Not sure what to serve with enchiladas? I’ve got you! I’ve gathering 10 easy and delicious side dishes that pair perfectly with enchiladas (plus fajitas, burritos and tacos, too!). From fresh salads, to flavorful sauces, you’ll find plenty of quick & easy ideas here!

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.

The Answer to What to Serve with Enchiladas!

Hearty enchiladas are some of my favorite recipes to make for family dinners or entertaining (especially my green chili chicken enchiladas), and while they make for an amazing one-pan meal, I personally love to pair them with a hearty and vibrant side to round out the meal.

So, I’ve rounded up 10 of the very best sides that pair perfectly with your enchilada meal – with everything from refreshing salads, to sauces to serve on top of enchiladas or a green salad, dips for chips, and flavorful rice dishes.

The best part is that these dishes are super easy to make and require minimal ingredients, so you can throw them together while your enchilada is in the oven. And bonus! All of these side dishes also pair well with fajitas and tacos too.

And if you don’t already have an enchilada recipe in mind, I have lots of enchilada recipes (both meat and vegetarian) you can try, including vegetarian enchilada casserole, ground turkey enchiladas, and sweet potato enchiladas.

Make Your Enchilada Meal Easier

The star of many of my enchilada recipes is my homemade enchilada sauce. If you love making enchiladas like me, I highly recommend always having a jar of this on hand to save time and make prep a cinch. You can also whip up a batch of slow cooker enchilada chicken and keep it in the freezer to use as a filling for easy chicken enchiladas or chicken enchilada skillet.

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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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 (6 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, or as a aside dish for enchiladas, chilis, and more. It’s a versatile coleslaw veggie side dish 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.
4.91 stars (22 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 (18 ratings)

Vibrant 5-Minute Cilantro Lime Sauce

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 & More Sides to Serve with Enchiladas

by Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 8.25 cups
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Inspired by Chipotle, this fresh tomato salsa recipe combines just a few simple ingredients for a quick appetizer or sauce that’s perfect for dipping or topping tacos or burrito bowls. It comes together in a matter of minutes in just one bowl, so it’s easy enough for a weeknight! Plus 10 easy sides to serve with enchiladas.
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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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