Quick Answer: Best Dishes to Serve with Empanadas
The best dishes to serve with empanadas include classic Mexican fares like Mexican rice, black beans, and rice, guacamole, corn on the cob, Mexican coleslaw, Arroz con pollo, and refried beans. Mexican street corn salad, arugula salad, tomato avocado salad, and vegetable salad are some of the best salads to serve with empanadas. Other great side dishes. Read to know more!
This is the complete list of the best dishes to serve with empanadas.
After thorough research, this guide has been curated carefully to include the best traditional side dishes, dips, and accompaniments with empanadas.
Let’s get right into it.
Best Dishes to Serve with Empanadas: Quick Table
| Recipe | Calories (per serving) | Preparation Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mexican Rice | 351 | 30 min |
| Salsa Verde | 44 | 20 min |
| Mexican Street Corn Salad | 166 | 15 min |
| Queso | 163 | 15 min |
| Strawberry Salsa | 111 | 10 min |
| Corn on the Cob | 111 | 13 min |
| Black Beans and Rice | 216 | 30 min |
| Fried Plantains | 111 | 15 min |
| Mexican Potato Salad | 334 | 25 min |
| Mexican Coleslaw | 84 | 15 min |
| Guacamole | 262 | 10 min |
| Avocado Tomato Salad | 398 | 15 min |
| Cilantro Lime Rice | 95 | 35 min |
| Refried Beans | 327 | 25 min |
| Mexican Sweet Corn Cakes | 237 | 1 hr 15 min |
| Arroz Con Pollo | 950 | 55 min |
| Arugula Salad | 122 | 10 min |
| Charro Beans | 619 | 1 hr 50 min |
| Pico de Gallo | 111 | 15 min |
| Tomato Salsa | 100 | 15 min |
| Mashed Potatoes | 257 | 35 min |
| Baked Potatoes | 419 | 52 min |
| Sweet Potato Fries | 205 | 35 min |
| Cheese Sauce | 110 | 20 min |
| Vegetable Salad | 111 | 15 min |
1. Mexican Rice
Total calories (per serving): 351
Total preparation time: 30 minutes
This one-pot savory rice recipe is a winning and hearty dish. Mexican rice combines wholesome, homemade flavors of tomatoes, vegetables, and garlicky goodness.
Use aromatic rice varieties like basmati and cook it in the pan with onion and garlic before adding your spices and vegetables. This side dish is zesty and full of satisfying flavors.
Here is a DIY recipe:
2. Salsa Verde
Total calories (per serving): 44
Total preparation time: 20 minutes
Salsa Verde is a type of spicy salsa made with green tomatillo tomatoes instead of red ones. This salsa’s bright and appealing color is complemented by the equally appealing flavors that go into this dip.
Super spicy jalapenos, onions, and cilantro are also added to roasted tomatillos and crushed until semi-liquid and perfect for eating as a dip.
Here is a DIY recipe:
3. Mexican Street Corn Salad
Total calories (per serving): 166
Total preparation time: 15 minutes
Mexican street corn salad, also known as Esquites, showcases a medley of smoky, spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors. Charred sweet corn kernels are slathered in creamy and hot sauces with a topping of crumbly Cotija cheese.
This salad is great to serve at picnics and outdoor gatherings. It’s summery, bright, fresh, and delicious.
Here is a DIY recipe:
4. Queso
Total calories (per serving): 163
Total preparation time: 15 minutes
Queso is a cheesy Mexican dip that is made with all of the best Mexican flavors that come together in a velvety smooth sauce. A mix of pepper jack and cheddar gives this dip that intense cheesy flavor that makes it so addictive.
The onions, garlic, jalapeno, tomatoes, and green chili add in their freshness and make this dip out of the world.
Here is a DIY recipe:
5. Strawberry Salsa
Total calories (per serving): 111
Total preparation time: 10 minutes
Strawberry salsa is a lovely twist to tomato salsa. It is made with fresh ripe strawberries that give it a beautiful color. The flavors are perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, and it’s ready to serve in less than 10 minutes.
This recipe is perfect to use up any extra strawberries or when you want to experiment with traditional salsa.
Here is a DIY recipe:
6. Corn on the Cob
Total calories (per serving): 111
Total preparation time: 13 minutes
Corn on the cob is a cookout staple. It can be boiled or grilled. Make elotes, Mexican-style corn on the cob, for your next get-together.
Grilled sweet corn is topped with a creamy sauce and topped with crumbled cheese making it extra delicious and irresistible.
Here is a DIY recipe:
7. Black Beans and Rice
Total calories (per serving): 216
Total preparation time: 30 minutes
This is a classic rice recipe native to Latin American cuisine. This can be served as a main or as a side dish. Black beans and rice are super versatile and quick to make if you use canned beans.
This makes for an extremely hearty side dish.
To add extra flavor, squeeze in the juice of a lemon before serving.
Here is a DIY recipe:
8. Fried Plantains
Total calories (per serving): 111
Total preparation time: 15 minutes
Fried plantains are a unique and traditional side dish that will be sure to impress your guests. The fried plantains have a crispy and caramelized outside and a sweet, irresistible taste. They’re a great replacement for fried tostadas.
These plantains are shallow fried in butter, which gives them a lovely buttery taste that is delicious with the sweetness of the ripe plantain.
Here is a DIY recipe:
9. Mexican Potato Salad
Total calories (per serving): 334
Total preparation time: 25 minutes
Potato salad is a group dinner classic. For a Mexican spread, try making this flavorful Mexican potato salad. Roasted potatoes smothered in traditional spices like cumin and chipotle seasoning pack this salad with a punch.
