Mexican Side Dishes: Authentic Rice, Beans & More
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Guests exploring Red Iguana’s authentic Mexican side dishes Key Takeaways:
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Mexican meals are famous for their bold flavors and comforting warmth. Entrées take center stage, but Mexican side dishes round out your plate for a perfect bite every time. At Red Iguana, Utah’s most awarded Mexican restaurant, our side dish recipes are crafted with the same care and heritage that inspire everything else on our menu. These sides are designed to accompany main courses, enhancing the overall meal experience, whether you’re enjoying a dinner or a festive gathering.
With our delicious menu of Mexican flavors, you can pair rice and beans with enchiladas, add guacamole to tacos, or bring home a pint of our famous salsa. In this blog, we’re highlighting the “Sides of Goodness” featured at Red Iguana.
The Official Red Iguana Sides of Goodness
These are the real, signature Mexican sides listed on the Red Iguana Menu. Our dish recipes reflect our authentic heritage and are prepared fresh, designed to complement your meal and help complete any traditional Mexican dining experience.
1. Spanish or White Rice: The Essential Mexican Side Dish
Every great Mexican meal needs rice. At Red Iguana, you can choose Spanish rice with a tomato-rich color or classic white rice, adding warmth and balance to your plate. We simmer our rice until fluffy, letting garlic, tomatoes, onions, and aromatics gently infuse it with flavor.
Why our rice completes any meal
Spanish rice adds color and hearty flavor, or white rice makes a simple base to let saucy dishes shine. Both pair perfectly with enchiladas, and especially our legendary moles.
Find rice alongside your favorite entrées on our full menu.
2. Refried or Black Beans: Hearty and Made Fresh Daily
A beloved classic
Beans are the heart of many Mexican food dishes. Our refried beans are smooth and savory, and our black beans are a lighter, healthier option.
Perfect for pairing
Spoon them over rice, enjoy them with tortillas, or pair them with mole dishes for a warm, filling meal. Beans make taco Tuesday and family dinners even better.
Order them with your next to-go meal or enjoy them fresh at one of our Salt Lake City locations.
3. Fried Plantains: Sweet Golden Balance
A touch of sweetness
Fried plantains add golden, caramelized sweetness to balance the spicy and savory flavors in Mexican food.
A perfect contrast
Enjoy plantains with any dish on our menu, but we especially recommend you pair them with one of our signature moles for an unforgettable blend of sweet and smoky flavors.
4. French Fries: Crisp & Craving-Worthy
A surprising favorite
French fries may not be your first thought for traditional fare, but at Red Iguana, they’ve earned their place as a beloved Mexican side dish. Seasoned and crispy, they’re a great addition to tacos or family-style meals with picky kids.
Add flavor
Enjoy fries with pico de gallo, salsa, or a spoonful of guacamole for a quick, flavorful bite. Dip them in our mole or your enchilada sauce for a unique Mexican food experience.
5. Corn or Flour Tortillas: Warm & Essential
The foundation of great Mexican food
Fresh, warm tortillas are a staple Mexican side dish. Whether you prefer soft flour tortillas or the earthy flavor of corn, they help you build the perfect bite.
Endless possibilities
Scoop up any of the extra food on your plate and make your own mini tacos, or get extras to soak up your delicious mole or enchilada sauce.
Enjoy them fresh during your visit, or take some home with you to make your leftovers even better.
6. Guacamole: Freshly Made
Creamy and full of color
Like all our Mexican side dish recipes, our guacamole is made fresh throughout the day with ripe avocados, lime juice, tomato, onion, cilantro, and just the right touch of salt.
Add it to anything
Enjoy it with tortilla chips, tacos, nachos, or simply add a dollop to your entrée.
If you’re craving guacamole at home, you can order it through our to-go page.
7. Pico de Gallo: Fresh Citrus and Color
A burst of brightness
Pico de gallo is a simple combination of tomato, onion, cilantro, and lime, and ours is made fresh with our Mexican side dishes every day.
Perfect for topping
Spoon pico over tacos, nachos, or grilled dishes for bright flavor and a bit of crunch.
