10+ Mexican Style Dinner Recipes to Spice Up Your Weeknight Meals

Mexican cuisine offers a vibrant mix of flavors, textures, and colors that can bring excitement to your dinner table. You can easily create delicious Mexican-style dinner recipes that delight your family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re craving tacos, enchiladas, or a hearty soup, there are simple recipes to suit any occasion.

With a variety of ingredients, including fresh vegetables, spices, and meats, you have endless possibilities. These dishes not only satisfy your taste buds but also allow you to explore the rich traditions of Mexican cooking. Get ready to whip up some mouthwatering meals that everyone will enjoy.

Chicken Tinga Tacos

Chicken Tinga Tacos are a flavorful dish from Mexico. They feature shredded chicken cooked in a smoky tomato sauce that’s simple to make. The ingredients create a delicious meal that you can enjoy anytime.

To start, you need chicken, tomatoes, and chipotle chiles for that smoky flavor. Onions and spices like cumin add depth to the sauce. Serve your tacos with warm corn tortillas for a classic touch.

You can garnish the tacos with fresh cilantro for extra flavor. This dish is perfect for gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. You’ll love how easy and tasty they are!

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 2-3 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Corn tortillas
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, cook the chopped onion until soft.
2. Add the diced tomatoes and chipotle chiles, cooking for a few minutes.
3. Stir in shredded chicken, cumin, and salt.
4. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve in corn tortillas and top with cilantro.

Grilled Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

Grilled Elote, or Mexican street corn, is a tasty addition to your dinner. It’s simple to prepare and brings a burst of flavor to any meal. When grilled, the corn gets a slightly charred and sweet flavor that everyone loves.

To make this dish, you start with fresh corn on the cob. Grill it until it’s cooked through and has nice char marks, about 10 minutes. Then, slather it with a creamy mix of mayonnaise and sour cream.

Top your corn with crumbled Cotija cheese, a sprinkle of chili powder, and a squeeze of lime for extra zing. This combination makes each bite delicious!

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn on the cob
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup Cotija cheese
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high (about 400°F or 200°C).
2. Grill the corn for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally.
3. Mix mayonnaise and sour cream in a bowl.
4. Spread the mixture over the grilled corn.
5. Sprinkle with Cotija cheese and chili powder.
6. Serve with lime wedges.

3) Beef Enchiladas with Red Sauce

Beef enchiladas with red sauce are a tasty Mexican dish that you can easily make at home. They are great for dinner and can please the whole family.

To start, cook some ground beef with spices for flavor. You can use cumin, chili powder, and garlic for a delicious taste. Once it’s ready, fill soft tortillas with the beef mixture.

Next, roll the tortillas and place them seam-side down in a baking dish. Pour your favorite red enchilada sauce over the top. You can find recipes for this sauce that use simple ingredients like tomato sauce, chili powder, and spices.

Finally, bake your enchiladas in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes. This will make them hot and bubbly. Enjoy your delicious beef enchiladas!

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Tortillas
• Red enchilada sauce
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Garlic

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook ground beef with cumin, chili powder, and garlic.
2. Fill tortillas with beef mixture and roll them up.
3. Place rolled tortillas in a baking dish seam-side down.
4. Pour red enchilada sauce over the filled tortillas.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.

4) Chiles Rellenos

Chiles Rellenos are a true delight in Mexican cuisine. This dish features mild peppers, typically poblano or Anaheim, stuffed with cheese. After stuffing, you dip them in a light batter and fry them until golden brown.

You can serve Chiles Rellenos with a flavorful tomato sauce or your choice of toppings. These peppers are delicious and offer a perfect balance of crispy and cheesy goodness.

Making Chiles Rellenos is a fun culinary adventure. With the right ingredients and simple steps, you can enjoy this tasty meal at home.

Ingredients:

• 4 large poblano or Anaheim peppers
• 1 cup cheese (such as Monterey Jack or Oaxaca)
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oil to 365°F (185°C) in a large skillet.
2. Roast the peppers over an open flame or under the broiler until charred.
3. Remove the skin and make a slit in each pepper to remove seeds.
4. Stuff each pepper with cheese.
5. In a bowl, mix flour, eggs, milk, and salt to create a batter.
6. Dip the stuffed peppers in the batter and fry until golden brown.
7. Serve hot with your favorite sauce.

5) Pozole Verde (Green Hominy Soup)

Pozole Verde is a warm and comforting dish perfect for any dinner. This traditional Mexican soup features green hominy and tender chicken in a flavorful broth. It’s zesty and delicious, making it a family favorite.

You start by cooking the chicken until it is tender. Next, you blend tomatillos and green chilies for the base of the soup. The vibrant color comes from these ingredients and fresh herbs like cilantro.

Once everything is combined, let it simmer for a bit. Serve it with toppings like chopped onions, avocado, and radishes for added flavor and texture. Enjoying this soup with warm tortillas is a wonderful way to complete your meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken, shredded (or diced)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups hominy, drained
• 6 tomatillos, husked and chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
• Toppings: avocado, radishes, and lime

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, cook the chicken in broth until tender.
2. Blend tomatillos and green chilies until smooth.
3. Add the blended mixture to the pot with chicken.
4. Stir in hominy and bring to a simmer.
5. Serve with toppings and enjoy!

