100 Mexican Recipes

April 16, 2012
Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Tacos, burritos, enchiladas y mas!
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Healthy Mexican Recipes

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Vegetable and Rice Burritos with Quesadilla Cheese

When a culinary trip south of the border is what you crave, look no further than our fiesta-worthy recipes. From authentic fare to Mexican-inspired dishes, signature flavor profiles abound. See our complete collection of Healthy Mexican Foods.

We'll start off with Vegetable and Rice Burritos with Quesadilla Cheese.

Most grocery stores have a refrigerated section of Mexican cheeses; look for quesadilla cheese there. Use the more commonly found crumbly queso fresco if quesadilla cheese is not available, or opt for melty Monterey Jack. Warming tortillas prior to adding your filling will help keep the tortillas from tearing or cracking during the rolling process—a must-do step for perfect burritos.

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Steak Tacos

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Steak Tacos

In Latin cuisine, a little bit of blistering on tortillas, peppers, onions, and garlic adds pleasant smoke and incredible complexity to a dish. The marinade for our Steak Tacos depends on this for bold taste that can stand up to the Toasted Chile Salsa.

If you're ready for a real game changer, make your own homemade tortillas instead of buying the bagged kind. If you're in a pinch, the La Tortilla Factory corn tortillas are the next best thing to homemade.

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Mushroom and Charred Corn Tacos with Guacamole

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Mushroom and Charred Corn Tacos with Guacamole

This quick taco filling is perfect for weeknight dinners, Poblano chiles bring rich, earthy flavor but little to no heat. (Every once in a while you can get a hot one, though.) If you want to add a little spice, add some crushed red pepper when you sauté the mushrooms.

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Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Red Onion

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Red Onion

The pork gets a big flavor boost from achiote paste, a mix of ground annatto seeds, vinegar, salt, and spices. Find it at Latin markets.

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Fresh Corn Tortillas

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Fresh Corn Tortillas

The very best corn tortillas offer a hint of alkalinity from mineral lime, infused into the corn via a process called nixtamalization. You can usually buy dough by the pound at Mexican markets. While the flavor won't be as complex, you can simply mix masa harina with water, as described in the recipe, for delicious dough.

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Potato, Chorizo, and Green Chile Burritos

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Potato, Chorizo, and Green Chile Burritos

Chorizo and potato make a classic Mexican combination; be sure to use highly spiced, raw and crumbly Mexican chorizo—not the firm, cured Spanish kind. Waxy red potatoes work best here; they hold their shape well and retain some firmness even after they're cooked until tender. For the best browning and a bit of crunch, resist the urge to stir the potatoes often.

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Cumin-Spiced Fish Tacos with Avocado-Mango Salsa

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Cumin-Spiced Fish Tacos with Avocado-Mango Salsa

The superb flavor you get from toasting and grinding cumin seeds is well worth the little bit of effort. Clean the grinder to remove flavors that could permeate the next item ground. Wipe the grinder clean with a soft cloth, add a few tablespoons of uncooked white rice, and grind until rice turns into powder; repeat until the ground rice comes out white.

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Steak and Charred Vegetable Tacos

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Steak and Charred Vegetable Tacos

If you like your beef more rare, keep the steak whole and rub with seasonings; grill about 3 minutes on each side. Let steak stand 5 minutes; cut across grain into thin slices. If you'd like something richer than sour cream, try crema Mexicana, usually located with the Mexican cheeses. Keep the vent hood on as you cook the steak; the chile powder can be quite pungent.

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Pork and Plantain Enchiladas with Black Bean Puree

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Pork and Plantain Enchiladas with Black Bean Puree

The sweetness from the plantains tames the spicy pork.

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Ancho-Rubbed Flank Steak

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Ancho-Rubbed Flank Steak

Ancho chile powder has a much smokier flavor than regular chile powder, and is a pantry must-have for Southwestern food lovers. This simple rub adds tons of flavor to the steak and also gives it a nice caramelized crust. Serve with roasted potato or sweet potato wedges, or for a more Mexican feel, rice and beans.

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Chicken Carne Asada Tacos with Pickled Onions

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Chicken Carne Asada Tacos with Pickled Onions

We replaced beef with seasoned chicken for a fresh take on this traditional Mexican dish.

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Chicken Fajitas

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Chicken Fajitas

A marinade of dark Mexican beer (like Negra Modelo), soy sauce, and fresh lime juice gives these Chicken Fajitas a fresh kick of flavor. Serve with flour tortillas, sautéed peppers and onions, and sliced jalapeño pepper.

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Chimichurri Halibut Tacos

Credit: Photo: Levi Brown
View Recipe: Chimichurri Halibut Tacos

Make these fish tacos a sustainable choice by opting for wild-caught Alaskan halibut. If not available, choose another U.S. or Canadian wild-caught Pacific halibut, or substitute striped bass or U.S. line-caught cod.

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Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream

Avocado cream provides a cooling counterpoint to the spicy ancho chicken in this recipe. We love what the cilantro slaw does to the texture of the dish.

