What to Serve with Arrachera? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Arrachera, aka skirt steak, originates from Mexico.

It’s a famous beef cut known for its tenderness and intense flavor.

The meat is usually grilled and is enjoyed by many around the world.

But grilled arrachera is, of course, incomplete without a side dish.

No matter how perfectly grilled the cut is, this dish needs side dishes to enhance its overall taste.

However, you’ll have to find side dishes that complement arrachera.

So, today’s article will look into the 10 best side dishes you can serve with arrachera.

Continue reading on to know more.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Arrachera?

There are plenty of reasons why you should consider serving sides with dishes like arrachera.

Arrachera alone can be dull and empty, so including side dishes can ultimately offer a more wholesome dining experience.

Moreover, side dishes allow the meal to become more filling and satisfying.

For instance, sides like Mexican rice or beans can produce a rich and creamy texture, thus allowing arrachera to reach its full potential in terms of taste.

Additionally, serving side dishes, especially with a meal like arrachera, can help showcase the diverse and rich Mexican flavors much butter.

This can be done by using various side dishes like guacamole and salsa, which are pretty prominent in Mexican cuisine.

What to Serve with Arrachera? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Looking for delicious side dishes to serve with arrachera? Here’s our list of the 10 best side dishes you can serve with a sizzling plate of arrachera.

1. Guacamole

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Another popular pick from the Mexican cuisine list is guacamole.

It makes an excellent side dish for arrachera thanks to its fresh flavor and creamy texture.

Let’s say it complements the arrachera’s rich flavor pretty well.

You can make this side dish using ingredients like diced tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeños, lime juice, onions, and avocados.

Other dish variations include ingredients like smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, and bacon.

But, no matter the variant, each version suits the main dish pretty well.

2. Salsa

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Nothing screams Mexican cuisine like salsa, making the perfect company for arrachera.

To create the perfect salsa side, there are varieties of salsa you can pick from, such as salsa roja, salsa verde, and more.

The spiciness and acidity of the salsa help cut through the bold and rich flavor of arrachera.

And thanks to this, it allows the meal becomes well-balanced.

You can pick almost any salsa type, from tangy to complex flavor profiles.

For instance, salsa verse is excellent for spiciness and tanginess, while salsa roja excels at bringing out a more complex and rich flavor.

3. Grilled vegetables

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Grilled veggies may sound boring, but there are exciting ways to level up this side.

Hence, they serve as an excellent pick for arrachera, particularly with veggies like zucchini, onions, and bell peppers.

The smoky flavor of the veggies and the grilled flavor of arrachera combined result in a perfectly balanced meal that complements each other well.

It adds great contrast to the intense flavor of arrachera.

Before grilling, you can marinate the vegetables in lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, and cumin powder.

These will help bring out the bold and delicious flavor of the dish.

4. Mexican Salad

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This is a healthy and refreshing side dish worthy of serving alongside arrachera.

And yes, it’s a famous Mexican salad made using tomatoes, cilantro, onions, lime juice, mixed greens, chili powder, and cumin.

The crispness and freshness of the veggies help create a nice contrast to the soft and chewy texture of the arrachera.

Thus, making a well-balanced meal.

You can also try out another variant of this dish called the “Ensalada de Nopales.

” This one uses onions, cactus paddles, cilantro, lime juice, and tomatoes.

It’s like an enhanced version of the original Mexican Salad, bringing unique flavors to the table.

5. Refried beans

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This is a classic side that’s typically served with arrachera.

So, refried beans are a great choice if you’re looking to honor tradition.

With arrachera being quite solid and bold, the rich flavor and creaminess of the beans blend excellently against it.

You can make your refried beans with either pinto or black beans, and the dish is usually cooked with other ingredients like oregano, garlic, onions, and spices like cumin and chili powder.

If you’re looking to modify this classic side dish a bit, consider adding items like chorizo or bacon to add an extra layer of taste.

Either way, the side dish blends with the main dish exceptionally well.

6. Mexican rice

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Another traditional addition to the list is Mexican rice.

It’s a great side dish for arrachera and requires simple ingredients to create the dish.

It has a comforting flavor that immediately makes the entire meal whole.

This side dish can be made with ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, cilantro, onions, and of course, rice.

The rich and fluffy texture of the rice help complements the tenderness of the arrachera perfectly.

Other ingredients, such as carrots, corn, or peas, can also be added according to your liking.

Adding such ingredients can also bring more flavor and color to the dish.

7. Elote

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If street foods are your cup of tea, you should try this popular side dish.

Elote is a famous street food that’s made of grilled corn, and it makes the perfect side dish for an intense dish like arrachera.

This side dish may seem simple, but it’s a very versatile dish to work with.

You can enjoy it to the fullest by adding various toppings like mayo, lime juice, chili powder, and cotija cheese, and the options are endless.

If you’re looking to celebrate the spirit of Mexican street food, this side dish paired with arrachera will offer a delicious and fun dining experience.

It’s a great way of combining unique flavors and creating a tasty meal.

8. Chile Rellenos

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Looking to spice up your regular plate of arrachera? Well, we’ve got what you’re looking for, and it’s called Chile Rellenos.

It’s a simple dish with a complex flavor and taste profile that’ll make you want more.

This side dish is made using roasted chili pepper, which is then filled with meat or cheese.

You can prepare this side dish with the poblano chili pepper, known for its mild flavor, or choose any pepper of your liking and taste.

With the Chile Rellenos side dish, you can enjoy the cheese-filled version with a slice of arrachera or add arrachera into the stuffing and enjoy it directly.

9. Corn Tortillas

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When it comes to a Mexican meal like arrachera, it’ll be, of course, complete with an essential and traditional side dish like corn tortillas.

And the best part is you can directly incorporate arrachera with this side dish.

The corn tortillas can be used to create burritos or tacos with arrachera as the main star, along with your choice of toppings.

This means you can create a dish that’s completely customized to your preference – be it creamy, spicy, savory, etc.

Suppose you’re not too keen on burritos or tacos; no worries.

You can heat them and serve them alongside arrachera and some guacamole or salsa.

10. Queso Fresco

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Looking for something cheesy and delicious? Try the queso fresco.

It’s a traditional Mexican cheese with many uses.

You can incorporate this cheese in any way, and the result is always spectacular.

This side dish from traditional Mexican cheese can be crushed and sprinkled over a sizzling plate of grilled arrachera.

The cheese adds a tangy and creamy layer to the meat, making it a heavenly meal to enjoy over a cup of chilled beer.

If using it as a garnish is not your thing, you can use both the arrachera and the cheese to make a delicious plate of quesadillas.

Conclusion

Arrachera is a flavorful and delicious cut that can offer a wonderful dining experience.

But this experience can only be fulfilled to its highest potential when served with a suitable side dish.

That said, we hope our article has helped you find the best side dish to serve with arrachera.

From grilled veggies to salsa and guacamole, we hope you’ll create the perfect arrachera meal with these sides.