Everyone loves a good quesadilla. It’s the ultimate comfort food. So deciding what to serve with quesadillas for dinner shouldn’t be hard or time-consuming. There are so many kinds of quesadillas, from Tex Mex chicken to beef, pork, and cheese quesadillas.  They truly are a versatile and delicious Mexican food.

Whether you pull out your tortilla press to make Mexican quesadillas completely from scratch for a family dinner, or you buy your tortillas at the store, quesadillas are always delicious and ideal for snacks, lunch, dinner, or even a quesadilla party with friends!

While quesadillas are a delicious Mexican cuisine on their own, you may want something a little extra to serve alongside your quesadillas to make a complete meal. Luckily, there are lots of easy dishes that go well with quesadillas. We have found the best side dishes that pair perfectly with a wide range of recipes. We know that you’ll love every one of them and most take less than 30 minutes to make!

Mexican quesadillas with chicken tomato corn cheese

There are many side dishes that go well with quesadillas. When choosing which side dishes to make for dinner, consider what kind of quesadillas you are serving. If you are making something to serve with chicken quesadillas, you may want to try a recipe that has a Mexican flair to spice things up.

If you are preparing tomato basil quesadillas, you can prepare a side dish that is a little less traditional and a little more summery. Match your sides to bring out the flavors in the quesadilla.

These 20 easy side dishes below go great with quesadillas. So get out your spice rack, grab your favorite Mexican tortillas and keep those food tips in mind for a wonderful dining experience. Your family and guests won’t be disappointed. Deciding what to serve with quesadillas doesn’t have to be hard! So let us know which recipes are your favorite in the comments below.

How Do You Eat A Quesadilla?

When deciding what to serve with quesadillas, you should also think about how you eat a quesadilla. Most people enjoy this delicious entree when served hot. All that gooey, flavorful cheese tastes best when melted and warm. Almost all recipes suggest that the food be prepared and served right away.

Quesadillas are often cut into triangles which makes them very easy to share. Everyone can pick up a bite-sized portion and eat them by hand. They even make a great passed appetizer. Place the triangles on a tray along with a few dishes of sour cream or guacamole. It is the perfect food to share.

A quesadilla is quite filling in itself. However, there are plenty of options and recipes that you can prepare to serve with quesadillas. Side dishes can help make your dinner complete! Once you decided how to eat your quesadilla (will you share it, serve it as an appetizer or eat it on its own?), you can start choosing your sides. Here are our favorite 20 sides, all of which will answer the question of what to serve with quesadillas.

1. Cilantro Lime Rice

While this rice recipe only has a few ingredients, the flavor is out of this world. The fresh cilantro and fresh-squeezed lime juice make this rice the perfect dish to serve with any kind of cheesy tortilla entree. Save some fresh cilantro to sprinkle on top of the rice after it cooks, giving it a beautiful and tasty garnish! You can find this super easy rice here at Simple Green Moms.

2. Homemade Fresh Tomato Salsa

Salsa is a classic choice that goes well with almost any Mexican inspired dinner but pairs exceptionally well with any chicken quesadilla sides you’re thinking of making.  You can serve this salsa right on top of your soft tortilla and cheese creation, use it as a dip or just have a nice bowl of fresh salsa to enjoy alongside your entree. Add a few more jalapenos to the mix if you want to really heat up your salsa! This quick pico de gallo recipe from Little Broken is full of delicious, simple ingredients that will compliment your entree perfectly. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Image Source: Little Broken

3. Best Ever Guacamole 

Any Mexican entree just isn’t complete without fantastic guacamole. Not only is guacamole an authentic Mexican favorite for many, but it also pairs perfectly as an accompaniment to quesadillas. You can spread guacamole over your quesadillas, sandwich it inside, or serve it as a perfect side dish, paired with some crunchy tortilla chips. This easy creation from Downshiftology uses all fresh ingredients like lime juice, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapenos to make the perfect guac. You are going to love this one!

