If you're not sure what to serve with carnitas, I've got you covered with 25 of the best side dishes and sauces to accompany your delicious carnitas! I have gathered up Mexican dishes from my own recipe collection and several from my fellow food bloggers, with lots to choose from, including healthier and ww friendly recipes! I have everything from Mexican street corn, to rice to refried beans and soup!
Carnitas are popular any time of the year, but especially during Cinco de Mayo. This post was inspired by my delicious Slow Cooker Pork Pineapple Carnitas.
My Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Carnitas, made with pork shoulder, is the ideal main dish to accompany these side dishes, as they are easy to cook in the slow cooker. Carnitas, the Mexican version of pulled pork, is a dish that pulled pork lovers are sure to enjoy. This recipe is loaded with flavorful ingredients such as grilled pineapple, red onion, and fresh cilantro, resulting in a spicy, fresh, and delicious taste.
This is a great recipe because it's so versatile! You can make them into carnitas tacos, which can be served with warm tortillas (gluten-free with corn tortillas, or use flour tortillas). This pork carnitas recipe can also be served over rice, as a nacho topping or in quesadillas.
What to serve with carnitas
🌽 Healthy Mexican Street Corn Recipe
This recipe is a healthier and lighter version of the classic Grilled Mexican Street corn loaded with a light creamy chili lime sauce, low-fat feta cheese, cilantro and crushed red pepper (ingredients that are easy to find.) It's a delicious summer recipe that not only takes corn on the cob to an entirely new level, it's Weight Watchers friendly, gluten-free, fast and easy to make!
Check out this Healthy Mexican Street Corn recipe!
📋 Easy Spanish Rice Recipe (with brown rice)
This Easy Spanish Brown Rice is super quick and simple to make using cooked rice (leftover brown rice or instant rice.) Made with chicken broth, tomatoes, onion, garlic and peas, as well as Mexican rice flavors like cilantro and lime it's a Mexican and Spanish rice hybrid. It's also a great side dish that's perfect for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations or any time you have leftover brown rice to use up!
Check out this Easy Spanish Rice recipe!
📋 Pico de Gallo Salsa Recipe
This healthy Pico de Gallo Salsa Recipe or Salsa Fresca is chock-full of fresh, chunky, diced tomatoes, red onions, peppers and cilantro, with just the right amount of spice! It's also Weight Watchers friendly!
Check out this Pico de Gallo recipe!
📋 Chile Con Queso Recipe (New Mexican)
This cheesy Chile Con Queso is a delicious dip made without Velveeta cheese and with authentic roasted New Mexican green chiles. It's easy to make, pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, and is ideal for your Cinco de Mayo or game day celebrations!
Check out this Chile Con Queso recipe!
Easy Mexican Bean Salad
Looking for a summer-friendly recipe to bring to picnics and parties? Look no further than this Mexican Bean Salad, which can be prepared in just minutes the night before. Featuring a vibrant combination of black beans and corn, this colorful salad is tossed with a zesty vinaigrette that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. And the best part? The leftovers taste just as delicious!
Check out this Mexican Bean Salad recipe!
Slow Cooker Refried Beans (Frijoles Refritos)
These Slow Cooker Refried Beans take only 5 minutes prep, turn on the slow cooker and leave them! No soaking the beans is required.
Check out this Slow Cooker Refried Beans recipe!
Mexican Pickled Red Onions Recipe
Quick and easy Mexican Pickled Red Onions Recipe using red onions and vinegar as its base. A very popular 5-ingredient condiment in Mexico for tacos, tostadas, tortas, and more!
Check out this Mexican Pickles Red Onions Recipe!
Tropical Pineapple Coconut Coleslaw
This ultra creamy Coconut Coleslaw with pineapple and lime will transport you to a beach on an island far far away. You may never want to come back.
Check out this Tropical Pineapple Coconut Coleslaw
Green Chile Cauliflower Casserole
Experience the ultimate Texas comfort food with this healthier version. This recipe features a creamy, cheesy cauliflower rice baked to perfection and dotted with spicy green chiles, topped with mouthwatering melted cheese. This delectable dish is quick, easy to make and perfect for weekly meal prep, making it an ideal addition to your meal rotation.
Check out this Green Chile Cauliflower Casserole!
Chopped Mexican Salad with Pepitas
Chopped Mexican Salad with Pepitas has a Honey-Chipotle Dressing and it’s a delicious, hearty festival of fresh Mexican flavors.
Check out this Chopped Mexican Salad recipe!
Cilantro Lime Hummus with Jalapeño
This homemade Cilantro Lime Hummus with Jalapeño is the ultimate party dip. It's both quick and easy to prepare, requiring only a few wholesome ingredients blended together in a mixer. This zesty dip combines the best of both worlds with the taste of hummus and guacamole, and pairs perfectly with veggies, tortilla chips, pretzels, or pita chips, making it a versatile addition to any gathering.
Check out this Cilantro Lime Hummus recipe!
Mexican Fruit Salad
Indulge in the delightful Mexican Fruit Salad guilt-free! A refreshing and playful combination of tropical fruits dressed in honey and lime, and spiced up with chili lime seasoning, this sweet and savory fruit salad is a perfect addition to potlucks, barbecues, or any occasion that calls for a light and refreshing dish.
Check out this Mexican Fruit Salad recipe!
Cornbread Salad Recipe
The Cornbread Salad Recipe is a beloved Southern classic that ingeniously repurposes leftover cornbread into a visually stunning layered salad with fresh lettuce, beans, and cheese!
