What to Serve With Tamales

Tamales are an irresistibly satisfying dish that are loved and appreciated across America. They often come accompanied by side dishes to add depth of flavor.

Rice is one of the classic side dishes to pair with any type of tamales recipe, making for an ideal addition. You could also opt for making a hearty soup or opting for lighter salad options.

Soup or Stew

Tamales are a classic Mexican dish often prepared from pork, chicken or cheese and served at special events and holidays. Accompanied by soup or stew, beans, rice or guacamole – these sides pair perfectly with the flavors found within the tamales to complete its rich texture and provide additional balance to this mouthwatering meal.

Black bean or pork and potato stew make an ideal side for tamales. Packed full of meats and veggies, such a dish provides both filling sustenance as well as low calorie counts thanks to fiber that aids in constipation prevention.

Refried beans are an indispensable accompaniment for tamales. Quick to prepare and full of protein, beans are an excellent source of fiber, minerals and are low in calories – the ideal match to enhance their flavors in an authentic tamale recipe!

Another excellent accompaniment to tamales is corn on the cob, an authentic street food best enjoyed when dunked in creamy dipping sauces. An ideal variation would be elote – which combines corn sweetness with salty cotija cheese and spicy chile sauce for an unforgettable flavor combination.

Green chili stew is an ideal accompaniment for tamales, featuring flavors such as cilantro that go perfectly with their flavors. Plus, its low calorie counts and variety of healthy vegetables such as beans and peppers make this meal both hearty and filling!

Mexican Rice is another traditional accompaniment for tamales that’s quick and easy to prepare, making it an excellent way to help people trying to lose weight. Simply combine uncooked white rice, cumin powder, and garlic powder in a pot with boiling water before simmering it until tender.

Fried egg is an irresistibly tasty accompaniment to tamales. To prepare one, heat a skillet over medium-low heat, once cool enough crack eggs into it and sprinkle with salt and pepper; cook on low heat until whites have set and yolks begin to firm up.

Refried Beans

Spanish rice and refried beans are essential when serving tamales, complementing their spicy, rich flavors while offering a necessary contrast against corn’s sweetness.

Prepare these sides separately and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve your tamales, then reheat in either an oven or microwave to create delicious accompaniments to your meal.

Cooking beans first in a pan with oil before adding water and spices will yield a rich, smooth refried bean that goes great with masa of tamales. You may wish to include pork lard for an authentic Mexican taste; otherwise vegetable oil works just as well and still delivers tasty results!

Refried beans are often served alongside tamales, but you could also try pairing them with either green chile sauce (chile verde) or red chile sauce. Both sauces pair beautifully with their spicy flavour, making for delicious combinations depending on personal preference – either mild or spicy versions can be prepared depending on personal taste!

If you prefer something simpler, mango kale chopped salad makes an excellent side to any tamale dinner. Packed full of sweet and crunchy vegetables, it will surely please everyone at the table!

Alternately, pair your tamales with a bowl of homemade guacamole – its creamy goodness provides an ideal contrast with its spicy kick – for an unforgettable meal! Making homemade guacamole is fast, simple and delectable – make the best use of any spare moments by creating it at home – serving it alongside spicy tamales!

To speed up and simplify this process even further, microwaved tamales offer another easy option. Simply place it in a microwave-safe dish and heat for approximately one minute or until warm throughout. To preserve its crisp texture, be sure to squeeze out any extra air before sealing in plastic bag or wrap for storage in the fridge up to one week.

Roasted Vegetables

One of the best complements for tamales is a vegetable or roasted corn side dish. Roasting vegetables brings out their full flavors, which go perfectly with the richness of tamales. Try roasting some Brussels sprouts and acorn squash with olive oil drizzled on top as a side dish; these sprouts and squash also become extra tender when parboiled for extra tenderness!

Grilled corn makes an excellent accompaniment for tamales, making a quick and simple side dish to accompany them. Just use either your grill or stovetop pot for this easy project – and experiment with different toppings, such as cotija cheese and salsa for a distinct taste! Pico de gallo or cilantro lime rice also go nicely.

Prickly pear cacti are an indispensable ingredient in many Mexican recipes, often being combined with tangy sauce and served as an appetizer or side dish. When looking for young paddles with milder textures versus mature or larger ones.

Peppers, onions and carrots make delicious accompaniments for tamales and can easily be prepared quickly as an easy side dish with some garlic for extra flavor.

Roasted zucchini and acorn squash make an excellent complement to tamales, and can even be given an extra spicy kick by adding chopped jalapenos into the recipe.

An ideal side to pair with tamales is salsa-poached eggs. For this classic side dish, simply poach an egg in simmering water in a saucepan until firm; remove from heat when done and allow it to cool before placing over a bed of white rice or corn tortillas for serving. These tasty poached eggs can also make great fillings for cheese tamales as they absorb salsa’s creamy and savoury qualities, especially when served alongside dollop of sour cream or guacamole!

Guacamole

Mexican-style avocado dip, spread or salad makes the ideal complement to tamales. This creamy yet tart treat is typically enjoyed with tortilla chips but can also be served alongside other foods. Jicama and red cabbage combined with lime juice, mayonnaise, and cotija cheese create this guacamole slaw recipe that pairs beautifully with Mexican-style seafood such as fish, shrimp or scallops.

Make your own guacamole from scratch or purchase ready-to-eat versions at the grocery store for an easy and quick appetizer that goes great with any food! Either way, it makes an ideal quick fix.

Refried beans are an ideal accompaniment for spicy tamales, providing the necessary balance in terms of flavor. Refried bean recipes can easily be modified according to individual taste – you could opt for using more spicy ingredients, or try something milder like using less chilies in them to complement their mild flavors of the tamale itself.

If you’re serving tamales for breakfast, fried eggs make an ideal complement. This delectably rich and flavorful dish can easily be prepared by cracking an egg into simmering water, then draining. Fried eggs pair perfectly with warm corn tortillas, refried beans or even on top of an irresistibly tasty tamale!

As a delicious summer treat, cucumber, tomato and avocado salad is the perfect light and fresh side to any flavor of tamale you can imagine. Enjoy its bounty while pairing beautifully with any flavor tamale you might serve up!

Simple Grilled Corn on the Cob is another delicious accompaniment for tamales. This authentic street food boasts sweet corn, salty cotija cheese, creamy mayonnaise and spicy chile powder for an unforgettable taste experience. Or create more indulgent versions by grilling it then topping it off with various ingredients such as melted cotija cheese, chili powder, sour cream, chopped cilantro and lemon juice for an ultimate treat!