Food Fit for a Fiesta!
It seems that whenever I’m enjoying Mexican food, it’s always a happy occasion. The typical Mexican meals that we gravitate to are fun foods – finger foods, spicy foods, spicy finger foods that make you reach for a beer or margarita to wash it all down. Truth is, it’s not only fun to eat Mexican foods, it’s fun to make them too!
1. Crispy Beef Tacos
Let’s start it off with a fan favorite. These crispy tacos filled with beef and a homemade taco seasoning, always get the party started! Make sure you grab a plate or a napkin with this crispy tacos and get ready to hear the crunch.
2. White Turkey Enchilada Pie
Make enchiladas easily by stacking them in a casserole dish for a delicious baked option with a creamy pepper jack cheese sauce. If you have a round casserole dish to make these in, it’s even better. Then, just slice it like a pie and serve.
3. Pork Carnitas
This is Mexico’s version of pulled pork and it’s delicious. This recipe gives you amazingly tender pork that you can crisp up in a skillet before loading it into tortillas for the perfect taco. It also freezes well, so make a big batch and store in smaller packages. Then you can defrost just want for that special taco night.
4. Black Bean Enchiladas
Make your best enchiladas yet with this super easy homemade sauce that just gets buzzed in a blender and requires no stovetop cooking. Keep it vegetarian with black beans or add your favorite protein.
5. Homemade Guacamole
Nothing beats homemade guacamole and it’s so very very easy to make. Make extra because guacamole always disappears quickly. I promise, you will never buy store-bought guac again after making this! You might even want to make your own chips to dip in.
6. Chicken Tortilla Soup
Any dinner that includes tortilla chips is a great dinner to me! Put all your favorite taco toppings in a bowl of this zesty soup and make it in your pressure cooker or on the stovetop. This is a recipe from my cookbook “Delicious Under Pressure” and it’s a favorite of mine.
7. Classic Margaritas
Make this classic Mexican cocktail on ice, up, or frozen. All versions will make you smile, but if you’re making one for me, I like it on the rocks with salt please. If you like flavored Margaritas… stay tuned. One of my favorite fruity versions is farther down in this list.
8. Chili Lime Chicken Tacos
If you’re looking for a good taco filling, this might be the answer for you. Fill your tortillas or top your nachos with this tender shredded chili-lime flavored chicken that you can make in minutes in your pressure cooker. This is another dish that is easy to freeze for a rainy day, so make a big batch.
9. Mexican Street Corn Nachos
There will never be too many versions of nachos in the world. This recipe takes all the flavors from fun Mexican street corn and tops off a pan of tortilla chips for amazing and unique nachos! This one’s a winner for Cinco de Mayo or any day.
10. Mexican Rice and Beans
This is the perfect side dish for any tacos, burritos, or enchiladas that you are serving. It’s the perfect mix of rice, beans, tomatoes, and spices all in one great dish and can also be used inside a burrito too.
11. Chicken Stuffed Tortillas
Great way to serve nachos for a party because all the toppings are folded up in little tortilla triangles. These fun-to-make apps are sure to disappear fast! But… be warned that it’s very hard to have just one of these treats.
12. Skillet Enchilada Rice
I love a one pan dish and this one does not disappoint! It might not be the prettiest dish, but the chicken, rice, and spices all cook together in one skillet for a quick and easy meal. Turn the lights down low and enjoy!
13. Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Not just a fancy dance, salsa is an essential part of a Mexican meal. This fresh homemade salsa is not your typical tomato salsa, but with corn and beans it is packed with flavor and a little protein too! Great for tacos, quesadillas, and nachos or just grab some chips and dip away.
14. Homemade Tortilla Chips
Speaking of chips…try your hand at some terrific air fried tortilla chips! They are easy to make and better for you than store-bough deep fried chips. They are also a great way to use up any leftover corn or flour tortillas you might have. Enjoy!
15. Take Along 7-Layer Dip
Don’t feel like sharing? Well, then this recipe is for you! It’s a great little treat for parties or tailgating because everyone has their own personal, portable dip where double dipping is A-OK!
16. Spicy Salmon Tacos
This recipe is for salmon, but you can use any fish that you like. Turn your favorite fish into amazing tacos with a little spice to go along. Serve with the pineapple salsa to balance out all the flavors.
17. Pineapple Salsa
Speaking of salsa… there are so many different varieties possible. This homemade fresh pineapple salsa has a sweet flavor and is great with fish, chicken, and plain old tortilla chips too! It gives you a little tropical touch that is such a delight with Mexican spices and foods with a little kick.
18. Mini Beef & Bean Burritos
These cute and tasty appetizers are filled with a great combination of beef, bean, and cheddar cheese. Best part you can make them ahead for easy entertaining and they are popular at any party. Sub in chicken or pork if you prefer.
