What to Serve with Barbacoa? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Barbacoa’s got that tender, juicy goodness that makes every bite feel like a mini fiesta in your mouth.

But what really turns up the flavor party? The right side dishes.

Not all sides are created equal – some have the power to elevate your barbacoa from delicious to straight-up unforgettable.

From the zesty to the savory, we’ve rounded up seven sidekicks that’ll have your back and make your meal pop.

Trust us, these aren’t your average picks.

Get ready to dig into some seriously tasty combos that’ll make your next barbacoa meal a hit.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Barbacoa?

Barbacoa is a typical Caribbean dish that you can use in burritos, as a hamburger filling, or they can be served as a main dish.

Most recipes of barbacoa make use of beef, lamb, or goat.

As such, they have a good amount of protein and calories unless you use beef; beef has significant fat content.

When made into a dish of barbacoa, they give a rich, savory taste with a pleasant aroma.

All things considered, it becomes essential to prepare side dishes that complement the flavors and make up for the missing nutrients.

What to Serve with Barbacoa? 7 BEST Side Dishes

You will need some fiber and other nutrients to help you with barbacoa.

Keep reading to discover the best salads and other food choices to pair with this ethnic dish.

1 – Brown Rice Salad

If you’re looking for something filling yet healthy and possibly gluten-free, you should try adding brown rice to a salad.

With a decent amount of ingredients like olives, green vegetables, and feta cheese, this dish is a significant part of the Mediterranean diet.

Brown rice salad is low in calories and a great option to help with your weight-loss plan.

Other than the nutritional benefits, this salad is simply pleasing to look at.

The brown rice with all the different colors of the complementing ingredients gives it a special place among salads.

It is a total crowd-pleaser and also pairs well with a meat dish such as barbacoa.

2 – Corn on the Cob

Something you can prepare when it’s corn season is corn on the cob.

Fresh corn harvested directly from the farms and grilled has an irresistibly savory flavor; you should not miss out on this.

The sweet and simple flavors of corn on the cob are just enough to elevate any meal without overpowering the other dishes.

If you have been eating corn casually, it is time to learn all about corn and put it on the list of go-to foods.

But for now, go all out and munch those kernels from the cob.

3 – Classic Creamy Coleslaw

Want something with a crunchy texture with a creamy dressing? A big bowl of coleslaw won’t disappoint.

What’s exciting is that you can use coleslaw as a salad, as a filling, or even mix the barbacoa with it, and it’ll taste just amazing.

The vibrant colors and fresh flavors of coleslaw draw our attention to it wherever on the table it is placed.

But that is not all; coleslaw has many health benefits; it is also vitamin-rich and easy on your stomach.

The most common ingredients in a coleslaw are shredded raw cabbage, grated carrots, cilantro, and mayonnaise.

The ease of preparation and fineness of taste makes it one of the most-loved salads.

5 – Baked Beans Stew

One of the most accessible and healthy processed food is baked beans.

But are you tired of having them the same way each time?

An exciting way to use baked beans is to make some stew.

It takes just 10 minutes of your time and includes a whole mix of various vegetables cooked together with store-bought or homemade baked beans.

This stew is downright comforting and filling at the same time; too good to not try.

You can make this stew with seasonal vegetables throughout the year and come up with different variants.

5 – Guacamole

You should stick to making guacamole at home; it takes only about 10 minutes.

Moreover, store-bought ones often contain a lot of preservatives and sodium that cancel the benefits of guacamole entirely.

The creamy texture and nutty flavor of guacamole make it a perfect side dish for the spiciness of barbacoa.

It does not ask for much but just a mix of avocadoes, tomatoes, cilantro, and seasonings of your choice.

This bright, green dip salad is best consumed immediately, so we wouldn’t recommend making it ahead.

That way, you can enjoy the fresh aroma and flavors right then and there.

6 – Salsa

Who doesn’t love a Mexican twist to a Mexican dish? Well, try pairing barbacoa with salsa sauce.

A homemade salsa or a store-bought one would work fine.

But why not experiment with making it at home; it takes just 10 minutes.

The sweet and slightly sour sauce is a perfect pair for the somewhat spicy and tangy barbacoa.

Also, is it impossible for meat to taste great with any sauce? Just go all-ethnic with this salsa-barbacoa duo.

Before you proceed to the next item on the list, know that salsa is undoubtedly nutritious and healthy as long as you keep the sodium content under control.

7 – Bean Salad

Looking for something packed with proteins and ready to keep you energized, try the bean salad.

Its fun textures and flavors are such a good pair for barbacoa no one could ask for more.

Combining garbanzo beans (chickpeas), cannellini beans, and black beans will make a vibrant-looking, delicious, and healthy bean salad.

There is nothing as easy to prepare and easy to store as a bean salad.

Beans, one of the healthiest sources of proteins, are a must-have item in your diet, and they are also a good food choice if you want to attempt a weight loss diet.

Conclusion

So that’s the seven best side dishes that we could put together.

Try out each of them every time you cook some barbacoa.

You might even find your next favorite side dish in the process.

The positive thing about trying a wide range of side dishes is that you will have many options when you have guests with different food choices.

Also, cooking them at home is always better than relying on store-bought options.

Doing so will give you complete control over the flavors and help you with your cooking skills.