33 Authentic Mexican Recipes To Cook at Home

You may have guessed it already. Tamales Oaxaquenos originated in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico state Mexico.

Though it can be mistaken for Tamales, Tamales Oaxaquenos differ in the way that it’s wrapped.

Tamales Oaxaquenos are wrapped in either corn husk or banana leaves while the common Tamales are wrapped in plantain leaves.

The ingredients however are virtually identical both use lard, maza harina, baking powder, chicken broth, salt, chicken or pork (for filling), garlic, oregano, and mole paste.

Also known as Tinga de Pollo, or Chicken Tinga in English is a classic Mexican dish that originates from the state of Puebla. 

For history buffs out there they know that  Puebla is the place where a famous battle took place and is commemorated every Cinco De Mayo.

It is a popular filling for tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, and can also be served over rice or beans as a main dish. 

Pollo a la Tinga is known for its spicy, smoky flavor and tender, shredded chicken, and it is often served at celebrations and special occasions. 

A trivia for you “tinga” is a colloquial term that means “disorderly” or “vulgar”. I don’t know about that but it seems to me that this dish is disorderly yummy!

This one is a classic, Arroz meaning rice, and Pollo meaning chicken. It can be translated as a dish of rice and chicken and is somewhat similar to another well-known dish the “paella”.

This dish is ubiquitous in Latin American countries such as Cuba, Colombia, and Puerto Rico but not exclusively just there. 

Its reputation can also be felt or tasted if you may in other countries with Mexican/Spanish influence.

The combo of Arroz and Pollo is definitely muy delicioso!

Empanada comes from the word of Galician origin “empanar” meaning to coat or wrap something in bread.

Empanadas de Pollo or chicken empanadas are versatile as they can be eaten by themselves, or with another dish, either during breakfast, lunch, dinner or at your own leisure.

This baked or fried pastry is convenient to eat as it’s designed to fit right in your hands and its fillings are a joy to the palate.

Check this guide and get those empanadas ASAP! Empanadas muchas gracias!

Pollo a la Veracruzana is where Latin America meets the Mediterranean.

A savory tomato-based sauce hailing from the Gulf Coast region of Mexico, 
Veracruz sauce is made with ripe tomatoes, briny capers, salty olives, aromatic oregano, and bay leaves. 

Together, these ingredients create a rich and flavorful sauce that is sure to elevate your Mexican dishes to the next level. 

Pollo con crema is the ultimate flavor fiesta, where tender chicken tangos with crisp veggies and dressed up in a smoky, creamy sauce infused with a pinch of paprika. 

This dish is sure to have your taste buds doing the salsa, and you'll be begging for seconds 

Enchiladas Huastecas is a traditional Mexican dish with corn tortillas filled with cheese, Mexican chorizo, and vegetables and topped with a spicy chili sauce. 

The filled tortillas are baked or fried and served with toppings like cheese, sour cream, and diced onions. 

It's a popular and flavorful dish in Mexican cuisine, especially in the beautiful region of La Huasteca.

Carne asada is a celebrated Mexican dish made with slow-grilled or slow-roasted beef that is marinated in citrus juices, spices, and herbs. 

It is served with accompaniments like beans, rice, salsa, and tortillas and is popular for both casual and formal occasions. 

It is a delicious and satisfying dish enjoyed by all ages and is a staple in Mexican cuisine.

Bistec a la Mexicana is a Mexican beef dish that is prepared with a spicy tomato and chili sauce. 

Bistec a la Mexicana is a dish made with thinly cut beef filets that is popular throughout Mexico. The word "bistec" is the phonetic pronunciation of "beefsteak."

When a dish is labeled "a la Mexicana," it means it is prepared in a traditional Mexican style, which typically includes ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and serrano chili.
These flavors come together to create a unique and authentic Mexican taste.

Birria is a Mexican stew that originated in Jalisco and is known for its rich, flavorful broth.

It is typically made with goat meat, but there are also many variations made with different meats such as mutton, cow head, and beef.

This delicacy combines the gastronomic heritage of the Maya and Spanish cultures, featuring two main ingredients: "recado negro" and ground turkey meatballs. 

This recipe produces a lot of smoke due to the charred chilies, so it is best to make it outdoors.

Be prepared to cough and tear up as the aroma fills the air. While it may seem spicy at first, the sauce actually has a unique and distinct flavor that is not too hot in the end. 
Trust us, it's worth it!

Cochinita Pibil is a traditional Yucatec Mayan dish made with slow-roasted pork from the Yucatan Peninsula. 

It is marinated in citrus juice and seasoned with annatto seeds, which give it a bright orange color. The meat is then roasted in a pib and wrapped in banana leaves.

In Mexican cuisine, "cochinita" refers to a baby pig, and authentic cochinita pibil recipes often call for the use of a whole suckling pig.

Tacos al Pastor is a Mexican dish that features marinated pork cooked on a spit (similar to shawarma) and served on small corn tortillas. 

The meat is thinly sliced and topped with diced onions, cilantro, and a slice of pineapple for a bold and savory flavor. 

Literally translates to Shepherd style as it originated from Lebanese immigrants to Mexico that use lamb in their shawarma.

Chuletas de Puerco is pork chops that can be cooked in multiple ways and served with various sides. 

They are a flavorful and satisfying meal option for any occasion."Get your pork on with chuletas de puerco”

Adobada is a Mexican culinary preparation that involves marinating meat, typically pork, in a red chili sauce with vinegar and oregano.

It can also be made with other types of meat and marinades similar to al pastor. Adobada is typically served on small corn maize tortillas with sautéed vegetables and cheese.

A very flexible dish suitable for different palates!

Tortas de Camarón, or Mexican shrimp cakes, are a tasty and healthy dish that can be served as a snack or as part of a meal. 

