When it comes to Taco Salad, deciding what dessert to serve can often be a perplexing and overwhelming task.
What could best complement the flavors already present in this festive dish? Do you want something sweet or savory, light or heavy? With so many options available, it can be hard to choose.
But fear not.
This article will break down 10 delicious dessert ideas that are perfect for any taco salad feast.
From fruit-infused desserts to decadent cakes, there’s something for everyone’s taste buds and preferences.
Get ready for tantalizing treats and flavorful fusions that will take your taco salad night to a whole new level.
What Dessert to Serve with Taco Salad? 10 Options
Deciding what dessert to serve with any savory entrée can be challenging.
However, when it comes to taco salad, there are a variety of light and sweet desserts that will perfectly complement the flavors of the dish.
Here are 10 delicious ideas for desserts you can make or bring to your next taco salad dinner:
1. Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is a perfect option to serve with taco salad as it offers a tasty balance between the savory and salty of the main dish.
There are many fruits that pair well with tacos, including oranges, kiwi, mango, pineapple, and berries.
Whether you create a simple fruit salad combining different types or one single type for all guests to enjoy, adding fruit to tacos can not only improve flavor but also provide a much-needed pop of color and texture.
Fruit salads can be kept simple by mixing diced fruits with cream or yogurt-based dressings such as vanilla yogurt.
You can also add mint leaves for enhanced flavor and for its medicinal properties.
If you want something sweeter, you could also drizzle honey over your dish or top it off with marshmallows or mini chocolate chips.
2. Chocolate Cake
Chocolate cake is a delicious way to cap off any taco salad meal.
For a rich decadent flavor, opt for a moist chocolate layer cake that uses real cocoa powder and melted semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Top it with an indulgent fudgy frosting made of powdered sugar, cocoa powder, buttercream, heavy cream and more melted semi-sweet chocolate chips.
To truly impress your guests, you can add classic edible decorations such as chopped nuts or crushed candy cane for an extra festive touch.
Alternatively, you can bake up some decadent dark chocolate brownies with creamy frosting that goes perfectly with almost any type of taco salad.
3. Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a delicious and creamy dessert that can be served with just about any type of taco salad.
This flavorful delight is usually made with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and flavorings such as vanilla or lemon.
Serve cheesecake topped with flavored sauces like strawberry or raspberry or add some fresh fruit like blueberries or other berries.
Cheesecake can also be topped with crushed Oreos for a chocolatey twist.
If you want something lighter after your taco salad, consider an airy fresh fruit tart or meringue dessert instead.
4. Ice Cream
Ice cream is a great way to finish off a Mexican-inspired dinner.
To make an ice cream treat that’s a perfect match with taco salad, you can try creating churro-style flavored soft serve.
Start by crushing up some traditional churro cookies or make your own with a pre-made dough, such as Pillsbury refrigerated churro cookie dough.
Then mix them into your favorite vanilla ice cream and top with cinnamon-sugar for an extra sweet surprise.
This delicious combination will bring the flavors of both Mexico and the United States together in one indulgent dessert.
5. Cookies
Cookies are a great option for serving with taco salad.
If you want to keep it simple, you can just offer a few varieties of store-bought cookies such as vanilla wafers or oatmeal raisin.
Another option is to make your own cookies, like these delicious chocolate chip cookies.
There’s something for everyone if you want to offer a variety – whether they’re chocoholics or prefer more tart flavors like lemon.
Here are some cookie options to consider:
- Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.
- Lemon Cookies.
- Sugar Cookies.
- Gingerbread Men.
6. Brownies
Brownies are a classic dessert and make a great accompaniment to the flavors of taco salad.
They are easy to make and can be prepared quickly, allowing you to serve a delicious treat for your meal in no time.
For best results, use a recipe for a slightly fudgy brownie with no crunchy ingredients like nuts or chocolates.
Serve them with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra special touch.
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7. Fruit Pie
Fruit pies are a great dessert to serve with taco salad.
They come in a variety of flavors, from berry to cherry, peach, and more.
You can choose between commercial store-bought pies or have some fun making your own.
Homemade fruit pies tend to be more flavorful and can be topped with either a streusel topping or pastry crust on top.
Be sure to opt for high-quality ingredients when making the pie filling and don’t forget the scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream to top things off.
8. Chocolate Pudding
Chocolate pudding is an easy and delicious dessert that complements the savory flavors of taco salad.
Aside from being simple to prepare, it requires very few ingredients, whether you decide to make it from scratch with cocoa powder and cornstarch or use a packet of instant pudding.
To create a truly indulgent dessert, consider adding a dollop of fresh whipped cream and some grated dark chocolate on top for contrast.
For an extra special touch, you can even sprinkle the top layer with Mexican spices like chili powder or cayenne.
It’s a great way to end your meal with an unexpected bit of sweetness.
9. Vanilla Pudding
Vanilla pudding makes a delicious and simple addition to any taco salad.
Pudding can be made in advance, stored in the fridge and served with the salad when ready.
For a really special treat, top it with some homemade whipped cream and some fresh strawberries or other seasonal fruit.
Vanilla pudding is light enough that it won’t weigh down the salad but will provide just the right bit of sweetness to complement the savory ingredients of the salad.
If desired, try using two separate puddings – one regular and one chocolate – for even more variety.
10. Flan
The classic Custard Dessert, Flan is a popular choice for the ideal sweet ending to a Mexican-style taco salad.
It is best served warm and topped with whipped cream and fruit.
To make flan, bake a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and salt at 350°F for 40-50 minutes until golden brown and set in the center.
Serve with a side of fresh whipped cream for an even more indulgent finale.
Conclusion
When it comes to dessert, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from when serving taco salad.
Whether you’re looking for something light and airy or a decadent indulgence, the right type of dessert will leave your guests satisfied and with great memories of your gathering.
From flavor-packed fruit carts to mini churros or ice cream sandwiches, there is something special for everyone’s palate.
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try an exotic twist on a favorite classic like mango passionfruit cheesecake or whiskey-spiked brownies? Whatever dessert you choose, be sure to incorporate complementary flavors that will perfectly pair with the ingredients in your taco salad.
Of course, no matter which type of sweets you decide on for your meal, don’t forget the importance of presentation.
Set out colorful plates for each guest and make sure to spruce up the styling to create a memorable experience.
With so many delightful desserts to choose from, it’s easy to make taco salad an unforgettable dinner party finale.
What Dessert to Serve with Taco Salad? 10 Options
Ingredients
- 1. Fruit Salad
- 2. Chocolate Cake
- 3. Cheesecake
- 4. Ice Cream
- 5. Cookies
- 6. Brownies
- 7. Fruit Pie
- 8. Chocolate Pudding
- 9. Vanilla Pudding
- 10. Flan
Instructions
- Select your favorite ingredient from the range available in this article.
- Collect all the necessary items to make the recipe.
- Use the instructions provided to prepare a delicious dish in 30 minutes or less.
Carrie is a food writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked for some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Martha Stewart Living.
As the Editor in Chief of IntroChicago.com, Carrie oversees all of the content on the site. She also manages the team of contributing writers and editors, who help to create delicious recipes, helpful tips, and informative articles that you’ll find on the site.
A native of the Chicago area, Carrie is passionate about all things food. She loves trying new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She’s also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, so she knows a thing or two about food!