Whether you are celebrating Cinco De Mayo or are having a simple family gathering at home, here are 45 Best Mexican Recipes to create the perfect Mexican Feast. Packed full of healthy veggies with authentic flavors, pick out a few to try this week!
We have so much love and gratitude for our neighboring country- for its people, culture and its cuisine. Have you ever thought about how boring our food would be without this colorful infusion of flavor?
One of my favorite cooking experiences ever was taking a cooking class down in Oaxaca, Mexico and learning some of the old traditional techniques 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.
Our Best Mexican Recipes for Cinco De Mayo!
Without further ado, here are our favorite Mexican Recipes for Cinco De Mayo. For the whole list of Mexican-inspired recipes on the blog (and wow, there are a LOT !) visit the Mexican Recipes Page.
RAJAS TACOS
Rajas Tacos are made with strips of poblano peppers, onions and corn, with a hint of Mexican Crema served with cilantro and lime. Vegan-adaptable.
Pozole Verde
A delicious recipe for Pozole Verde- a flavorful Mexican stew made with tomatillos, green chilies, chicken and hominy, topped with cilantro, avocado and red onions.
Mexican Papaya Salad
A simple Mexican-inspired Papaya Salad made with ripe papaya, with cucumber, red onions, jalapeño over greens with a Cilantro Lime Dressing.
Chicken Mole
A flavorful recipe for Chicken Mole is made with a Black Mole Sauce- smoky, spicy and nutty with dried chilies, and a hint of chocolate. A flavorful Oaxacan-inspired meal. You could also make this vegan and sub tofu.
SHEET PAN FAJITAS
Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner these Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are simple and quick. Chicken strips are rubbed in a flavorful marinade then roasted in the oven with peppers and onions until juicy and lightly charred. Serve with toasted tortillas.
Our BEST Ceviche!
What Mexican Feast would be complete without Ceviche? Here’s a simple and easy Ceviche Recipe– delicious and light, serve it up with chips or spoon it lettuce cups or even in an avocado! This authentic Mexican recipe is made with everyday ingredients! You will love it!
Elotes
Cauliflower Tacos
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with the most delicious Mole sauce! These healthy vegan tacos are loaded up with so much flavor and goodness- cabbage, avocado, radishes and cilantro and full of satisfying flavor and fresh crunchy ingredients.
Pico De Gallo
What Mexican feast is complete without our favorite salsa? Pico De Gallo is a classic Mexican Salsa made w/fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeño & cilantro. Easy to make with just a few ingredients!
Fish Tacos with Cilantro Cabbage Slaw
One of my favorite recipes on the blog, these Quick & easy Fish Tacos are topped with Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw can be made using a grill, stovetop or oven! Vegan & gluten-free adaptable! A fast and healthy dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Our BEST Guacamole
Guacamole- 3 ways! A simple easy recipe for three different types of Guacamole. A flavorful Mexican appetizer that is vegan, gluten-free and healthy.
Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles! A classic Mexican dish made with stewed corn tortillas (or chips) that can be served as breakfast, lunch or dinner. The best part? This highly adaptable meal can be made in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights!
Mole Black Beans
Savory Mole Black Beans baked in a quick and easy Mexican Mole Sauce topped with queso fresco cheese (optional)- serve this as a delicious side dish for your Mexican Fiesta or as a flavorful base for healthy bowls.
Mexican Corn (Esquites)
How to make Mexican Corn (Esquites) with fresh corn, chilies, cilantro, lime and optional cotija cheese. Serve it as an appetizer with tortilla chips or a delicious side salad. This lighter version can be grilled or sautéed and is vegan-adaptable!
VEGAN POZOLE
Bursting with flavor, this Vegan Pozole with black beans and hominy is richly spiced with deep complex flavors. Quick and easy to make!
Mexican Pinto Beans
How to cook flavorful, healthy vegan Mexican Pinto Beans on the stovetop or in Instant Pot. A simple easy recipe!
Cilantro Lime Rice
An easy healthy recipe for Cilantro Lime Rice that is made on the stovetop. Make this with brown or white basmati rice!
Birria Tacos!
