What to Serve with Tamales

In Texas, we eat tamales year-round, and it’s a tradition to serve tamales the minute we get some “sweater-weather” and around the Christmas holidays.

Here’s some quick and easy recipes for “what to serve with Tamales” on Christmas Eve, game day, Cinco de Mayo or any day! Here, you’ll find the best side dishes for tamales any time of the year.

Tamales stacked on wooden platter garnished with cilantro and lime.

And folks around here eat these any time of the day – we’re talking tamales for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner!

Most of these tamale side dishes are quick, easy, ready in no time and don’t require a lot of work!

Breakfast or brunch

1. Eggs

If you’re serving tamales for breakfast, include your favorite fried, scrambled or poached eggs, alongside! Or make quick and easy Migas (Mexican egg dish) and top it off with spicy flavor of homemade Ranchero sauce!

This warm tomato-based salsa goes perfectly with Huevos Rancheros or any type of eggs! Fresh sliced tomato and slices of ripe avocado also go great with a Mexican breakfast!

Migas topped with cheese and salsa.

2.Breakfast burritos

Warm and cheesy eggs nestled in a warm flour tortilla, topped with a little fresh salsa and a side of beans and a little pico de gallo! Add a little more protein with cooked pork sausage, seasoned ground beef or Mexican chorizo!

3. Jalapeno Fudge (Breakfast Casserole)

No, it’s not really “fudge,” but more like an egg casserole that you can cut into cubes like you’d do fudge…or serve it in larger square portions. Make this as mild or spicy as you like! Perfect for large gatherings and overnight guests!

Lunch and dinner

4. Frijoles

Pinto beans and rice in turquoise bowl on table.

Serve a big bowl of mexican refried beans, black beans, pinto beans, Charro beans or Borracho beans with your tamales. If you’re pressed for time, here’s a great way to make canned refried beans taste just like you’d get at your favorite Mexican restaurant!

5. Mexican Rice

Mexican rice in blue serving bowl.

Authentic Mexican rice is a staple menu item for most Mexican food and this quick and easy recipe not only offers delicious flavor, but it’s a perfect way to round out your Mexican cuisine Christmas dinner. This rice recipe uses plain long or short grain rice, chicken broth, tomato sauce and a few seasonings! Add in steamed peas and carrots for garnish.

6. Sweet Corn Tomalito

A red ramekin of tomalito on a blue plate with enchiladas and refried beans.

If you want to go a little beyond the traditional tamale dinner for Christmas eve, make a big pan of Sweet Corn Tomalito! This easy corn dish is a great side dish for tamales!

This is truly one of the best side dishes I’ve found for a special occasion tamale dinner

7. Marinated Tomato Cucumber Salad

Close up of marinated salad in white bowl.

This is a light and refreshing vegetable salad that has great flavor! Slightly sweet and tangy, the flavors pair beautifully with just about any type of tamale!

8. Candied Jalapenos (Cowboy Caviar or Cowboy Candy)

Candied jalapenos in a jar next to a red and white checkered napkin.

Sweet and tangy candied jalapenos offer a change of pace in tamale land, especially if you’ve got a “hot tamale!” These “bread and butter” jalapenos are just what the doctor ordered if you got a tamale too hot for your taste!

9. Sweet Chipotle Corn Casserole

Sweet Chipotle Corn Casserole in black bowl garnished with green onion and cheese.

This is much like traditional “Mexican Street Corn” only served in a casserole dish and with sweet chipotle peppers! It doesn’t take much time to throw this together and it’s always a hit.

10. Salad

Taco salad – with beef, chicken or no protein is always a nice addition! Serve a crisp green chopped iceberg lettuce salad with a few sliced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese or crumbled Mexican cotija cheese and a drizzle of Creamy Avocado Sauce as the salad dressing.

What to serve with tamales on Christmas Eve

Make your Christmas tamale dinner menu a hit by incorporating any of these delicious Mexican dishes!

Appetizers

These are pretty filling, especially with all the fixins’ and side dishes! Here’s some easy appetizer recipes for your tamale dinner!