Image Source: Downshiftology

4. Fresh Corn Salsa

This corn recipe from Cookie + Kate is a total winner. It is loaded with fresh flavors like lime juice, jalapeno, and cilantro. These flavors are also classic Mexican so they will go great with your quesadillas. While the recipe suggests adding chopped avocado, we like to keep it simple and skip it, focusing more on the flavors of the corn. This side is especially great in the summer when you can find local, fresh corn at almost every farm stand! Farm fresh side dishes are the best. Pour the mix on top of some lettuce for a corn and tomato salad.

Image Source: Cookie+Kate

5. Black Bean Salad

Black bean salad is another perfect mix of tasty, fresh ingredients that will go well with almost any kind of tortilla and cheese mix. The mix is a perfect blend of powerful flavors and the recipe from Once Upon a Chef will have you craving more. We have tried this black bean salad with pinto beans instead of black beans and it works great as well. So feel free to switch up your black beans with something else to suit your personal tastes!

Image Source: Once Upon a Chef

6. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Soup is a great accompaniment to quesadillas, especially in the colder months when a hot bowl of soup is something we all crave. Tortilla soup is classic Mexican fare that finds its way onto almost every Mexican restaurant menu. This tortilla soup from Spend With Pennies is a classic version, crafted just like a real Abuela would! The best part is that it only costs a few dollars to make a nice large batch to have for a big family dinner.

Image Source: Spend with Pennies

7. Albondigas Soup

If you have never heard of albondigas soup, get ready to have a new favorite dinner dish! This meatball soup is packed with flavor and a great choice if you’re looking for what to eat with your cheesy main course. In addition to homemade meatballs, the zucchini, potatoes, and tomatoes make this soup extra filling while cumin, oregano, and cilantro bring the soup to life. You will love a bowl of this albondigas soup from Dinner at the Zoo- it pairs wonderfully with quesadillas!

Image Source: Dinner at the Zoo

8. Chili Cheese Dip

If you want a quick and easy side to pair with your quesadillas, chili cheese dip is what you should choose. We love this one recipe from Lil Luna which uses 4 simple ingredients to whip up an amazing dip. Grab some tortilla chips to serve with the dip or just dip your quesadillas right into the warm, melty cheese- either method will have you looking forward to your next quesadilla night! You can make your whole meal in less than 30 minutes.

Image Source: Lil Luna

9. Easy Baked Bacon Jalapeno Poppers

We love a good spicy jalapeno popper and this baked version from Foodtasia is fantastic. Cream cheese, bacon, cheddar, and spices are all mixed together and stuffed into a hot jalapeno then sprinkles with bread crumbs and baked. Jalapeno poppers are especially great as finger food, just like quesadillas! You can even assemble these pretty, bite-sized appetizers ahead of time, wrap them well and freeze them until you are ready to bake. Take them out of the freezer any time you need a quick side.

Image Source: Foodtasia

10. Easy Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado

Shrimp ceviche is an amazing, no-cook side dish that is wonderful alongside any seafood-inspired dinner. The lemon and lime juice “cook” the shrimp so there is no need to turn on your oven at all! You will love the bright taste of this easy shrimp ceviche-the seasonings in this recipe from the Kitchn are just perfect! Make sure your avocado is slightly soft to ensure the avocado is ripe. Shrimp ceviche is especially delicious in the summer when you need a nice, cold accompaniment to serve with your cheese quesadillas. Sprinkle a little soy sauce on top to turn the ceviche into an Asian inspired treat.

Image Source: the Kitchn

11. Mexican Roasted Sweet Potatoes

A colorful bowl of roasted sweet potatoes will be delicious and pretty when served next to your quesadillas. Easy Peasy Foodie shows how to season sweet potatoes perfectly to give them a Mexican flair. Cumin, paprika, garlic, and onion powder are the main things you will need in addition to a large sweet potato. It only takes 5 minutes to put this sweet potato dish together and then it is ready to cook!

Image Source: Easy Peasy Foodie

12. Corn Salad

Corn salad is a light, refreshing side to serve with your quesadillas. Corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion makes up the majority of the salad. A simple apple cider vinegar ties the whole corn salad together. Spend with Pennies has a simple method to quickly making this tasty, Mexican inspired side. You may want to add some diced avocado to give the salad a creamier texture. See if you can find multi-colored corn kernels for an even more vibrant and colorful side.

