What to Serve With Nachos? 22 Best Side Dishes

nachos

When you're sitting down to a big plate of nachos, it's always good to have a little extra on the side to make your meal complete.

Here you can find 22 tasty side dishes that fit perfectly with your main dish. Whether you're looking for something creamy, something crunchy, or something in between, we've got you covered.

These sides will make sure your nacho night is both delicious and satisfying, turning a simple snack into a feast.

nachos

Looking for a quick answer?

The best side dishes to serve with nachos are salsa, guacamole, cream cheese gravy, sloppy joes, refried beans, pico de gallo, lazy enchiladas, crispy chicken wings, Spanish rice, chicken burrito bowl, tostilocos, ranchero sauce, pineapple salsa, chicken tortilla soup, blooming onion, turkey chili, taco casserole, and creamed corn.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Salsa

Salsa

A vibrant, homemade salsa is the perfect partner for nachos. Combining ripe tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a kick of jalapeño, it's a refreshing addition that cuts through the richness of the cheese. Whether you prefer it chunky or smooth, salsa adds a burst of freshness and a bit of heat, making each nacho bite even more irresistible.

2. Guacamole

Guacamole

Guacamole is a must-have when serving nachos. The creamy texture and rich flavor of avocados, blended with lime juice, onions, and cilantro, create a delicious contrast to the crunchy chips. It's not just a side; it's a staple. Dive into the creamy goodness of guacamole for a satisfyingly smooth complement to your nachos.

3. Cream Cheese Gravy

cream-cheese-gravy

Cream cheese gravy offers a unique twist as a side for nachos. Its rich, velvety texture and tangy taste make it an unexpected yet delightful addition. Simmer cream cheese with milk, season with a pinch of garlic powder, and you've got a creamy dip that adds a luxurious touch to every nacho it meets.

4. Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes bring a hearty, savory element to the nacho table. The sweet and tangy beef mixture, simmered with onions, tomatoes, and a blend of spices, provides a meaty contrast that's both filling and flavorful. Serve it on the side for a delicious scoop-and-eat option that makes your nachos even more satisfying.

5. Refried Beans

Refried Beans

Refried beans are a classic side that pairs beautifully with nachos. Their smooth, creamy texture and comforting flavor offer a simple yet delicious way to add depth to your nacho experience. Seasoned with a touch of cumin and chili powder, refried beans are not only a great dip but also a way to make your nachos more substantial.

6. Pico de Gallo

Pico De Gallo

Pico de gallo, with its fresh diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice, brings a bright, acidic component to balance the richness of nachos. This chunky salsa fresca adds texture and a refreshing zing, ensuring that each bite is as lively as it is delicious. It's an easy-to-make side that's always a hit.

7. Lazy Enchiladas

Lazy enchiladas serve as a comforting, cheesy side that complements nachos with their similar flavors but in a different form. Layer tortillas with a mix of cheese, chicken or beef, and enchilada sauce, then bake until bubbly. It's a simple, crowd-pleasing dish that offers the familiar taste of enchiladas without the fuss, making it a perfect pairing for nacho night.

8. Crispy Chicken Wings

chicken wings in a blue bowl

Crispy chicken wings, with their golden exterior and juicy interior, make a fantastic side dish for nachos. Seasoned with spices and baked or fried to perfection, they add a protein-packed, flavorful punch to your meal. Dip them in your favorite sauce or enjoy them as is for a satisfying crunch that complements the cheesy, crispy nachos.

9. Spanish Rice

Spanish Rice

Spanish rice brings a colorful and flavorful side to the nacho table. Cooked with tomatoes, onions, and a mix of spices, it offers a hearty and comforting addition. Its fluffy texture and savory taste make it a perfect backdrop for the bold flavors of nachos, providing a delicious way to scoop up extra sauce and toppings.

10. Chicken Burrito Bowl

Chicken Burrito Bowl

A chicken burrito bowl offers a deconstructed take on the classic burrito, serving as an excellent side for nachos. Layered with rice, seasoned chicken, beans, and your choice of toppings like corn, cheese, and sour cream, it's a customizable and filling option. Mix and match components for a bite that includes a little bit of everything, enhancing the overall nacho experience.

11. Tostilocos

Tostilocos

Tostilocos, a popular Mexican street food, consist of Tostitos chips topped with a variety of ingredients like cucumber, jicama, peanuts, and hot sauce. This dish adds a fun, tangy, and spicy twist to your nacho spread. The mix of textures and flavors from the fresh and pickled components makes Tostilocos an exciting and unconventional side that's sure to be a conversation starter.