11. Chips

You can never go wrong with offering a big bowl of yellow corn, blue corn or white corn tortilla chips! There are so many varieties of tortilla chips available at the grocery store – check out Julio’s original and chile lime flavored tortilla chips! 

12. Chicharrones

Another favorite “crunchy” chip are Chicharrones!- Also known as pork rinds. These are the dipping chip of choice if your looking for a keto friendly “chip”! You’ll find these on the chip aisle at your local grocer and they come in various flavors!

13. Salsa

Since no two salsas are alike, step beyond the traditional and try something new! Fire roasted salsa, tomatillo salsa, salsa verde or peach salsa! Fredericksburg Farms, out of Fredericksburg, Texas has a nice line of fresh salsa! You can find this brand at most grocers or online.

14. Guacamole

Select a few ripe tomatoes and make fresh guacamole! This is always a great appetizer, especially for those who don’t care for dairy or tomato salsa! Avocados, a little onion, fresh lime juice, and a few other simple ingredients!

15. Queso

There’s nothing better than a little cheesy Mexican dip with some corn or flour tortillas! This recipe takes only 15 minutes and contains real cheese – no Velveeta!

16. Pickled jalapenos

Jalapenos always pair beautifully with tamales and other Mexican dishes! Set out a small bowl of pickled jalapenos and call it done!

17. Candied jalapenos

Candied jalapenos in mason jar.

Sweet jalapenos with a hint of heat – these are a favorite accoutrement to tamales in Texas! Make them from pickled jalapenos with a little sugar and red pepper flakes (or not).

18. Jalapeno Fudge

Jalapeno Fudge squares stacked on serving platter.

Even though it’s not really a chocolate – or even sweet- Mexican dish, this easy Jalapeno “fudge” makes a great keto-friendly appetizer! It’s also a good brunch dish, especially with a spicy Bloody Mary and some tater tots!

19. Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail with a side of tortilla chips.

If you’re going all out for your Christmas Eve Tamale Dinner, then by all means, serve this quick and easy (and delicious) Mexican Shrimp Cocktail! You can side -tep this recipe by using pre-cooked shrimp, then marinate it in a seasoned tomato juice broth and serve in chilled glasses! A beautiful appetizer always!

20. Creamy Avocado Dip

Yellow corn tortilla chip in avocado dip.

Ripe avocados, pureed to a smooth consistency with a mild-heat index: a teaspoon of minced jalapeno pepper, garlic, onion, fresh cilantro, ground cumin, salt & pepper! This “no cook” dip is ready in minutes because all you do it put everything in a food processor!

Sauces for tamales

Some folks like their tamales with no sauce, but if you want some great sauces for tamales, read on! One of my favorites is a Creamy Avocado sauce! Quick, easy and delicious!

21. Traditional Red Sauce

This traditional mexican red sauce (also known as red enchilada sauce) pairs beautifully with just about any type of tamale! It has an earthy flavor but does not contain any tomatoes!

Red Enchilada sauce drizzled over enchiladas.

22. Chile con queso (Cheese sauce)

Tex-Mex Chile con queso dripping off a tortilla chip.

Who doesn’t love a creamy queso sauce over their tamales? This recipe is a silky smooth cheese sauce that’s made with real cheese! A great idea to have on hand with your favorite tortilla chips! Ready in 15-minutes! Melt the American cheeses on the stovetop, add in a few ingredients and serve! One of the best sides for tamale, enchiladas, chile rellenos or as a dip!

23. Tex-Mex Sour Cream Sauce

Sour Cream Sauce drizzled over tamales.

This quick and easy sauce is a Christmas tradition at our house, due to the restaurant-quality flavor and texture! Monterey Jack cheese, chicken broth, a little pickled jalapeno juice and a pinch of salt! This has the perfect consistency and is the perfect side dish to chicken or green chile tamales. This recipe is gluten-free and does not contain any cream cheese.

24. Ranchero Sauce

Ranchero sauce is a smoky-flavored tomato salsa and tastes great with Huevos Rancheros or with tamales! This sauce is ready in 15-minutes because it uses a combination of canned fire-roasted tomatoes, chipotle peppers and a host of fresh ingredients!