An authentic recipe for Birria Tacos- a flavorful Mexican Stew made with beef, lamb or goat that can be made in an Instant Pot, Dutch Oven or Slow Cooker. Serve this in a big bowl or make Birria Tacos – the best!
Vegan Nachos with Walnut Chorizo
Nachos Supreme! These loaded vegetarian nachos are made with flavorful “walnut chorizo”! A healthy, delicious nacho recipe that is baked in the oven. Vegan-adaptable and Gluten-free!
Oaxacan Bowl
Vegan Oaxacan Bowl with roasted chipotle sweet potatoes and roasted peppers over a bed of warm seasoned black beans. It’s topped with crunchy cabbage slaw, avocado and my favorite thing ever, toasted Chipotle Maple Pecans. Vegan and grain-free, hands down, this bowl is my new favorite Mexican recipe!
Mexican Corn Fritters
Spicy Mexican Corn Fritters with jalapeno, lime zest and coriander served with a Cilantro Crema – an easy delicious recipe made with fresh sweet corn (or use frozen!) that works as an appetizer or vegetarian main!
Pumpkin Seed Salsa
This flavorful Poblano Pumpkin Seed Sauce is made with roasted poblano peppers and pumpkin seeds– a tasty addition to tacos, enchiladas, or burrito bowls!
Roasted Chile Rellenos
A vegan-adaptable, Roasted Chile Rellenos Recipe – lightened up with the addition of black beans … and the chilies are roasted instead of fried! Delicious and healthy! If you haven’t made this yet- put it on the list of Mexican recipes to try now! So flavorful!
Paloma Cocktail
This Paloma cocktail features fresh grapefruit juice and lime juice, tequila blanco and honey simple syrup with a splash of sparkling water. Light and refreshing, it goes down easy.
Jackfruit Tacos
Crispy Jackfruit Tacos made on a sheet pan with pickled red onions, cilantro cabbage slaw and tomatillo salsa! A fast, easy, VEGAN weeknight dinner!
Vegetarian Enchiladas
Vegetarian Enchiladas– with black beans and your choice of veggies (like red bell pepper, zucchini and corn)and Homemade 5 Minute Enchilada Sauce! Easy, Healthy and full of delicious Mexican Flavor!Vegan and Gluten-free adaptable!
Aguachili!
An authentic Mexican recipe for Aguachile with Shrimp! Similar to ceviche, shrimp is sliced in half, and cooked in a mixture of lime juice, chiles and cilantro. Flavorful, simple and sooooo delicious!
Homemade Refried Beans
How to make Homemade Refried Beans from scratch- a simple delicious recipe that is vegan and gluten-free!
Chipotle Portobello Tacos
Sheet-Pan, Chipotle Portobello Tacos – smoky, spicy and “meaty” – these VEGAN tacos are sure to satisfy even the most diehard meat-lovers! Make them in 30 minutes!
Enchiladas Verde
Corn and Poblano Enchiladas Verde with flavorful Roasted Poblano Sauce. A simple healthy and adaptable, Mexican-inspired dinner recipe that is easy and flavorful! Make this with simple baked chicken or black beans!
Fresh Tomatilla Salsa
Add an element of freshness to your Mexican Feast with this Fresh Tomatillo Salsa Recipe! (aka Salsa Verde) A FRESH vibrant recipe for Tomatillo Salsa using *uncooked* tomatillos, resulting in the most amazing flavors. Serve this with chips, Baja Tacos, quesadillas or as a sauce for enchiladas! Trust me and make this.
Tlayludas
Vegan Tlayludas! Originating from Oaxaca, Tlayludas are like Mexican Pizza. We discovered this healthier version in a little Oaxacan cafe, and love how it is loaded up with healthy veggies…. one of my all-time favorites. Honestly, I could eat this every day. Feel free to “beef these up” with chorizo and Mexican string cheese for a more authentic vibe.
Mezcal Margaritas
A refreshing “healthier” ( if that is possible!) recipe for Mezcal Margaritas– with fresh limes, jalapeno, cilantro and a hint of maple syrup…smoky, spicy and oh so refreshing! Designed for the “grown-up” palate. If you like Scotch, you’ll love this.
