10+ Mexican Recipes to Spice Up Your Cooking

Exploring Mexican recipes can be an exciting culinary adventure. From vibrant flavors to colorful presentations, the dishes you find are sure to inspire you in the kitchen.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, these recipes will help you bring the taste of Mexico into your home.

Mexican cuisine is known for its rich traditions and diverse ingredients. With a mix of spices, herbs, and fresh produce, each dish offers a unique taste experience.

You can easily create these vibrant meals that not only satisfy the palate but also bring a festive atmosphere to your dining table.

1) Tacos Al Pastor

Tacos al Pastor are a delicious Mexican dish you can easily make at home. They feature marinated pork that is tender and flavorful.

Traditionally, the meat is cooked on a vertical spit, but you can grill or cook it on the stovetop for a tasty result.

You’ll love the combination of pork with pineapple, onion, and cilantro. These ingredients create a balance of sweet and savory in every bite. Squeeze some fresh lime juice on top for extra zing.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) pork shoulder
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) pineapple juice
• 2 tbsp (30 g) adobo sauce
• 1 tsp (5 g) cumin
• 1/2 cup (75 g) diced onion
• 1/2 cup (50 g) chopped cilantro
• Corn tortillas
• Lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the pork with pineapple juice, adobo sauce, and cumin for at least 2 hours.
2. Cook the pork in a skillet over medium heat (350°F/175°C) until fully cooked.
3. Slice the pork thinly and warm the tortillas.
4. Assemble the tacos with pork, onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy!

2) Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

Chicken enchiladas with green sauce are a delicious and comforting dish. You can make them easily using cooked chicken, tortillas, and a flavorful green sauce. This dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Start by filling corn tortillas with shredded chicken. Then, roll them up and place them in a baking dish.

Pour green sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese for a tasty finish.

Bake the enchiladas at 350°F (175°C) until bubbly and golden. Serve them with rice or beans for a complete meal that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 8 corn tortillas
• 2 cups green enchilada sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or cheddar)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Optional toppings: sour cream, cilantro, sliced olives

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat the tortillas in olive oil for a few seconds to soften.
3. Fill each tortilla with shredded chicken and roll it up.
4. Place the rolled tortillas in a baking dish.
5. Pour green sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
7. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

3) Pork Carnitas Tacos

Pork carnitas tacos are a delicious and easy dish to make. The pork is slow-cooked until it’s tender, juicy, and flavorful. This method brings out the best in the meat, giving you a great base for your tacos.

Start by warming your tortillas. Then pile up the delicious carnitas on each one.

You can add toppings like refried beans and grated cheese for extra flavor.

These tacos are perfect for any occasion. They are satisfying and can easily feed a crowd.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 lime, juiced
• Tortillas
• Refried beans
• Grated cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse and dry the pork shoulder.
2. Rub the pork with salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano.
3. Place the pork in a slow cooker.
4. Squeeze lime juice over the pork.
5. Cook on low for 8 hours (about 93°C).
6. Shred the pork and serve on warm tortillas with desired toppings.

4) Authentic Guacamole

To make authentic guacamole, you need just a few simple ingredients. The key is to use ripe avocados for the best flavor.

Start with avocados, diced onion, chopped tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. Adding lime juice gives it a nice tang. If you want some heat, include jalapeño or serrano peppers.

A sprinkle of salt ties everything together perfectly. Mix these ingredients in a bowl until you reach your desired consistency, whether smooth or chunky.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt to taste
• Jalapeño or serrano pepper (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit.
2. Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl and mash it slightly.
3. Add chopped onion, diced tomato, cilantro, lime juice, and salt.
4. If using, chop the pepper and mix it in.
5. Stir gently and enjoy with tortilla chips!

5) Chiles Rellenos

Chiles Rellenos are a delicious Mexican dish made with stuffed peppers. You start with poblano or Anaheim peppers, which are roasted until the skin is charred. This adds a smoky flavor that’s hard to resist.

Once roasted, you peel the peppers and stuff them with cheese. You can use any cheese you like, but traditional recipes often call for queso blanco.

After stuffing, you dip the peppers in a light egg batter and fry them until they are golden brown. This gives them a crispy texture on the outside while keeping the cheese melty inside.

Enjoy Chiles Rellenos with a fresh tomato sauce or salsa on top for an added kick. They make a great appetizer or main dish.

Ingredients

• 6 poblano peppers
• 2 cups grated cheese
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Roast the peppers over an open flame or in the oven at 425°F (220°C) until charred.
2. Peel the skin off the roasted peppers.
3. Stuff each pepper with cheese.
4. Beat eggs in a bowl and dip the stuffed peppers.
5. Coat the peppers with flour and fry in hot oil until golden brown.

