Here’s a collection of our most popular authentic Mexican recipes! Whether you are looking for Cinco de Mayo recipes, easy Mexican recipes that are vegetarian, tasty Mexican appetizers, authentic Mexican classics, or fresh tasty side dishes, you’ll find inspiration here!
Table of Contents
- Our Top 5 Mexican Recipes on the Blog!
- Best Fish Tacos!
- Vegetarian Enchiladas
- Chicken Mole
- Shrimp Enchiladas with Yellow Mole
- Easy Ceviche
- Meatless Mexican Dinners
- Tlayudas!
- Spicy Mexican Oaxacan Bowl
- Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Butternut Squash Tamales
- Baked Chile Rellenos
- Enchilada Casserole
- Mexican Rice with Sheet-Pan Veggies
- Easy Weeknight dinners
- Spicy Mexican Shrimp Bowls
- Easy Chilaquiles!
- Baja Fish Taco Bowls
- Farmer’s Market Quesadillas
- Burrito Bowl
- Easy Baked Tacos
- Baked Enchilada Beans
- Mexican Chicken Recipes
- easy Chicken Fajitas
- Chicken Salsa Macha Bowls
- Enchiladas Verde
- Grilled Chipotle Chicken
- Easy Chicken Carnitas
- Easy Chicken Enchiladas
- Chipotle Grilled Chicken Salad
- Mexican Appetizers
- Mexican Corn Dip (Esquites)
- Vegan Quesadillas with Cashew Cheese
- Pico de Gallo
- Salsa Verde
- Chipotle Pineapple Salsa
- Guacamole
- Hearts of Palm Ceviche
- Aguachile Recipe
- Favorite Tacos and Tostadas
- Birria Tacos
- Salmon Tacos
- Chipotle Tostadas with Pineapple Salsa
- Mole Cauliflower Tacos
- Carne Asada Tacos (Steak Tacos)
- Chipotle Portobello Mushroom Tacos
- Rajas Tacos
- Mexican Sides
- Mexican Papaya Salad
- Avocado Salad with Oranges, Cilantro and Lime
- Mexican Grilled Corn with Cilantro & Lime
- Easy Refried Beans
- Mexican Slaw with Cilantro and Lime
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Mexican Pinto Beans
- Sauces, condiments, and More!
- Taco Seasoning
- Homemade Tortillas
- Avocado Sauce
- Chipotle Mayo (Mexican Secret Sauce)
- Poblano Pumpkin Seed Sauce
- Authentic Mexican Mole Sauce
- 5-Minute Enchilada Sauce
- Roasted Enchilada Sauce
- 5-Minute Hot Sauce
- Mexican Soups and Stews
- Pozole Verde (Green Pozole)
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Chicken Pozole Rojo
- Vegan Pozole
- Mexican Drinks and Cocktails
- Mezcal Margaritas
- Paloma Cocktail
- Hibiscus Margaritas with Ginger and Lime
- Oaxacan Hot Toddy
- Fresh Strawberry Margarita
- 45 Fresh and Healthy Mexican Recipes!
Our Top 5 Mexican Recipes on the Blog!
Best Fish Tacos!
A mouthwatering recipe for Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw and the best fish taco sauce ever! Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, or any day of the year!
Vegetarian Enchiladas
These “farmers market” veggie enchiladas are made with black beans and your choice of vegetables smothered in our 5-minute Enchilada Sauce. Great for meal prep!
Chicken Mole
This authentic Chicken Mole recipe is made with an Oaxacan black mole sauce called “Mole Negro”. It is smoky, spicy, and nutty with dried chilies and a hint of chocolate.
Shrimp Enchiladas with Yellow Mole
Shrimp Enchiladas, filled with tender garlic shrimp, sweet corn, and lime zest, lathered in a flavorful Yellow Mole Sauce. Garnish with black pepper, chili powder, paprika or Aleppo!
Easy Ceviche
This easy ceviche recipe uses fresh fish (or shrimp), tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. The ultimate fresh and healthy Mexican recipe!
Meatless Mexican Dinners
Tlayudas!
Healthy, lightened-up, vegan Tlayudas made with a crispy tortilla, topped with refried beans, cheese(optional), crunchy cabbage slaw, avocado, and cilantro.
Spicy Mexican Oaxacan Bowl
Vegan Mexican Style Oaxacan Bowl with chipotle sweet potatoes, roasted sweet peppers, seasoned black beans, topped with Mexican cabbage slaw and toasted chipotle pecans.
Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Stuffed Poblano Peppers with black beans and quinoa (or rice) and optional goat cheese topped with a deep and flavorful Mole Negro Sauce. A great way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo!
