70 Mexican-Inspired Food Recipes You Should Be Making At Home (2024)

This easy recipe for Mexican rice is so full of flavor and might even be better than any we've had from a Tex-Mex restaurant. Make some to go with your chicken enchiladas or tamale pie, and call it a night!

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We love all foods that are described as pockets... Hot Pockets, pita, arepas, you name it! Our absolute favorite might have to be these gorditas, for two reasons: 1) They are infinitely customizable, and 2) they’re super-simple to make at home, all thanks to masa harina.

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Nothing beats a street taco—super-juicy, tender grilled meat in a quick grab-and-go format, typically made possible by doubling up two smaller corn tortillas. This makes them easier to eat on the side of the street, in the car, anywhere! They're no frills yet tend to be some of the most crave-able tacos around.

Get the Grilled Chicken Street Tacos recipe.

These loaded tortas are a fun weekend project, and many of the steps can be done ahead of when you plan to serve them. Plus, you'll never make refried beans the same after trying this method out.

Get the Carne Asada Tortas recipe.

One of the greatest pleasures of Mexican street food are sopes: round bundles of masa lightly fried and piled with refried beans, shredded chicken, salsa roja or salsa verde, and cotija cheese. These little antojitos, or snacks, can be eaten throughout the day, and make for perfect anytime party apps.

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Craving homemade enchiladas and being in a hurry aren't really compatible since the classic Mexican dish requires many steps and a fair amount of time. Enter: this skillet recipe, a quick take on the dish that comes together quickly and is perfect for a party.

Get the Green Chile Chicken Skillet Enchiladas recipe.

When the craving for satisfying comfort food meets the need for a straightforward weeknight dinner, chicken enchiladas are a guaranteed winner. They’re easy, filling, and take less than an hour to prepare from start to finish.

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Tostadas might just be the perfect meal—these fried corn tortillas are easy to buy at the supermarket, AND they have all the delicious crunch of a tortilla chip, but can act as a vehicle for whatever toppings you like. Here, that means creamy refried beans and a chile-spiked shredded chicken topping, but feel free to get creative.

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Like our chicken taquitos, these vegetarian versions are quick and easy to make—even if you don’t want to bust out the big bottle of oil. Instead, brush them with a little oil, then bake them at 450° for around 15 minutes.

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Whether you serve it as a simple dip, load it on top of your tacos, or smear it on a bun as a burger topping, we can all agree—it’s not a party without Mexico’s most famous dip. Keep it simple, like we did, or go wild with your mix-ins—just be sure to make extra, this'll go fast.

Get the Best-Ever Guacamole recipe.

Chalupas are a classic Mexican street food snack that are crispy, savory, and fun to eat. Usually chalupas are served like a tostada, but because we know you might be looking for the fluffy fry bread-like taco shell, we decided to create a version that was the best of both worlds.

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This torta recipe follows the "torta de milanese" tradition, featuring a breaded chicken cutlet that adds nice crunch to each bite. If you're looking for a torta made with beef, try our carne asada torta instead.

Get the Mexican Fried Chicken Torta recipe.

This flavorful handheld food has it all—tender marinated carne asada, an aromatic corn tortilla, and all of the classic street taco toppings. Served for lunch or dinner, these are delicious with a hearty side of refried beans and rice, or you can keep it light with corn salad.

Get the Carne Asada Tacos recipe.

Chile verde is a traditional dish from Northern Mexico that can be made with several types of meat. Pork is classic, and here, you'll transform a pork shoulder into meltingly tender nuggets through a long braise. 😍

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If salsa verde and hummus had a child, it would remind us of this dip. Our version of sikil p’ak, which in Mayan means “pumpkin seed” and “tomato” respectively, is inspired by the Yucatecan version. Our riff uses hulled pepitas and charred tomatillos, and its subtle smokiness will keep you coming back for more.

Get the Sikil P’ak Pumpkin Seed Salsa recipe.

Empanadas come in many different forms with many different fillings. This version is a flavor bomb, with tender chicken thighs, peppers, and olives, bolstered by tomato paste and paprika. Yum!

Get the Chicken Empanadas recipe.

Carne asada is an undisputedly delicious, classic Mexican preparation for steak in which the marinade is as important as the meat. There are as many marinades for carne asada as there are taquerias that turn them into tortas or tacos. This recipe employs the must-haves of garlic, cilantro, citrus, and chipotle chiles in adobo to great effect.

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Tamales aren’t just fun to eat, they’re a great solo or group project for anyone who loves to cook. Make it a Cinco de Mayo party by involving your friends, enlist your partner or spouse for a different kind of date night, or get the whole family involved. Tamale making is a joy, and tamales are a great canvas for different kinds of fillings.

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Elote is an unbelievably popular antojito (little craving) that you can find sold on the street in Mexico. It's often served on a stick, though you could skip the skewer and make it the same way you'd boil or oven bake regular corn on the cob.

Get the Elote: Mexican Street Corn recipe.

Here, we broil the poblanos until they're blackened for an extra-smoky vibe, then fill them with a cheesy rice mixture that's honestly so delicious, it can be eaten on its own. Once baked to perfection, top it all off with tangy sour cream, fresh salsa, and cilantro—now that's a good stuffed pepper, upgraded.

Get the Chiles Rellenos recipe.