35 Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Published May 03, 2024
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While a minor holiday in Mexico except in the state of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a day that celebrates Mexican heritage, food and culture in the United States.
Mexican cuisine is incredibly diverse and varies by region and family traditions. That rich culture has made it a beloved cuisine that is enjoyed around the globe. Mexican cuisine has something for everyone and continues to influence and inspire chefs all over the world.
These 35 Mexican-Inspired Recipes are easy to make with readily available ingredients. They incorporate traditional ingredients and cooking techniques of Mexico, the American Southwest and California for dishes with bold and vibrant flavors.
Table of Contents
Appetizers
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
This authentic, elegant Mexican Shrimp Cocktail—endorsed by my lovely Mexican sister-in-law—is packed with crunchy vegetables and shrimp in a spicy, tangy tomato base that's refreshing with just the right amount of heat. Perfect for hot weather dining! Pinned over 47,000 times!
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Cream Cheese Salsa Dip with Shrimp
This Cream Cheese Salsa Dip with shrimp is super easy and will be the hit of your party! This delightful dip combines tender shrimp with a creamy, zesty salsa base that totally elevates chips and salsa to a whole new level. Perfect for any gathering, this shrimp dip will impress your guests and have them coming back for more!
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Black Bean Dip
This Black Bean Dip makes the perfect effortless party appetizer! Convenient canned black beans are blended with simple ingredients for a dip that’s velvety smooth and super savory. There’s no cooking involved–just blitz it all up in a food processor!
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Crab Mango and Avocado Salad with Chile-Lime Dressing in Endive
Crab Mango and Avocado Salad with Chile Lime Dressing in Endive is a flavor explosion! It’s the perfect appetizer to make all spring and summer long!
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Taco-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Taco-Stuffed Mini Peppers pack the best part of a beef taco into a low-carb, colorful, bite-sized package! A blank canvas for any taco topping, these little pepper "tacos" are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack that will disappear!
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Salads
Southwestern Orzo Pasta Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Southwestern Orzo Pasta Salad with Cilantro – Lime Dressing is a fun, colorful and super flavorful addition to your Southwestern or Mexican-inspired meal!
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Layered Southwestern Salad Recipe
Layered Southwestern Salad is a fun, updated twist on the traditional layered salad! Crispy lettuce, creamy avocado, crunchy tortilla chips, black beans, corn, juicy tomatoes, and an easy three-ingredient buttermilk dressing provide a delightful combination of textures in every bite!
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Southwestern Black Bean Salad
This Southwestern Black Bean Salad has everything you love about that region! Loaded with black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, jicama and jalapenos, this easy, vegan and versatile salad is fresh, flavorful, healthy and perfect for hot summer days!
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Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Salad is a light and fresh twist on classic Southern comfort food. Bring it to your next picnic, or serve it with anything you’re grilling this summer. The ingredients can even be prepped ahead of time, making for a healthy and convenient lunch that you can pack and take to work.
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Main Dishes
Meat
Grilled Skirt Steak with Black Bean, Corn and Tomato Salad
The whole family will love this simple yet flavorful Grilled Skirt Steak recipe. Paired with a lively Black Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad, it's a festive way to get steak on the table! This combination not only adds a vibrant touch to your meal but also provides the perfect balance of texture and flavor that complements the steak beautifully.
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Chorizo Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Chorizo and Brown Rice Stuffed Poblano Peppers are spicy, comforting and a great make-ahead meal for a festive late-fall family dinner or for casual entertaining.
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Chorizo Red Beans and Rice
This Chorizo Beans and Rice recipe is a flavorful Tex-Mex-inspired twist on the classic rice and beans! Mexican chorizo is simmered with red beans, a medley of aromatic spices, and smoky Poblano pepper, creating a rich and comforting base topped off with a bell pepper sauté for a pop of color and bright flavor. Serve with brown rice for a hearty and satisfying meal!
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Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Barbacoa with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Barbacoa are tender, succulent, spicy and delicious! Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is the perfect accompaniment!
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Southwestern Beef and Barley Stuffed Bell Peppers
Southwestern Beef and Barley Stuffed Bell Peppers are a spicy twist on traditional stuffed bell peppers you and your family will love! Packed with hearty ground beef and nutritious barley, these peppers are seasoned with a zesty blend of Southwestern spices that add just the right amount of kick.
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Spaghetti Squash Fideos
Spaghetti Squash Fideos is a spaghetti squash dish you'll really love! Spaghetti squash subs for the fideos traditionally used for a spicy, meaty delicious low-carb dish!
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Cheesy Stuffed Meatballs with Chipotle Sauce
Cheesy Stuffed Meatballs with Chipotle Sauce ooze with cheesy goodness. Definitely NOT your average meatball!
