Need to get some suggestions for side dishes to go with your arepas? You’re in the right spot. I’ve put together a list of healthy, tasty, and easy-to-make sides that go well with arepas in this article.
If you have any questions or side dishes you’d like to share, please leave a comment.
Are Arepas Served As A Main Dish Or Side?
Depending on how they are made and presented, arepas can be served as either a main meal or a side dish. Arepas are typically eaten for breakfast or as a snack in some parts of Latin America, while they may also be served as a main meal with a variety of contents including meat, cheese, or beans in other parts of the continent.
They are also great as a side dish to accompany heartier main courses like stews, soups, or roasts. The proper way to serve arepas is ultimately a matter of local tradition and individual taste.
What Do Colombians Eat With Arepas?
- Cheese: Colombians love to pair their arepas with various types of cheese, such as queso fresco, queso de mano, or quesito. The cheese can be sliced, grated, or melted on top of the arepas.
- Avocado: Sliced avocado is a popular accompaniment to arepas in Colombia. It’s a great way to add some creaminess and healthy fats to your meal.
- Eggs: Many Colombians enjoy their arepas with eggs, either scrambled or fried. It’s a simple and delicious way to add some protein to your meal.
- Meat: Arepas can also be filled with various meats such as shredded beef, pork, or chicken. It’s a filling and satisfying way to enjoy arepas as a main dish.
- Beans: Arepas are often served with beans, either on top of the arepa or as a side dish. Black beans, lentils, or garbanzo beans are some common varieties used in Colombian cuisine.
- Hot Sauce: Colombians love to add a bit of heat to their arepas by serving them with hot sauce or chili peppers. It’s a great way to add some spice to your meal!
12 Side Dishes To Serve With Arepas For Dinner
1. Bandeja Paisa
You already know that arepas are a dish from Colombia.
So, it seems like a good idea to serve it with another popular Colombian dish.
Bandeja Paisa is just a variety of foods served on a plate about the size of a frisbee.
It has avocado, rice, ground meat, two kinds of Colombian sausages, fried pork skin, chorizo, a fried egg, and of course, arepa.
So, you should only eat it on special occasions or when you’re really hungry.
Arepa makes an important part of Bandeja Paisa.
2. Corn and Pulled Pork
Corn and jerked pork go very well with the dish arepas. It’s a wonderful combo to have for supper.
In addition, you can quickly prepare this side dish in under twenty minutes if you use oven-roasted pulled pork that has been prepared in advance and stored in the freezer.
Arepas, which has a flavor that is slightly sweetened, would pair well with a pulled pork dish from Asia that combines sweet and spicy elements.
The recipe for spicy pulled pork, on the other hand, will give your dish a welcome dose of heat.
In light of the aforementioned, you are free to prepare your pulled pork in whatever manner that best suits your tastes.
And enjoy.
3. Mexican Tamales
Maize flour is used to make the traditional Mexican cuisine tamales, which are then wrapped in a banana leaf or corn husk and cooked.
You may look at this simple recipe if you don’t know how to create one and it will show you how.
Tamales have a flavor that is not too overpoweringly corn as arepas do.
There are a wide variety of fillings that may be used in tamales, each of which can provide a unique set of tastes to the whole meal.
4. Chicken Avocado Salad
In most cases, individuals like to prepare their arepas in the manner of sandwiches by stuffing them with a variety of ingredients.
Arepas stuffed with chicken avocado salad, in particular, provide a flavor sensation that cannot be matched by any other preparation method.
In addition to that, their preparation of them is both quick and uncomplicated.
After that, divide your arepa cakes in half, place your salad in the center of each half, and serve.
5. Garlicky Shrimp
Another mouthwatering side dish that goes well with arepas is the one that is shown here.
Alternately, you could use this as a filling for your arepa patties by stuffing them with it.
You’ll need garlic, tomatoes, pepper, lime juice, cilantro, and shrimp, of course, in order to make this side dish. You’ll also need to have all of these items on hand.
To begin, sauté the pepper and garlic in the heated oil for around one minute.
After that, mix in the shrimp, and continue to simmer for another two to three minutes.
Make careful to keep stirring. As soon as the shrimp are cooked through, which will be indicated by their becoming pink, add the tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro.