6) Pork Tamales

Pork tamales are a delicious and traditional Mexican dish. They are made with masa dough filled with tender, flavorful pork. The filling is usually cooked in a rich red chili sauce.

To start, you should prepare the corn husks. Soak them in warm water for about an hour until they are soft. This helps them mold around the tamale filling easily.

Next, make the masa dough by mixing masa harina with broth, lard, baking powder, and salt. Keep it covered to prevent it from drying out. Spread some masa on the corn husk, then add a spoonful of the pork filling.

Finally, fold the tamales and steam them until they are cooked through. Use a large pot with a steamer basket, filling it with water and bringing it to a boil. Steam the tamales for about 1 to 1.5 hours at 250°F (120°C).

Ingredients

• Corn husks
• Masa harina
• Broth
• Lard
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Pork
• Red chili sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak corn husks in warm water for 1 hour.
2. Mix masa harina, broth, lard, baking powder, and salt to make dough.
3. Spread masa on the husk and add pork filling.
4. Fold the husk and place in a steamer.
5. Steam for 1 to 1.5 hours at 250°F (120°C).

7) Mole Poblano

Mole Poblano is a traditional Mexican sauce that is both rich and complex. It combines various ingredients to create a unique flavor profile. This sauce is often served over chicken or turkey, making it a perfect dish for dinner.

To make Mole Poblano, you will need ingredients like dried chilies, chocolate, and spices. These elements work together to create a deep, savory taste that many enjoy.

You can make delicious Enmoladas by taking shredded chicken and cheese, wrapping them in corn tortillas, and covering them with Mole Poblano. This dish will surely impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 chicken cut into pieces
• 8 cups water
• 1 corn tortilla
• 1 slice day-old bread
• 1 ½ cup dried chilies (ancho, mulato, pasilla)
• Chocolate (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, place chicken pieces and cover with water.
2. Boil until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Cook dried chilies in a pan until lightly fried.
4. Blend the chilies with tortilla, bread, and chocolate.
5. Pour the sauce over cooked chicken. Enjoy!

8) Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Fish tacos with mango salsa are a delicious and refreshing choice for dinner. These tacos are light yet satisfying, perfect for a quick meal. You can use various types of fish, like tilapia or salmon, depending on your preference.

For the mango salsa, you need ripe mangos, diced red onions, and cilantro. This salsa adds a sweet and zesty flavor to the fish. You can also add lime juice for an extra kick.

To cook the fish, you can fry or bake it. If you decide to bake, set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake until cooked through and flaky. For frying, medium heat works best, cooking for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

Once the fish is ready, assemble your tacos. Add the fish to tortillas and top them with mango salsa. Enjoy this vibrant dish that brings a taste of Mexico to your table!

Ingredients

• Fish fillets (tilapia or salmon)
• 2 ripe mangos, diced
• Red onion, diced
• Fresh cilantro
• Tortillas
• Lime (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking.
2. Prepare fish according to your choice: bake or fry.
3. Mix diced mangos, red onion, and cilantro in a bowl for salsa.
4. Assemble tacos with fish and mango salsa.

9) Carne Asada

Carne Asada is a classic Mexican dish that features marinated and grilled beef. The name means “grilled meat” in Spanish. It’s tender, flavorful, and perfect for sharing.

You can enjoy carne asada in tacos, burritos, or even on its own. The key to great carne asada is in the marinade, which usually includes lime juice, garlic, and spices. This combination gives the beef a delicious charred flavor when grilled.

For the best results, choose a high-quality cut of meat, like flank or skirt steak. Grill the meat hot and fast for a perfect sear. After grilling, let it rest before slicing to keep it juicy.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds flank or skirt steak
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate the steak for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
3. Preheat your grill to high heat (around 450°F or 232°C).
4. Grill the steak for about 5-7 minutes on each side.
5. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.

10) Queso Fundido with Chorizo

Queso Fundido with Chorizo is a delicious, cheesy dish that’s perfect for sharing. This dish combines melted cheese with spicy chorizo for a flavorful experience.

You will want to use cheeses like Chihuahua or Oaxaca for their meltiness. These cheeses give the dip its wonderful stretchiness. You can also try Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend.

Start by cooking your chorizo in a skillet until it’s fully cooked. Then, add your chosen cheese on top. You can layer it all together or mix it in.

Once the cheese is melted, it’s time to enjoy! Serve it hot with tortilla chips or warm tortillas.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Mexican chorizo
• 2 cups Chihuahua or Oaxaca cheese
• Optional: roasted poblano peppers
• Tortilla chips or tortillas for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the chorizo in a skillet over medium heat until it is fully cooked.
3. If you’re using roasted poblano peppers, stir them in.
4. Then, top the chorizo with cheese.
5. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This should take about 10 minutes.
6. Serve hot with tortilla chips or warm tortillas. Enjoy!