25 Amazing Side Dishes for Quesadillas

These amazing side dishes for quesadillas will elevate this humble food into a true meal. From salsa to rice to salad, here's what to serve with a quesadilla

What is a Quesadilla?

The Quesadilla is a popular Mexican dish consisting of a single tortilla that is filled with cheese, folded in half, and then cooked until the cheese has melted. The tortilla can either be a corn tortilla or a flour tortilla, traditionally speaking. The quesadilla is one of the most beloved foods in Mexico, and it’s no surprise why. After all, who doesn’t love gooey melted cheese?

In most parts of Mexico, quesadillas are usually filled with queso Oaxaca (Oaxaca cheese), which is a stringy Mexican cheese named after the Southern Mexican State where it was first made. Queso Oaxaca is similar to mozzarella cheese, which makes it ideal for melting. 

While cheese is the most common filling, quesadillas can also be filled with other ingredients such as cooked vegetables or mushrooms. Quesadillas are also often served with salsa, guacamole, and chopped red onions. Delish!

But did you know that not all quesadillas in Mexico come with cheese? In Mexico City, quesadillas don’t come with cheese unless you specifically ask the seller to include cheese.

One of my favorite things about a quesadilla is that can easily be made to suit a large variety of diets, especially with the products on the market these days. It is easy to make a quesadilla gluten-free, vegan, low-carb or even raw. This is especially great when having company over.

With just a folded piece of tortilla filled with cheese, quesadillas don’t seem like such a filling dish, right? However, you can turn quesadillas into a full and hearty meal by adding some sides. Here are some ideas for the best sides that you can serve with your quesadillas.

Quesadilla Condiments

Apart from a good side dish, what is a quesadilla without a bowl or two of a good condiment? Here are some of our favorites!

• Easy fresh garden salsa.
• Tomatillo salsa.
• Fermented bell pepper salsa.
• Louisiana hot sauce.
• Fermented jalapeno hot sauce.
• Cilantro avocado hummus.
• Smoky romesco sauce.
• Chimichurri.

Don't forget a squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro! A side of tortilla chips is always most welcome, too.

What are Quesadillas Served with?

Quesadillas pair well with everything from roasted veggies, soup, chili, pickled veggies, rice dishes, beans to sweet potatoes, corn dishes, salads and more!

25 Best Side Dishes for Quesadillas

Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup - Instant Pot + Slow Cooker - Peas and Crayons

This uber easy and crazy flavorful Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup can be made in an Instant Pot pressure cooker, slow cooker, or on the stove - game on!

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Spicy Pickled Onions

Super easy and flavorful Spicy Pickled Onions make a great addition to your favorite dishes! Naturally gluten-free and vegan. Refined sugar-free, too!

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Black Bean and Corn Salad - Foolproof Living

This colorful vegan Black Bean and Corn Salad is loaded with vegetables and all the Mexican flavors we all love. Whether you serve it as a side dish, salsa or just by itself for lunch, it is guaranteed please. Ready in less than 20 minutes and can be made ahead.

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Gallo Pinto Recipe

Gallo Pinto is a rice and beans dish with its origins in Central America. This take is inspired by my time living in Costa Rica and how I most frequently experienced this dish. It is so tasty and filling that I love to introduce it to others who may not have experienced it yet! You can also find this recipe in my book, The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.

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Guacamole Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Beans - Running on Real Food

These Guacamole Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans are healthy, filling, easy to make and taste amazing. Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, high fibre.

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Huevos Rancheros with Posada Corazon’s Pasilla Chile Sauce - Foolproof Living

The best huevos rancheros made with a pasilla chile sauce that I learned from an old Mexican lady during my trip to San Miguel de Allende.

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Easy Pickled Cabbage Recipe

Learn how to make quick and easy pickled cabbage recipe in this informative post! Pickled cabbage can add a dash of crunch and tang to a variety of dishes, making it a wonderful condiment to have on hand in the refrigerator.

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Roasted Tomatoes - Salt and Lavender

Roasted tomatoes topped with tarragon and garlic make a fresh and easy to prepare side dish.

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Easy Spanish Rice and Beans - Live Eat Learn

This easy vegan Spanish Rice and Beans recipe is quick to whip up and is a great source of complete proteins!

