Not sure what to serve with enchiladas? I’ve got you! Here are my favorite easy + delicious side dishes that pair perfectly with enchiladas (plus fajitas, burritos and tacos, too!).

Overhead image of an enameled cast iron pot with cooked onions, beans, and rice. The pot is flanked by bowls with: guacamole, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, lime wedges, salsa, and shredded cheese.

Easy Sides to Serve with Enchiladas (That Just Work!)

When enchiladas are on the menu (especially my green chili chicken enchiladas, and ground turkey enchiladas) the main dish is easy, but figuring out what to serve on the side? That’s where it can get tricky! Whether you’re planning a cozy weeknight dinner or hosting friends for taco night, this list of go-to sides is here to help. These are the recipes I actually make when enchiladas are on the table: quick, flavor-forward, and real-life ready. You’ll find pantry-friendly picks, and a few fresh sides that pull it all together, without adding stress to your meal!

A hand dipping a round chip into a bowl of black bean and corn salsa.
5 stars (1 rating)

Black Bean Corn Salsa (Easy Dip + Taco Topping!)

If you want a fresh, no-cook salsa that’s vibrant and easy, this black bean corn salsa dip is it. Just stir beans, corn, onion, lime juice, and cilantro together, no cooking needed. It’s ready in about 15 minutes and perfect with chips, tacos, bowls, or anything that needs a fresh kick!
Ingredients Needed: black beans, sweet corn, red onion, Roma tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, garlic, salt, paprika, lime juice, olive oil, honey.
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A white plate filled with a vegetable platter with an easy 4-ingredient guacamole in the center.
5 stars (13 ratings)

4-Ingredient Guacamole

This Easy 4-Ingredient Guacamole is so simple and tastes amazing. It's the perfect party appetizer or everyday condiment; use it as a dip, a topping, or just straight out of the bowl. Everything is better with guacamole!
Ingredients: avocado, lime juice, garlic, and salt.
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Corn on the cob next to a large bowl filled with pasta, charred corn, diced chicken, cotija cheese, and a creamy lime spice yogurt mixture.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad (w/ Chicken!)

A fresh, flavor-packed twist on pasta salad featuring juicy chicken, sweet corn (fresh or frozen), a creamy (yogurt + mayo) lime dressing, and just the right amount of char. It’s summer in a bowl, ready in 20 minutes!
Ingredients You'll Need: pasta. olive oil, corn, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime, granulated garlic, chili powder, salt, cooked chicken, red onion, cilantro, and cotija cheese.
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A white bowl filled with fresh tomato salsa chipotle copycat with lime wedges and corn chips on the side.
5 stars (5 ratings)

Chunky Fresh Tomato Salsa (Chipotle Style!)

Inspired by Chipotle's famous salsa, this easy 5-minute chunky tomato salsa recipe uses fresh tomatoes, onion, and lime juice for a salsa that's perfect for dipping + topping tacos or burrito bowls. It comes together easily in 1-bowl and tastes so darn good you won't believe how easy it is to make!
Ingredients: tomatoes, red onion, cilanto, jalapeno, lime juice, lemon juice and salt.
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Closeup image of a bowl of cabbage and carrot slaw.
5 stars (7 ratings)

Mexican Slaw (for Tacos & More!)

Ready in 15 minutes and ultra easy to prep, this zesty and fresh Mexican slaw is the perfect topping for tacos, as a side for enchiladas, and more. It’s a versatile coleslaw made without mayo, featuring crunchy cabbage, grated carrots, and a smokey-sweet dressing that’s fast and easy.
Ingredients: garlic, salt, chipotle peppers, honey, lime juice, avocado oil, cabbage, carrots, onion, cilantro.
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Overhead image of an enameled cast iron pot with cooked onions, beans, and rice. The pot is flanked by bowls with: guacamole, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, lime wedges, salsa, and shredded cheese.
4.92 stars (24 ratings)

Quick Pinto Beans & Rice (One-Pot!)

