Wondering what to serve with tamales? Don’t worry – I’ve got your whole menu sorted out, with the traditional side dishes and drinks!
Side Dishes For Tamales
It seems like an impossible task right? Making Mexican tamales from scratch starting with homemade masa and red sauce then you still have to worry what to serve them with!? It sounds complicated but it’s not. You may have to do a few extra preparations here and there but I promise the work will be worth it.
And while I can easily fill up on tamales alone, it’s always best to pair them up with a few complementing sides. But what do you eat with tamales besides rice and beans? Let me show you how to eat them like we do in Mexico.
Oh and don’t forget to check out my bonus idea for how to eat tamales for breakfast!
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1. Frijoles Puercos
I do have to start with beans as it is the most classic way to eat them with. But these Frijoles Puercos are not your plain type. In Sonora we call them “Frijoles De Fiesta” (party beans) since they’re serve at all events like weddings, quinceañeras, posadas, or any gathering….specially if involves tamales!
See Recipe
2. Ensalada De Coditos
Ensalada De Coditos is another classic recipe that will be served with tamales. These pasta salad along with beans and tamales, are the perfect trio that you’ll find at most Mexican gatherings.
Ensalada De Coditos (Mexican Macaroni Salad)
This Ensalada De Coditosis undoubtedly a classic Mexican recipe. Elbow pasta is tossed with creamy textures and dotted with crisp celery, carrots, corn kernels and flavorful peppers.
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3. Arroz Rojo
There is always room for Mexican Red Rice! This is one of the most common dishes in Mexico.
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4. Refried Beans
I feel like you cannot go wrong with these beans. The creaminess balances perfectly with the spiciness of a tamal.
Frijoles Refritos (Refried Beans) Recipe
These Three-Ingredients Refried Beans are all you need to complete your Mexican meals! Nothing fancy, nothing fake, just great beans from an easy recipe.
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5. Rajas Con Crema
Rajas is a great dish to pair with tamales as the creaminess texture blends so well with the flavors of the main dish.
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6. Champiñones A La Mexicana
These Mushrooms Mexican style are a delicious and healthy side dish. You won’t feel guilty for those extra calories found in tamales!
Champiñones A La Mexicana Recipe
A warming dish for busy evenings, Champiñones A La Mexicana is easy to pull together. Serve with rice or beans and corn tortillas on the side! This recipe is vegetarian or vegan and gluten free.
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7. Espagueti Verde
What’s not to love about Espagueti Verde? They’re delicious, easy to make and so creamy!
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8. Refried Black Beans
Here is another easy and healthy dish to pair tamales with. The best part? This recipe is made with canned beans! This means one less thing to worry about cooking from scratch.
Easy Refried Black Beans
An easy Refried Black Beans recipe loaded with flavor and ready in less than 25 minutes! It’s incredibly simple, so you don’t need a lot of time or energy to do it, and the flavor isjust so good.
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9. Mexican Sopa
Ah my beloved sopa! This classic soup goes with anything including tamales. Make these two together and you’ll be transported back to abuelita’s home.
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10. Arroz Verde
Arroz Verdeis a delicious and healthy rice recipe, perfect for any meal! You’ll love the flavor combo of the poblano pepper with cilantro and spinach.
Arroz Verde (Mexican Green Rice)
This beautiful green rice goes with anything, from enchiladas, tacos and even stews.
Get the recipe!
What sauce to eat with tamales?
All salsas and sauces are not created equal when it comes to serving with tamales. You need a chile based salsa to highlight the flavors of the masa. Here are a few of my recommendations:
11. Salsa Guajillo
This Guajillo Sauce recipe is super quick and easy to make, and full of the best smoky and slightly-spicy flavors that everyone is sure to love!
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12. Salsa Macha
Get ready to LOVE this magnificent infused-oil salsa.Sometimes you just need to add an extra kick to your tamales and this is perfect for that.
Authentic Salsa Macha
Made with chile de arbol, garlic, peanuts and it is so delicious to the point of being addicting. It works well on just about anything and it lasts for a long time in your refrigerator.
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13. Chile De Arbol Salsa
An authentic Chile De Arbol Salsa that goes perfect for taco fillings, tamales and more!
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The Drinks
14. Horchata
The milky creaminess of horchata is the perfect drink for tamales or anything made with spices.
Traditional Mexican Horchata
Learn how to make the authentic Horchata drink that everyone loves! With this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll be able to make the best homemade Horchata recipe made with a few simple ingredients. Skip the store-bought mixes and use this easy recipe right at home!
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15. Cebada
Here is another milky & creamy drink that brings the perfect balance for tamales.
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16. Agua De Tamarindo
Agua De Tamarindo is a must for any Mexican meal!
Agua De Tamarindo
Agua Fresca De Tamarindo, a homemade drink made with only three ingredients: tamarindo pulp, sugar and water. This is a classic drink brimming with a delicious earthy flavor!
Get the recipe!
17. Agua De Jamaica
Make a big jar of Jamaica for everyone to enjoy while eating tamales. Is a classic drink and a favorite of many Mexican kitchens.
Get the recipe!
18. Atole De Pinole
Need a warm drink? Try Atole De Pinole!
Atole De Pinole
Atole De Pinole is a very popular hot drink in Mexico. It is prepared by cooking milk, cinnamon and brown sugar/piloncillo then it is thickened with corn flour (in this case Pinole) and cooked until is perfectly creamy.
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19. Champurrado
You’ll find champurrado and tamales during posadas or any Mexican holiday. Try this and you’ll know why this is the perfect combo during the cold months.
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20. Mexican Hot Chocolate
Full of the flavors that reminds us of Mexico this will be your new favorite hot chocolate recipe!
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Make this Mexican Hot Chocolate at home in minutes and skip the coffee shop lines and make your own!
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21. Rompope
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There are so many more options so feel free to explore more Mexican recipes. We didn’t even go into desserts so don’t forget to check those out as well.
Here is my favorite way to eat leftover tamales the next day. Frying them to a crisp renders incredible flavor and texture. Then pair them with a couple of sunny side up egg (over medium for me) and you’ll have one amazing meal!
Thank you for stopping by!
I hope you like this recipe!Do you have any questions I can help you with? Or if you made it, I would love it if you leave a comment or rating below.
Gracias!!!! xx, Ana
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What To Serve With Tamales (21 authentic recipes)
Servings 1 people
Ana Frias
5 from 13 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
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Wondering what to serve with tamales? Don’t worry – I’ve got your whole menu sorted out, with the traditional side dishes and drinks! Bonus: crispy tamales and eggs is a great way to eat leftover tamales the next day.
1people
Ingredients
- 1 tamal husk removed
- 2 eggs
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Place the tamal in a preheated non stick skillet or cast iron skillet. Fry over medium to medium high heat until all sides are crispy. About 5 minutes.
Move the tamal to the side and lower heat. Once the skillet has cooled down a little bit, crack eggs into pan.
Sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper.
Cook over low heat until most of the white has set.
For over medium eggs, carefully flip eggs over and cook for 1 minute.
Remove tamal and eggs from pan and place on plate.
Enjoy while hot.
Muy Delish Notes:
- The tamales can be any kind: red, green, or sweet. Just pick your favorite ones!
- There is no need to add extra oil as the tamales should release a little oil into the skillet.
- Cook the eggs over low heat. If the heat is too high, the white of the egg will overcook before the yolk has a chance to cook.
- Use a thin spatula to slide under the tamales and eggs.
Note on calories: only the egg calories are noted as the tamales can vary depending on your selection.
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Nutrition
Serving: 2eggs | Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 358mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 124mg | Sugar: 2g
The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