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Chicken
Southwestern Chicken Skillet
Here's an easy family dinner sure to put a smile on everyone's face! Made with simple ingredients you may already have on hand, saucy and cheesy Southwestern Skillet Chicken can be on the table in about 45 minutes! All you need is some seasoned cauliflower rice on the side!
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Grilled Chicken Fajitas with Tajin Seasoning
With its mild heat and kick of lime, Tajin is the perfect seasoning to add to fajitas. Juicy, tender and flavorful Grilled Chicken Fajitas with Tajin Seasoning with grilled peppers and onions are a fun, festive meal that's sure to put a smile on everyone's face!
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Chicken and Spanish Rice Stuffed Peppers
Chicken and Spanish Rice Stuffed Peppers Peppers are loaded with flavor and make a fun, festive dinner anytime! They can be made ahead of time and they're also freezer-friendly.
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Chicken Tostadas
Chicken Tostadas with Black Bean Guacamole and Salsa Fresca are perfect for a fun dinner or festive addition to your Cinco de Mayo party! They’re piled high with guacamole, marinated grilled chicken, fresh salsa, lettuce and queso fresco cheese.
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Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet
Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet is an easy and festive stovetop dinner that’s perfect for a weeknight! Your family will ask for it again and again!
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Mexican Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Mexican Chicken Tortilla Casserole is easy, cheesy and perfect for when the Mexican food craving strikes! Make it ahead and bake it later!
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Chicken Brown Rice and Cheese Stuffed Poblanos
Chicken, Brown Rice and Cheese-Stuffed Poblanos! Chicken, brown rice and two types of cheese are enveloped in earthy, roasted Poblano peppers, topped with a red chile sauce and yes, more cheese for the win!
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Fish and Seafood
Baked Veracruz Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana)
Baked Veracruz Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana) is an easy, light, colorful and super-flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight or date night!
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Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Mango Pineapple Salsa
Elevate your summer grilling with this quick and simple recipe for Grilled Shrimp Skewers! The shrimp are marinated in a vibrant citrus chili combination, grilled to perfection, then paired with a refreshing mango pineapple salsa for a delightful contrast of flavors. This recipe makes the perfect amount to serve as an appetizer for four or a light and fresh dinner for two.
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Salmon Tostadas
Salmon Tostadas with Cilantro Lime Slaw and Chipotle Crema are full of lively flavors for the perfect date night dinner for two. They may even turn a salmon hater into a salmon lover!
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Shrimp and Corn Soup
Fun, festive, flavorful Mexican-inspired Shrimp and Corn Soup is a surefire way to bring a smile to everyone at the table–especially the seafood lovers! A spicy, tomatoey broth kicked up with fresh lime juice is the perfect pairing with shrimp, while corn adds a touch of sweetness to the tangy base. Once prepped, it comes together quickly.
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Vegetarian / Vegan / Meatless
Cauliflower and Chickpea Tacos with Chipotle Lime Slaw
Cauliflower and Chickpea Tacos are an easy delicious, fresh nutritious meatless way to enjoy a Mexican favorite! The Chipotle Lime Slaw adds extra flavor, crunch and creaminess!
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Black Bean and Yellow Squash Enchilada Casserole
Black Bean and Yellow Squash Enchilada Casserole is a hearty meatless Mexican-inspired dish even non-vegetarians will love!
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Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake
Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake is cheesy, delicious, meatless comfort food even a carnivore will love! Packed with hearty lentils, wholesome brown rice, and a bold blend of southwestern spices, this dish delivers big flavor in every bite. Combine everything in a baking dish and let it bake away while you do other things. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends!
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Vegetarian Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Vegetarian Sheet Pan Quesadillas with Sweet Potatoes, Poblanos and Black Beans with Chipotle Sour Cream are a delicious light vegetarian meal or appetizer!
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Quinoa Corn and Black Bean Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Quinoa Corn and Black Bean Stuffed Poblanos is the best kind of vegetarian comfort food! Protein-rich quinoa, corn, black beans, stuffed into smoky roasted peppers with a green chile sauce and plenty of CHEESE!
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Potato Enchiladas
Potato Enchiladas with lima beans for protein and Hatch Green Chile Sauce! Creamy potatoes, hearty lima beans, and the smoky kick of Hatch green chiles combine to create a flavor explosion. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or to impress guests—your enchilada life will never be the same!
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Tofu Black Bean Tacos
Tofu and Black Bean Tacos are easy, delicious, packed with protein and a healthful way to enjoy tacos. Even a diehard carnivore won't miss the meat!
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Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes in Roasted Red Pepper Mole
Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes in Roasted Red Pepper Mole is a hearty, lively Mexican-inspired vegan dish with complex flavors!
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So many great recipes here and I want them all! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Traci, Thanks so much and hope you enjoy them all!!