12. Ranchero Sauce

ranchero-sauce

Ranchero sauce, with its robust and spicy tomato base, is a wonderful addition to any nacho dish. Infused with onions, peppers, and a blend of spices, it's a versatile sauce that can be poured over nachos or used as a dip. Its bold flavor enhances the nachos' taste, adding depth and a hint of heat that elevates the dish to new heights.

13. Pineapple Salsa

Pineapple salsa brings a sweet and spicy element to the nacho table. The combination of juicy pineapple chunks, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño creates a refreshing and zesty salsa that's perfect for cutting through the richness of the nachos. It's a fruity twist that adds brightness and a tropical flair, making each bite more enjoyable.

14. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken tortilla soup, with its comforting broth, tender chicken, and Mexican-inspired spices, serves as a warming side to accompany nachos. Garnished with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, and cheese, it offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors that complement the crunchy, cheesy nachos. It's a cozy, satisfying addition that rounds out the meal beautifully.

15. Blooming Onion

Blooming Onion

A blooming onion, with its crispy petals and savory dip, offers a visually stunning and deliciously addictive side to nachos. This deep-fried delight is seasoned and battered to create a crunchy exterior with a soft, sweet onion inside. Served with a spicy or herbed mayo, it's a fun and flavorful addition that everyone loves to pull apart and enjoy.

16. Turkey Chili

Ground turkey in a red sauce with chopped tomatoes, beans, chili peppers and onion in a blue bowl

Turkey chili provides a hearty, lean protein option that pairs wonderfully with nachos. Its rich, spicy tomato base, filled with beans and ground turkey, brings warmth and depth to the meal. Top it with cheese, sour cream, and green onions for an extra layer of flavor. It's a satisfying side that complements the crunch and cheese of nachos perfectly.

17. Taco Casserole

Taco-Casserole
Image Credit: Corrie Cooks

Taco casserole takes the beloved flavors of tacos and turns them into a delicious, layered dish that's perfect alongside nachos. With layers of tortillas, seasoned ground beef or turkey, beans, cheese, and salsa, it's a comforting and filling option that's easy to serve and enjoy. Each bite offers a mix of flavors that echo the nacho theme but in a new and exciting way.

18. Creamed Corn

Creamed corn

Creamed corn adds a sweet and creamy texture to the mix, balancing the salty and spicy flavors of nachos. Its buttery richness and soft kernels make it an enjoyable side that's both simple and satisfying. Whether you make it from scratch or elevate a canned version with added spices and cheese, creamed corn is a delightful companion to nachos.

19. Tzatziki Sauce

tzatziki-sauce

Tzatziki sauce introduces a cool, refreshing element to your nacho spread. This Greek yogurt-based dip, combined with cucumber, garlic, and dill, offers a tangy and creamy side that's perfect for dipping or drizzling over nachos. It's a light and flavorful addition that can help balance out the heavier, spicier sides and toppings.

20. Steak Fajitas

Steak Fajitas

Steak fajitas bring a sizzling, savory option to the table, with tender slices of steak, peppers, and onions, all seasoned with a bold fajita mix. They offer a meaty, colorful side that can be enjoyed on its own or added to nachos for an extra layer of flavor and texture. The combination of the steak's juiciness and the vegetables' slight crunch makes for a perfect pairing.

21. Cheese Dip

Cheese Dip

A warm, gooey cheese dip is essential for nacho lovers. Whether it's a simple queso or a more complex blend with tomatoes, chilies, and spices, cheese dip is the ultimate nacho companion. It's perfect for dipping chips or drizzling over the top of your nacho pile, adding a creamy, cheesy layer that ties everything together.

22. Pozole

Spoon with pork chunks and corn topped with spices zoom in

Pozole, a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy, meat (usually pork), and a broth seasoned with chili peppers, offers a hearty and soul-warming side. Garnished with lettuce, radish, onion, lime, and avocado, it brings a mix of textures and fresh flavors to the meal. Serving pozole alongside nachos introduces a traditional element that's both flavorful and filling, making for a well-rounded feast.

nachos

What To Serve With Nachos

Looking for the best sides to eat with your flavorful nachos? We have 22 delicious ideas for the perfect meal.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner, lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Crunchy nachos, nachos
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Corrie

Ingredients

  • 2 nachos

Instructions

  • Get nachos.
  • Make one of the side dishes above. You can try salsa, turkey chili, chili con carne, pav bhaji, brown lentil soup, pozole, ground beef and rice, chicken rice and beans, guacamole, corn salad, Mexican slaw, roasted garlic green beans, Mexican roasted vegetables or chicken tortilla soup.
  • Serve together and enjoy 🙂
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