Jalapenos, black beans, chopped chilis, and cilantro is a must-add for that Mexican kick.
Here is a DIY recipe:
10. Mexican Coleslaw
Total calories (per serving): 84
Total preparation time: 15 minutes
This Mexican-flavored coleslaw is perfect to whip up for picnics and barbeques. A simple combination of coleslaw mix (cabbage, carrots, optionally onions) is elevated with cumin, honey, and hot sauce.
The contrasting fresh, tangy, sweet, and zesty flavors blend together excellently to give a bright side dish.
Here is a DIY recipe:
11. Guacamole
Total calories (per serving): 262
Total preparation time: 10 minutes
Guacamole is a traditional avocado-based dip that is essential at Mexican spreads.
It’s made with processed avocados, jalapenos, onions, and tomatoes, topped off with lemon juice and cilantro.
Here is a DIY recipe:
12. Avocado Tomato Salad
Total calories (per serving): 398
Total preparation time: 15 minutes
Creamy avocados and tangy tomatoes make a winning combination and a salad that is a pleasure to eat.
Add seasonings like cumin and freshly ground black pepper along with red onions, jalapenos, and corn to chunks of cherry tomatoes and avocado to make this salad in less than 20 minutes.
Here is a DIY recipe:
13. Cilantro Lime Rice
Total calories (per serving): 95
Total preparation time: 35 minutes
Cilantro lime rice is bright and buttery. This rice side can be served with a variety of dishes since it’s incredibly versatile.
Plus, it’s a notch above plain rice with the added freshness of cilantro and lime.
Here is a DIY recipe:
14. Refried Beans
Total calories (per serving): 327
Total preparation time: 25 minutes
Creamy and smooth pinto beans make the best-refried beans to serve with Mexican dishes.
They’re buttery and delicious garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lemon to liven them up.
Here is a DIY recipe:
15. Mexican Sweet Corn Cakes
Total calories (per serving): 237
Total preparation time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Mexican sweet corn cakes are moist and buttery. This cake comes out of the oven soft and delicious, with a spoonable consistency and the flavor of sweet corn in every bite.
This cake is a perfect side dish to serve at any authentic Mexican spread.
Here is a DIY recipe:
16. Arroz Con Pollo
Total calories (per serving): 950
Total preparation time: 55 minutes
This is one of the heavier Mexican side dishes to serve, although it is incredibly delicious. Chunks of marinated chicken are cooked in rice for a filling meal.
Traditional seasonings make this dish stand out and shine from other chicken rice recipes.
Here is a DIY recipe:
17. Arugula Salad
Total calories (per serving): 122
Total preparation time: 10 minutes
Arugula salad is a quick and healthy side dish consisting of arugula greens, cherry tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and carrot ribbons tossed together in a bright and easy lemon balsamic dressing.
It is perfect to serve with heavier main dishes for refreshing the palate.
Here is a DIY recipe:
18. Charro Beans
Total calories (per serving): 619
Total preparation time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Charro beans are an authentic Mexican side dish.
This is a savory soup of pinto beans in a flavorful broth consisting of meaty flavors from chorizo, beef, ham, and bacon.
Here is a DIY recipe:
19. Pico de Gallo
Total calories (per serving): 111
Total preparation time: 15 minutes
Pico de Gallo is a fresh and healthy Mexican dish that is great for adding a pop of flavor to any dish.
Not only is this dip low-carb, but it is also super easy to make with a few basic ingredients in the kitchen.
Here is a DIY recipe:
20. Tomato Salsa
Total calories (per serving): 100
Total preparation time: 15 minutes
Tomato salsa is a Mexican staple.
There is nothing more refreshing than this simple side with chopped tomatoes, red onions, and jalapenos to form a chunky dip that’s sweet, savory, tangy, and bright.
Here is a DIY recipe:
21. Mashed Potatoes
Total calories (per serving): 257
Total preparation time: 35 minutes
Creamy mashed potatoes are a heavenly side. Adding some heavy cream or milk to mashed potatoes makes them even more creamy, airy, and fluffy.
Serve these perfect mashed potatoes with a pat of butter and gravy for a side that will be loved by everyone.
Here is a DIY recipe:
22. Baked Potatoes
Total calories (per serving): 419
Total preparation time: 52 minutes
Baked potatoes are a filling and wholesome side dish. Baked potatoes are bound to be a crowd favorite at any party.
They’re full of delicious toppings that can be easily customized. Classic toppings to serve with baked potatoes include sour cream, jalapenos, and cheese.
Here is a DIY recipe:
23. Sweet Potato Fries
Total calories (per serving): 205
Total preparation time: 35 minutes
The healthy baked version of classic potato fries, sweet potato fries are just as delicious and easy on your diet.
These fries are just as delicious as their traditional version, crispy and golden brown on the outside from the oven and fluffy on the inside.
Here is a DIY recipe:
24. Cheese Sauce
Total calories (per serving): 110
Total preparation time: 20 minutes
There are a few things more loved than cheesy sauce. The cheese sauce is gooey, savory, and melts in the mouth.
Overall, it is the perfect dip to serve with a variety of Mexican dishes and a must-have on a table with empanadas.
Here is a DIY recipe:
25. Vegetable Salad
Total calories (per serving): 111
Total preparation time: 15 minutes
A vegetable salad showcases the summer’s produce wonderfully by combining a nutritious assortment of whatever vegetables you have on hand with a delicious balsamic dressing.
This recipe is endlessly customizable and deliciously healthy.
Here is a DIY recipe:
The Bottom Line
We hope this guide has helped you find the ideal dishes to serve with empanadas.
We would love to hear your suggestions for more recipes or any questions you may have.
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