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Chipotle Sweet Potato Salad Recipe - Peas and Crayons

This healthy Chipotle Sweet Potato Salad is a hit at parties and barbecues! Skip the boring white potato salad and whip up this deliciously smoky, chipotle sweet potato salad instead! Tender cubed sweet potatoes are combined with a zesty homemade sauce for a recipe that’s easy, vegetarian, and glute…

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Healthy Stuffed Peppers with Cilantro Avocado Sauce Recipe - Peas and Crayons

These Cheesy Healthy Stuffed Peppers with Cilantro Avocado Sauce prove that vegetarian eats can be tasty and filling! This easy peasy stuffed pepper recipe is healthy, gluten-free, and totally delicious!

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Green Chile Potato Soup

A warm, hearty, filling, nutritiously satisfying and amazingly delicious soup! Spicy roasted Hatch green chiles, potatoes, and protein-rich quinoa combine beautifully in this quick and easy to make nourishing soup.

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Elote (Mexican Street Corn) - Cookie + Kate

Learn how to make elote with this simple recipe! Top your grilled corn on the cob with mayonnaise, lime, chili powder and Cotjia cheese.

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Vegetarian Taco Salad Recipe - Peas and Crayons

This quick + easy Vegetarian Taco Salad is an amazing way to load up on veggies with all the flavor and crunch of your favorite tacos!

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Easy Black Bean Soup. - Salt and Lavender

This black bean soup recipe is healthy, simple to make, and quick (it uses canned beans). Eat it as-is or load it up with your favorite toppings!

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Quick Fridge Pickled Jalapeño Peppers - Peas and Crayons

Skip the store and make your own pickled peppers at home. These Quick Fridge Pickled Jalapeño Peppers are fast and delicious! This crazy tasty condiment is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo. You’ll want to put them on everything!

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Easy Spicy Sauerkraut with Turmeric

This probiotic rich Spicy Sauerkraut recipe with turmeric, red chili flakes, and black peppercorns is bursting with flavor and anti-inflammatory + gut health benefits! Easy, healthy, vegan, gluten-free and DELICIOUS! Learn all about how to make sauerkraut, health benefits, and more in this informative recipe post!

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Instant Pot Vegan Acorn Squash Chili (+ Stovetop Instructions)

This super easy, healthy and delicious vegetarian chili recipe is packed with acorn squash, pinto beans and the perfect blend of spices for a most hearty and comforting autumn-inspired Instant Pot pressure cooker dish! Plus, stovetop instructions!

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Taco Hummus with Homemade Pico de Gallo - Peas and Crayons

This tasty taco hummus is a party on a plate! It makes a fun party appetizer to share with friends or a great snack for the family after school and work!

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Honey Roasted Butternut Squash - Salt and Lavender

This honey roasted butternut squash recipe is an easy addition to your holiday table! Everyone will love the tender, caramelized squash.

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Avocado Kale Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing - Running on Real Food

Try this hearty, filling vegan salad with steamed broccoli, kale, avocado, peppers, zucchini, and a delicious creamy almond basil dressing.

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Vegan Instant Pot Mexican White Bean Soup (+ Stovetop Instructions)

This comforting and heart-warming White Bean Soup is packed with flavorful Mexican spices for a truly delicious vegan soup recipe that is healthy, easy to make and can be made with soaked or unsoaked dry white beans! Both Instant Pot pressure cooker and stovetop instructions are included for this spicy, smoky, keto friendly soup!

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Cilantro Lime Slaw Recipe - Peas and Crayons Blog

This quick and easy cilantro lime slaw is our favorite healthy topping for shrimp tacos, fish tacos, and veggie burgers galore! Delicious!

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Easy 1-Pot Refried Beans - Minimalist Baker

There’s something incredibly satisfying about refried beans from a restaurant. The crackly top, creamy texture, tantalizing salty flavor. Pure bliss. Are

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Grilled Corn Salad with Orange Dressing

A super fresh, vibrant and flavorful grilled corn salad that can be made on a conventional grill or electric grill or on the stovetop (gas or electric ranges). With a tangy homemade cumin and orange dressing to tie it all together!

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