Sizzling Mexican and Tex-Mex Recipes

Get our best recipes for enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, casseroles, dips, salsas, soups, drinks and more with Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors.
Start Slideshow

1 of 46

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cumin- and orange-perfumed pulled pork tastes great topped with sliced green onion, jicama and our salsa verde.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 46

Grilled Steak Fajitas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

All you need is a steak, a three-ingredient marinade, a few veggies and tortillas heated right on the grill. Boom. 

3 of 46

Chicken Empanadas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The secret to whipping out these deliciously cheesy chicken- and potato-filled pockets for your next game night or tailgate? Frozen, pre-cut empanada wrappers. The recipe comes from Minnesota chef and author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard.

Advertisement

4 of 46

Mariana's Guacamole

Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

At Des Moines restaurant Tacos Mariana's, the classic avocado-lime-cilantro mash is doctored with cucumber, Cotija cheese, and chiles—the result is one of the best guacs we've ever tasted.

5 of 46

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Doctored with onion, chili powder and cocoa, canned sauce becomes a stepping-stone to something deeper.

6 of 46

Tres Leches Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A Mexican standard and guaranteed backyard crowd-pleaser, our brown-sugar sheet cake is soaked in milky syrup, chilled, then topped with whipped cream and berries.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 46

Garlicky Fish Tacos

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Our pan-fried tilapia is drizzled with garlic butter and lime juice. We garnished ours with fresh cilantro, fresh parsley and sliced pickled red onion. To quick pickle the onions, combine a sliced red onion with a generous pour of cider vinegar, a spoonful of brown sugar, toasted cumin seeds and a bit of salt. Let sit at room temperature for an hour before serving.

8 of 46

Better-For-You Taco Meat

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Nutrient-filled mushrooms replace some of the beef in this family-friendly taco filling, but they're finely chopped, so you won't even notice they're there! Use the meat for tacos, or on nachos or baked potatoes. (And feel free to trade the ground beef for pork or turkey.)

9 of 46

Horchata

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Traditionally, this sweet drink is made by soaking rice (and sometimes blanched almonds, too) overnight in water, then pureeing and straining the mixture. We kept the seductively sweet, authentic taste, but skipped the drawn-out process. Our shortcut version uses purchased rice milk, and we could barely tell it apart from the real deal in side-by-side tests.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 46

Chicken Carnitas Tacos

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These crazy-good fried chicken tacos aren't for weeknights--but they aren't hard at all. Save them for a weekend party, when you'll have time to make TV host and author Andrew Zimmern's Tomatillo-Avocado and Grilled Pineapple salsas, too.

11 of 46

Frozen Strawberry-Mango Margarita

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The fastest way to downgrade a margarita (or any drink) isn't cheap tequila; it's bottled lime juice. Dig out that squeezer and pull up your sleeves. It's worth it.

12 of 46

Beer-Braised Brisket Tacos

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Season fork-tender meat with oregano, cinnamon and coriander. Then, for an extra easy-yet-authentic flavor boost, top with cabbage, radish and queso fresco.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 46

Pick-a-Filling Tamales

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Rotisserie chicken, melty cheese or spicy chorizo? Your choice.

14 of 46

No-Cook Salsa Verde

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The avocado in this piquant puree of lime, cilantro, onion and tomatillos gives the salsa some richness and body.

15 of 46

Pepper and Portobello Fajitas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Portobellos have such a meaty texture, you might not miss a traditional protein in these simple grilled veggie fajitas--but there's enough marinade to dress a steak, if you want. (Plus the recipe, which comes from the book Pretty Simple Cooking, includes a simple bean side dish to make on the grill, too!)

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 46

Quick Green Chili and Chicken Enchiladas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chicken tenders, Mexican-style four-cheese blend, green chile peppers and bottled green salsa fill these easy enchiladas. Buy hot or mild chilies to suit your family's taste for heat.

17 of 46

Spicy Queso Blanco

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If American cheese has a purpose in life, this kicky, ultracreamy dip is it. 

