22 Delicious and Simple Mexican Recipes
Craving authentic Mexican food but don’t have the means to get it? With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time you can recreate all of your favorite recipes right at home.
From easy and versatile tortilla dishes to slow cooked braised meats that can be made in one pot; these meals are perfect for a weeknight dinner or bringing to a gathering.
1. Chilaquiles Verdes
Chilaquiles Verdes is a simple traditional corn tortilla dish topped with a homemade salsa. Lightly fry or bake after being cut into wedge shapes, top with a green or red (or both!) chile sauce… It’s the best and most authentic way to eat them. Sprinkle with traditional cotija cheese, cilantro or even a creme sauce (like in different parts of Mexico). Have them for breakfast served with eggs or make it lunch with refried beans. An easy and quick meal for when you have too many corn tortillas in the house! Get the recipe here.
2. Gorditas
Made with a traditional corn flour, gorditas are pockets of thick tortilla with fillings such as vegetables, or meat and cheese and beans bursting from the seams. Either fry them or cook them on a griddle, cut them open and stuff them with your favorite variation of fillings. Try chicken tinga, papas a la Mexicana or picadillo. Get the recipe here.
3. Carne Guisada
Maybe you haven’t heard of it, but it’s sure to melt in your mouth and elevate your stew recipes. Beef simmered in a brown gravy with vegetables is sure to be a fan favorite at the table. A type of Mexican comfort food, this dish is great for weeknight dinners. It’s simple and quick—make it in one pot for a hassle-free meal that your family and friends will be asking for time and time again. Get the recipe here.
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4. Sopes
Looking for a super simple and cost-effective recipe that you can customize to your liking? Look no further! The sope, an inside out gordita, is another thick tortilla, made like a little personal cake. Fry or bake and they’re ready to go. Perfect for a late night snack or appetizer; just layer up your sope to make it how you desire. And they can stay stored in the fridge for up to a week for those who love to meal prep. Get the recipe here.
5. Guacamole
Talk about a classic. Avocado turned guacamole is one of the most versatile side dishes out there. With just a handful of ingredients that are fresh and simple, having a good guacamole recipe is sure to come in handy time after time. Never overly complicated, just onion, tomato, cilantro and fresh seasonings, use it as a classic combination with chips or use it atop other recipes! Get the recipe here.
6. Carne Asada
Carne Asada literally translates to ‘grilled meat’. And that it is. Flank or skirt steak, depending on the type of cut you want for your meal, will make a beautifully grilled piece of meat to go alongside your dishes. The marinade is one of the most important parts of the dish, and it only contains a handful of ingredients you probably already have laying around. Let the steak marinate for 2-4 hours, pat dry, grill and slice. You can also use a skillet instead of a grill, as it is another great alternative. Serve with salsa, tortillas or vegetables. Get the recipe here.
7. Chicken Pozole Verde
This incredibly popular staple dish is a hearty stew. Tomatillos, poblanos, jalapeños, lime, cilantro and garlic are the base of the dish, with the tomatillo being the star. Add in chicken, slowly cooked to perfection, and you have a dish that is sure to please the crowd. Although it’s a stew, you can put it over rice and beans or even in a taco. Get the recipe here.
8. Tostadas
You can buy corn tortillas, or make your own for this recipe; fry or bake them up and you have a base for the plate. They’re thin and crispy and add a crunch to this layered dish. Choose any type of meat, beans (black or refried), lettuce, tomato and a creme sauce. Quick and inexpensive for a weeknight meal. Get the recipe here.
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9. Chiles Rellenos
These battered poblano peppers are stuffed with onion and a variety of white cheeses, then fried to perfection! Charr, peel, stuff, batter and fry. Serve with vegetables and beans and a side of rice for an authentic Mexican dinner! Get the recipe here.
10. Chimichangas
Whether you want to make them with chicken, pork or beef, this versatile dish is sure to have you feeling nice and full by the end of the meal. Think of them as fried burritos! Traditional ones are fried but there is always the option to bake them. Fill them with meat, beans, sauce and cheese for a delicious burrito alternative that is sure not to disappoint. Get the recipe here.