8. Mole: Rich, Smoky Perfection
The soul of Red Iguana
Red Iguana is famous for our moles. We have a flavor for everyone in our Mexican dish recipes: Our signature Mole Coloradito, Mole Negro, Mole Amarillo, Mole Poblano, Mole Verde, and our Red Pipian (made with pumpkin seeds). It’s an amazing main entree, but we also offer mole as a side, so you can enhance any dish with rich, smoky, layered flavor.
Why order mole as a side?
You can drizzle it over rice, pair it with tortillas, or enjoy it with any cut of meat or veggies. It’s our most iconic Mexican side dish flavor, served your way.
9. Chile Verde or Chile Colorado (in a Cup or Bowl)
Comfort in every spoonful
Our chile verde is made with tender pork simmered in a tomatillo and roasted green chile sauce, while our chile colorado features pork simmered in a deep, red chile sauce.
A hearty side
Order a cup to complement your entrée, or enjoy it with warm tortillas for a small meal of its own. Both are rich and savory.
10. House-Made Salsa Available by the Pint or Quart
A must-have for taco night
Our salsa is made in-house, full of tomatoes, garlic, peppers, and just the right amount of heat. Enjoy it with your meal, or order it by the pint or quart to bring home for family meals.
Add it to everything
Use it with chips, tacos, taco salad, nachos, eggs, grilled dishes, or rice bowls. It adds flavor and brightness to any table.
Order this classic Mexican side dish now from Red Iguana To-Go.
Build the Perfect Mexican Plate
Here are a few favorite combinations of classic Mexican side dish recipes you could eat and enjoy at Red Iguana today:
✔ Classic Simple Pairing
White rice + refried beans + warm tortillas
✔ For Taco Night
Pico de gallo + guacamole + house-made salsa
✔ Sweet & Savory
Fried plantain + Spanish rice + mole cup
✔ Comfort Combo
Black beans + chile verde + tortillas
Order any of these combinations through Red Iguana To-Go now.
Enjoy the Flavors of Mexico at Red Iguana
Every side dish tells a story rooted in tradition and family heritage. Whether you’re dining at one of our Salt Lake City locations or enjoying your favorites at home, our Mexican side dishes bring authentic flavor and color to your meal.
Explore the full selection of entrées and sides on the
Red Iguana Main Menu
or order takeout today through
Red Iguana To-Go.
FAQ: Mexican Side Dishes at Red Iguana
What are the most popular Mexican side dishes at Red Iguana?
Our most popular sides include Spanish rice, refried beans, fried plantain, guacamole, pico de gallo, warm corn or flour tortillas, and our house-made salsa. Many guests also love adding a cup of mole or chile verde to enhance their entrée.
Does Red Iguana make its Mexican side dishes fresh daily?
Yes. All our sides are made fresh throughout the day. We prepare each side using traditional techniques and fresh ingredients to deliver authentic Mexican flavor.
Can I order Red Iguana sides to go?
Absolutely. You can order any of our sides for pickup or takeout, including pint or quart containers of our house-made salsa. Visit our To-Go page to place an order.
What sides go best with tacos or taco night?
Spanish rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, warm tortillas, and house salsa are perfect for taco Tuesday or family taco night. These sides add freshness, color, and balance to any meal.
Does Red Iguana offer vegetarian side dishes?
Yes. Vegetarian-friendly sides include Spanish or white rice, black beans, refried beans, pico de gallo, plantains, tortillas, guacamole, and salsa. These sides pair well with vegetarian entrées on our main menu.
Can I order mole or chile verde as a side?
Yes. Our menu includes three-ounce servings and full cups of mole, as well as a cup or bowl of chile verde or chile colorado. They’re perfect for adding bold, flavorful sauces to your meal.
Is your house-made salsa available in large quantities?
Yes. Our house-made salsa is available by the pint or quart, making it a great option for parties, game day, or taco night at home.
Which sides pair best with Red Iguana’s mole dishes?
Spanish rice, warm tortillas, black beans, plantains, and a cup of extra mole all complement the deep, layered flavors of our mole entrées.
Are tortillas included with Red Iguana sides like chile verde or chile colorado?
Yes. Chile verde and chile colorado are served with your choice of tortillas. You can select either corn or flour.
Can I customize my plate with additional sides?
Definitely, guests often add extra tortillas, beans, pico de gallo, or guacamole to customize their meal. Explore all options on the Red Iguana Main Menu.