Mexican Slaw
Our go-to side dish, this Mexican Slaw with jalapeño and lime– is perfect for loading onto tacos or serve a vegan side to your Mexican Feast. Fast and easy and Vegan!
Shrimp Tacos
These delicious Shrimp Tacos are topped with a refreshing Mango Cabbage Slaw and served with seasoned black beans for some good healthy fiber.
Chicken Carnitas
A great recipe to batch-cook for the week. These simple Chicken Carnitas can be made in an Instant Pot, on the stovetop or in the oven, and can be used in enchiladas, tacos, burrito bowls during the week. Easy and delicious!
Hibiscus QuesAdillas
Looking for something a little different? These Hibiscus Quesadillas are made with rehydrated hibiscus flowers sauteed with onions and spices, rendering them “meaty” and delicious; this recipe came from a cafe in Sayulita, Mexico.
Salsa Macha
We fell in love with Salsa Macha ( an incredibly flavorful sauce made with dried chilies) down in San Pancho, Mexico and this recipe is divine! Create a Salsa Macha Bowl – a sheet-pan dinner made with Tofu or Chicken (or both), with roasted yams and peppers, avocado. Vegan adaptable.
Hibiscus Margaritas
Hibiscus Margaritas – infused with ginger and a whisper of clove. Beautiful, delicious and refreshing! Perfect for your Mexican Feast.
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. Sub MEXICAN BAKED TOFU for the Chicken for a vegan version!
Fresh Strawberry Margaritas
Because everything is better with fresh organic strawberries! A throwback to my 20s when blended strawberry margaritas were the best thing ever. Turns out they still are. Naturally sweetened, these are a treat! They make you feel like young and free. JUST DO IT.
The Best Grilled Steak Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce!
One of the most popular recipes on the blog to date…. Grilled Steak Tacos with Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce plus authentic Pico de Gallo and Pickled onions! Perfect for entertaining and outdoor gatherings. Fire up the grill!
Vegan Ceviche
This Vegan Ceviche will transport you to Mexico. Made with hearts of palm and avocado, this easy recipe can be served on tostadas, with chips or in lettuce cups!
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
A delicious chicken enchilada recipe for those who like them plain and simple, yet full of flavor!
Chipotle Mayo
Vegan adaptable Chipotle Mayo– (aka Mexican Secret Sauce!!!) A simple, 5-minute sauce that will elevate what you are already making, and add a burst of flavor to most any meal. Vegan adaptable and GF
Homemade Tortillas
How to make Homemade Tortillas from scratch using masa harina, flour, or a blend of both. You don’t need a tortilla press for this recipe!
Chipotle Pineapple Salsa
Made with a few simple ingredients, this fresh Pineapple Salsa is perfectly balanced and bursting with juicy delicious flavor! A delicious complement to tacos and tostadas and burgers, or serve as a refreshing appetizer with tortilla chips. Vegan.
Fermented Hot Sauce
A simple delicious recipe for Fermented Hot Sauce using fresh chilies, with no special equipment and only 20 minutes of hands-on time! It is easier than you think, and full of healthy probiotics. Once you try this, you’ll never go back. I’m certain!
Tips for Hosting 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).
- Batch-make the margaritas ahead (without ice).
- 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 your 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.
More Delicious Taco Recipes:
- Greek Lamb Tacos with Minted Yogurt Sauce
- Birria Tacos
- Healthy Delicious Breakfast Tacos!
- Pulled Pork Tacos with Five spice
- Grilled Chipotle Fish Tacos with Peach Salsa
- Mexican Short Rib Tacos
- The Ultimate Vegan Breakfast Tacos
Happy weekend friends… Salud!
xoxo
⭐️ For many more healthy, Mexican-inspired meals make sure to check out our Mexican Recipes Page !
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40 Best 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
Whether you are celebrating Cinco De Mayo or having a simple gathering at home, these authentic, flavorful recipes are fun to make, and include many vegan and Gluten-Free options! Pick out a few for your next gathering or potluck! 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.
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!