Fajitas are a fan favorite for many families across the world. This dish is a fantastic idea for sharing with family and friends. Still, you always want to have a side dish that compliments your delicious fajitas.
Here, we will keep you updated on everything you need to know about the best side dishes for fajitas, no matter the occasion.
What Are Fajitas?
A fajita is a Tex-Mex recipe consisting of strips of meat accompanied by strips of red bell peppers and onions. The dish also comes with either corn or flour tortillas. These days, fajitas can contain beef, chicken, pork, or shrimp.
Originally, fajitas referred only to skirt steak, but the dish has expanded to include more ingredients. You might also see fajitas served with lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, refried beans, tomatoes, and cilantro. The dish is popular because it combines flavors but is also relatively inexpensive for a lot of meat.
If you like ordering fajitas in a restaurant, then you know that they are usually served on a sizzling metal plate or skillet. Some fajitas may also include yellow rice, although this is not customary. Unlike tacos, the term fajitas refer to the filling that goes in a tortilla, like a belt that you make yourself, full of meat and vegetables.
You might not be able to find fajitas in Mexico, as they are a modern combination of Texan and Mexican heritage. However, the dish is still a show-stopper and worth trying, particularly if you are hosting a dinner party.
Nutrition Facts
One fajita with meat and vegetables (142 g) has the following nutritional content (*):
- 234 calories
- 94.4 g water
- 14.7 g protein
- 10.1 g fat
- 20.9 g carbohydrate
- 2.13 g fiber
- 3.92 g sugar
- 80.9 mg calcium
- 2.1 mg iron
- 25.6 mg magnesium
- 182 mg phosphorus
- 317 mg potassium
- 498 mg sodium
- 20.9 µg selenium
- 18.9 mg vitamin C
- 38.3 µg vitamin A
- 38.3 mg cholesterol
As you can see, fajitas can be a high-protein dish with tons of nutrients. However, they can also contain more fat, sodium, and carbohydrates than you want. Make your fajitas at home to choose the ingredients and have a healthier result.
Best Side Dishes for Fajitas
Below are some options for side dishes that you can eat with fajitas at any time!
#1. Mexican-Style Rice
Fajitas always go well with rice, and they do so even more with a Mexican-style recipe. You can prepare this rice at home without much trouble and surprise your family or guests with a wholesome meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 can tomatoes, drained
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups rice
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your Mexican-style rice:
- Cook the tomatoes and onions in a skillet with a bit of the oil.
- Add the tomatoes and onion in a blender. Blend until it becomes a smooth puree.
- Return the tomato and onion mix to the skillet. Add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, and cumin. Warm everything up.
- In a saucepan, add the vegetable oil and garlic, and begin cooking the rice. This will allow it to toast a bit.
- Stir in the tomato mixture, mix everything, and lower the heat. Cook until the rice has absorbed all the liquid, which could take between 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add the cilantro, lime juice, and bell peppers. Mix and fluff the rice.
- Cover the saucepan for 5 more minutes.
- Serve your rice warm on the side of fajitas.
#2. Black Beans and Corn Salad
If refried beans are not your thing, then try serving black beans instead. This recipe is easy to make and fresh, so it can be a nice change of pace to go with your fajitas.
Ingredients:
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can yellow sweet corn, drained
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 avocado, peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your black beans and corn salad:
- Drain and rinse your black beans and corn. Add them to a bowl, along with diced onion, bell pepper, and avocado.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, garlic powder, cumin, taco seasoning, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing onto your black beans, corn, bell pepper, and onion. Toss everything.
- Finish by adding the cilantro on top and toss once more.
- Serve your black beans and corn salad on the side of fajitas.
#3. Guacamole
All Tex-Mex goes well with guacamole, but if you want more than just the standard topping, this is a great side dish for your fajitas. Prepare it fresh and serve it with extra chips.
Ingredients:
- 3 Hass avocados
- 2 limes, juiced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 red onion, diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your guacamole:
- Open your avocado and remove the pit. With a spoon, remove it from the peel and add it to a bowl.
- Dice your onion and tomatoes, and add them to the bowl.
- Chop your cilantro and add it to the bowl too.
- With a fork, mix everything and mash the avocado as you go. Do this for a minute or two.
