35 Mexican-Inspired Recipes

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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.

Collage of four Mexican-inspired recipes: Cauliflower Tacos, Shrimp Cocktail, Beef Barbacoa and Chicken Fajitas.

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Appetizers

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail in glass garnished with lime wedge and shrimp.
4.55 from 85 votes

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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Creamy Shrimp Salsa Dip in bright blue bowl on platter with tortilla chips.
4.30 from 10 votes

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 garnished with black olives, tomatoes, scallions and cilantro leaves in white clay bowl with tortilla chips and lime wedges.
4.34 from 3 votes

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 - Overhead hero shot on pink salt block
5 from 16 votes

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 on white oval platter garnished with thinly sliced scallion and chopped cilantro.
5 from 1 vote

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

4.88 from 8 votes

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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Southwestern Layered Salad in glass footed bowl with salad dressing in glass jar.
4.89 from 9 votes

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 Salad with beans, corn and other vegetables in round bowl with cilantro and lime.
5 from 3 votes

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 in white bowl with lemon wedges and cilantro in bowls.
5 from 1 vote

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 Tomato Corn Salad on black platter with serving fork.
5 from 1 vote

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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Stuffed peppers in white baking dish garnished with limes and cilantro sprigs after being baked.
4.60 from 5 votes

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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One serving of Southwestern Red Beans and Rice in a white bowl garnished with colorful sauteed bell peppers.
5 from 4 votes

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 - Close-up in green serving bowl garnished with cilantro and lime
4.66 from 20 votes

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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Four Southwestern Beef and Barley Stuffed Bell Peppers in white baking dish.
4.70 from 10 votes

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 in white bowl.
5 from 3 votes

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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Pepperjack-Stuffed Meatballs with Chipotle Sauce in earthenware serving bowl.
5 from 2 votes

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

Finished Southwestern Chicken Skillet on wood trivet.
4.79 from 14 votes

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 Tajin-Seasoned Chicken Fajitas on wood board with all the accompaniments.
5 from 2 votes

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, Rice and Black Bean Stuffed Peppers - Overhead close-up shot of peppers in white baking dish with white serving spoon
4.73 from 11 votes

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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Six Chicken Tostadas with Black Bean Guacamole and Salsa Fresca on wood serving tray.
5 from 8 votes

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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Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet in the skillet being stirred with wooden spoon.
4.69 from 35 votes

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 in white baking dish with some removed.
4.48 from 36 votes

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 in white baking dish.
4.82 from 11 votes

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-Style Fish in white rectangular baking dish.
4.70 from 13 votes

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 on round white plate.
4.34 from 12 votes

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 and Black Bean Tostadas with Cilantro - Lime Slaw and Chipotle Crema on white plate with lime wedges.
5 from 2 votes

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 in white bowl with soup spoon garnished with cilantro and lime wedge.
5 from 2 votes

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

Overhead close-up shot of three tacos on round platter
4.80 from 5 votes

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 with serving spoon before being cut.
4.46 from 24 votes

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 in oval white baking dish with a serving removed.
4.70 from 159 votes

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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Stack of four Sheet Pan Sweet Potat, Poblano and Black Bean Quesadillas wedges.
4.50 from 4 votes

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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Two Quinoa Corn and Black Bean Stuffed Poblano Peppers in brown ceramic dish garnished with cilantro.
4.67 from 3 votes

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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Lima Bean and Potato Enchiladas with Hatch Green Chile Sauce in white rectangular baking dish.
4.50 from 6 votes

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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Two Tofu and Black Bean Tacos on wood cutting board.
4.38 from 16 votes

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 over rice in black bowl.
5 from 2 votes

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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About Carol

Carol is a personal chef with 22 years of experience cooking food people want to eat! Here, you'll find expert techniques, time-saving tips, and flavor-packed dishes you'll be proud to serve family and friends.

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2 Comments

  1. Traci says:

    So many great recipes here and I want them all! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Carol says:

      Hi, Traci, Thanks so much and hope you enjoy them all!!