After thoroughly combining everything, you should now have the finished product. This side dish’s taste, which is described as garlicky and somewhat tangy, will have you going back for more time and time again.
6. Carnitas and Sweet Potato
Simply said, carnitas are braised pork, and they are traditionally served with chopped cilantro, diced onion, guacamole, beans, salsa, and tortillas.
Cooking some carnitas along with some sweet potatoes is all that is required of you to complete this meal.
You may give the dish that additional kick of flavor by adding some of your favorite herbs and spices.
Because both this side dish and the arepas that come with it are fried, adding a dash of lime juice to your meal might help to balance out the richness that comes from the frying.
7. Guasacaca Sauce
You have to admit, it’s an intriguing name, don’t you? And even though guacamole may be the first thing that comes to mind, guasacaca is in no way comparable to guacamole.
Guasacaca, pronounced “wasakaka,” is a sauce that is often used in Venezuelan cuisine. It is known for its incredible flavor.
A variety of leafy green vegetables, along with a dash of cayenne pepper, are used in its preparation, making it not only delicious but also nutritious.
Arepas might be on the menu for either breakfast or a snack if that’s what you have in mind.
To invigorate your taste buds with an explosion of sensations, dunk them in a bowl of guasacaca sauce that has been created from scratch.
8. Roasted Cauliflower
Arepas have no fat, but it has a lot of strong, spicy flavors that make the stomach feel full and heavy after eating it.
Having something healthy on the side can help you find a good balance between the two.
Cauliflower is a healthy side dish that goes well with Arepas and makes the meal even better for your body.
This sweet and slightly bitter vegetable goes well with pork and helps to balance out the strong flavor of the meat.
Just cut the cauliflower into thick pieces, like steak slices, and think about adding minced garlic to the dish.
It will save you a lot of time and effort because it is easy to make and can be baked in the oven.
9. Chuyaco
This orange salad from Colombia, called Chuyaco, is a great fresh side dish for a summer barbecue with Arepas. I first tried this salad at a friend’s house. She is from Colombia, so she makes it often, especially in the summer. You can use different kinds of chili peppers depending on how hot your family likes their food. I like to use crushed red pepper flakes because they are less spicy and add more flavor to the dish.
10. Enyucado
Lisa Kear has wonderful memories of her grandmother and her childhood in Panama because of a cake called enyucado.
Enyucado was one of her favorite desserts back then, and it still is now. Lisa can’t remember the first time she ate this cake, which tastes like a macaroon, because her grandmother made it so often.
I think it’s a good deal server with arepas.
11. Colombian red beans
This recipe for Frijoles Rojos Colombianos is a classic dish, but it has been updated so that it can be made in an Instant Pot. With the help of this recipe, you can prepare a dinner that is full of flavor and genuine in a fraction of the usual amount of time.
This dish is an essential element of the classic bandeja paisa, and it is traditionally served with some fluffy white rice and arepas as an accompaniment. Believe me when I say that it is scrumptiously good!
12. Shrimp Ceviche
Get ready for a refreshing summer dish with this delicious Shrimp Ceviche recipe! Loaded with citrus-marinated shrimp, fresh veggies, and creamy avocado, it’s perfect as a dip, entrée or topped over tostada shells.
With just 20 mins of prep and 2 hours of cook time, this ceviche is easy to make and will leave your taste buds satisfied. Serve with your Arepas and enjoy the perfect combination of tangy, creamy, and crunchy flavors!
Sauces To Serve With Arepas
- Guasacaca: This sauce hails from Venezuela and is made with avocado, cilantro, and other flavorful ingredients. It has a thin consistency, similar to that of guacamole.
- Hogao: A popular Colombian sauce that is tomato-based and features onions and cilantro. It’s often served alongside grilled meats and arepas.
- Ají: A Colombian sauce that’s known for its spiciness. It’s made with fresh chili peppers, lime juice, and cilantro, and adds a delicious kick to any arepa dish.
- Chimichurri: This sauce is an Argentinean classic that’s made with parsley, garlic, vinegar, and oil. It’s typically served with grilled meats and arepas for an extra burst of flavor.
- Queso Blanco: A creamy Venezuelan white cheese sauce that’s perfect for topping arepas. It’s often paired with shredded beef or black beans for an extra layer of flavor.
More Side Dishes:
