Whether you're looking for a sweet treat to end a meal or the perfect accompaniment to your Tex-Mex birthday party, it needs careful planning.
We've compiled 10 of the yummiest dessert recipes for every taco fan out there.
With options ranging from cheesy churro sundaes and chili chocolate mousse cups to Mexican rice pudding with pecans and pineapple shake popsicles, this list has something for every palate.
So buckle up and get ready to learn some delicious recipes that will liven up the menu at your next taco feast.
10 Desserts That Complement Tacos
Are you looking to find the perfect dessert to accompany your tacos? There are many different sweet treats that go well with tacos and create a truly unforgettable meal.
Here are ten of the best desserts that can be served alongside tacos for an unforgettable meal.
1. Taco pie
Taco pie is a delicious way to bring the flavor of tacos to any Southern "platter" dessert.
The combination of beef, cheese, and spicy taco sauce enfolded in a warm and flaky homemade crust is sure to please just about everybody.
You can vary the ingredients you use in your taco pie depending on what kind of tacos you like best.
If you prefer chicken or pork tacos, just switch out the beef for chicken or pork and use cheese that goes with it or a combination of cheeses.
You can also add diced onions and peppers, olives, sour cream - whatever you like.
As for the taco sauce, you may want to experiment with different kinds until you find one that suits your palate-no matter what it's sure to be tasty.
2. Flan
Flan is a traditional Mexican custard that makes a great dessert to pair with tacos.
This creamy, sweet pudding is usually flavored with vanilla or caramel and topped with a layer of golden, bubbly syrup.
It can be made ahead of time and served cold or warm, depending on preference.
Flan pairs especially well with spicy tacos; the sweetness helps to soften the intense flavors of the tacos while adding an interesting textural contrast.
3. Watermelon sorbet
Watermelon sorbet is a refreshing way to add an extra flavor burst to your taco night.
This light dessert has the perfect balance of sweetness from the watermelon and a slight tang from the fresh lime juice.
If you're looking for something that won't overwhelm the taste of the tacos, this is it.
The burst of color will add a nice pop to your table too.
To make this easy sorbet, all you need is some frozen cubed watermelon and lime juice.
Simply blend in a blender or food processor and then freeze for about four hours.
Serve in small cups with freshly cut watermelon slices on top if desired.
Your guests will love it.
4. Popsicles
Popsicles are a beloved summertime treat, but they can go surprisingly well with tacos.
Popsicles come in a variety of flavors, but the best ones to pair with tacos are those with tropical or citrus-y flavors.
For example, mango popsicles or coconut lime popsicles pair well with tacos that have a hint of smokiness in them - think chipotle-style tacos or carnitas tacos.
Their refreshing and tart flavors cut through the richness of the taco and make for a beautiful combination.
Just make sure to keep your popsicles frozen until you're ready to take that first bite.
5. Churros
Churros, a Mexican doughnut-style pastry commonly found in Latin American countries, are the perfect sweet accompaniment to tacos.
Bite into the crunchy cinnamon-sugar exterior with creamy chocolate or caramel for dipping and you will have a match made in heaven.
For added spice, sprinkle with chile powder before baking or top with small pieces of jalapeño for a unique flavor combination.
Enjoy this delicious treat with your favorite tacos.
6. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries are a delicious and indulgent treat that goes well with tacos.
This dessert not only looks gorgeous, but it's also incredibly easy to make.
Start with fresh and ripe strawberries and melt high-quality dark chocolate in a heat-safe bowl.
Dip each strawberry in the melted chocolate, making sure to coat completely.
Place the dipped strawberries on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and let set for about 30 minutes.
Once set, your tacos will be accompanied by this sweet and delicious treat that's sure to please.
7. Cookies
Cookies are often overlooked as a dessert option that goes with tacos, but they can be easily adapted to suit the flavor of your tacos.
For example, if you're making tacos with chipotle peppers and cheese, try making chocolate chip cookies with a hint of chipotle pepper and shredded cheese.
On the other hand, if you are preparing sweet tropical-style tacos, try adding grated coconut or macadamia nuts to chewy sugar cookies for the perfect balancing act.
The options for creating delicious cookie desserts to go along with your tacos are all up to you.
8. Chocolate Cake
Chocolate cake is a decadent, sinfully delicious way to top off a savory taco meal.
For light and fluffy cakes, use a box mix or an easy-to-follow recipe.
There are plenty of gourmet chocolate cake recipes available too.
Have fun experimenting with different flavors like espresso, cherry and peppermint.
To make it trendy and fashionable, top it with ice cream tacos.
Simply scoop the ice cream into soft taco shells shaped out of mini waffle cones.
Sprinkle them with your favorite candy toppings and get creative.
9. Ice Cream Cake
Ice cream cake is a beloved classic that goes well with tacos.
The luxurious creamy texture of this cold dessert helps to balance out the spiciness of traditional Mexican street tacos.
To make an ice cream cake, you will need ice cream in your favorite flavors and an ice cream cake pan.
Begin by lining the bottom of the pan with one kind of ice cream and place it in the freezer to set.
Once this layer has frozen solid, add a layer (or two) of additional flavors before covering with a layer of crushed cookies and topping with another layer of a contrasting flavor of ice cream.
For something extra special, wrap it with layers of fresh fruit slices or pieces of fudge.
Place your taco-themed ice cream cake back in the freezer for at least four hours before serving.
10. Arroz con leche
One of the best desserts to go with tacos is arroz con leche, also known as Mexican rice pudding.
This traditional sweet treat is made with milk, cooked white rice, cinnamon and a pinch of sugar.
To make it even better, try adding some stirred-in raisins or coconut flakes before serving.
Arroz con leche can be served hot or cold and pairs particularly well with beef or vegetarian tacos.
How to Choose A Dessert for Tacos
Choosing the perfect dessert to pair with tacos can be a tricky task.
Fortunately, there are several delicious and creative options that will make your meal complete.
Here are the ten best desserts that go with tacos and tips on how to choose the right one for your taco meal.
Step 1: Consider the theme of your dinner
If you've decided to make tacos for dinner, the first step in deciding what dessert to serve is to consider the theme.
Tacos are traditionally Tex-Mex cuisine, and a variety of desserts could play off that theme.
Mexican-style desserts such as churros, fried ice cream, and Sopapillas are all excellent options for a dinner featuring tacos.
With these types of dishes, you can often find sweet toppings such as honey or cinnamon sugar to add extra flavor and sweetness.
On the other hand, if you're making something a little more Americanized like tacos with ground beef and cheese inside of hard shells then a cake or cupcakes could be an excellent option.
You could even try something like root beer floats if you want to go completely off the beaten path.
The key is finding something that goes with the flavors of your meal while still pleasing everyone at the table.
Step 2: Consider the tastes of your guests
When planning which dessert to serve with tacos for a special occasion, it's important to consider the tastes of your guests.
You may need to accommodate multiple tastes or dietary restrictions like veganism and those who are gluten free.
Take into account any allergies, religious restrictions, and preference for certain flavors when deciding on a dessert to serve with tacos.
To please everyone at the table, you could opt for something that utilizes traditional Mexican flavors but can still be modified to meet different requirements.
Classic Mexican desserts like flan can easily be adapted by substituting ingredients as needed.
Step 3: Consider the season
Seasonality should also be considered.
If you're making tacos for summertime, look for recipes that utilize fresh fruit and herbs.
Think berry and herb salsa, grilled peach slices and bright salads.
If you're serving Tacos in autumn or winter, you may want to rely more on rich flavors and spices like cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.
For a winter taco dinner start by adding dessert items like apple crisp with a crunchy graham cracker topping or pumpkin flan for a twist on the classic Mexican custard flan recipe.
Both are strong enough to stand up to the richer taco flavors of the season while adding just the right amount of sweetness.
Ingredients
Method
- 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.
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The Complete Side Dish Guide - your complete resource for this topic.
Browse all side dish pairings →Great sides for What Dessert Goes with Tacos depend on the sauce and cooking method. Generally, lighter dishes pair well with fresh salads, while richer preparations work with hearty starches.
For a quick weeknight side, roasted vegetables or a simple green salad are ready in under 20 minutes and pair naturally with most preparations.
A simply dressed arugula salad or steamed green beans with olive oil are light but satisfying options that won't overshadow the main.
A crisp white wine or sparkling water with citrus complements most lighter dishes well. For heartier mains, a light red or craft beer works nicely.
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 EpicureDelight, 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!