Check out this Cornbread Salad recipe!
Easy Mexican Deviled Eggs
Elevate the classic deviled eggs with a delicious Mexican twist, that are not only easy to prepare but also serve as a perfect appetizer for parties, protein-packed snacks, Game Day events, or even holiday side dishes. These deviled eggs are also ww friendly.
Check out this Mexican Deviled Eggs recipe!
Elevate the classic deviled eggs with a delicious Mexican twist, that are not only easy to prepare but also serve as a perfect appetizer for parties, protein-packed snacks, Game Day events, or even holiday side dishes. These deviled eggs are also ww friendly.
Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Satisfy your taste buds with this Mexican stuffed sweet potato, which brings together the delectable flavors of a spicy taco inside a double-baked sweet potato. This dish features an easy homemade spicy taco seasoning, complemented by fresh tomato, crisp lettuce, and cheddar cheese, and a creamy finish of sour cream. It's a perfect fusion of textures and tastes that's sure to leave you wanting more.
Check out this Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe!
Satisfy your taste buds with this Mexican stuffed sweet potato, which brings together the delectable flavors of a spicy taco inside a double-baked sweet potato. This dish features an easy homemade spicy taco seasoning, complemented by fresh tomato, crisp lettuce, and cheddar cheese, and a creamy finish of sour cream. It's a perfect fusion of textures and tastes that's sure to leave you wanting more.
Christina’s Quick and Easy Tortilla Soup
Quick and easy tortilla soup will become one of your favorite year round soups. Make it lighter in summer and heartier in winter!
Check out this Tortilla Soup recipe!
Frozen Pea Guacamole (AKA Mockamole)
Enjoy a healthy and eco-friendly twist on traditional guacamole with this frozen pea guacamole, also known as "Mockamole". This budget-friendly alternative uses frozen peas instead of avocados, offering a delicious and nutritious option that is kind to both your wallet and the planet.
Check out this Frozen Pea Guacamole recipe!
Easy Mexican Street Cornbread Muffins
Experience the perfect blend of Mexican street corn and easy cornbread muffins with this amazing side dish recipe. The combination of sweet and savory flavors, creamy texture, and a touch of spiciness makes this dish the ultimate indulgence.
Check out this Mexican Street Cornbread Muffin recipe!
Salsa Verde Recipe (3 Different Ways)
Do you have tomatillos on hand? You can prepare a delicious tomatillo salsa using this recipe for homemade salsa verde, which offers three different methods: raw green salsa, roasted tomatillo salsa, and avocado salsa verde.
Check out these Salsa Verde recipes!
Do you have tomatillos on hand? You can prepare a delicious tomatillo salsa using this recipe for homemade salsa verde, which offers three different methods: raw green salsa, roasted tomatillo salsa, and avocado salsa verde.
Ensalada de Nopales (Mexican Cactus Salad) Thai Caliente
This Mexican salad, known as Ensalada de Nopales, consists of cooked cactus paddles mixed with diced tomato, onion, cilantro, and jalapeno.
Check out this Cactus Salad recipe!
Air Fryer Corn Riblets
With only a handful of simple ingredients, these vegetarian and gluten-free Air Fryer Corn Riblets are ready in less than 25minutes, and even the most ardent carnivores in your family will love them. Thedelightful and smoky rub adds an extra dimension of flavor to these riblets,which will keep your loved ones returning for more! This is a fantastic sidedish for summer gatherings or a quick family dinner. Additionally, oveninstructions are included if you don't have an air fryer.
Check out this Air Fryer Corn Ribs recipe!
Jalapeno Mayonnaise
Not only is the recipe for jalapeno mayonnaise delightfully spicy, but it is also effortless and quick to prepare! This versatile dip is an excellent accompaniment to various dishes, making it perfect for hosting a party, barbeque, or even a cozy dinner at home.
Check out this Jalapeno Mayonnaise recipe!
How to Make Charro Beans
This Charro bean recipe is so easy to make, you’re going to be blown away by how delicious they are!
Check out this Charro Beans recipe!
Fiesta Salad
This Fiesta Salad is an ideal make-ahead side dish that is both nutritious and perfect for your next BBQ, picnic, potluck, or meal preparation.
Check out this Fiesta Salad recipe!
This Fiesta Salad is an ideal make-ahead side dish that is both nutritious and perfect for your next BBQ, picnic, potluck, or meal preparation.
Slow Cooker Salsa
Make a restaurant-style salsa in no time with this Slow Cooker Salsa recipe that requires simple prep and has a short cooking time. It includes fresh ingredients such as Roma tomatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, onions, garlic, and jalapenos, which make for a fantastic zesty salsa worth sharing!
Check out this Slow Cooker Salsa recipe!
🍽Equipment
Equipment will vary, depending on the recipe. For the pork carnitas, you'll need a large frying pan. Some of these recipes require slow cooking (including the carnitas) so you'll need a slow cooker and some require a food processor (affiliate links).
🌡️Storage
Storage recommendations will be listed in the individual recipes.
👪 Serving Size
The servings will be listed for each recipe. However, most recipes have adjustable serving sizes. You can half, double, or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🦺Food safety
- Cook shredded pork for carnitas to an internal minimum temperature of 195 degrees F - 204 degrees F (90-95 degrees C). You can shred the pork at 195 degrees F.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
- Never leave cooking food unattended
So if you're looking for Mexican cuisine or tasty sides to accompany your delicious meal of carnitas, you'll love these recipes!
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