10+ Mexican Food Recipes for Delicious and Easy Meals

Mexican food recipes bring vibrant flavors and exciting ingredients to your kitchen. You can easily find something to suit your taste and impress your friends and family. Whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced chef, these recipes offer something delicious for everyone to enjoy.

Exploring Mexican cuisine opens the door to a world of spices, textures, and colors that make every meal special. You can create authentic dishes that transport you to the heart of Mexico, all from the comfort of your own home. So, get ready to dive into the wonderful flavors of Mexican food!

1) Tacos al Pastor

Tacos al Pastor are a delicious Mexican dish that features marinated pork. This meat is often cooked on a grill or stovetop, giving it a smoky flavor. Pineapple, onion, and cilantro add freshness and sweetness.

You can make these tacos at home using simple ingredients. Start by slicing the pork into thin pieces. Then, marinate it with spices for extra flavor.

Warm up corn tortillas and fill them with the cooked pork. Top each taco with chunks of pineapple, diced onion, and fresh cilantro. A squeeze of lime juice enhances the taste.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup diced pineapple
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate pork in pineapple juice and spices for at least 2 hours.
2. Preheat grill to 400°F (200°C).
3. Grill pork for about 15 minutes, until cooked through.
4. Warm tortillas on the grill.
5. Fill tortillas with pork and top with pineapple, onion, and cilantro.
6. Serve with lime wedges.

2) Chiles Rellenos

Chiles Rellenos are delicious stuffed peppers that you can easily make at home. They are usually made with poblano peppers filled with cheese, then dipped in egg batter and fried until golden brown. The combination of flavors is truly satisfying.

To start, you roast the peppers until the skin is charred. Then, peel them gently and stuff them with your favorite cheese. After that, dip them in a light batter before frying.

This dish is perfect for a family dinner or a special gathering with friends. It’s great served with rice and a side of salsa for some added flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 poblano peppers
• 8 ounces cheese (like Monterey Jack)
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Roast the poblano peppers until charred.
2. Peel the skin off the peppers.
3. Stuff each pepper with cheese.
4. Beat the eggs until fluffy.
5. Dip each stuffed pepper in flour, then in the beaten eggs.
6. Fry the peppers in hot oil until golden.

3) Chicken Tinga Tostadas

Chicken Tinga Tostadas are a delicious and simple Mexican dish. They feature shredded chicken in a spicy sauce made from tomatoes and chipotle peppers. This dish is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

To start, prepare the chicken by cooking it until it’s tender. Then, shred the meat and mix it with sautéed onions, garlic, and the flavorful sauce.

Serve the chicken on crisp tostadas, topped with refried beans, lettuce, cheese, and your favorite salsa. Each bite is full of flavor and texture.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 plum tomatoes
• 4-5 tomatillos
• 1/2 onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 3 chipotles in adobo
• Tostadas
• Refried beans
• Shredded lettuce
• Crumbled cheese
• Salsa

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook chicken until tender, then shred it.
2. Sauté onion and garlic in a pan.
3. Add tomatoes, tomatillos, chipotles, and chicken.
4. Mix well and heat through.
5. Spread refried beans on tostadas.
6. Top with chicken and other toppings.

4) Cochinita Pibil

Cochinita Pibil is a delicious Mexican dish from the Yucatán Peninsula. It features tender pork marinated in spices and citrus juices. Traditionally, this pork is baked wrapped in banana leaves.

To make it at home, you’ll need pork shoulder or butt. The marinade typically includes achiote paste, orange juice, and lime juice. The combination creates a rich flavor that’s hard to resist.

You can cook it in the oven or a slow cooker for best results. The cooking process allows the pork to become very tender. Serve it in tacos, or alongside rice for a tasty meal.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork shoulder
• 2 tablespoons achiote paste
• ⅓ cup orange juice
• ⅔ cup lime juice
• 2 habanero peppers (optional)
• Banana leaves (for wrapping)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. In a bowl, mix achiote paste, orange juice, and lime juice.
3. Rub the marinade over the pork.
4. Wrap the pork in banana leaves.
5. Place the wrapped pork in a roasting pan.
6. Cook for about 4 hours, until tender.

5) Enchiladas Verdes

Enchiladas Verdes are a delicious Mexican dish that brings together tortillas, chicken, and a bright green sauce. This sauce is made from tomatillos, giving it a fresh and tangy flavor.

You can fill your enchiladas with shredded chicken or cheese, depending on your preference. After rolling them up, top with the green sauce and some crumbled cotija cheese for extra taste.