Butternut Squash Tamales
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with these vegetarian Butternut Tamales with flavorful Pumpkin Seed Cilantro Sauce. An incredibly fiber rich, fresh and healthy Mexican recipe!
Baked Chile Rellenos
These Baked Chile Rellenos are a healthy take on the traditional Mexican classic. Bake rather than fry, and fill with black beans & cheese, and pour roasted rancheros sauce over top!
Enchilada Casserole
This is a fast and easy recipe for an Enchilada Casserole with black beans, corn, sweet potatoes, and a quick Five-Minute Enchilada Sauce.
Mexican Rice with Sheet-Pan Veggies
Healthy and flavorful Mexican Rice with roasted yams, red onion, and shishito peppers. Top with pickled jalapeños and pumpkin seeds for a comforting, delicious vegan meal.
Easy Weeknight dinners
Spicy Mexican Shrimp Bowls
This Spicy Mexican Shrimp recipe is quick and easy, perfect for busy weeknights. Create a bowl with rice and black beans, veggies, and our creamy avocado sauce.
Easy Chilaquiles!
How to Make Chilaquiles! A classic fresh and healthy Mexican recipe made with corn tortilla chips, veggies, and salsa that can be served as breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Baja Fish Taco Bowls
Baja Fish Taco Bowls made with beer-battered cod, cilantro lime rice, Mexican pinto beans, Mexican Slaw, avocado, and chipotle mayo!
Farmer’s Market Quesadillas
Farmer’s Market Veggie Quesadillas loaded up with fresh seasonal veggies, black beans, cheese, Mexican spices, and herbs. Vegan-adaptable!
Burrito Bowl
Better than Chipotle, this Tex-Mex burrito bowl recipe uses rice, black beans, fresh, healthy veggies, optional sofritas, tasty toppings, and creamy avocado sauce.
Easy Baked Tacos
Easy Baked Vegetarian Tacos can be made in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients. You can keep them vegetarian or add gound chicken or ground beef!
Baked Enchilada Beans
Baked Enchilada Beans are made with 5-minute enchilada sauce and Mexican cheese. Baked in the oven until warm and melty! Turn into burrito bowls for a quick, healthy dinner!
Mexican Chicken Recipes
easy Chicken Fajitas
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are a quick easy one-pan dinner! Deliciously marinated chicken, bell peppers, and onions are roasted until juicy and lightly charred. Perfect for tacos or bowls!
Chicken Salsa Macha Bowls
Authentic Salsa Macha Bowl with chicken (or tofu), roasted sweet potato, bell pepper, and optional black beans and rice. A fresh and healthy Mexican recipe that’s high in protein too!
Enchiladas Verde
Flavorful Green Enchiladas (Enchiladas Verde) with chicken, cheese, corn, and the most delicious Green Enchilada Sauce.
Grilled Chipotle Chicken
Smoky, spicy, and delicious, this Grilled Chipotle Chicken is bathed in the most flavorful chipotle marinade. Use in tacos, salads, bowls, and more!
Easy Chicken Carnitas
An easy, 15-minute Chicken Carnitas recipe that can be made in an Instant Pot, on the stovetop, or baked in an oven. Stuff in tortillas with cheese for tasty chicken quesadillas!
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
Easy Chicken Enchiladas are made with the simplest of ingredients: shredded chicken, cheese, and enchilada sauce, perfect for picky palates!
Chipotle Grilled Chicken Salad
Healthy, easy, Chipotle Grilled Chicken Salad with grilled corn, peppers, and arugula over a bed of optional quinoa with grilled scallions, avocado, and a simple Chipotle Lime Dressing.
Mexican Appetizers
Mexican Corn Dip (Esquites)
Mexican Street Corn (Esquites) made with fresh corn, jalapeños, cilantro, lime, and optional cotija cheese. Serve warm with tortilla chips. A fresh and healthy Mexican appetizer!
Vegan Quesadillas with Cashew Cheese
A tasty recipe for vegan Quesadillas with homemade creamy cashew cheese and Poblano Pumpkin Seed Salsa. Vegan and delicious!
Pico de Gallo
Fresh and flavorful Pico de Gallo is the perfect salsa—everyone loves it! It’s easy to make with simple ingredients. See how we elevate this classic!
Salsa Verde
An easy, 10-minute Salsa Verde! This version is made with fresh tomatillos (not roasted), resulting in a vibrant and flavorful green salsa you will love!
Chipotle Pineapple Salsa
Made with a few simple ingredients, this Pineapple Salsa with chipotle and cilantro is perfectly balanced and bursting with juicy, delicious flavor!
