All my favorite Mexican inspired recipes are here in one convenient place. While I enjoy these recipes year-round, they’re also perfect to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time for a Mexican inspired recipes roundup. Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite foodie holidays. I can never get enough guacamole, tacos, margaritas, or chips and salsa!
Can’t Go Wrong With A Taco Bar
Taco bars are great for entertaining. There’s variety for all tastes and preferences, and they’re easy to assemble if feeding a large crowd. You also have easy food options that meet all different dietary needs. For instance, here’s some suggestions for a taco bar:
- Vehicle for serving: hard or soft taco shells (come in corn, whole what, chickpea flour, almond flour, cassava flour and more). Alternatively, people can create a Mexican taco bowl by using rice, greens, or cauliflower rice as the base.
- Choose at least two protein options: ground beef, fish (shrimp or a white fish), pulled pork, chicken, or vegetarian options like crumbled tofu or tempeh, black or pinto beans, lentils and more.
- Variety of topping options: tomatoes, cheese, olives, shredded lettuce, sautéed peppers and onions, cilantro, sliced onions, jalapeños, cabbage slaw, corn
- Dips/salsa: pico de gallo, salsa verde, guacamole, sour cream or Greek yogurt, mango salsa, pineapple salsa
Get Inspired
Don’t limit your Mexican food experience to just tacos. Mexican spices and flavors have endless potential to create delicious meals that are guaranteed to please your tastebuds. In my recipes I often take Mexican inspired flavors and put a healthy twist on them!
If you’re planning a fiesta and need some inspiration for a menu, or you just feel like making a fun themed dinner for the family, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite Mexican inspired recipes:
1. Black Bean Dip
This black bean dip can be served as a dip on its own, be added to a seven layer dip, or it can be heated and mixed with shredded cheese for an ooey gooey treat with chips. It can also be spread on the inside of quesadillas, or rolled into shredded chicken taquitos. In just minutes you have a tasty dip full of flavor and good for you too!
2. Roasted Tomato Salsa
The ingredients are roasted, which intensifies the flavor and adds a touch of smokiness. This salsa is addictive and makes everything you put it on taste better! You can serve it as a side dish, on top of another meal or just scoop it up with crispy chips.
3. Mango Salsa
Mango salsa is made with ripe mangoes, red onion, jalapeño, and bell pepper, all topped with a tangy cilantro-lime finish. The salsa is perfect with tortilla chips, or great as a topping for tacos, grilled meat, fish and more!
4. Healthy Chipotle Ranch
This creamy chipotle ranch sauce has a kick of heat and is the perfect sauce or dip for tacos, sandwiches, salads, vegetables, fries, and more! It only takes a few minutes to make and fewer calories and fat compared to traditional recipes.
5. Mexican Street Corn Salad
As summer is approaching, this is the perfect recipe to make with fresh corn! This Mexican corn salad is incredibly simple and tastes amazing. It’s everything you love about the classic Mexican corn on the cob in a yummy salad. It’s a delicious side dish!
6. Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos
These sweet potato nachos are an easy Mexican-inspired meal that’s way healthier than traditional nachos. They’re made with baked sweet potato ‘chips’ as the base, and then topped with all your favorite nacho toppings. The whole family will love these!
7. Stuffed Mexican Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes make a great nutrient dense base to add your favorite filling combinations. These stuffed Mexican sweet potatoes are a delicious balance of spicy and sweet.
8. Vegetarian Enchiladas
These vegetarian enchiladas with sweet potato and black beans are incredibly flavorful. They are topped with my favorite homemade enchilada sauce and cheese, and baked to perfection! They are so delicious whether you are a vegetarian or not!
9. Hearty Healthy Chili
Although, chili is more of a Tex-Mex recipe but I had to include this recipe. This chili uses a combination of lean ground turkey, black beans, and additional vegetables. It’s packed with plenty of protein and fiber to keep you fill and satisfied. Serve with tamales on top or your favorite toppings!
In addition, I have a vegetarian chili with butternut squash for a plant-based option. You can substitute the butternut squash for sweet potato since they are not in season now.
I hope you and your family have a delicious fiesta! Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Save these recipes now, make them later!
What’s your favorite Mexican dish? Share in the comments below. I love to try out your recommendations, and maybe other readers will love your ideas, too! Also, be sure to stay in touch and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest
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