22 Delicious Mexican Dish Recipes (2024)

If you have trouble deciding what to order at Mexican restaurants, you're certainly not alone. You can't go wrong with the country's traditional dishes, from tacos to huevos rancheros.

Luckily, the internet is filled with easy Mexican recipes, so you can enjoy your favorites all week long even if a trip to your favorite restaurant isn't in the cards. You've got plenty of options, whether you're looking to add some variety to your cooking or have some ripe avocados (read: the perfect excuse to make guacamole) to use up. To get you started, here are some of the best Mexican recipes to try for every course.

Mexican Appetizers and Dips

Chunky Guacamole

There are endless guac possibilities (guacamole with fruit in it...with poblano peppers), but when in doubt, keep it simple. Try a classic and chunky recipe that uses minimal ingredients in the perfect amounts to let avocados star front and center.

Pico de Gallo

You could run to the store and pick up the pre-made kind...or you could quickly chop up tomatoes, onions, and cilantro and make your own. This not-even-a-recipe is super simple and positively sings with fresh flavor and heat. You won't regret DIY-ing this one.

Guacamole Cups

They're just as cute as they sound and couldn't be easier. Simply throw together your favorite guac recipe and scoop into "cups" made from baked wonton wrappers for bite-sized guacamole and chips. Want to try your hand at a slightly more upscale version? Go with veggie taco cups, which double as a healthy breakfast.

Tomato and Herb Salsa

The effort involved in making your own salsa is always worth it. But if you don't feel like busting out your food processor, go with this tomato and herb salsa recipe, which you can adjust based on your desired spiciness level.

Ceviche

Combine fish (or shrimp) with lime juice and spicy chiles with this recipe from Rick Bayless and take your tastebuds on a refreshing trip. Bonus: It's perfect for those experimenting with the paleo diet or who eat a gluten-free diet.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe from the The Pioneer Woman is a little labor-intensive, but the finished product is bursting with dimension thanks to cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Make extra for tomorrow's lunch or another night, and experience even richer tastes when you dig into the leftovers.

Mexican Side Items

Southwestern Black Bean Salad

This spicy, colorful salad makes the perfect warm-weather side dish. It's loaded with black beans, corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, and avocados for a mix of crunchy, soft, sweet, and heat.

Chickpea, Avocado, and Feta Salad

Consider making this recipe when you're hosting a get-together and need to get food on the table fast. Serve up a heart-healthy, filling combination of nutty garbanzo beans, buttery avocado, zesty lime, and salty, tangy feta to get the party started.

Elote Corn

Liven up corn on the cob by throwing it on the grill and slathering it with delicious sauce. Made with sour cream, robust cotija, and cilantro, this street food is a favorite for a reason.

Mexican Main Dishes

Turkey Taquitos

Baked rather than fried, these light, flaky taquitos are super rica and insanely better than anything you'd find in the frozen foods aisle. They're good with shredded chicken as well, and they're kid-approved.

Fish Tacos with Creamy Lime Guacamole

Fish tacos tend to be fried, but this recipe calls for breaking out the grill. Topped with lime-spiked slaw, tomato, and the creamiest guac ever, you'll make these all summer long.

Chipotle Quinoa Sweet Potato Tacos with Roasted Cranberry Pomegranate Salsa

Even if chicken or beef are your go-to's, you shouldn't overlook vegetarian taco recipes. The savory, spicy, slightly sweet flavor of the quinoa, sweet potatoes, and pomegranates in these tacos will win you over in a heartbeat.

Chicken Tinga Tacos

Adobo chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, sweet onions, and a little bit of garlic all work together in this recipe to give the chicken a robust, smoky note. Pile into a tortilla, top with cotija cheese, crema, and avocado, and you'll have a restaurant-style meal in no time.

Three-Cheese Mexican Frittata with Salsa Fresca

Cheese-lovers, listen up. This frittata is so pretty to look at it, it almost hurts. Whether you're having a boozy brunch or doing breakfast for dinner, you won't be able to keep yourself from digging into this cheesy, gooey, savory recipe.

Chile Colorado Con Carne

This recipe isn't for the faint of heart. But if you can stomach lots of spicy chile, get ready to turn up the heat in the kitchen. This slow-simmered beef stew (a.k.a. guisada) is the epitome of Mexican soul food. You'll want to dive into the bowl as it cooks thanks to the cumin, oregano, allspice, and cloves. Oh, and bacon and beer.

Chicken Enmoladas

If you can make enchiladas, you can make these babies. Drench them in a thick, velvety, and slightly chocolatey mole sauce that tastes as rich as it looks for a savory, chicken-filled dish that practically envelopes you in warmth and heat.

Mexican co*cktails and Mocktails

Horchata

Looking for a mocktail to try out for Dry January? This creamy horchata recipe tastes almost like a vanilla milkshake — with a dash of cinnamon and almond.

Skinny Sunrise co*cktail

If you're not a margarita person, consider making this vibrantly colored drink instead. The fruity concoction combines orange, strawberry, and pineapple.

Mexican Desserts

Peach-Mango Riesling Granites

Remember when you were a kid, and you used to get ices or slushies every time you went to the beach or an amusem*nt park? Enter the grown-up version: Simply blend together your favorite sweet wine, juice, and ice in a blender or food processor for a party-ready cool and fizzy dessert.

Margarita Mousse Bars

Have you ever noticed that when you stick the word "margarita" in front of something, it instantly becomes a hundred times better? Case in point: These margarita mousse bars are soft and pillowy, tangy and sweet, just a little bit boozy, and are completely out of this world.

Baked Churro Donut Holes

Sweet, fluffy, cinnamon-y, cake-like, and churro-ish all at the same time, these donut holes are a bite-sized alternative to the traditional sugary Mexican churro.

Photo credits (in order of appearance): Gimme Some Oven, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Half Baked Harvest, Billy Parisi, Homesick Texan, Iowa Girl Eats, and The Quinoa Queen