19. Cauliflower Tacos
Looking for a vegetarian taco, then this one is for you! Roasted cauliflower and chickpeas along with some pickled red onions and a creamy cashew creme make an amazing taco. It’s all easy to make, and the onions turn into a beautiful pink color. This taco might just win the taco beauty award too!
20. Pineapple Margaritas
Want to switch up your classic margarita? Ok. Then try this pineapple version. It’s so refreshing and bright and will take you straight to a warmer venue. Close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting under that umbrella! Check out the spicy version if you’re a glutton for punishment. Just have some chips on hand to quench the heat.
21. Tequila Lime Shrimp
This flavorful shrimp marinated in tequila and lime juice makes a great taco filling. Cooking the shrimp in the shells gives them more flavor, but you could go with peeled shrimp if that’s what you can find. Or you can serve them peel and eat style which go perfectly with a shot on the side. 😉
22. Chicken Queso Fresco & Mango Salsa Tostada Bites
These little bites are a perfect hors d’oeuvres. Each bite has some seasoned chicken and mango salsa piled on top of a crispy tortilla round with some queso fresco cheese. It’s an explosion of flavors in every bite! If you can’t find queso fresco, try using some feta cheese or goat cheese instead.
23. Mango Salsa
This fresh mango salsa is light, bright, and delicious. The sweet mango pairs perfectly with the spicy Jalapeño peppers. It’s great on all your Mexican favorites or you can use it to top off grilled fish and chicken too. My favorite way might just be on a plain old salty tortilla chip though…
24. Salsa Chicken Thighs & Rice
A great one-pot meal that whenever I make it, I ask myself why I don’t make it more often! It’s that good and super simple to make with a short list of ingredients. AND… it’s a fan favorite for sure. Grab your favorite jar of store-bought salsa and you’re already halfway through the recipe!
25. Spicy Fish Street Fish Tacos
You will feel like the taco food truck just rolled up when you bite into these crispy coated fish tacos! The best part is the spicy Sriracha coleslaw piled on top. Yum! Make sure you warm and toast your tortillas and provide a stack of napkins.
26. Chicken & Green Chili Taquitos
Taquitos are little tacos and when air-fried you get nice crispy results. These taquitos have a warm and tasty filling of chicken, Monterey cheese, salsa verde, and spices. Drizzle with the avocado crema for a perfect snack.
27. Chicken Avocado & Monterey Jack Nachos
Everyone loves a good nacho, and this is one of my most popular versions. The secret is how you build them so the chips don’t get soggy. Check out my tips and serve up crispy nachos with the perfect combination of flavors.
28. Tomato Chipotle Salsa
Here is a homemade salsa with a delicious smokey chipotle flavor that you can whip up in minutes with canned tomatoes and your food processor. It’s the easiest salsa to make because there’s no knife needed! Just grab some chips and dig in!
29. Veggie & Black Bean Burritos
Skip the meat with this terrific vegetarian burrito filled with sweet potatoes, black beans, peppers, onions, and of course a little cheese too! These get pan fried as pockets making them portable and easy to grab and devour.
30. Chicken Tostadas with Chipotle Crema
These tostadas have an air fried tortilla base topped with chicken, cabbage, queso fresco, chipotle crema, and roasted chickpeas. It’s a party of flavors and textures in your mouth, but be sure to have a plate to catch anything that falls.
31. Homemade Taco Seasoning
When it’s this easy to make something yourself, there’s no point buying it. Make your own homemade taco seasoning and store it with your spices so you are always ready for next taco adventure! You can also make a lot of this, package it into small jars and bring it along as a host gift with a bottle of tequila.
32. Tex Mex Salad
This salad with all the traditional Tex-Mex salad makes a great lunch or dinner. And …you can even air fry your own tortilla bowl to serve it in. You could also set up a Tex Mex salad station and have everyone build their own. Told you Mexican recipes were fun… especially when you don’t have to do all the work!
33. Chicken & Refried Bean Enchiladas
This recipe is really all about cooking the most tender and moist chicken, and it uses sous vide to do so. Once you have that delicious chicken, use it to build the best enchiladas with refried beans and cheese melted on top. Interested in more sous vide recipes? Check out my e-book “Make it Sous Vide“.
34. Chunky Beef Chili
This Tex-Mex chili with chunks of tender beef, is always a crowd pleaser and a great way to feed one too. Make it in the pressure cooker or on the stovetop. Then, keep it warm and set up a chili bar and let everyone help themselves. The meat will continue to get tender and the chili is even better on day two.
35. White Chicken Chili
Last, but not least, is another Tex-Mex favorite but uses chicken in the chili with a tomato-less base. Throw in some beans, veggies, and cheese for an amazing bowl of chili that is addictive and keeps you coming back for more.