- Add the lime juice and continue mixing.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Try a bit, and add extra lime or salt as needed.
- Serve fresh with extra tortilla chips.
#4. Taco Seasoned Potatoes
Although potatoes may seem out of place here, this recipe is unique, as it combines the spiciness and earthiness of spices with the crunchiness of potatoes. You can add cheese and sour cream when serving as well.
Ingredients:
- 6 large potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your taco seasoned potatoes:
- Wash, peel, and cube your potatoes. Add them to a pot with water, and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- In a skillet, add olive oil and garlic. Once hot, cook the onion for about 5 minutes or until golden and soft.
- Add the chili powder, taco seasoning, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Drain your potatoes and add them to the onions. Fry them at high heat for about 10 minutes or until tender and crispy.
- Serve warm with sour cream on top and cheese if you would like.
#5. Mexican Watermelon Salad
Another surprising yet amazing side dish is this Mexican watermelon salad. Do not let the name fool you as this recipe packs flavor, and is very fresh, which makes it perfect to complement your filling fajitas.
Ingredients:
- 1 seedless watermelon
- ⅓ cup lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ cup cotija cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your Mexican watermelon salad:
- Begin by removing the rind from your watermelon. Cut it into cubes and place it in a bowl.
- Add the lime juice, salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin to the bowl. Toss well.
- Add the cotija cheese and cilantro as you continue to toss.
- Serve fresh with extra cilantro and cheese if needed.
#6. Chili Lime Roasted Cauliflower
When you want more vegetables and fewer carbs, cauliflower is a good option. In this case, the recipe is a combination of spicy and acidic flavors that also adds crunch to the dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 cauliflower head
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your chili-lime roasted cauliflower:
- Begin the cooking process by setting your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with tin foil.
- Break your cauliflower head into smaller pieces. Place the pieces in a bowl.
- Add oil, chili powder, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Toss well until the cauliflower is fully coated.
- Roast your cauliflower for about 20 minutes, remove it and turn, and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes until the vegetable is crisp outside and tender inside.
- Serve your chili-lime roasted cauliflower warm on the side of your fajitas.
#7. Homemade Tortilla Chips
What better way to top a fantastic fajitas meal than making your tortilla chips at home? This recipe is easy, and the result is top-notch tortilla chips to go with this and many other meals.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 6 corn tortillas
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your homemade tortilla chips:
- Before you begin cooking, make sure your tortillas are as dry as they can be. To do this, you can either leave them out overnight or for at least a few hours.
- Cut your tortillas into six wedges like you would a pizza.
- In the meantime, heat the oil in a large deep pan. Add one piece of tortilla until the oil sizzles, which should be at a temperature of about 350 degrees F.
Tip: if your tortilla chip browns quickly, your oil is getting too hot too quickly. Remove the oil from the heat to cool down.
- Continue frying your tortilla pieces for about two minutes each.
- Remove your chips and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. These will absorb the excess oil.
- Allow them to sit on the paper towel for a couple of minutes and sprinkle with salt.
- Serve your tortilla chips warm but not hot with the fajitas.
How Can I Pick The Perfect Fajitas Sides?
Making fajitas is quite an adventure, as it can take time and lots of ingredients. However, it is always worth the while and will leave your friends and family wanting more. So, what better way to surprise them than with the perfect side dish?
For the traditional beef fajitas, we suggest you go with a more classic Mexican side dish. You can choose Mexican-style rice and some cilantro on top. You could also serve the guacamole with homemade tortilla chips for everyone to enjoy.
If you are using pork or chicken fajitas, you may want to go with some delicious but more filling side dishes. Try the taco seasoned potatoes that will give everyone crunch and flavor. You can also serve the chili lime roasted cauliflower if you want a healthier side dish.
Finally, for shrimp fajitas, you might want to choose a side dish that is more fresh and delicate. Try the black beans and corn salad that is sweet and acidic and goes well with seafood. The Mexican watermelon salad is also very refreshing and surprisingly tasty.
Conclusion
You do not have to spend more than a few minutes choosing sides for fajitas next time you prepare them. These recipes are all delicious, easy, and can complement your meat and vegetables well. Enjoy more than one of these side dishes together any time!
*image by Jim_Filim/depositphotos
