What goes good with nachos as a side?

Nachos are a popular Tex-Mex appetizer or side dish consisting of tortilla chips covered in melted cheese, beans, salsa, guacamole, and other toppings. They make a great addition to any meal, but what are some of the best options for side dishes that pair well with nachos?

Salads

A light, fresh salad is a perfect complement to rich and heavy nachos. The crunch and acidity of the vegetables balance out the melted cheese and fat. Some good salad options include:

• Green salad – Mixed greens with tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red onion, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
• Caesar salad – Romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing.
• Taco salad – Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, black olives, shredded cheese, salsa, and crumbled tortilla chips.
• Southwestern salad – Mixed greens, black beans, roasted corn, avocado, tortilla strips, and chipotle ranch dressing.

Beans and Rice

Beans and rice make a hearty, filling side to balance out nachos. Options include:

• Refried beans – Well-seasoned pinto or black beans, mashed and fried to perfection.
• Black beans – Simmered until tender with onions, garlic, and spices.
• Pinto beans – Cooked with bacon, onion, and chili powder for flavor.
• White rice – Steamed long grain white rice, perfect for soaking up toppings.
• Spanish rice – Rice cooked in tomato sauce with onions, garlic, and spices.
• Cilantro lime rice – Fresh and zesty rice with a bright flavor profile.

Vegetable Sides

Crunchy, flavorful roasted or grilled veggies are an excellent addition to nachos. Great options include:

• Roasted broccoli or cauliflower
• Sauteed bell peppers and onions
• Grilled zucchini or squash
• Roasted carrots with cumin
• Sauteed spinach with garlic
• Grilled corn on the cob

Dips and Spreads

Having dips and spreads on hand allows you to add even more flavor and texture to the nachos. Opt for:

• Guacamole – Creamy avocado dip with lime, onion, tomato and cilantro.
• Queso dip – Melted cheese dip seasoned with spices and chilies.
• Pico de gallo – Fresh salsa made with tomatoes, onion, cilantro and lime.
• Sour cream – Cool and tangy complement to the nachos.
• Salsa verde – Zesty green salsa made with tomatillos and chilies.

Soups and Stews

Warm up with a hearty soup or stew alongside the nachos:

• Tortilla soup – With chicken, tomato, onions, tortilla strips, avocado, cheese and lime.
• Black bean soup – Rich and flavorful with onions, garlic, bell peppers and spices.
• Chicken chili – Meaty chili with beans, onions, tomatoes and chili powder.
• Beef stew – Tender beef, potatoes, carrots and celery simmered in a flavorful broth.
• Posole – Mexican pork and hominy stew infused with chilies and spices.

Build Your Own Nacho Bar

For a fun, interactive meal, set up a DIY nacho bar with a variety of toppings and let guests build their own:

Protein	Cheese	Vegetables	Beans	Salsa & Sauces	Crunchy Toppings
Shredded chicken	Cheddar	Lettuce	Refried	Pico de gallo	Tortilla chips
Ground beef	Monterey Jack	Tomatoes	Black beans	Guacamole	Jalapeños
Carnitas	Queso fresco	Onions	Pinto beans	Salsa verde	Corn chips
Chorizo	Pepper jack	Jalapeños	Pinto beans	Sour cream	Cotija cheese

Allowing guests to craft their own nacho experience with their choice of flavors, textures, and heat levels is a fun way to enjoy the dish.

Appetizers

Nachos work well with a variety of appetizers, like:

• Quesadillas – Grilled tortillas with cheese and other fillings.
• Taquitos – Rolled, fried corn tortillas filled with chicken or beef.
• Jalapeño poppers – Cheese-stuffed breaded jalapeños.
• Guacamole and chips – Creamy avocado dip with tortilla chips.
• Queso fundido – Hot melted cheese dip with chorizo or veggies.
• Ceviche – Lime marinated shrimp or fish.

Tacos

Both nachos and tacos are Mexican favorites. Mini tacos with fillings like carne asada, al pastor, carnitas or chicken are a great match. Build a taco bar with hot tortillas and a variety of meats, toppings and salsas.

Fajitas

Sizzling fajitas are an excellent pairing with nachos. Fajitas feature grilled steak, chicken or shrimp with sautéed peppers and onions. Serve them with warm flour tortillas, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, rice and beans.

Enchiladas

Cheese, chicken or beef enchiladas covered in sauce – red, green or mole – complement nachos wonderfully. Make it a complete Mexican feast by adding Spanish rice and refried beans.

Burritos

Hearty burritos stuffed with meat, beans, rice, cheese and more are an ideal match for nachos. Options like carne asada burritos, breakfast burritos, bean and cheese burritos are all great choices.

Empanadas

These baked or fried Latin American pastries come in both sweet and savory varieties. Savory empanadas filled with beef, chicken, cheese or beans make a delightful partner for nachos.

Tamales

Tender corn dough stuffed with seasoned fillings and steamed in corn husks. Try a variety of tamale flavors like chicken mole, green chile and cheese, or pork with red chile sauce.

Mexican Street Corn

Grilled corn slathered in a creamy, tangy sauce, sprinkled with chili powder and cotija cheese. The crunch and seasoning complements nachos fantastically.

Quesadillas

Quesadillas are an easy, tasty side to pair with nachos. Fill grilled flour or corn tortillas with melted mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese, plus other fillings like cooked chicken, chorizo sausage, carne asada, or sauteed peppers and onions.

Chips and Dips

Beyond nachos, serve an assortment of chips and dips like:

• Guacamole
• Queso dip
• Salsa
• Bean dip
• Spinach artichoke dip

Dessert Nachos

Finish your meal on a sweet note with dessert nachos! Top tortilla chips with:

• Melted chocolate
• Fresh fruit like strawberries, banana, mango
• Whipped cream
• Caramel or chocolate sauce
• Sprinkles
• Crumbled cookies or brownies
• Mini marshmallows
• Chopped nuts

Conclusion

Nachos are very versatile, making them easy to pair with a wide array of sides that complement their bold Tex-Mex flavors. Fresh salads, rice, beans, grilled vegetables, guacamole, salsa, soups and stews are all excellent choices. For a complete Mexican fiesta, serve nachos alongside tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, tamales, quesadillas, empanadas, Mexican street corn or a build your own nacho bar. With so many tasty options, you can create the perfect nacho experience.