What to Serve with Tamale Pie? 9 Best Sides

Who doesn’t love a tamale pie? They’re a warm, savory dish that will bring comfort and warmth to your soul.

Tamale pies are the perfect dish to share with friends, family, or loved ones. With corn tortillas rolled up around the filling, this casserole is an easy dish to prepare for any occasion.

I’m bringing you a list of side dishes you can easily find at the grocery store.

See Also: 22 Best Mexican Vegetable Side Dishes

From creamy mashed potatoes, creamy salad dressings, cheesy bread, and so much more, you’re sure to find something that’s perfect for your next tamale pie.

So, what can you serve with tamale pie? Tamale pie pairs perfectly with a side dish that has a strong, bold flavor. Some side dishes that are perfect for tamale pie include beans, cornbread, salad, french fries, potato wedges, macaroni and cheese, or a cornucopia of different vegetables.

So make your own Tamale Pie, invite your friends over, and get ready to indulge in a sweet and savory delight.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Tamale Pie?

Tamale pies are delicious and traditional meals that have been around for centuries.

They’re full of different flavors and textures that make them incredibly interesting and exciting.

There are many different types of tamale pies, so it should come as no surprise that the accompanying side dishes need to complement the pie in some way.

In addition to creating a delicious meal, having side dishes that go well with tamale pies makes the meal easier to eat.

Many people find that it’s more enjoyable to eat food that can be picked up and eaten with the fork.

However, side dishes can also be eaten with a spoon if you prefer.

Regardless of how you choose to eat it, tamale pies are great because they’re hearty and filling.

A lot of people often feel full after eating them.

Therefore, side dishes that are similar in texture and flavor are always a good idea.

One of the best side dishes for tamale pie is potato salad.

It’s very easy to make and goes well with almost any type of pie.

In addition to this, there are a variety of different side dishes that can be served alongside tamale pies.

If you don’t know what your favorite tamale pie is, then check out the different recipes below!

What to Serve with Tamale Pie? 9 Best Sides

Tamales are one of my favorite Mexican dishes. They can be either meat or vegetarian, and come in a variety of fillings.

However, since finding a side dish to go along with it is so hard, here are some options for you:

1. Potato Salad

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For this one, you’ll need to make your own potato salad.

I like to use a mixture of regular potatoes and sweet potatoes here, as they both have a nice firm texture and the sweet potatoes add a sweet flavour and a lovely hint of natural sweetness.

2. Cornbread

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Tamale pies are big, hearty, and filling meals, so it’s nice to have something lighter to go alongside. I like to serve cornbread here, as it’s a great option for people who don’t have much time in the kitchen.

There’s no need to bake it in the oven, though, as it’s a much fussier option than a muffin. All you need to do is pop it in a pre-heated frying pan for a few minutes, until the edges start to turn golden.

3. Mashed Potatoes

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Another classic and simple side dish to go with tamale pie is a bowl of fluffy mashed potato. There’s no point having all the effort and preparation of tamale pie if you don’t have a filling with which to accompany it!

The best way to ensure that the potatoes are fluffy and fluffy is to mash them well before mixing them with the other ingredients. You can then add any extra flavourings of your choice, like dried herbs and garlic.

When you’re ready to serve, just scoop the mixture into a piping bag or a zip lock bag, and spoon it out onto a plate.

4. Creamed Corn

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If you prefer to serve tamale pie with a less traditional side dish, a bowl of creamed corn is a really simple option!

There’s nothing complicated about it, and it’s a real favourite with kids. All you need is a tin of corn and a couple of tablespoons of light cream.

Pop a lid on the tin to keep the moisture in, and leave it to warm up in a saucepan over a low heat. Once it has melted, mix through the cream and serve straight from the pan.

The corn will take on all the flavours of the cream, so it’s a great option if you want to make it extra indulgent or if your kids are too young to eat the original version.

5. Fried Okra

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Fried okra is a delicious accompaniment to tamale pie, and it is always a popular choice at any Mexican restaurant. There’s a lot of texture going on in this dish, and you can really taste the freshness of the okra.

I think it’s one of the most versatile ingredients you can find, as it works well with a range of different flavours. I like to serve it hot and freshly fried, but you can also use it in a salad if you’re feeling adventurous!

6. Black Beans

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You can’t go wrong with black beans here, as they’re incredibly versatile.

They’re a great source of protein and essential carbohydrates, and they make a perfect accompaniment to tamale pie. I like to make my own, as I find it’s much tastier than the pre-packaged variety.

They’re really easy to prepare, too, and you just need to drain and rinse them thoroughly. If you prefer a vegetarian option, just replace the meat with a can of black beans and you’re good to go.

7. Coleslaw

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Tamale pie is a delicious Mexican dish, but it’s also a very fiddly one to make. It’s basically a large, deep fried cornmeal pancake that you then stuff with a bunch of filling.

There can be quite a lot of preparation involved, but it’s all worth it when you finally get to dig in!

I like to make my coleslaw with carrots, and broccoli florets, and I always serve it with chips. This way, I can enjoy my Mexican flavours with a crunchy accompaniment of my choosing.

8. Spanish Rice

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Spanish rice is another Mexican dish that I love, and it’s a great option if you’re trying to fit in some healthy eating in a busy week!

It’s really simple to make, as you just cook your rice in a big pot, then add the meat, vegetables, and seasoning.

It’s the best option if you’re going to be on the go, as you can pack it into a Tupperware box, and take it along to work, school, or a picnic.

Equally, you can make it extra fancy by adding some homemade seasoning, instead of a packet of ready-made taco seasoning.

9. Salsa

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Salsa is a Mexican dish, and it’s so versatile that you can use it in lots of different recipes. It’s also really easy to make. Just chop up some tomatoes, onions, and chilli, and stir them together with a little bit of salt and pepper.

Add a squeeze of lemon juice for a kick of citrus, and you’ve got a delicious dip to serve alongside your tamale pie.

If you use your own homemade chilli sauce, which you can find in the supermarket, you can skip the chilli altogether.

Helpful Tips For Serving Side Dishes for Tamale Pie

The best way to ensure that tamale pie is as delicious as possible is by making sure you use the right side dishes.

When you make tamale pie, you want to make sure you serve some type of side dish that complements the flavor of the dish.

Here are 5 tips for you to follow when serving sides for tamale pies:

Go Light on the Beans

Beans are a delicious staple in many diets. When it comes to tamale pie, they’re often used to bulk up the dish.

While this might be fine if you’re looking for a heavy meal, it’s not necessarily a good idea if you’re trying to lose weight.

You don’t need to cut out all beans from your diet. However, if you do want to lose weight while eating tamale pie, then you should limit your bean consumption.

Consider the size of the tamale pie

It’s important to know how much food you are serving because this will determine the side dishes that will work best with the meal.

Small tamale pies are generally served alongside salads or vegetables, while large tamale pies are often served alongside stews or meats.

This will depend on the amount of tamales you want to serve and how many people will be eating the meal.