18 of 46

Mexican Chicken Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A tiny bit of taco seasoning mix packs big flavor in this south-of-the-border twist on traditional chicken salad. Try it in a tortilla wrap with crisp romaine lettuce.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 46

Blackened Tomato Salsa

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chipotle peppers and broiled tomatoes make for a bold, smoky challenge to standard salsa.

20 of 46

Mexican Tacos Carnitas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Slow-cook pork shoulder roast and Mexican spices to tender goodness, then serve with corn tortillas. Fresh cilantro, green onion and bottled green salsa add the finishing touches.

21 of 46

Mexican Citrus Salad with Avocado

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It's not just a salad-it's a crunchy, juicy, sweet, salty, tart, buttery, nutty potluck dazzler.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 46

Pineapple-Cucumber Salsa Pico de Gallo

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This salsa is the zestiest way to get your five a day. For the best results, chop the fruit and vegetables evenly into a 1/4-inch dice.

23 of 46

Any-Fruit Agua Fresca

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Once you have the method down, you can improvise aguas frescas with almost any soft fruit.

24 of 46

Mexican Mac and Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Pair Mexican flavors with pasta for this comfort-food casserole that includes sausage, salsa and Monterey Jack cheese.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 46

Simple Salsa Skillet

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

For a change in routine, substitute green salsa for red in this easy Mexican-inspired meal.

26 of 46

Shredded Pork Tacos

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Root beer and chipotle peppers yield pulled pork that's sweet, spicy, smoky and marvelously tender-perfect for wrapping in a tortilla with cheese and vegetables.

27 of 46

Rice and Red Bean Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chili powder and cumin flavor this hearty, nutritious Tex-Mex dish from The Spice House in Milwaukee.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 46

Mexican Sweet Potato-Veggie Medley

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Create a meatless main dish in minutes by sauteing sweet potatoes, then adding canned corn and black beans. Top with a chipotle-flavor sour cream, avocado slices and fresh cilantro.

29 of 46

Chicken Enchiladas Adobo

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Wrap meat in multigrain tortillas with adobo sauce and fire-roasted tomatoes for a fresh take on chicken enchiladas.

30 of 46

Mexican Meatball Stew

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy slow-cooker meal has just five ingredients, all packaged or canned. Toss it together in minutes in the morning, and come home to a finished meal in the afternoon.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 46

Tilapia Tacos with Chipotle Cream

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cumin and cinnamon spice up ordinary frozen tilapia fillets for a fragrant pan-fried fish taco filling. Just add margaritas for the full restaurant experience.

32 of 46

Mexican Winter Chili

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cook pork in a blend of cocoa powder, cumin, cinnamon, pumpkin and poblano pepper for a rich, hearty chili.

33 of 46

Mexican Polenta Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Great for a potluck or family dinner, this 12-serving casserole combines polenta with ground turkey, spices, black beans, tomatoes and Monterey Jack cheese.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 46

24-Hour Tex-Mex Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Based on Tex-Mex ingredients, this layered salad can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance. For a fun presentation, assemble individual servings in clear jelly jars, dressing and all, then refrigerate.

35 of 46

Tortilla-Black Bean Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Layer a tomato-bean mixture, cheese and tortillas for a casserole with south-of-the-border flavor. Let each guest top their portion with chopped tomato, shredded lettuce, green onions, olives and/or sour cream.

36 of 46

Black Bean Salsa

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This salsa does double duty as a tortilla dip or a meat topper. Serve with a slotted spoon over grilled pork, smoked bratwursts or sausages, grilled chicken or salmon.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 46

Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh tomatillos and jicama add authentic tartness and crunch to this made-in-minutes dinner. You can find both veggies at large supermarkets or Latin groceries.

38 of 46

Bonanza Bean Dip

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Lime- and jalapeno-spiced guacamole adds a kick to layers of refried beans, cheese, tomatoes and onions. Serve seasoned tortilla chips on the side.

39 of 46

Avocado-Feta Salsa