Ranchero sauce in decorative bowl garnished with chopped cilantro.

25. Chile con carne

Chili con carne in a white bowl garnished with shredded cheese and cilantro.

This meaty sauce known as “chili” or “chile con carne” is a great side dish for any tamale! Seasoned beef with ground cumin, onion and Sazon Goya Mexican seasoning!

Tip

If you’re serving “hot tamales” meaning “spicy”, serve a side of sour cream or Mexican creme…dairy products like these minimize the heat from spicy seasonings or chile peppers.

Vegetables

Some favorite tamale side dishes that feature vegetables are roasted bell peppers, roasted onions, roasted corn, Mexican street corn, pico de gallo and avocado.

26. Roasted bell peppers and onions

Serve your tamales with a trilogy of smoked or roasted Mexican vegetables: red bell pepper, green bell pepper, orange bell pepper, all caramelized on the stove top with sweet onion and a hint of a smoky flavor! 

27. Black Beans or Pinto Beans

Beans are high in fiber, low in cholesterol and a perfect match for your tamale dinner! Serve them individually in ramekins and garnish with a hint of chopped cilantro!

What to serve with cheese tamales

More often than not, folks who prefer cheese tamales are often vegetarian, which means they don’t consume meat (beef, pork or chicken), but they do consume dairy. In this case, you’ll want to keep your side dishes free of chicken-broth or any meat by-product.

28. Pico de gallo 

Pico de gallo is a combination of fresh vegetables: jalapeno, onion, tomatoes, cilantro and lime juice. Top your favorite cheese tamale with a dollop of this!

29. Cilantro Cauliflower Lime Rice

This light and flavorful rice is easily made with fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice and water or vegetable broth. Chipotle’s™ Cilantro Cauliflower Lime Rice is vegan and vegetarian, so if you want to save time, swing by and pick up a quart!

Sides for vegan tamales

If you’re wondering what vegan sides go with tamales, look no further! Guacamole or pico de gallo is always a nice side for vegans!

Whether you prefer black beans or pinto beans with your Christmas Eve tamale dinner, make sure you cook them in water or vegetable broth to accommodate those vegans in your group!

Black beans in a white bowl garnished with sliced avocado.

31. Rice

Cook the rice in water or vegetable broth, then add ground cumin and a hint of chili powder to satisfy your vegan friends.

Side dishes for tamales

You can never go wrong with the traditional Mexican rice and beans, however, if you’re looking for something a little more simple, you can always serve tamales with a little shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese, a side salad, a little simple Cholula sauce, and perhaps some pico de gallo.

Beverages

32. Michelada Mexican Beer Cocktail

Michelada mexican cocktail in frosty glass with slice of lime.

Rent a margarita machine or make your own! Another good Mexican beverage is the Michelada – a beer cocktail infused with tomato sauce, tomato juice and fresh lime juice!

Tamale companies that ship

If you’re not into making homemade tamales at Christmas time, don’t worry! Pick up a variety of different types of tamales from your favorite Mexican restaurant, or order them online!

Tips for serving tamales to large groups

If you’re serving tamales for a group, these tips may come in handy for ensuring your Christmas Tamale dinner goes well!

  • Steam the tamales and leave them in their softened corn husk: place each type of tamale in a separate steamer basket and label it so your guests will know which kind of tamale they’re getting.
  • Line up your mexican side dishes in order of temperature: set the cold or room temperature mexican sides out at the first of the line: green salad, guacamole, salsa, chips.
  • Then in the middle of your buffet table, have the warm items – rice, beans, tomalito casserole; finally, have your hot mexican dishes and sauces at the end of the line: tamales, queso, mole sauce, ranchero sauce, chile con carne.
  • This Mexican buffet presentation allows for your guest to be sure to get their “hot tamales” last on their plate so they won’t get cold!
  • Have an empty bowl or basket on each table so folks can toss their tamale corn husks in it!
Tamales in corn husks stacked on wooden platter.

If you’re wondering what to serve with tamales, you’ve now a full arsenal of menu suggestions so, get out your Fiestaware™ and enjoy!

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