11. Quesadillas
One of the most popular dishes among Mexican food is probably the quesadilla. Flour tortillas filled with any sort of chunked or shredded meat, vegetables and cheese. Knowing how to execute this signature dish is a must. Fry up in a skillet for an easy dinner on the go. Serve with guacamole, salsa or a creme sauce. Get the recipe here.
12. Taquitos
Spanish for ‘small taco’, these closed or rolled tortillas make for a great appetizer. They’re crispy, either baked or fried and filled with shredded meat, and these ‘flautas’ can come with a delicious sauce or topping or just be eaten by themselves. You could even stuff them with cream cheese for an added element of surprise. Extremely versatile and delicious, for any event! Get the recipe here.
13. Mexican Street Corn
Called ‘elote’, this charred corn is covered in cotija cheese, chipotle seasoning and a cream sauce to give it a divine taste. A spin on traditional corn on the cob. Because who doesn’t want cheesy, creamy corn with a kick? Get the recipe here.
14. Huevos Rancheros
With just a few ingredients, yet bold flavors, these eggs aren’t just for breakfast. These eggs sit atop a slightly fried tortilla with a thick tomato base, making it a layered meal of different textures. Get the recipe here.
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15. Street Tacos
Known for being smaller than a regular taco due to convenience of food trucks, a street taco could have anything you want in it, although they typically don’t have lettuce and tomato. Different types of marinated meat, onion, cilantro, avocado, cheese, you name it. Sometimes they even use two corn tortillas. Add a little lime and you’re all set. Get the recipe here.
16. Fajitas
Made with chicken or steak, this sizzling dish is sure to wow, no matter the occasion. Fajitas aren’t just for restaurants, although there’s nothing like watching them emerge from the kitchen on a steaming hot skillet. The secret is a great marinade for your meat with sauteed bell peppers and a few other simple ingredients. Serve up with tortillas to make a taco and some dipping sauces if you choose. Get the recipe here.
17. Tamales
Ah, the tamale. How more authentic can it get? Tamales are typically eaten for breakfast or lunch, and there are many different variations of tamales you can make, but the idea for all of them is the same: steam them in corn husks. Shredded meat such as chicken, beef or pork is used and typically cooked in a sauce, depending upon the recipe. Use traditional masa flour to create the base, add your meat and roll it up in the husk. Tamales can be eaten with a dipping sauce. Get the recipe here.
18. Barbacoa
Barbacoa is made from a dried chile base, and it’s a typical shredded meat dish that can be found at any party for a special occasion. This recipe also uses a slow cooker to braise the meat which can then be used for rice dishes or to make tacos! Get the recipe here.
19. Queso Blanco
Queso blanco is a white cheese dip that is sure to please the crowd. I mean who doesn’t love queso? It’s simple, easy and everyone loves it. Typically served as an appetizer with salted tortilla chips, this few-ingredient gooey cheese dip is a staple in Mexican cooking. Get the recipe here.
20. Sopa de Fideo
This Mexican noodle soup is made with thin pasta called “fideo”, spices and shredded meat, typically chicken. A tomato base is a part of the broth which gives it its flavor. Super easy and quick for late night dinners and perfect as leftovers. Get the recipe here.
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21. Enchiladas
These savory rolled tortillas might sound similar to the chimichanga. But there is an added element to the enchilada: the famous ancho chili sauce they’re cooked in. The tortilla gets coated in the ancho chile sauce before being baked, not fried. Stuffed with shredded chicken and cheese, this dish is sure to please. Get the recipe here.
22. Entomatadas
This is a recipe you can make quickly for breakfast! Entomatadas are fried corn tortillas covered in a red salsa and stuffed with cotija cheese or chicken. Top with your favorite cheese and creme sauce and maybe even some lettuce. This dish makes for a full breakfast. Get the recipe here.
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