This twist on traditional Mexican elote has so many layers of fantastic flavor! Great with grilled corn, but in a pinch, you can cook your corn any way you like. (Psssst ... for tips on choosing, storing, and cooking fresh corn and for more recipe ideas, check out our article featuring all our Favorite Corn Salad Recipes!)

Lightning fast, thanks to basic pantry staples ... yet surprisingly yummy! Includes bonus ideas for pumping up the Mexican vibes by stirring in bell peppers and jalapeños before cooking, then adding some chopped tomatoes and a sprinkling of cilantro. Or make it a little cheesy by mixing in some reduced-fat cheeses, or sprinkling cheese over top. Terrific whatever you choose!

Wanna serve a salad alongside your Taco Soup, but wish it could have some impressive "wow" factor, too? Then this is your recipe! All the flavors you love in a Mexican 7-layer dip, piled high to show off the enticing, festive layers. Easy enough for weeknight dinners but impressive enough to share at Cinco de Mayo parties and game day potlucks, too!

Lots of Taco Soup recipes (including our own Easy Taco Soup with Ranch) call for ranch dressing powder. This dip is a perfect way to extend the Tex-Mex, ranch-y flavor profile, since it's kind of like ranch dip meets guacamole. Great for dipping tortilla chips, or the fresh vegetables in our colorful Veggie Kabobs!

Make your own, nicely spiced tortilla chips in just minutes. Bonus: since they're made in your air fryer, they need a fraction of the oil of "regular" deep frying!

This quick recipe is so flexible! Dip your tortilla chips ... or your fork: it's fantastic as both a salsa and a side salad. So lovely paired with piping hot bowls of Taco Soup!

If you're making a big batch of Taco Soup for a game day tailgate or a Cinco de Mayo party, then you might want another easy main dish to offer alongside. This ultra-simple recipe is an ideal choice, with lots of ways to customize and top your tasty tacos. You can even set up a DIY toppings bar so everyone can choose how to top both their steamy bowls of Taco Soup and their Chicken Tacos. Easy and such fun! (Or, if you'd rather use your pressure cooker, try our Instant Pot Chicken Tacos.)

A little sweet, a little spice ... so simple but absolutely addicting! This pretty recipe is loaded with refreshing fruit, spiced with an intriguing pop of lime and chili powder dressing.

Craving the "soup and sandwich" vibe? This open-faced sammy is a great partner to all the Mexican-inspired flavors in your Taco Soup!

Fluffy quinoa and crunchy vegetables are deliciously drizzled with an easy-to-make dressing that's sweet, tangy and a little spicy!

Want some classic salsa flavor alongside your soup, but maybe something fresh and homemade, instead of opening a jar? Then give this speedy recipe a try! You can make it milder or spicier, smoother or chunkier ... exactly how you and your family like it.

Loaded with colorful veggies and topped with a creamy (but dairy-free) dressing, this is a feel-good salad, for sure! Make the dressing up to two weeks ahead, so your salad comes together is a flash while you cook up your cozy, hearty soup!

This bright, crisp, four-pepper salsa features black beans and fresh cilantro with a splash of limey dressing to pull it all together. Quick, easy, and perfect either made ahead or served immediately.

Whip up your own version of the famous Chipotle restaurant guacamole everybody adores! With just a few simple ingredients, it's a snap to make in less than 15 minutes. Try it dolloped on top of your Taco Soup, or served as a side dish to dip extra chips. Psssst ... feelin' kinda crazy? Give this unique Peach Guacamole a try, too!

Lean ground beef is spiced with a homemade taco seasoning and perched atop warm polenta, all draped in a creamy salsa dressing ... yum! These adorable mini sliders are just the right small bite to serve as a pre-dinner appetizer, or as a light sandwich to accompany your soup! Fabulous on the grill, but includes alternate, indoor instructions, too.

Can't decide which veggies to serve? Or maybe you've got a family full of people who all like different vegetables? This pretty side dish is the answer (and a clever way to please your whole family)!

I personally like refried black beans better than "regular" refried beans, but I can't always find them at the grocery store. Well, just a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep is all it takes to make your own! The recipe is written for the Instant Pot, but the post contains directions for stovetop and slow cooker, too.

Sweet, tangy and fresh-tasting! With options to make it spicier, blended ... even grilled ... this unique salsa is a tasty way to add some tropical flair to your Taco Soup dinner!

Roasty-toasty sweet corn is such a terrific complement to Taco Soup, and this informative recipe walks you through the pros and cons of different grilling methods, so you can choose just how you like it!

This super-easy salad is my go-to whenever I want a sweet, light, refreshing side dish for a hearty, savory meal. It's a delicious way to give your palate a quick break from the rich, taco-y flavor of the soup!

This Mexican side dish classic is fluffy, bright and bursting with fresh lime flavor! To add a boost of nutrition, note that you can use brown rice instead of white (adjusting the cooking time accordingly). Wanna make it in your Instant Pot instead of on the stovetop? Then try this Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice recipe. Or hey hey ... if you're feeling carb-conscious, you can even use cauliflower instead of rice by following this Cauliflower Copycat Chipotle Rice recipe!

This quick, 5-minute salad gets an extra burst of flavor from vibrant, crunchy peppers. Choose hotter peppers if you'd like some kick to go along with your soup, or keep it milder for a crisp, clean-tasting side dish. You can even make it ahead – keeps great in an airtight container for several days (and gets juicier as it sits)!

These crispy, oven-roasted potatoes are highlighted by flavorful cheese and tons of spices! Love your air fryer? Then these super-fast Air Fryer Mexican Potatoes are a great option, too.

Now that you can find fresh sweet corn in supermarkets nearly year-round, this scrumptious salad is an option even in cooler months. It's super simple and incredibly fast … with absolutely no cooking needed!

A large pot of Taco Soup handily serves a crowd at tailgates and game day parties. But if it's game day, then that means you'll need some buffalo wing action to go along with it! This fantastic Buffalo Cauliflower is a perfect side dish option, since you've already got meat in your soup. But not to worry ... if you really want chicken wings, though, we have lots of ideas on that, too!

This hummus-like Mexican bean dip is ready in less than 10 minutes! Simply toss everything in your food processor, and in moments you've got a dip to snack on while your soup's cooking, or a festive little side dish for dipping.

A unique, healthier ingredient list creates a delightfully moist cornbread with an extra-tender crumb. Includes tips for baking cornbread muffins, and enticing flavor variations (like one with sharp cheddar cheese and finely diced jalapeño pepper) that'd be fantastic served alongside Taco Soup instead of the typical tortilla chips!

If you're making your cozy, steaming-hot Taco Soup on a wintery, cold day, then this gorgeous salad is a delightful way to showcase some of the very best winter produce you'll find at the market! Crisp jicama is marinated in a zesty cilantro lime dressing, then topped with juicy blood oranges, pomegranate arils, creamy avocado slices, and a sprinkling of chili lime sea salt.

With all the beef (or ground turkey or ground chicken) in a bowl of Taco Soup, you might not need even more meat on the dinner table, which makes these veggie-filled enchiladas an ideal pairing! Whole wheat tortillas are filled with black beans, zucchini, bell peppers, and a creamy yogurt enchilada sauce, all topped off with melted cheesy goodness. Mmmmm ... no wonder this easy recipe has near-perfect ratings on more than 75 reviews!

Sweet, caramelized pineapple and onion, savory roasted tomatoes, spicy habaneros, bright lime juice, a hint of fresh garlic, and earthy cilantro combine in this vibrant, highly rated salsa!

Just 4 ingredients in this Mexican corn recipe, but I bet you'll be surprised how fantastic they all taste together (and alongside your scrumptious Taco Soup). Quick and easy, but oh-so-good!

Sure, you could break off bits for dipping in your Taco Soup (instead of tortilla chips). But you could also turn these into Mexican pizzas, or pile 'em up with taco toppings for a little side dish that lets everyone customize their own. A fun idea for a DIY bar if you're setting out Taco Soup and all the trimmings for a big party or tailgate!

Fresh, vibrant and zingy, this Southwest/Mexican dish (aka "Cowboy Caviar") is popular for dipping corn chips, but it's also terrific served as a side salad that can hold its own against your flavorful soup. And with such fantastic reviews on this one, you can't go wrong either way!

Wanna pump up the amount of veggies in your dinner? This cauliflower rice – based on a popular Spanish Rice recipe – is a wonderful way to work in loads of extra veggie nutrition. It's naturally gluten free and low carb, but still packed with tons of flavor from onions, garlic, fire-roasted tomatoes, olive oil and Mexican spices!

The perfect finale to a Mexican-inspired Taco Soup dinner? How about some nachos?!? This unique treat captures all the beloved flavors of a classic banana split, with crispy, sweetened “nacho chips,” caramelized fruit, and a delicious strawberry sauce. Psssst ... it's even better with a little scoop of ice cream!