20 Fresh Mexican and Tex-Mex Recipes to Spice Up Mealtime (2024)

• Recipes
• Main Dishes

updated Feb 3, 2020

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Some of these recipes are authentic, and some are simply inspired by the Mexican dishes we know and love. But either way, they know just how to bring you a flavorful, (sometimes) spicy, and delicious meal. From breakfast to dessert, these 20 Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes will liven up your table.

Esquites is the sibling of elote, a popular Mexican street food dish. Elote is basically grilled corn on the cob that is served with a variety of condiments — including mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lime juice, and chili powder — while esquites is pretty much the same thing, just served in a bowl.

This makes two hefty tacos per person, piled high with scrambled eggs, well-seasoned pinto beans, crunchy home fries, and all the fixings.

Migas are made with tortillas or corn chips, scrambled eggs, and, in true Tex-Mex fashion, plenty of cheese. It’s nothing fancy — just great, hearty comfort food for breakfast, late night, or any time, really.

The slow cooker stew requires a little upfront prep, but the tender, smoky meat and bold-flavored sauce you’re rewarded with are well worth your efforts.

I like serving this tender pork — smothered in a charred tomatillo sauce — with toasted tortillas, Mexican red rice, bacon-y black beans, and a stiff margarita to wash it all down.

The textural contrast between lightly crisped fish, supple corn tortillas, and soft avocado is a big part of this simple recipe’s success.

If you’ve ever attempted your favorite Mexican restaurant’s rice at home and failed, raise your hand. Well, you can put it down now, because this one is our all-time family favorite, and I think it will become yours, too.

Filled with warm spices, fresh cilantro, creamy avocado, and tortilla strips, this is the kind of chicken soup you can eat with ease all year long.

These tacos come together in a flash — maybe 15 minutes, tops. I love them for a quick weeknight meal, but they also make a fantastic party appetizer. Just set out platters of everything and let guests help themselves.

The key to this whole dish is the cheese. Cooked long and slow, the cheese melts into the rice and forms a crust on the bottom of the pan. The whole dish becomes infused with rich, smoky, caramelized cheddar — it’s heavenly.

Inspired by tomato-tinged Mexican rice, this veggie-heavy version comes together in a flash for a quick side dish or the base of your burrito bowl.

These burritos are kind of like a hybrid burrito and enchilada, but are really simple to make — and great for vegetarians. If you’re a meat lover, go ahead and use lean ground beef or turkey as a stand-in for the beans.

This recipe is sort of a cross between a hard-shell taco and a quesadilla. Once you master the method, you’ll never go back.

This casserole could be likened to a Tex-Mex lasagna: layers of toasted flour tortillas are smothered in a cumin- and chili powder-spiked cream sauce, along with heaps of grated cheese. What’s not to like?

Barbacoa is a simple dish that can be made into all sorts of meals. You might make tacos, burritos, extreme nachos, or even hash for breakfast in the morning. Once it’s prepared, the uses are endless; knowing you have some on hand always makes for good eats.

Posole is basically a kicked-up chicken soup. Its real magic lies in the garnishes. Stirred into the hot broth, these raw vegetables give a crunchy, fresh backdrop to the chewy hominy and bites of tender chicken.

The only thing better than twice-baked potatoes is this amped-up version, filled with beef, corn, beans, plenty of seasoning, and of course, lots of cheese.

There are almost as many variations of Mexican horchata as there are people who make it. Our version was passed on from a good friend who was born and raised in Mexico. It contains almonds and sweetened condensed milk, which give it a deliciously rich creaminess.

Usually a light, buttery shortbread that’s not too sweet on the inside, the cookie dough is formed into a ball and rolled in powdered sugar. This version has extra spices and gives an almond extract option to bump up the nutty flavors.

This sweet treat is everything you love about Mexican hot chocolate in a cool, summery dessert.

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