This quick & easy beans and rice recipe uses pinto beans and long grain white rice for a delicious one-pot meal both vegetarian and meat-eaters will love! Ready in 30 minutes on the stovetop, it works equally well as a hearty entree or Tex-Mex side dish.
Ingredients: olive oil, red onion, salt, fresh garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, dried oregano, vegetable stock (or chicken stock), canned pinto beans, white rice, lime juice.
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Cilantro lime sauce being spooned out of a glass jar, with fresh herbs and lime wedges alongside it.
5 stars (19 ratings)

Cilantro Lime Sauce (for Fish, Tacos + Chicken!)

Vibrant, fresh, and easy to whiz together in a blender or food processor, this 5-minute cilantro lime sauce is perfect with fish, shrimp, fish tacos, chicken, rice bowls and more. Truly, it elevates just about anything you pour it on! Plus it’s easy enough to whip up any night of the week.
Ingredients: fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, garlic cloves, avocado oil, ground cumin, honey (optional) and salt.
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glass jar of green salad dressing with sliced lemons and cut avocados on a white background
5 stars (5 ratings)

5-Minute Creamy Avocado Dressing (for Salad + More!)

The base for this simple 5-minute creamy vegan dressing is one ripe avocado, lemon juice, and just the right amount of garlic. Easily prepared in a blender or food processor, it's made without mayonnaise, and is perfect on salads, as a dip, or drizzled on just about anything!
Ingredients: avocado, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, water and salt
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ingredients for black bean salad with corn mixed together in glass mixing bowl
5 stars (5 ratings)

10-Minute Corn & Black Bean Salad (No Avocado!)

This simple + quick corn and black bean salad combines hearty canned black beans with sweet corn, all tossed together with vibrant, crunchy veggies and an easy honey lime dressing.
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An overhead shot of an enameled cast iron pot with chicken and rice topped with cilantro and a silver serving spoon. The pot is surrounded by a kitchen towel, half an avocado, and small bowls with sliced jalapenos, salsa, and lime wedges.
5 stars (6 ratings)

1-Pan Mexican Chicken & Rice

Made in all in one-pan, this simple & easy Mexican chicken and rice is made long-grain white rice, boneless skinless chicken thighs (or you can use breasts), a few Mexican-inspired spices, a bit of tomato paste, and chicken stock. It all adds up to a well-balanced meal that's perfect every time.
Ingredients: avocado oil, yellow onion, chicken thigh (or chicken breast), salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, long-grain white rice, tomato paste, chicken broth, lime juice.
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5 stars (3 ratings)

Real Food 7-Layer Dip (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Simple, delicious, and naturally gluten-free & dairy-free, Real Food 7-Layer Dip will be the hit of your next party or gathering!
Need another easy dip that can feed a crowd? Look no further than this slow cooker spinach artichoke dip recipe (it's a family favorite)!
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Thinly sliced purple cabbage slaw with carrots in a bowl with a striped blue napkin on the side.
4.86 stars (7 ratings)

Quick Purple Cabbage Slaw (for Pulled Pork + More!)

This quick creamy purple cabbage slaw is made with thinly sliced red and green cabbage, carrots, and a creamy homemade dressing. It comes together in 15 minutes, making it the perfect for pulled pork or as a colorful veggie side!
Ingredients: red and green cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise (traditional, vegan mayo or Greek yogurt), honey (optional), lime juice, and salt.
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A white bowl filled with fresh tomato salsa chipotle copycat with lime wedges and corn chips on the side.
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Chunky Salsa for Enchiladas & More Side Ideas

by Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 8.25 cups
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
The perfect topping for enchiladas, plus more easy sides.
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound Roma or Campari tomatoes, seeds removed and diced into ½ inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons ½ inch-diced red onion
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced jalapeno
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring until well combined. Serve immediately or allow to marinate at room temperature for 1-2 hours for the flavors to combine.

Notes

Makes 8 ¼ cup servings.
Nutrition information calculated using Roma tomatoes, cilantro and jalapenos.
If you’re sensitive to spicy things, you can remove some (or all) of the seeds from the jalapeno or omit it altogether.
If you like a spicier salsa, be sure to leave the seeds in or even add more jalapeno.
If you don’t like the taste of cilantro, feel free to leave it out.
Course: Appetizer, Dressings & Sauces
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 13kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 74mg, Potassium: 146mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 479IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
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