Image Source: Spend WIth Pennies

13. Mexican Street Corn

Mexican street corn is also called Elote. It is a traditional side that is perfect when served next to quesadillas. Corn cobs are grilled and then the corn kernels are coated in a mayonnaise, cilantro, and herb mix. The street corn is sprinkled with a soft Mexican cheese called cotija. You can find Mexican street corn in roadside food carts across Mexico but it is also quite simple to make at home by following the directions by Simply Recipes!

Image Source: Simply Recipes

14. Easy Refried Beans

These easy refried beans from Cookie and Kate are creamy and flavorful. Refried beans are a classic Mexican side and a wonderful dish to serve with quesadillas. You may even want to spread the refried beans on top of the quesadillas! There’s nothing quite as tasty as a veggie tortilla topped with creamy beans and avocado. Skip the chili powder if you want a more subtle refried bean recipe.

Image Source: Cookie and Kate

15. Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Serving cheese quesadillas with stuffed peppers is a great way to add some meat to your meal. The peppers from Recipe Tin Eats are full of tender ground beef and creamy cheddar. Cayenne pepper, oregano, cumin, coriander, and onion powder are the perfect blend of spices. The peppers are also full of vegetables like diced cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, and green onions. Try using green pepper or yellow bell peppers in place of red for a new flavor.

Image Source: Recipe Tin Eats

16. Homemade Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips complement almost any Mexican spread. They are definitely a great snack to serve with quesadillas! Live Eat Learn will show you how to make incredible homemade tortilla chips. Serve the chips with a little fresh pico de gallo, guacamole or just enjoy them as is with any kind of quesadillas. You can even crumble the chips on top of a salad for extra texture and salty flavor. Share this tip with any salad lover you know!

Image Source: Live Eat Learn

17. Sweet Potato Salad

Sweet potato salad is a tasty, modern side to serve with your cheesy tortilla entre. Chocolate Covered Katie makes a fantastic sweet potato salad that is full of black beans, diced red onions, and fresh cilantro. Try adding a little chili powder to give the salad a little kick. You can also mix in a ripe, diced avocado for a creamier texture and authentic taste. Add a touch of soy sauce to give the mix a sweet, salty, umami taste as well.

Image Source: Chocolate Covered Katie

18. Adobo Sauce

Homemade adobo sauce will add a powerful, spicy, and smoky taste to any meal. We love the adobo sauce dressing that Kevin is Cooking has created. You can use this sauce on top of a salad, over grilled chicken breast, or even spread it right onto your quesadillas. The sauce is made primarily with chili powder, tomato sauce, and cider vinegar. The intense seasonings are sure to bring life to your Mexican entree! Add about a tablespoon of cocoa powder to make your adobo sauce have more depth and sweetness. It will be similar to mole sauce which is another Mexico classic.

Image Source: Kevin is Cooking

19. Salsa Verde

Green tomatillos, green pepper, and lots of cilantro make this sauce a beautiful green color. It will look great and taste fantastic at your next quesadilla party! Blend all the ingredients listed from Mexican Food Diary and you will have a perfect salsa verde in no time! Your guests will all love this concoction. You can use fresh tomatillos or canned tomatillos depending on what you can find in stores near you. Both options will work well and taste great.

Image Source: Mexican Food Journal

20. Spanish Rice

Spanish rice is a great dish to whip up when wondering what to serve with quesadillas. Lil Luna will show you how to cook rice with tomato sauce, cilantro, garlic, and chicken broth. Try toasting the rice in sesame oil for an extra nutty taste. Use chicken broth instead of chicken bullion for an even easier version of this recipe.

Image Source: Lil Luna

Don’t all of these recipes sound amazing! It is hard to choose what to make first. There are so many tasty and easy options on our list that you’ll never get bored and never have to wonder what to serve with quesadillas ever again. Whether you’re making refried beans, beef, pork, shrimp, or chicken quesadillas for dinner or a party, there is something on this list for you. We really hope you try one of these delicious side dishes the next time you’re thinking of what to serve with quesadillas. Keep the food pairing tips in mind and you will always have a cohesive and delicious meal.

Enjoy!

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