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Flank Steak Tacos

Credit: Photo: Levi Brown
View Recipe: Flank Steak Tacos

Spicy, flavorful flank steak is a great base for any of our taco toppings. Don't forget to slice the meat against—instead of with—the grain.

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Tacos Al Pastor with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Credit: Photo: Nina Choi
View Recipe: Tacos Al Pastor with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Grilling the pineapple brings out an unexpected tang that works amazingly with the pork. If you want to tame the spice, seed the jalapeño and chop it, or simply omit it. Serve with fresh lime wedges for a rustic presentation.

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Mexican Casserole

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Mexican Casserole

Look for veggie protein crumbles in the produce section, near the tofu. Zesty Mexican spices and flavorings sass up plain- (or original-) flavored crumbles.

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Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tamales with Tomatillo Sauce

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tamales with Tomatillo Sauce

Complete this fiesta with Spicy Sautéed Broccoli Rabe and a Clementine Sparkler.

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Mushroom, Corn, and Poblano Tacos

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Mushroom, Corn, and Poblano Tacos

Keep your tortillas soft by wrapping them in foil and keeping them in a warm oven.

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Enchilada Casserole

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry & Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Enchilada Casserole

Make a hearty, healthy Mexican casserole the whole family will enjoy. Substitute ground turkey and chicken broth instead of beef, if desired.

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Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This bubbling hot casserole is the quintessential comfort food. Prep ahead and bake when you're ready to eat.

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Migas con Salsa Verde

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Migas con Salsa Verde

Enjoy this Mexican one-skillet dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

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Grilled Portobello and Poblano Tacos with Pico de Gallo

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Grilled Portobello and Poblano Tacos with Pico de Gallo

These tacos are fresh and delicious thanks to an all-star list of ingredients. Say goodbye to standard tacos and hello to a new favorite.

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Rice and Beans with Chicken and Chorizo

Credit: Photo: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine
View Recipe: Rice and Beans with Chicken and Chorizo

Cozy up to this warm and rustic Latin-inspired dish that's ready in less than half an hour.

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Chiles Rellenos Made Easy

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Chiles Rellenos Made Easy

A classic Mexican favorite receives a lightened makeover that everyone will be sure to love.

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Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas with Ranchero Sauce

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas with Ranchero Sauce

These enchiladas are a fresh take on the enchiladas you grew up with. Most noticeable is the lack of canned enchilada sauce. Make your own delicious ranchero sauce and receive rave reviews.

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Mexican Stuffed Poblanos

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Mexican Stuffed Poblanos

Poblano peppers are stuffed with a delicious combination of pinto beans, bulgur, and fresh Mexican flavors for a delicious meal.

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Vegetable and Steak Fajitas with "Killed" Jalapeños

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Vegetable and Steak Fajitas with "Killed" Jalapeños

Fajitas can be a little boring, don't you think? Not when they're topped with these lime-softened jalapeños. If you like a big burst of lime, drain but don't rinse the chiles before garnishing. Placing the steak briefly in the freezer firms it up, making it easier to slice thinly.

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Baja-Style Grilled Rock Lobster Tails

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Baja-Style Grilled Rock Lobster Tails

A simple citrus sauce perfectly complements the lobster tails in this easy yet elegant entrée. Serve with warmed tortillas, lightly grilled green onions, and cold Mexican beer for a satisfying meal that's just right for romantic evenings at home or entertaining friends.

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Spicy Chicken Quesadillas

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Spicy Chicken Quesadillas

So quick and easy to make, these spicy quesadillas will become a dinnertime go-to meal in no time. To make the dish kid-friendly, simply omit the pickled jalapeño peppers.

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Tex-Mex Beef Tacos

Credit: Karry Hosford
View Recipe: Tex-Mex Beef Tacos

Ground beef is almost certainly America's favorite taco filling, and this simple recipe updates the basic fast-food taco with more taste and better nutrition. Corn, black beans, and chipotles deliver flavor, but each large taco has just 266 calories. 

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Tortilla Meatball Soup

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Tortilla Meatball Soup

For this delicious Mexican soup recipe, if you can't find fresh corn on the cob, substitute 2 cups frozen corn kernels, and broil them with peppers. After making this soup, you can use a few leftover chipotle chiles to spice up a pot of beans, rice, stews, or canola mayonnaise.

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Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Trade the traditional enchilada sauce for a creamy, cheesy topping on this Mexican chicken casserole recipe. Your family will never know they’re enjoying a lightened meal.

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Tortilla Chip Casserole

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Tortilla Chip Casserole

This casserole retains all the full-flavor of the popular, Mexican, chicken comfort dish but with lighter ingredients.

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Vegetarian Chipotle Nachos

Credit: Photo: Susan Byrnes
View Recipe: Vegetarian Chipotle Nachos

With nachos, the more healthful toppings you can pile on top, the better. This dish delivers, with spicy chipotle, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, onion, cheese, sour cream, and more. The vegetarian crumbles are almost indistinguishable from ground beef (except in the nutrition department), but die-hard carnivores can replace it with lean ground beef.

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