The 5 Best Mexican Side Dishes To Serve With XLNT Tamales
National Tamale Day: The 5 Best Mexican Side Dishes To Serve With XLNT Tamales
With National Tamale Day right around the corner on March 23rd we're making preparations for the most delicious celebration yet. XLNT tamales are the perfect way to enjoy authentic flavors without the hassle of spending hours of preparation in the kitchen. In honor of making Mexican food fast and easy without sacrificing flavor, we're sharing our favorite recipes for delicious Mexican side dishes as well. These options just might be the perfect addition to your National Tamale Day celebration.
Must-Have Ingredients for Tasty Mexican Side Dishes
If you love to enjoy Mexican food on a regular basis, you're in good company. The fresh, bright flavors and satisfying ingredients and textures make Mexican night a weekly staple in many households. If you want to whip up tasty Mexican side dishes to enjoy with your XLNT tamales, you'll want to keep a few particular ingredients in stock in your kitchen.
Limes
Lime juice is the perfect finishing touch for freshness and brightness. Roll limes along the counter with the heel of your hand first to help you extract the most juice from these tart citrus fruits.
Cilantro
Much like parsley, this herb adds color and freshness to any dish and is included in most Mexican side dishes. Store it in a small cup of water, just like fresh flowers, and cover the leaves loosely with a plastic sandwich bag. This way, it will keep for several weeks in the fridge.
Seasonings
Mexican food is anything but bland. Make sure you have the signature seasonings in your spice cabinet to create the perfect flavor profile. These can include:
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Cumin
Paprika
Oregano
Cinnamon
Delicious Mexican Side Dishes That Go Great With XLNT Tamales
Whether you prefer beef or chicken tamales, they are an ideal quick and hearty snack. What's more, if you combine them with a simple yet tasty side dish, you'll have a satisfying and complete meal in minutes. Try including one or more of these recipes with your favorite tamales for a deliciously easy lunch or dinner.
1. Creamy Pinto Beans
Beans are an excellent addition to any Mexican-themed meal. With the right preparations and ingredients, they can be creamy, delicious, and perfect any time. For this recipe, you'll need:
Two 16-ounce cans of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
One 4.5-ounce can of chopped green chilis
1/4 cup of chopped onion
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of cumin
Salt and pepper (to taste)
1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons of sour cream
Minced onion, green onion, and grated cheese, for garnish
Saute the chopped onion in olive oil until tender. Add the garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and chopped green chilis, sauteing for another minute. Add the broth and beans, bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat, and cover. Cook for 20-25 minutes, until the beans are soft and tender, stirring occasionally and tasting for seasoning. If desired, used the back of a spoon to mash some of the beans to create a thicker texture. Stir in the sour cream and serve with the desired toppings.
2. Cilantro Lime Rice
Rice is one of the most popular Mexican side dishes, and there are many ways to prepare and serve it. For a light and fresh version, prepare your favorite white or brown rice according to the package instructions. Once the rice is fully cooked, fluff it with a fork and add lime juice, salt, and freshly chopped cilantro according to taste. Stir until combined and you'll have a quick and easy side dish that's perfect to serve with tasty tamales.
3. Easy Mexican Street Corn
Corn is a staple ingredient in Mexican cooking, enjoyed in many forms. The sweet, whole kernels of corn are the perfect complement to the maza in our favorite beef and chicken tamales.
However, you don't have to cook entire ears of corn to enjoy one of the tastiest Mexican side dishes around. Instead, combine two cans of sweet corn that have been drained with a few tablespoons of mayonnaise. Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, and paprika as desired. Top with cotija cheese, lime juice, and cilantro, and serve.
4. Chips, Salsa, and Guacamole
For a no-fuss option that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser, you can't go wrong with chips and salsa. Keep it simple by purchasing your favorite store-bought version, or make it special with a homemade recipe. For an easy pico de gallo, combine chopped tomatoes and onions with minced jalapenos, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. This salsa is the perfect fresh complement to rich and hearty tamales.
Most Mexican side dishes wouldn't be complete without some creamy and cool guacamole. The key to great guac at home is to pick perfectly ripe avocados and go heavy on the salt and lime juice; you may be surprised by how much you'll need to keep the flavor fresh and bright. Onions, cilantro, and jalapeno are other essential ingredients for this dish.
5. Black Bean and Corn Salad
For a fresh, crisp, and tasty complement to a hearty Mexican meal, black bean and corn salad fits the bill. The ingredients are:
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can of corn, drained
1/2 cup of diced onion
1/2 cup of diced tomato
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/4 cup of fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon of water
1.5 teaspoons of kosher salt
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
Simply add everything to a large bowl, stir to combine, and enjoy. It's delicious all on its own but is also great as a dip with crispy chips or as a topping for numerous dishes. If you want to make enough to save in the fridge for a few days, keep the avocado separate. Only dice as much as you need per serving and the entire dish will stay fresh much longer.
XLNT Foods offers the best in Mexican cuisine for National Tamale Day and every other day of the year. Combine our home-style products with your favorite Mexican side dishes for an authentic flavor experience without the extra work.