drink a little more flavor and dimension. It’s beyond easy to make, and it’s even nicer when served in a traditional copper mug.
Recipe: Charming Cocktails

Frozen Mojito

This blended Frozen Mojito is the perfect cocktail for a hot summer day! It comes together in minutes and it’s naturally bright green! Turn this drink into a mocktail in one easy step!
Recipe: The Healthful Ideas

Spicy Jalapeno Margarita Mocktail

Spicy Jalapeño Margarita Mocktail – a simple and refreshing margarita mocktail that is just meant to be sipped in the sun!
Recipe: The Wooden Skillet

Paloma Mocktail

This grapefruit paloma mocktail packs a zesty citrus punch with a refreshing fizz. It’s the perfect non-alcoholic Mexican drink for Cinco de Mayo or for a warm summer night.
Recipe: The Littlest Crumb