What to serve with Taco Soup?

Here are 15 of the best side dishes to serve with your soup on a chilly day. From cornbread, to veggies, to quesadillas and more! 

A bowl of taco soup is perfect served up for dinner on a chilly day. And what makes it even better, pairing it with some yummy side dishes to make a full hearty meal that will keep everyone happy. Here are 15 of the best side dishes that would pair with practically any soup to make a meal your family will love.

Taco soup is such a simple recipe – its an easy dump and go meal made with pantry staples that can be made in the crock pot, or all in one pot on the stove top and it packs a punch full of flavor. The effortless soup is perfect paired up with some side dishes turning your simple meal into something even better.

Here’s my favorite taco soup recipe, made in the slow cooker. But you can use any easy taco soup recipe that you love, and I just know it’ll pair in a perfect way with any of these side dishes or toppings. A great option would be to make instant pot taco soup too.

1. Tortilla Chips

The one thing I always want with my taco soup is a big bag of chips. I like crumbling them on top, and the best thing is dipping them into the soup and eating it like a dip. Or just eating them on the side with some salsa, guacamole, or nacho cheese sauce.

2. Rice

White rice or Mexican Rice are a perfect pairing with some taco soup. It helps everyone’s tummies to get a little fuller faster, and it pairs nicely with the soup. You can also mix some rice into the soup for a nice all in one dish.

3. Cornbread

Taco soup is a bit like a bowl of chili with a couple additions, like some corn, and chili always needs cornbread, so that means taco soup needs corn bread too. Corn bread is soft, buttery, and a little sweet so it pairs perfectly with a tangy and savory bowl of soup.

4. Roasted Corn

Corn on the cob can be steamed, grilled, or roasted in the oven – then top it with some butter, and salt and pepper and you’ve got a delicious vegetable side dish. It’s perfect with this hearty soup, and matches the flavors nicely. You could also make elote and top the corn with some cilantro, feta, and the tangy creamy mayo dressing.

5. Green Salad

Soup and salad is a match made in heaven, and is always a good combination. A light refreshing salad balances out nicely with the rich flavor of the soup. Almost any salad would work but I love a simple salad with some lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots topped with a nice vinaigrette, or ranch dressing.

6. Quesadillas

While taco soup is already plenty filling on it’s own, quesadillas are a simple and easy dish to add to it. While they can be a meal in of themselves, you can serve them with the soup on the side, or use them to scoop up the soup like chips. I like to keep them simple and just do cheese quesadillas for this one.

7. French fries.

Fries make a great side dish for practically any meal. While they’re not typically served up with a bowl of soup, I think they make a great addition, and are also delicious dipped right into the soup as well.

8. Coleslaw

Classic coleslaw is another great side dish for a variety of meals. The creamy salad with its crunchy texture is a great change up to the soup – or you can try a simple Mexican style coleslaw to help the flavors mesh a little more.

9. Fruit Salad

Fruit is a great sweet side dish to pair with a nice rich soup, and the great thing about it is you can choose whatever fruit is in season. You can literally chop up your favorite fruits and toss them in a bowl and call it a fruit salad. Or top them with some yogurt, cool whip, or a little honey to fancy it up a little.

10. Refried Beans

While there are already typically beans in taco soup (my recipe has black beans), that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little more. Beans are a great source of protein, and a great way to make your meal extra hearty.

11. Garlic Bread

Garlic bread or bread sticks are good with everything right? Perfect to round out a bowl of soup, and while not the typical flavor pairing, I think they’re delicious together.

12. Cucumber Salad

This is a great light side dish that pairs well with soup. It has a delicious flavor, and such a great crunch – a great way to balance out your palate.

13. Jalapeno Poppers

While often served as an appetizer, these are also a great side dish – the spicy cream cheese filled jalapenos are sure to be a winner at your dinner table.

14. Potato Skins

Potatoes are a go to side dish, and personally I think potato skins would be delicious alongside taco soup. The crispy salty potato skins stuffed with a little potato, bacon, and some cheddar cheese. They’re bursting with flavor and would make a great salty pairing.

15. Taco Dip or Seven Layer Dip

What Tex-Mex meal wouldn’t be even better with some taco dip to accompany your taco soup? You can’t beat the seven layers of deliciousness – with refried beans, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, green onions, and more!

16. Grilled Vegetables

A vegetable side dish is always a great idea to add some extra nutrients to your main dish. You can choose from a variety of vegetables, like grilled zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, or mushrooms.

The Best Toppings for Taco Soup:

One thing you need to make taco soup into a delicious dish is with some tasty toppings added to the flavorful soup. Here are my 13 favorite toppings for taco soup.

1. Tortilla Chips or Tortilla Strips – Crumble up some corn tortilla chips and they add a nice crunch on top of the soup.
2. Shredded Cheese – Add your favorite cheese on top of your soup, I love stirring it in and making it all melty.
3. Sour Cream – I love the creaminess that a dollop of sour cream adds to the soup.
4. Diced Tomatoes – The acidity of the tomatoes help cut the richness of the soup.
5. Pico de Gallo – Adds a nice freshness to a bowl of soup, and really brightens it up.
6. Avocado Slices – I love the creamy flavor a ripe avocado adds.
7. Guacamole – Also delicious just dolloped on top of the soup, or stirred right in.
8. Green Onions or Chives – Adds a nice freshness.
9. Diced Jalapenos – Adds a little spiciness.
10. Black Olives – Sliced up they’re great on tacos and on taco soup.
11. Fresh Cilantro – Cilantro is a love it or leave it ingredient. I love it, and love the flavor it adds to my soup.
12. Hot Sauce – Another way to add a little spice and flavor to the soup.
13. Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice adds such a refreshing and tangy flavor to the Mexican soup.

I hope you can find something you love from this list of delicious side dishes and toppings – everything you need to pair with your bowl of taco soup next time your in the mood for this hearty Tex-Mex dish. Everything you need to make it the perfect dinner for your whole family any night of the year, but especially on a cool day.