Guacamole
How to make the most delicious Guacamole in three different ways! (Traditional Mexican Guacamole, Furikake, and Zaatar!) Your Guacamole will never be boring again.
Hearts of Palm Ceviche
This vegan Ceviche will transport you straight to Mexico. Made with hearts of palm and avocado, this easy recipe can be made in minutes! Serve with tortilla Chips.
Aguachile Recipe
This is an authentic Aguachile Recipe with shrimp! Similar to ceviche, shrimp is sliced in half and cooked in a blended mixture of green chiles, lime juice, and cilantro.
Favorite Tacos and Tostadas
Birria Tacos
How to make Birria (and quesabirria tacos!), a traditional Mexican Stew, that can be made in an Instant Pot, Dutch Oven (Baked or Stovetop), or in a slow cooker.
Salmon Tacos
These Salmon Tacos are a fresh and healthy Mexican recipe! Blackened salmon is paired with a flavorful cabbage-fennel slaw, pickled onions, and mashed avocado.
Chipotle Tostadas with Pineapple Salsa
Chipotle Tostadas, made with homemade tostada shells, avocado cream, and savory ground meat (turkey, chicken, or plant-based). Topped with fresh pineapple salsa!
Mole Cauliflower Tacos
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with quick and easy Mole Rojo sauce! These vegan tacos are loaded up with cabbage, avocado, radishes, and cilantro. Full of satisfying flavor!
Carne Asada Tacos (Steak Tacos)
Grilled Steak Tacos (Carne Asada Tacos) with Chimichurri Sauce, Pico de Gallo, and Pickled Veggies—flavorful and delicious, perfect for outdoor gatherings and barbecues.
Chipotle Portobello Mushroom Tacos
Sheet-Pan, Chipotle Portobello Tacos – smoky, spicy, and “meaty” – these VEGAN tacos are sure to satisfy even the most diehard meat lovers!
Rajas Tacos
Rajas Tacos are made with strips of poblano peppers, onions, and corn, with a hint of Mexican Crema, and served with cilantro and lime. Vegan-adaptable
Mexican Sides
Mexican Papaya Salad
A simple Mexican Papaya Salad using ripe papaya with cucumber, red onions, and jalapeño over greens with a Cilantro Lime Dressing. So many textures and flavors!
Avocado Salad with Oranges, Cilantro and Lime
Orange and Avocado Salad with cilantro, jalapeño, lime, and optional Aleppo chili flakes. Vegan, refreshing, and healthy! Use blood oranges when in season, for added color!
Mexican Grilled Corn with Cilantro & Lime
Mexican grilled corn on the cob with cilantro lime and the most flavorful chipotle cinnamon lime butter. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, or any day of the year!
Easy Refried Beans
How to make delicious, healthy Refried Beans from scratch using dry beans or canned beans on the stovetop or in your instant pot.
Mexican Slaw with Cilantro and Lime
Mexican Slaw with cilantro and lime—perfect for tacos or a vegan side to your Mexican Feast. Fast and easy, vegan and gluten-free.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice with Coriander and Lime Zest, made on the stovetop with brown (or white) basmati rice. Vegan, healthy & delicious!
Mexican Pinto Beans
How to cook flavorful, healthy, vegan Mexican Pinto Beans using dry beans! A Simple easy recipe that can be made on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot.
Sauces, condiments, and More!
Taco Seasoning
Spice up your meals with Homemade Taco Seasoning! Keep it simple, or grind up dried chilies for your own creative touch! A great gift.
Homemade Tortillas
How to make Tortillas from scratch, a “must” in Mexican cuisine! Make flour tortillas, corn tortillas, or a blend of both. Plus a bonus recipe for Sourdough Tortillas, my favorite!
Avocado Sauce
This creamy Avocado Sauce recipe (aka Mexican Green Sauce) is tangy, spicy, creamy, and flavorful! It’s made with blended avocado, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime.
Chipotle Mayo (Mexican Secret Sauce)
Chipotle Mayo, a smoky, spicy, zesty Mexican Secret Sauce for tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, or almost any Mexican food. Can be made vegan with Veganaise or use Silken Tofu.
Poblano Pumpkin Seed Sauce
This flavorful Poblano Pumpkin Seed Sauce is made with roasted poblano peppers and pumpkin seeds, a tasty addition to tacos, enchiladas, or burrito bowls! Vegan!
Authentic Mexican Mole Sauce
This Authentic Mole Sauce is richly flavored, deep, and complex, made with dried chilies, warm Mexican spices, seeds, and a hint of bittersweet chocolate. It has a perfect balance!
