10+ Mexican Dinner Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

Mexican dinner recipes bring vibrant flavors and comforting meals to your table. You can explore dishes that are delicious and easy to prepare, making weeknight dinners enjoyable for everyone.

From classic tacos to hearty enchiladas, these recipes inspire you to try new ingredients and cooking techniques. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting, you’ll find options that suit your taste and skill level.

Mexican cuisine offers something for every palate. Discover how to spice up your dinner routine with these flavorful dishes.

Get ready to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills!

1) Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce

Chicken enchiladas with red sauce make a tasty and hearty Mexican dinner. These enchiladas are filled with shredded chicken and cheese, then topped with red enchilada sauce.

To make these enchiladas, you can use store-bought or homemade enchilada sauce. If you prefer to make it from scratch, the sauce can be simple yet flavorful.

Roll the chicken and cheese in tortillas, cover them with sauce, and bake until bubbly and golden. This dish pairs nicely with rice or beans.

Add toppings like sour cream or fresh cilantro for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 8 corn tortillas
• 2 cups red enchilada sauce
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Warm the tortillas to make them easier to roll.
3. Place chicken and cheese in each tortilla, then roll it up.
4. Spread a layer of red sauce in a baking dish.
5. Place the rolled tortillas seam side down in the dish.
6. Pour the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with extra cheese.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

2) Beef Carnitas Tacos

Beef carnitas tacos are a tasty choice for dinner. This dish features tender, flavorful beef tucked into warm tortillas.

You can customize your tacos with various toppings. Use a chuck roast or flank steak and season with chili powder and oregano.

Cook the meat in a slow cooker to keep it juicy and easy to shred. Serve your carnitas with toppings such as avocados, Pico de Gallo, and shredded cheese.

Add sour cream and lime for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds chuck roast or flank steak
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortillas
• Toppings: avocados, Pico de Gallo, shredded cheese, sour cream, lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the meat with chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Place the meat in a slow cooker.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours (approximately 93°C) until tender.
4. Shred the beef and serve in warm tortillas.
5. Add your favorite toppings.

3) One-Pan Mexican Chicken and Rice

One-Pan Mexican Chicken and Rice is a simple and delicious dinner idea. It combines tender chicken, rice, and flavorful spices in one skillet.

This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and is ready in under 30 minutes. Use easy ingredients like enchilada sauce and green chiles, then top with cheese for extra flavor.

Cook everything in one pan for easy cleanup.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) chicken breasts, diced
• 1 cup (200 g) rice
• 1 can (14 oz or 400 g) enchilada sauce
• 1 can (4 oz or 113 g) diced green chiles
• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned.
3. Stir in the rice, enchilada sauce, green chiles, and chicken broth.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Top with cheese and let it melt before serving.

4) Shrimp Fajitas with Grilled Peppers

Shrimp fajitas with grilled peppers are a tasty and colorful dish. You can prepare them quickly, making them perfect for busy weeknights.

Marinate the shrimp in fajita seasoning. Slice bell peppers and onions, then grill or sauté them to bring out their sweetness.

Cook the shrimp and veggies in a skillet or on a grill. Serve with tortillas and add toppings like avocado or salsa.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
• Olive oil
• Tortillas
• Optional toppings: avocado, salsa, lime

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate shrimp in fajita seasoning for 15 minutes.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
3. Add sliced bell peppers and onions, cooking until soft (about 5 minutes).
4. Add shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through (about 3-4 minutes).
5. Serve in tortillas and add your favorite toppings.

5) Vegetarian Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Vegetarian black bean and corn quesadillas are a quick meal filled with black beans, corn, and cheese. They are cheesy and satisfying.

Sauté onions and bell peppers in a little oil. Mix in canned black beans and corn, then add your choice of cheese.

Place the filling between two tortillas and cook on a skillet until golden brown. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or guacamole.

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or vegan)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 4 tortillas
• Oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
2. Sauté onions and bell peppers until soft.
3. Add black beans and corn. Stir until warm.
4. Place filling on half of each tortilla and sprinkle cheese on top.
5. Fold tortillas over and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side.
6. Cut into wedges and serve.

6) Classic Mexican Pozole Soup

Pozole is a warm and hearty Mexican soup made with hominy, pork, and flavorful spices. This dish is perfect for gatherings or family dinners.

Cook the pork until tender, then add hominy and simmer with spices like cumin and garlic. This creates a rich, savory broth.

Serve pozole with fresh toppings such as shredded cabbage, radishes, and lime. Each bowl can be customized to your taste.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 can hominy
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pork shoulder in a large pot until tender.
2. Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
3. Stir in hominy, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Serve hot with toppings.

7) Chili-Lime Fish Tacos

Chili-lime fish tacos are a fresh option for dinner. The combination of flaky fish, zesty lime, and chili brings a burst of flavor.

Choose your favorite fish, like tilapia or cod. Bake or grill it with chili and lime.

Use soft corn tortillas to wrap up the fish. Add toppings like avocado, mango salsa, or cilantro-lime slaw.

These tacos are colorful and fun to eat.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) fish fillets (tilapia or cod)
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 2 limes (juice)
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 avocado (sliced)
• Mango salsa (optional)
• Cilantro-lime slaw (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season fish with chili powder and lime juice.
3. Bake fish for 15-20 minutes until flaky.
4. Warm tortillas in a pan or oven.
5. Assemble tacos with fish, avocado, and salsa.

8) Ground Beef Picadillo

Ground Beef Picadillo is a comforting Mexican dish made with ground beef and vegetables like potatoes and onions. It’s cooked in a tomato sauce with spices.

Serve it over rice or with warm tortillas for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, cooking until soft.
3. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
4. Stir in diced potatoes, diced tomatoes, cumin, salt, and pepper.
5. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
6. Serve with rice or tortillas.

9) Spicy Mexican Rice with Green Chiles

Spicy Mexican Rice with Green Chiles is a flavorful side dish that pairs well with many meals. This dish is easy to make and adds a nice kick to your dinner.

Start with long-grain rice cooked in chicken broth. This step adds depth to the flavor.

Diced green chiles bring the spice. Onion and garlic round out the taste.

You can adjust the heat by choosing mild or hot chiles. Serve this rice with your favorite Mexican dishes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until soft.
3. Stir in rice and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add chicken broth and green chiles.
5. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low.
6. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
7. Fluff with a fork and season with salt.

10) Pork Tamales with Red Chile Sauce

Pork tamales with red chile sauce are a classic Mexican dish you can enjoy any time. These tamales feature tender pork seasoned with spices and wrapped in soft masa.

The red chile sauce gives them a rich, spicy flavor. Making tamales takes time, but the results are worth it.

Serve these tamales with toppings like sour cream or avocado. They make a great meal for family gatherings or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 2 cups masa harina
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup lard or shortening
• 1 cup pork broth
• 2 cups cooked, shredded pork
• 1 cup red chile sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix masa harina, baking powder, and salt.

2. Beat in lard until fluffy.

3. Gradually add pork broth until the mixture becomes smooth.

4. Spread the masa on corn husks.

5. Add shredded pork and red chile sauce.

6. Fold the husks.

7. Steam for 1 to 1.5 hours at 210°F (99°C).