7 Amazing Side Dishes To Serve With Your Beef Barbacoa

beef barbacoa side dish

If you are looking for an easy and delicious way to change up your weeknight dinner routine, look no further than beef barbacoa.

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This beef dish is incredibly simple to make, and it pairs well with various side dishes.

Read on and find one or several favorite recipes from our seven amazing ideas to serve with your beef barbacoa.

What is beef barbacoa?

Beef barbacoa is a traditional Mexican dish made of slow-cooked beef that is seasoned with dried chilies and other Mexican spices.

The cooked meat can be served the whole cut, but it is often shredded and used as a filling for other recipes.

Beef barbacoa is packed with flavor and incredibly versatile, so you can customize it whatever you like.

It is also simple to make as the crockpot does most of the work for you.

What to consider when choosing a beef barbacoa’s side dish?

When it comes to choosing a side dish to pair with barbacoa, there are many options to choose from.

But which one is the best?

Let’s figure out some típ that can help you choose the right side dish recipe to accompany your beef barbacoa next time:

Beef barbacoa is best to work with a Mexican side dish

Beef barbacoa is a classic Mexican dish that pairs well with other Mexican-origin sides.

Combining Mexican dishes in a meal will result in a perfect blend of flavors and a beautiful presentation.

It can also bring the spirit of Mexican cuisine to your kitchen without any fuss.

Consider the flavor profile of your beef barbacoa

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a side dish for beef barbacoa is to rely on the flavor profile of your main dish.

Beef can be marinated and seasoned with different kinds of spices per your preference, therefore, it can come in different flavor profiles.

You should choose a side dish that can help complement your beef barbacoa, not too mild nor savory to overpower the main course.

Check if you or your family member has any dietary restriction

Last but not least, you better check if anybody in your family (or your party) has a particular dietary restriction or not.

This makes sure that the food you serve on the table will not only satisfy everyone’s taste buds but also work with their diet plans.

7 best side dishes to serve with beef barbacoa

Now, it’s time to break out the seven best side dishes that are perfect on the side of beef barbacoa:

1.     Black beans

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Black beans are a staple in Mexican cuisine as well as other Latin cuisine.

They are easy to find no matter where you are.

Black beans take time to tenderize the beans, but the resulting dish is worth the wait.

You will have a nutritious, healthy, and filling side to serve with your beef barbacoa.

2.     Mexican rice

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Mexican rice is a good option if you are looking for something filling, affordable, and delicious to pair with your beef barbacoa.

Mexican rice is also known as Spanish rice, and it has a vibrant red color of tomatoes.

Unlike regular steamed white rice, Mexican rice ends up with a more flavorful taste and eye-catching appearance.

3.     Corn tortillas

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If you want a taco in minutes, serve your shredded beef barbacoa with corn tortillas.

Wrap corn tortillas over the beef and other ingredients like veggies or some sauces, you can have a hearty and nutritious meal in no time.

4.     Corn on the cob

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Another corn dish that is a signature dish of Mexicans and pairs well with almost all meat dishes is corn on the cob, also known as Mexican street corn.

With some spices, herbs, and butter to coat over the whole corn, you can have delicious grilled corn to enjoy with your beef barbacoa.

5.     Salsa

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Salsa is another popular dish in Mexican cuisine.

There are many variants of salsa, which can be cooked or uncooked.

In general, salsa provides a refreshing taste from the veggies, especially tomatoes, which can help offset the rich and savory taste of any meat-based dish.

6.     Fresh veggies

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The easiest option to serve your beef barbacoa is fresh veggies.

Yes, what you need is only fresh veggies, no more steps further.

Lettuce, spinach, brussels sprouts, beets, or asparagus are some typical types of veggies that you can consume without cooking.

The crunchy texture and refreshing taste of these veggies can make your meal more balanced with beef barbacoa as the main course.

7.     Mexican salad

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Mexican salad finishes our list with a refreshing flavorful taste and a vibrant presentation.

This side dish goes well with a meat-based dish like beef barbacoa to offset the savory taste of the main dish.

Mexican salad recipes often call for some Mexican staples like fresh corn kernels, beans, avocado, bell pepper, onion, with other herbs and spices.

This combination gives this dish an appealing look and a flavorful taste.

The bottom line

With so many delicious and easy recipes to choose from, you can’t go wrong with beef barbacoa.

Whether you are looking for a hearty meal that will satisfy your hunger or something special to impress your guests, hopefully, at least one of the seven aforementioned dishes can be helpful.

Which recipe will you try first?