5-Minute Enchilada Sauce
A quick, easy Enchilada Sauce Recipe using basic pantry ingredients and a blender, perfect for many Mexican food recipes, like enchiladas and burritos.
Roasted Enchilada Sauce
How to make homemade Enchilada Sauce (both red and green) by roasting the tomatoes or tomatillos and chilies before blending. Simple and easy.
5-Minute Hot Sauce
If you’re a fan of Cholula or Tapatio hot sauce, you’ll love this homemade version that can be whipped up in just 5 minutes!
Mexican Soups and Stews
Pozole Verde (Green Pozole)
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This Chicken Tortilla Soup is one of the BEST recipes on the blog and hands-down one of our favorite dinners.
Chicken Pozole Rojo
This Chicken Pozole recipe is so comforting and flavorful! Made with red chilies, pozole rojo is fast and easy in an Instant Pot or stovetop.
Vegan Pozole
Bursting with flavor, this Vegan Pozole with black beans and hominy is richly spiced with deep, complex flavors. Top it with shredded cabbage, radishes, cilantro, and avocado.
Mexican Drinks and Cocktails
Mezcal Margaritas
Spicy Mezcal Margaritas made with fresh citrus juice, jalapeño, and cilantro. Smoky, spicy, and oh so refreshing! Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, or any day of the year!
Paloma Cocktail
This Paloma cocktail features fresh grapefruit juice, tequila blanco, and honey simple syrup infused with bay leaves. Topped with with a splash of sparkling water—so refreshing!
Hibiscus Margaritas with Ginger and Lime
Refreshing Hibiscus Margaritas with Ginger and Lime made with dried hibiscus flowers (or use hibiscus tea), honey, lime, fresh ginger, and a hint of clove.
Oaxacan Hot Toddy
Make a Hot Toddy at home that’s better than most of the professional versions you’re likely to encounter! This Oaxacan slant uses mezcal, lime juice & honey.
Fresh Strawberry Margarita
This Strawberry Margarita recipe features fresh, ripe strawberries! Light, refreshing, and naturally sweetened, it’s nicely balanced and has the best flavor!
On the homefront: One of my favorite cooking experiences ever was taking this cooking class down in Oaxaca, and learning some of the old traditional cooking techniques, ingredients, and flavors. It gave us such an appreciation of Mexico’s rich culture and history. I highly recommend this class (it is in Spanish, but we found it not to be an issue at all) and most of the proceeds go towards helping women from smaller surrounding villages learn trades and become more self-reliant. If you find yourself in Oaxaca, take this class!
Happy weekend, friends… Salud!
xoxo
⭐️ For many more healthy, Mexican-inspired meals, be sure to check out our Mexican Recipes Page!
Print
45 Fresh and Healthy Mexican Recipes!
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-8 1x
- Category: mains, sides,
- Method: stove top, oven
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These Mexican recipes are full of authentic flavor, perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any day of the year. Easy, healthy with vegetarian options! (Rajas Tacos)
Ingredients
- 3–4 large poblano peppers (also called pasilla peppers)
- 2 ears of corn, shucked (or sub 2 cups frozen corn, mushrooms or zucchini)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large white or yellow onion, thinly sliced into rings
- 4 garlic cloves, rough chopped
- 2 tablespoons jalapeno, finely chopped (this is medium spicy, feel free to add more)
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4–1/2 cup Mexican crema, or sub-Mexican sour cream, crème fraîche or vegan sour cream
- 1 lime
- 6 x 6-inch Tortillas
Garnish: cilantro and lime wedges
Instructions
- Preheat grill to med heat (see notes for the stovetop)
- Place whole corn cobs and poblanos on the grill, turning every 3-4 minutes, until lightly charred, and poblanos are blistered and tender, about 15 minutes. Grill the tortillas and wrap in a towel.
- At the same time, saute the onion in a large skillet with the olive oil and half the salt, over medium heat, occasionally stirring, cooking until tender and caramelized about 8 minutes. Scoot them to the side, add more olive oil if needed and add the garlic, jalapeno and oregano, saute 2-3 minutes, then combine. Turn the heat off.
- Place the blistered poblanos in a paper bag or covered bowl, to steam through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cut the kernels off the corn and add them to the skillet.
- Under cool running water, peel any loose skin off the poblanos (no need to get every bit) and remove the seeds and stem. Lay them flat and cut into thin strips. Add to the skillet.
- Warm the mixture over med-low heat and add the remaining salt, pepper and spices. Stir until heated through. Add the Mexican crema, stirring. Squeeze in 1/2 the lime, taste, adjust salt ( I usually add more) and if needed, add the remaining lime. If it tastes bland, it needs salt and lime.