6) Margaritas with Fresh Lime Juice

Margaritas with fresh lime juice are a refreshing treat. Using real lime juice makes a big difference in taste. It brings a bright, zesty flavor that balances the sweetness of the drink.

To make this margarita, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. Silver tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice are key players.

For a little sweetness, you can add agave nectar or simple syrup. Shake everything together with ice, and pour it into a glass with or without salt on the rim.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila
• 1 ounce orange liqueur (like Cointreau)
• 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Optional: 1/2 ounce agave nectar or simple syrup
• Ice
• Optional: Salt for the rim

Cooking Instructions

1. In a shaker, combine tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and optional sweetener.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.
3. Rim your glass with salt, if desired.
4. Strain the mixture into the glass over fresh ice. Enjoy!

7) Queso Fundido with Chorizo

Queso Fundido with Chorizo is a warm, cheesy dish that is perfect for sharing. You get gooey cheese mixed with spicy chorizo and veggies. It’s not just delicious but also easy to make.

For this recipe, you will need ingredients like Oaxaca cheese, which melts beautifully, and delicious Mexican chorizo for flavor. You can also add jalapeños for an extra kick.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Oaxaca cheese or low-moisture mozzarella
• 1/3 pound Mexican chorizo, casings removed
• 1 medium poblano pepper
• 1/2 medium white onion
• Optional: 1 small serrano pepper
• Tortilla chips for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a skillet, cook the chorizo over medium-high heat until crisp.
3. Chop the onions and peppers. Add them to the skillet and cook until soft.
4. Layer the cheese in an ovenproof dish.
5. Pour the chorizo mixture over the cheese.
6. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, until the cheese melts and bubbles.
7. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

8) Tamales with Red Chili Sauce

Tamales with red chili sauce are a delicious Mexican treat. They are made of masa dough filled with various ingredients, and the red chili sauce adds a rich flavor.

To start, you will need dried chilies, garlic, and spices to create the sauce. You will also need pork or chicken for the filling, which gives the tamales a savory taste.

Once you have your ingredients, prepare the red chili sauce by blending the soaked chilies with garlic and spices. Cook your meat in this sauce until it’s tender and full of flavor.

Wrap the filling in masa dough and steam the tamales until they are fully cooked. Enjoy them with extra sauce for a tasty meal.

Ingredients:

• 15 large dried chilies
• 4-5 garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Pork or chicken for filling

Cooking Instructions:

1. Soak the dried chilies in hot water.
2. Blend the chilies, garlic, cumin, and salt until smooth.
3. Cook the pork or chicken in the red chili sauce until tender.
4. Prepare masa dough and place filling inside.
5. Wrap and steam the tamales for about 1.5 hours.
6. Serve with additional red chili sauce.

9) Sopa de Tortilla

Sopa de Tortilla is a flavorful Mexican soup that features a delicious broth made from tomatoes and spices. It is often topped with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, and sometimes cheese.

To make this dish, start with a base of chicken or vegetable broth. You can add garlic and onion for extra flavor.

Chiles provide a nice kick, while epazote and oregano add unique herbal notes.

The soup is usually served hot. It makes for a comforting meal, especially on a chilly day. You can customize it by adding your favorite toppings, like sour cream or radishes.

Ingredients

• 4 corn tortillas
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 chiles (like pasilla)
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Lime wedges (for serving)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic, then sauté until soft.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes and chiles, and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Pour in broth and bring to a simmer.
5. Cut tortillas into strips and fry until crispy.
6. Serve soup hot, topped with tortilla strips, avocado, and lime.

10) Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Fish tacos with mango salsa are a delicious and vibrant dish. They combine seasoned fish with fresh mango for a sweet and tangy flavor.

To start, use a mild white fish like cod. You can pan-sear it or grill it for a tasty finish. Pair your fish with corn or flour tortillas for a great base.

Next, prepare your mango salsa. Dice fresh mango, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño for some heat. This salsa adds a burst of flavor to your tacos.

Add some creamy guacamole and a drizzle of lime crema for toppings. Together, these ingredients create a colorful and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) white fish (like cod)
• 8 small corn or flour tortillas
• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1/4 red onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, minced (optional)
• 1 avocado, for guacamole
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Lime juice
• Cabbage, shredded

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the fish with salt and pepper.

2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. This is around 350°F or 175°C.

3. Cook the fish for about 4-5 minutes on each side until done.

4. Warm the tortillas in a separate pan or microwave.

5. Mix mango, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño in a bowl for salsa.

6. Mash the avocado and season for guacamole.

7. Assemble the tacos with fish, salsa, guacamole, and shredded cabbage.

8. Drizzle with lime crema made from sour cream and lime juice.

9. Enjoy!