Tequila time!
Okay, okay. We get it: this article could easily be paraphrased to "any food is good with at-home margaritas, especially once you've had enough of them." That would feel like cheating—especially when you take into account how many foods combined with a good margarita make for an experience that's greater than the sum of its parts. The opposite is true as well: just because something is good on its own, doesn't make it margarita-pairing material. Sure, ice cream and margs are great on their own, but combining them just translates to an evening of feeling bloated and sluggish.
Margarita quality makes a huge difference as well. The only thing that pairs well with store-bought margarita sour mix is concrete, because you should pour it on the ground. If you want to learn how to make restaurant-quality margaritas with very little effort, check out our guide on it. Otherwise, it's worth shopping around for a good takeout-friendly happy hour. You'll catch us enjoying 3 Margarita's $30 liters of house margaritas as a little hump-day happy hour special.
Here are some of the best foods for your next at-home margarita night:
Honorary Mention: Nachos
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Yes, nachos pair super well with margaritas. Nachos pair super well with everything. That said, it feels a little too easy to designate a full spot to nachos on this list. You already know how awesome they are—you don't need us reminding you!
Enchiladas
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This one is a no-brainer. While enchiladas might be the forgotten middle children of the Tex-Mex family, nestled between burritos and quesadillas, they have a lot to offer when they're paired with some good tequila. What makes enchiladas uniquely great for margarita nights is they're a super-effective delivery mechanism for a bunch of different Tex-Mex flavors without weighing heavy in the stomach like other Tex-Mex dishes.
Key Lime Anything
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Doing lime-on-lime might seem like too much lime, but key lime pie or Key West shrimp cakes are an awesome pick if you're serving (or just drinking) margaritas. This is because of a little-known principle called "The Lime Balance", which is a super-legit culinary principle that states you can totally balance out acidic lime in a drink with sugary lime in a dish, or vice versa! If you're doing super sweet margaritas, then consider pairing with a spicier lime dish, such as lime-jerk chicken. Meanwhile, doing meaner margaritas is a great opportunity to cut through the tequila with some lime-flavored dessert.
Charcuterie
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Want a margarita experience that you can stick out your pinky for? Consider serving it up with some home charcuterie. You're in luck because we have a handy guide on how to put together a quick, thoughtful charcuterie board! Not every charcuterie board is created equal, however, and you'll want one that plays nicely with the citrus and acidity of margaritas. That means you'll be better off skipping the cured meats and opting for softer, sweeter cheeses and plenty of fruity jams.
Pulled Pork (or Carnitas)
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This should go without saying. There's a reason why pork + tequila is such a sacred barbecue tradition, and you can get plenty of mileage out of making some tender tenderloin the centerpiece of your next margarita night. If you feel like going extra-fancy, you can elect to upgrade your pulled pork into legit carnitas, which is the obviously superior presentation of it. Incidentally, we've got an easy recipe for two-ingredient carnitas! Life is full of fun coincidences like that!
What are some of your favorite foods to pair with margaritas? Sound off in the comment!
