Which Sides Go Best With Burrito Bowls?

Actually, a burrito bowl is a full meal all on its own. You get rice, beans, your favorite protein, and a pile of fresh toppings. So why bother adding anything else? Because a delicious side may alter the dish and improve the dining experience, a bowl remains soft and saucy from the first to the last mouthful.

It adds a little crunch here, something creamy there, maybe a kick of heat. The right sides for burrito bowls make the whole meal feel tastier and more pleasurable, and they're easy to get right once you know a few ideas.

In this guide, we'll walk you through what to pick, why it works, and how to mix things up for different crowds. We'll use real items from the Burrito Bowl Mexican Grill menu in New Jersey along the way.

What Are the Best Sides to Serve With Burrito Bowls?

Tortilla chips with salsa, guacamole, or queso are your easiest pick.

Crunchy chips feel great next to a soft, saucy bowl, and each dip adds flavor. Craving something different? Corn esquites give you a creamy, savory spoonful. Want the meal to feel bigger? Empanadas do that nicely. Your best mix depends on the occasion, your guests, and how much variety your bowls already bring.

Key Takeaways

• Chips and dips work for almost any meal.

• Salsa, guacamole, and queso each give you a different flavor and texture.

• Corn esquites add a creamy, street food style option.

• Empanadas make the meal more filling.

• Choose sides based on the meal, your group, and how you'll serve them.

1. Tortilla Chips and Dips are a Simple Place to Start

Mexican food is everywhere in the U.S. A Pew Research Center analysis found that about 11% of U.S. restaurants serve Mexican food, so chances are you already have a favorite chip and dip combo. There's a reason chips and dips show up so often next to bowls. Nobody needs instructions. You grab a chip, scoop, and crunch.

Chips and Salsa

Salsa is the lightest choice. A crisp chip gives your soft rice and bean bowl something to bite into, and the salsa adds a fresh, tangy zing. The menu offers a spicy red salsa and a mild green salsa, so your heat lovers and your spice shy friends both get something they like.

Chips and Guacamole

Think cool and creamy against warm and crunchy. Guacamole makes a great shared starter, too. People can snack while everyone finds a seat, and nobody feels rushed.

Chips and Queso

Queso is the cozy one. It's rich, smooth, and a little indulgent, so it feels very different from salsa or guacamole. Pick it when you want comfort food energy next to your bowl.

A Dip Sampler for More Variety

Can't choose just one dip? You don't have to. The Burrito Bowl catering menu lists a dip sampler with homemade guacamole, queso blanco, salsa roja, salsa verde, and corn tortilla chips. Mega Guac & Chips and Mega Queso & Chips are also available, which is great if everyone in your group already has a favorite.

2. Corn Esquites Add a Different Kind of Side

Chips and dips all feel similar: crunchy and scoopable. Corn esquites break that pattern. Picture Mexican street corn served in a cup, creamy and savory instead of crisp. The catering menu describes it as street corn with homemade morita mayo, Cotija cheese, and lime.

That creamy texture pairs nicely with crunchy chips. It also gives your guests who aren't big on dips something to enjoy. Esquites slide easily into a shared appetizer spread or a bigger meal, and most people eat them with a spoon, so nobody fights over the last chip.

One quick heads up: the listed ingredients include mayonnaise and cheese, so don't assume esquites work for every diet. We'll come back to that in the food preferences section.

3. Are Empanadas a Good Side for Burrito Bowls?

Sometimes, yes. Empanadas make sense when you want the meal to feel bigger, but they're an optional extra, not a must have.

Why Empanadas Work

You get a golden, crisp shell wrapped around a hot filling. That's a nice change from soft, rice based bowls. You also eat them with your hands, which makes them easy to pass around a table.

Choosing a Suitable Filling

The catering menu lists chicken, beef, pork, and cheese empanadas. Each tray holds 20 pieces, and the menu suggests planning on two pieces per person. Savory fillings suit a hearty meal. The regular menu also lists guava empanadas, a sweeter pick that doubles as dessert.

When to Include Them

Add empanadas to a bigger gathering, or to a lunch where people want more choices. Skip them when your bowls will already leave everyone full.

4. How to Build a Balanced Side Dish Combination

This is the section to bookmark. Choosing burrito bowl side dishes gets easy once you remember three simple balances:

• Texture: Pair something crisp, like chips, with something creamy, like guacamole or queso.

• Flavor: Let salsa cut through richer dips and fillings with a little tang.

• Variety: Add esquites or empanadas when the meal needs one more texture or flavor.

5. Which Sides Work Best for Office Lunches and Group Meals?

Feeding a group is a different game, because everyone likes something different. Here's how to choose sides for burrito bowls for an office lunch without ordering a pile of duplicates:

• Individual lunches: Check what's already in the box first. Several Burrito Bowl catering meals come with chips and salsa, so extra chips may be redundant.

• Shared office meals: A dip sampler puts several choices in one spread.

• Longer gatherings: Add an appetizer or two if people will snack over a few hours.

• Mixed preferences: Pick a few different options instead of several that do the same job. Guacamole, queso, and esquites beat three kinds of chips.

Picture this: you're ordering for a team of 10, and the trays you chose already come with chips and salsa. Adding a dip sampler gives everyone guacamole and queso without doubling up on chips. If you're weighing corporate catering options, read the package details before you add extras.

6. How to Choose Sides for Different Food Preferences

A little checking up front saves awkward moments at the table. Here's what to look at:

• Vegetarian guests: The online menu marks the chips, dips, and corn esquites as vegetarian. It doesn't mark the empanadas, so ask about each filling. Our vegan and vegetarian Mexican food guide goes deeper.

• Vegan guests: Check ingredients carefully, especially in cheese based dips and anything made with mayonnaise.

• Guests who prefer less spice: The menu describes the red salsa as spicy and the green as mild, so label them clearly.

• Food allergies: Confirm ingredients and preparation with the caterer. The FDA's food allergy guidance notes that labeling rules don't cover foods packed in a container after a customer places an order. So don't count on a label being there. Ask.

A vegetable based dish isn't automatically right for every diet. Always check. For a broader look at nutrition and common misconceptions, read our guide to whether mexican food is healthy.

7. How Much Should You Order and How Should You Serve It?

Start with your guest count. Then check the serving info listed for each catering item. The dip sampler and corn esquites each serve 10 on the current catering menu, and empanadas run about two pieces per person. Use those numbers for those items only, not as a rule for everything.

Next, think about how people will eat:

• Decide the role: Will the sides be starters, shared extras, or part of each person's meal?

• Keep chips and dips apart until serving, where you can.

• Label shared dishes and set out serving utensils.

• Watch the clock: The USDA says food between 40°F and 140°F sits in the "danger zone," and perishable food shouldn't sit out for more than two hours. Skim the USDA food safety guidance before the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still confused about how to pair sides with your bowls? Here are quick answers to the questions people ask most.

What are the best sides for burrito bowls?

Chips with salsa, guacamole, or queso are the safest picks, and corn esquites add a creamy twist. Choose based on your main meal, your guests' tastes, and the textures you want on the table.

Are chips and guacamole enough for a burrito bowl meal?

For a simple lunch, yes. They bring crunch and creaminess without much fuss. A bigger shared meal usually does better with one more option, like a dip sampler or empanadas.

Does corn esquites go well with burrito bowls?

Yes. Its creamy, savory texture contrasts with crisp chips and adds variety to your spread. Just remember it contains mayonnaise and cheese, so check dietary needs first.

Should I serve empanadas with burrito bowls?

They work when you want something more filling, but you don't need them. If the bowls and other sides will already fill everyone up, you can skip them.

What sides should I pick when my guests all eat so differently?

Start by asking everyone about allergies and restrictions. Then read the ingredients on each dish, and double check with the caterer how things are cooked. Offer several choices so nobody’s stuck.

Where can I find Burrito Bowl's catering side options?

Use the official catering menu for current items, descriptions, and serving details. You can view the current catering menu anytime.

Find the Right Sides for Your Next Meal

The best sides complement the bowl instead of competing with it. Chips and dips give you an easy place to start, and corn esquites and empanadas add variety when the meal calls for it. If you're exploring Mexican food catering in NJ, Burrito Bowl Mexican Grill makes a friendly local place to start.

Ready to plan your spread? Explore the catering menu.