Perfect Pairings 7 Sides for Burritos
A burrito is a beautiful thing. But sometimes, you need a little more to round out your meal, like a delicious side dish! Whether you’re hosting a burrito party, ordering at Burrachos, or making dinner at home, you might wonder what to eat with burritos. Here’s our top seven list of tasty burrito side dishes.
1. Chips and Salsa
Chips and salsa are a classic for a reason. No one can resist crispy, salty, eat-’em-by-the-handful tortilla chips. While they are undoubtedly delicious on their own, they’re even better with salsa. If you’re serving many people, having a few different types of salsa in various heat levels can be helpful. Try a mild, medium, and spicy option so no one unwillingly lights their mouth on fire! A few crowd-pleasing options include:
- Classic tomato salsa
- Sweet and spicy mango habañero salsa
- Smoky chipotle salsa
- Zesty avocado lime salsa
2. Beans of All Kinds
Beans are the perfect starting point for dozens of dishes and can stand on their own just fine. You can choose classic black beans or refried beans as side dishes, incorporate them into a creamy bean dip, or make a colorful corn and black bean salad. Simmer pinto beans with veggies and spices for flavorful frijoles charros (charro beans), or make a side of black bean soup. The options are endless when you pick beans as your healthy sides for burritos!
3. Yuca Fries
Yuca, pronounced YOO-kuh, is also called cassava. You’ve probably seen it in your grocery store produce section – it’s a root vegetable that sort of looks like a sweet potato covered in tree bark. Yuca is traditionally eaten on the Yucatán Peninsula and can be eaten almost any way you’d eat a potato! Try making yuca fries for a unique twist on french fries.
To make your yuca fries:
- Cut the ends off your yuca and peel it just like a potato – be sure to peel until it’s totally white. Unlike potatoes, the peel of a yuca is tough and fibrous.
- Cut into fry-shaped wedges or sticks.
- Boil for 10-13 minutes until fork-tender but not mushy.
- Remove from water, pat dry, and toss in your favorite vegetable oil and seasoning. Try salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a touch of cayenne or Tajín for some zing.
- Spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, like a creamy cilantro lime dip! To make this bright and refreshing sauce, just add fresh cilantro, lime juice, a big dollop of yogurt or mayo, and a bit of garlic to a blender.
4. Guacamole
Guacamole – we all know and love it. Guacamole is the perfect side for a burrito, even if you’ve already added guac to the burrito itself. Everyone has their favorite guac recipe, but we’re definitely partial to Burrachos guacamole, especially when it comes to Mexican food catering. Pair it with chips and a delicious burrito; you’ll have a fresh, filling meal. Guac pairs with any flavor of burrito, taco, or nachos. You can also grab a fork and enjoy it alone – we don’t judge.
5. Elote
Elote, also known as Mexican street corn, is a popular street vendor food that’s easy to replicate in your kitchen. If you don’t like corn on the cob, that’s okay. Try a version called esquites or elote en vaso, which is essentially the same dish but with the corn removed from the cob and served in a cup.
To make elote:
- Cook your corn as preferred: grilled, boiled, or roasted.
- Mix Mexican crema and mayonnaise, spread on the corn (or mix into the corn if making elote en vaso)
- Sprinkle with cotija cheese, but don’t be shy. The more cheese, the merrier!
- Add chili powder, Tajín, cilantro, or anything else you like.
- Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the top right before enjoying.
6. Tacos
Tacos are only supposed to be the main dish. Right? Wrong! Tacos are a great way to enjoy a bigger selection of flavors. Can’t decide between chicken and barbacoa? Order a chicken burrito and a barbacoa taco! Got a craving for fajita veggies but tempted by carnitas? Why not a carnitas taco and a veggie burrito?
Tacos can also be a fun way to sample new dishes on the side while enjoying what you know and love in a burrito. Plus, if you opt for a crispy taco, you get different textures simultaneously.
7. Queso
It’s hard to turn down more cheese. Rich, crave-able queso will tempt almost anyone, which makes it a great side for your burrito. Chips and queso – a personal order for yourself or a big one for the table – is only one way to enjoy your favorite side dish. What else can you do with a bit of queso?
- Pour it on top of your burrito
- Dip your burrito in it
- Mix it up and add chorizo, queso fundido style
- Make it spicy and savory with queso con carne
- Add green chiles for extra kick
- Wow the vegans and non-dairy folks in your life with a cashew-based queso
Queso is an excellent base for culinary experimentation and is pretty flexible. Get creative and try different toppings or different ways to dip. Your family certainly won’t complain!
Get Burritos, Fresh Sides, and More at Burrachos
You've got the sides covered, let Burrachos handle the burritos. Whether you're throwing a burrito fiesta or having a casual meal at home, our burritos are sure to satisfy every craving. Order now for a lunch or dinner that hits all the right notes.