Salads That Go With Tacos: 10 BEST Ideas!
If you need a little inspiration for salads that go with tacos, you’ll be pleased to hear that you’ve come to the right place!
A bright and vibrant salad can really help you to take Taco Tuesdays to the next level, as well as ensuring you’re getting some extra goodness into the diets of your loved ones.
From quick and easy green side salads, to colourful and crunchy slaws, there’s something right here that’ll tempt your tastebuds…
The best salads that go with tacos
The best salad to serve with tacos is a simple chopped green salad. It’s healthy and nutritious, and all you need to do is chop up lettuce, cucumber, spring onion, cress, and avocado. You can whip up your own easy homemade dressing using lemon juice and olive oil, and you’re ready to go!
Some other choices to consider for side salads for tacos include Mexican style corn salad, easy taco slaw, homemade salsa, and fiesta rice salad.
Here, I’m going to share the very best recipes, plus some more ideas for you to try on taco night…
1. Simple chopped green salad
This simple chopped salad is my one of my go-to dishes when I need a side dish that’s nutritious and easy to prepare. It requires a fair bit of chopping, but I find this can even be enjoyable if you have a little spare time to dedicate in the kitchen!
You’ll need a handful of fresh ingredients such as cucumber, spring onion, lettuce, cress, and avocado. You’ll also make an dressing to toss everything in, with lemon juice and a generous pouring of good quality extra virgin olive oil.
It has crunch, creaminess from the avocado, and a delicious zest from the homemade dressing, making it the perfect addition to tacos.
Serve this salad on the chopping board in the middle of the table, with a pair of serving tongs so everyone can tuck in and help themselves.
2. Mexican style corn salad
This Mexican style corn salad recipe combines bright and tasty ingredients like sweetcorn, red onion, and juicy tomatoes, and tosses them with zesty lime juice, fragrant coriander, and some honey and extra virgin olive oil.
It might be simple, but it’s delicious and it works so well when you’re planning to enjoy tacos for dinner!
It’s the ideal addition if you like to get plenty of fresh veggies on your plate, and you want to lean in to the Mexican vibes.
If you love to meal prep, make sure that you make enough of this salad so you’ve got leftovers for lunch over the next couple of days. It’s super tasty served with shredded grilled chicken, or tinned tuna or salmon.
3. Avocado salad
Avocados are widely used in Mexican cuisine, and the fresh creaminess pairs perfectly with crunchy, slightly spicy tacos.
This avocado salad recipe is made with an abundance of fresh and colourful ingredients, and it can be thrown together in a matter of minutes.
If you like, you could serve with salad as an appetiser for your Mexican night, alongside some freshly baked nachos.
4. Mexican salad with lime and coriander dressing
If you want a salad to serve with tacos that’s ideal for a gathering or get together, look no further than this Mexican salad with a zingy lime and coriander dressing!
It’s fresh, satisfying, and flavourful, and it’s one of those really impressive salads that the whole family is just going to love.
It includes sweetcorn, juicy bell peppers, tomatoes, black beans, avocado, lettuce, cheese, and tortilla chips.
5. Easy taco slaw
Taco night just isn’t complete without this easy taco slaw!
Make sure that you carefully follow the instructions, and don’t be tempted to skip the step that involves salting the cabbage.
This is important as it draws out any excess moisture, and it creates the best kind of crunch!
Best of all, you can prepare this salad a day in advance, so it’s ideal if you like to plan ahead.
6. Chicken fajita salad
This chicken fajita salad has juicy pieces of slightly spicy chicken, creamy avocado, crunchy lettuce, and a beautiful homemade dressing to bring everything together.
It’s a substantial salad that could be served as a main course on its own, but I love adding it to the table on Taco Tuesdays to give everyone some options and more variety!
7. Homemade tomato salsa
Homemade tomato salsa – sometimes known as pico de gallo – is super easy to make, and it pairs wonderfully with Mexican flavours.
Just chop up onion, tomatoes, and peppers, and dress with salt, lime, and coriander to taste.
Add as much or as little fresh chopped red chilli as you like, and add a few dashes of your favourite chilli sauce if you like to really turn up the heat!
This one is really versatile, and you’ve got a couple of options when it comes to how to serve it.
Treat it like an appetiser alongside plenty of corn tortilla chips for dipping, or just put everything in the middle of the table and let your guests dig in and help themselves.
I love spooning some over tacos as a spicy topping!
8. Black bean salad
This black bean salad recipe takes a simple tin of black beans and transforms it into something bright, fresh, vibrant, and ideal when you’re looking for salads that go with tacos!
You can add it a bowl and let everyone dig in at your next Mexican inspired feast, or you can get a little fancier if you prefer.
It’s delicious piled high on top of nachos, and it also works really well with some added feta cheese or avocado.
Alternatively, you can serve it as a taco topping alongside extras like sour cream, jalapeños, and fresh guacamole.
9. Easy cucumber salad
The refreshing and light flavour of cucumber makes it a great salad ingredient to serve alongside spicy fajitas, and it also brings some satisfying crunch to your dinner plate.
This idea is so simple that you don’t even need to follow a recipe!
Just chop up your cucumber, add some finely sliced red onion, and combine together with a splash or two of white wine vinegar. It’s a quick and tasty option when you’re searching for salads that go with tacos.
10. Fiesta rice salad
Give taco night an upgrade by making this Fiesta rice salad.
It comes together super quickly and it involves tossing rice with chopped veggies, lime juice, olive oil, and plenty of fresh coriander.
It’s perfect if you want a salad that’s a little more filling and substantial, and it’s great for when you’re serving a hungry crowd.
Side salads for tacos
If you want a side dish for tacos that’s colourful, vibrant, and nutritious, you really can’t go wrong with a salad. Choose from:
- Simple chopped green salad
- Mexican style corn salad
- Avocado salad
- Mexican salad with lime and coriander dressing
- Easy taco slaw
- Chicken fajita salad
- Homemade tomato salsa
- Black bean salad
- Easy cucumber salad
- Fiesta rice salad
Which salads will you be choosing for your next taco night?
For more taco Tuesday inspiration, take a look at sides for birria tacos too!