To make these enchiladas even more special, add chopped cilantro and sour cream on top before serving. They are perfect for any occasion or just a cozy dinner at home.

Ingredients

• 12 corn tortillas
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 2 cups tomatillos, husked and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 serrano chilies, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a saucepan, cook tomatillos, onion, garlic, and chilies until soft.
3. Blend the mixture until smooth.
4. Warm tortillas in a skillet to make them pliable.
5. Fill each tortilla with chicken, roll, and place in a baking dish.
6. Pour the tomatillo sauce over the enchiladas.
7. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and bake for 20 minutes.

6) Pozole Rojo

Pozole rojo is a traditional Mexican dish that features a rich, savory broth. It combines tender pork, hominy, and spicy red chiles for a flavorful experience.

To achieve its vibrant red color, dried chiles are used in the cooking process. You can serve each bowl with fresh toppings like shredded cabbage, radishes, and lime.

This cozy dish is perfect for gatherings and celebrations. It warms you up and brings everyone together.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs pork shoulder
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 6 cups water
• 1 can hominy (15 oz), drained
• 3 dried red chiles

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, heat oil over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté until soft.
3. Add pork shoulder and brown on all sides.
4. Pour in water and add cumin. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for about 1.5 hours (70°C).
6. Blend the dried chiles with a bit of water; stir into the pot.
7. Add hominy and cook for another 30 minutes.
8. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

7) Sopa de Tortilla

Sopa de Tortilla, or tortilla soup, is a delicious Mexican dish. It features a rich tomato broth and crispy tortilla strips. You can customize it with your favorite toppings like avocado or cheese.

The soup is often made with a mix of spices to give it a flavorful kick. Ingredients like pasilla chiles and lime juice add brightness to the dish. This soup is perfect for a cozy night in.

Ingredients

• 4 corn tortillas
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 pasilla chiles, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the tortillas into strips and fry them in oil until crispy.
2. In a pot, sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
3. Add tomatoes and chiles, cooking for a few minutes.
4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
5. Stir in lime juice, salt, and pepper.
6. Serve hot, topped with tortilla strips and avocado slices.

8) Mole Poblano

Mole Poblano is a rich and complex sauce from Mexico. It combines various ingredients, including chiles, chocolate, and spices. This sauce often accompanies chicken or turkey and is perfect for special occasions.

To make Mole Poblano, you will need dried chiles like ancho and guajillo, along with nuts and seeds. You can also add spices for depth of flavor.

Ingredients

• 6-7 dried ancho chiles
• 6-7 dried guajillo chiles
• 5-6 dried pasilla chiles
• 1/2 onion
• 6 garlic cloves
• 2-3 Roma tomatoes
• 1/3 cup sesame seeds
• 1 square of dark chocolate

Cooking Instructions

1. Toast the dried chiles in a dry skillet until fragrant.
2. Soak the chiles in hot water for about 20 minutes.
3. In a blender, combine the soaked chiles, onion, garlic, tomatoes, and sesame seeds.
4. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed.
5. Cook the mixture in a pot over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
6. Stir in the chocolate and cook until melted.
7. Serve over your choice of protein.

9) Ceviche de Camarón

Ceviche de Camarón is a refreshing and flavorful Mexican dish. It features fresh shrimp marinated in citrus juices, typically lime, along with chopped vegetables. This dish is perfect for a light lunch or as an appetizer.

To make your ceviche pop, include ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. The mixture is usually served chilled for a crisp taste. You can enjoy it with tortilla chips or on its own.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup lime juice
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop the shrimp into small pieces.
2. In a bowl, combine shrimp and lime juice. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and salt. Mix well.
4. Chill before serving. Enjoy!

10) Salsa Verde Taquera

Salsa Verde Taquera is a vibrant green sauce that adds a zesty kick to your meals. Made with fresh tomatillos and jalapeños, it’s perfect for tacos and other dishes. You can make it quickly and enjoy the bright flavors.

To prepare this salsa, start by peeling and rinsing the tomatillos. Then chop up some onion and garlic for extra taste. Blend all the ingredients until smooth for a delightful sauce.

This salsa is not only tasty but versatile. You can use it on tacos, burritos, or even grilled meats. It makes a great addition to your Mexican food repertoire.

Ingredients

• 6 to 8 tomatillos, peeled and rinsed
• 2 to 3 jalapeño peppers
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 to 3 cloves of garlic
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and rinse the tomatillos.
2. Chop the onion and garlic.
3. Blend tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, and garlic until smooth.
4. Add salt to taste.
5. Serve fresh with your favorite dishes.