What to Serve with Carne Asada for a Marvelous Mexican Meal

The thinly-sliced marinated beef treasure known as Carne Asada is a delight on its own.

Served with tortillas, you can top them your way, licking your fingers as all the juices and sauces get all over you.

Soft and tender, the meat practically melts in your mouth.

But who are we kidding?

You were already swooning the moment you smelled it cooking in your kitchen.

That’s why we know it’s near impossible to think of side dishes in the moment. 

Your mind is already preoccupied with devouring your tortillas stuffed to the gills with this tender, juicy, and flavorful meat. 

Now you’ll know what to serve with Carne Asada to impress at a dinner party or to simply spoil your family!

15 Sides to Serve with Carne Asada

When you don’t know what you should be serving with Carne Asada, it can make dinner stressful.

But let that worry go and gather the ingredients you need to make these sides for Carne Asada!

1. Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad

 

Roasted corn, potatoes, and seasonings come together to make the best side dish for your Carne Asada dinner.

Flavorful bursts of cumin and cilantro along with a variety of textural sensations will have you finding excuses to make this side dish more often.

It’s perfect for parties or for a refreshing summer dinner side dish. 

Plus, it’s vegan and gluten-free so everyone can enjoy it together. 

The link above has a spectacular recipe for this side. 

2. Slow Cooked Black Beans

Few things can satisfy like a side of black beans with your Carne Asada.

Slow cooked or even simmered on your stovetop, you can serve them as a soup or on top of rice.

Top them with a dollop of sour cream, diced red onions, or even green onions.

Add salsa or guac too and you’ll be in comfort food heaven.

Plus, if you make a big portion, these freeze beautifully, making them great for meal prep. 

3. Refreshing Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad 

For a quick side that you can throw together using a bag of coleslaw cabbage, this refreshing cilantro lime cabbage salad can help you please a crowd.

Or simply make a side that the family will love served with that Carne Asada.

Heck, they could even throw it on top of the meat in the tortillas.

Try it on top or on the side for dinner tonight or your next gathering!

4. Heavenly Homemade Spanish Rice

Sure, you can serve plain white rice with Carne Asada.

But why not be a bit extra about things?

It’s easy to make homemade Spanish rice (plus you can easily use your leftovers from a previous meal!)

With rich tomato flavors and seasonings, it makes your dinner superior.

Skip the boxes and make it from scratch. 

It will also go great with those black beans.

If you need lots of sides to feed a crowd with your Carne Asada, this side will fit the bill!

5. Fresh and Authentic Guacamole 

Do you have avocados that are begging to be eaten?

You’d better use them before they go bad, and we can’t think of a better way than making authentic fresh guacamole!

Serve it with chips for dipping or let everyone put it on top of the Carne Asada.

Even eating it right off your fingers is acceptable when you love guacamole!

6. Tangy Cilantro Lime Rice

That tangy hit of lime along with cilantro can elevate a plain side like steamed rice.

With this zippiness, it makes a perfect pairing for your Carne Asada.

It’s also ideal if you run out of tortillas or if someone wants to make a Carne Asada bowl.

You can make it even better than Chipotle and it’s completely easy!

7. Amazing Avocado Corn Salad

 

Salads are always a good dinner side dish, but for Carne Asada, making an avocado corn salad is way better.

It’s bright and colorful, plus it’s full of flavors from grilled corn and creamy avocado.

Cheerful cherry tomatoes give it even more color and nutrition.

And a zesty homemade dressing pulls it all together. 

This will be great for a backyard party or for your dinner.

You can be sure everyone will eat their veggies too.

The recipe for avocado corn salad from Natasha’s Kitchen also includes a video to help you achieve perfection!

8. Instant Pot Frijoles Charros 

For fully authentic Mexican flavors, make frijoles charros and you won’t be sorry. 

It’s like having Abuela in the kitchen with you.

By the way, it has bacon in it, in case you needed a selling point on why to make it.

In your Instant Pot, it takes hardly any time at all, freeing you up to do whatever else needs to be done to prep for your meal.

Or to catch up on your favorite TV series.

We won’t tell!

9. Spanish-Style Cauliflower Rice

 

Watching your carbs?

You don’t have to miss out on all the fun when making Carne Asada.

If you’re skipping the tortillas, you’ll love making Spanish-style cauliflower rice.

It tastes just like the original version only you won’t need to feel guilty.

Healthy and full of flavor, you can’t beat this side dish.

Claire from Eat With Clarity shows you how to do it!

10. Mexican Street Corn

Also known as elotes, Mexican street corn is perhaps the only side that could distract everyone from your Carne Asada.

You have sweet and juicy corn that is flavored with a touch of lime and a hint of spiciness.

Plus, if you’re having a gathering and you have some vegetarians joining you who won’t eat the Carne Asada, this side is a crowd-pleaser for everyone.

Just make sure to make enough.

And by that we mean make extra; otherwise this WILL disappear fast!

11. Craveable Cowboy Caviar

Check out this video by Chili Pepper Madness and you’ll discover cowboy caviar.

And if you’ve somehow never heard of this side, get ready for it to be your new favorite for parties, potlucks, or even your own weeknight dinners.

The ingredients feature beans along with fresh tomatoes, onions, corn, and jalapenos in a tangy dressing, making it the ultimate crowd-pleaser!

12. Salsa Fresca

Look, we know it can be tempting to grab a jar of salsa from the store and call it a day.

Oh, but we beg of you to make it fresh.

It’s so simple, requiring just a few easy ingredients.

Tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, lime, and cilantro.

And a few seasonings.

Chop it for a chunkier texture, or put it in your food processor for a smoother one.

Either way, salsa is a match for Carne Asada.

13. Mexican-Style Cornbread

 

Try something a bit different to match your Carne Asada.

This recipe takes a classic southern side and melds it with Mexican flavors.

It takes only a few minutes of prep before you bake it.

And then you’re left with a side dish everyone will love.

Jill from Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons shows you how to make this tasty treat!

14. Veggie Quesadillas

If you have kids, it’s likely a struggle to get them to eat their veggies.

But if you make those veggies into a quesadilla, you’ve got a better chance of them eating them.

And without complaint!

Veggie quesadillas go great with Carne Asada, plus you can top them with that salsa and guac too.

It’s the perfect side to get everyone to take in more nutrition without them suspecting a thing!

15. Traditional Mexican Cactus Salad 

And finally, we’ll leave you with a traditional Mexican side dish that goes wonderfully with Carne Asada.

It goes well with any Mexican dish, from steak or as a side for cheesy enchiladas.

If you want to try something new, this one is for you. 

Yes, it has cactus but none of those spikes.

What you get is a unique texture and refreshing flavors that balance spicy and sweet.

Plus, it’s healthy too and if you like different styles of food, this will be a splendid side to serve tonight!

With these 15 side dishes for Carne Asada, you have traditional as well as popular options.

You even have some things that are a bit unique.

All of them can help you make your dinner even more fantastic for a party or just for enjoying robust flavors with the ones you love.