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What to Serve With Empanadas: 15 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve With Empanadas: 15 Best Side Dishes

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We provide a list of 16 sides that balance empanadas by adding fresh vegetables, tangy salsas, creamy dips, and hearty starches. These options offer textural variety and flavor contrasts with different temperatures and effort levels to help you create a complete meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: Latin American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Tangy Cilantro Lime Slaw bright
  • Creamy Avocado Guacamole creamy
  • Smoky Roasted Poblano Peppers smoky
  • Zesty Pico de Gallo Salsa bright
  • Warm Black Bean and Corn Salad earthy
  • Sweet Fried Plantain Slices crispy
  • Chimichurri Herb Sauce bright
  • Crunchy Pickled Red Onions tangy
  • Grilled Lime Chicken Skewers smoky
  • Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries crispy
  • Garlic Herb Crusty Bread crunchy
  • Spicy Black Bean Dip creamy
  • Fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salad crisp
  • Chipotle Lime Aioli creamy
  • Cold Mexican Street Corn Salad creamy
  • Lime Infused Jasmine Rice fragrant

Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Sheet pan
  • Serving platter

Method
 

  1. Assess what the main dish already provides—if it has starch, focus on vegetables and fresh sides.
  2. Choose 2-3 sides that fill different gaps: one vegetable, one starch or bread, one sauce or dip.
  3. Start the longest-cooking side first. Prep quick items like salads while the oven works.
  4. Balance temperatures—pair hot roasted vegetables with a cold slaw or chilled dip.
  5. Plate the main dish with sides arranged around it. Drizzle sauce or add garnish last.

Notes

Add a fresh vegetable or salad side and keep it chilled until serving. This prevents the plate from feeling too heavy when paired with fried and rich empanadas.

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