- Spoon the warm creamy filling into the warm tortillas and top with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
- Please go to the full Rajas Tacos post for more details!
Notes
Tips for a Cinco De Mayo Party
- Keep it simple and only pick out a few things! You don’t want to be so exhausted with cooking that you don’t enjoy the party!
- Make whatever you can, ahead!
- Enlist friends to make or bring some of the sides.
- Remember to add flavorful condiments and sauces ( most can be made ahead).
- Plan to be done cooking one hour before your party and make yourself a drink. Take a breath and relax.
- An old catering/ restaurant trick: If your legs are tired from all the standing, cooking and cleaning, lay on the floor on your back, with legs up the wall for 10 minutes before the party. It will totally revive you!
- One of the easiest things to make is a Taco Bar! Many things can be prepped ahead. Grill meat or fish the day of. Guests can make tacos or bowls that they can assemble themselves. Sometimes I’ll even ask my friends to each bring one item! Fun and easy.
Should have included 5 star rating re comment below. Sorry.
Fabulous Mexican recipes. So colourful, delicious and healthy. Thank you! Yum yum… Which one to make next… ? 🙂
thanks Diane- glad you are enjoying!
Great!
Very tasty! My whole family loved it.
Thanks Johanne!
WONDERFUL TASTY
I have made most of the recipes and they are all great. And with guidelines that are easy to follow.
Thanks so much!
We love finding new recipes and Mexican dishes area a favorite at our house – I plan to try several (if not all!) of these soon.
I found your website while searching for recipes to serve at a sit-down dinner for 14-18 people. I would like to prepare something almost 100% ahead of time and was looking for something more interesting than enchiladas. Our kitchen and entertaining space is not huge, so being able to prepare everything prior to guests and simply pop a couple casserole dishes in the oven is key. I also have guests attending who do not eat beef or shellfish, so I was considering a chicken option as well as a vegetarian option.
Do you have any recipe suggestions or tweaks that would accommodate this event and my need to prep ahead of time? Thanks!
If it were me, I would do a Taco Bar- make a big batch of refried beans ahead (or Mole black beans) along with any sauces, salsas, slaw, etc, and othen on the day of- grill up chipotle chicken or the fish from our fish tacos. So not 100% ahead,but mostly. 😉
If it were me, I would do a Taco Bar- make a big batch of refried beans ahead (or Mole black beans) along with any sauces, salsas, slaw, etc, and then on the day of- grill up chipotle chicken or the fish from our fish tacos. So not 100% ahead,but mostly. 😉
Every recepi looks delicious
thanks Yolanda!
so good
The article is amazing, I found it informative for the readers.
Thank you Sylvia- for the easy and delicious recipes.
thanks so much!
Extremely helpful and well made recipes !! Thanks for taking your time to publish it.
Thanks so much!
I’ve made a few of the recipes you’ve listed and they have turned out lovely. One question though- would I be mixing too many flavours if I served Fish and Chicken Tacos with Mexican corn and all the salsas but also a Thai style Grilled steak and your Asian Slaw? I have a couple of guests who have an aversion to smokey flavours
I really like mixing flavors and cuisines. I think it is fun and don’t make rules around this. But up to you!
Thank you! very well and kindly explained… simple and precise… best recipes to make a little Mexican feast! xoxoox
Thanks! 🙌
So many beautiful recipes! Your photos are gorgeous. The recipes you have in the list are so fresh, beautiful, unique and inspiring! Thank you! I’d love to connect sometime and talk food – you can find my site (I think we have the same wordpress template!) at tastynfree.com. Please reach out! I am genuinely inspired by your work.
Thanks, Caryn, I will!
Wonderful collection, thank you.
Really appreciate your selections!
Thanks for the mex collection! Lockdown has me making more things from scratch (not to mention that corn tortillas are hard to find here), and I found an easy and delicious recipe for 50:50 corn & wheat tortillas from https://wellingtonbakehouse.com/2015/07/26/half-half-tortillas-perfect-for-soft-tacos/
Only change I made was that I rolled the dough into a thick even log and sliced off disks of dough (~55g) for each tortilla. I used a tortilla press to speed things up and then cooked them in a dry cast iron skillet, about 1 minute per side (until they have brown spots) and finishing with one last flip to the first side where I press on the tortilla to make it puff a la Pati Jinich.
I tried these once, they worked perfectly and now I am hooked. Cinqo de mayo is a perfect time to up my tortilla game!
So funny Bri- I was just working on a 1/2 and 1/2 recipe corn/flour recipe this week too because I like a mix as well. I haven’t seen this post but will check it out. I do the log as well. It makes things easy. Sounds like we are on the same track!