They are made with diced shrimp, onions, and spices and are typically served with a side of chipotle mayonnaise or tomato sauce. 

They can be heated in a pan or oven and served on their own or as part of a salad or sandwich. 

No matter how you choose to serve them, Tortas de Camarón are sure to be a hit with seafood lovers and shrimp enthusiasts alike! 

Tacos de Pescado, also known as Baja fish tacos, is a Mexican recipe that originated in the Baja California region of Mexico. 

They consist of crispy fried fish served in a warm corn tortilla with toppings such as cabbage, pico de gallo, and a creamy white sauce finished with a squeeze of lime.

Check out our o-fish-ial recipe!

Ceviche is a raw seafood dish made with marinated fish and vegetables, "cooked" in citrus juice.

Sometimes referred to as “Seafood Salad”
The acid in the citrus "cooks" the fish by denaturing its protein, giving it a cooked appearance. 

Touche for Ceviche!

Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican soup made with chicken, tomatoes, beans, and corn. 

It is typically served with toppings such as tortilla chips, avocado, and cheese, and garnished with lime juice.

It can be found at many Mexican restaurants and can also be made at home.

Pozole is a beloved Mexican comfort food that will delight your taste buds with its flavorful broth scented with cumin, oregano, and chiles, and filled with hearty bites of heirloom corn and tender meat.

It has 3 variants namely Pozole Verde, Pozole Blanco, and Pozole Rojo.

Empanadas de guayaba is a Latin American pastry filled with guava paste and baked or fried until golden brown. 

They are served as a sweet dessert and are often garnished with powdered sugar or honey.

Mexican flan, also known as crème caramel, is a dessert made of a creamy custard base topped with a caramel sauce. 

It is popular in Mexico, Latin America, and Spain and is often served with other popular desserts like tres leches cake and arroz con leche.

Its history can be traced back to Rome when there were too much supply of eggs thus the need to convert them to other dish or dessert.

Churros are a fried dough pastry from Spain that is popular in many Spanish-speaking countries. 

Churros are a culinary creation of pure magic - long, golden strands of fried dough that are the perfect balance of crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. 

And just when you thought they couldn't get any better, they are often served with a rich and velvety chocolate sauce for dipping.

Atole is a Mexican hot drink made with corn and masa.

It can be flavored with sweeteners, spices, and fruits and can be made with chocolate, also known as champurrado or atole.

Atole is a traditional drink that is often served during Dia de Los Muertos, a celebration in Mexico and parts of Latin America that takes place on November 1 and 2 to honor and remember those who have died.

Huevos rancheros is a traditional Mexican dish consisting of fried eggs served on a corn or flour tortilla with a pico de gallo (tomatoes, chili peppers, onion, and cilantro) and accompanied by refried beans, Mexican-style rice, and guacamole or avocado slices.

It is sure to make you start the day right!

Chilaquiles is a Mexican dish made with fried pieces of corn tortillas that are sautéed with salsa and topped with cheese, crema, and onion. 

It can also include pulled chicken and is often served with beans, eggs, beef, and avocado.
This carb-rich breakfast is sure to boost the most important meal of the day.

Somewhat similar to Chilaquiles but differs in the fact that Chilaquiles use tortilla chips while Migas use tortilla strips.

In Spain and Portugal, Migas, which means "crumbs," is a traditional dish made with bread and various types of meat, rather than tortillas and eggs as is common in some other regions. 

In Mexico, Huevos a la Mexicana is a popular breakfast dish served in homes and restaurants. It is made by scrambling eggs with diced tomatoes, onions, and serrano chilies. 

"A la Mexicana" in the name of the dish indicates that it is prepared in this traditional Mexican style.

We can never go wrong with eggs for breakfast.

Tlayuda is a traditional dish from Oaxacan cuisine in Mexico. 

It is made with a large, thin, toasted, or fried tortilla that is topped with refried beans, pork lard, vegetables such as lettuce or cabbage, avocado, meat, Oaxaca cheese, and salsa. 

Get a taste of tradition with a tasty Tlayuda - the ultimate handheld snack or meal from Oaxaca!

This snack is easily recognizable. Ever heard of corn on a cob? That’s exactly it!

Elote is a Mexican street food made with grilled corn on the cob that is topped with various ingredients. 

It is typically served on a stick or in a cup and can be found at street vendors and fairs in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. 

It is often eaten as a snack or light meal.

Papadzules is a traditional Mexican dish made with corn tortillas, pumpkin seed sauce, hard-boiled eggs, and a tomato-pepper sauce. 

It is similar to enchiladas and is often served as a meal or snack.

Its origin is said to be from the phrase “food for the lords” as it was then fed to the Spanish conquerors. Another theory is that it came from the ancient Mayan word “papak” meaning soaked or drenched.

Boco, also known as bocoles, is a Mexican dish made with a large ball of corn dough that is filled with seasoned beef or pork. 

The dough is typically made with lard and a pinch of salt is added to the filling. Boco is typically served as a snack or meal.

In the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, beans with pork is a traditional dish that is made with chopped pork stewed in a broth of black beans, epazote, and spices. 

This dish is simple and flavorful, and it is often made at home rather than being found in specialty restaurants. It is more commonly found in the kitchens of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Calabacitas con crema is a Mexican dish made with zucchini and a creamy sauce, often served as a side dish or topping for other dishes.

Add some zesty flavor to your meal with Calabacitas con crema - the creamy and delicious way to enjoy zucchini!

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is a recipe that uses an Instant Pot (a type of electric pressure cooker) to cook diced or shredded chicken in salsa. 

The chicken is typically seasoned with Mexican-inspired spices and cooked in the Instant Pot along with the salsa. 

The dish is easy to prepare and results in tender, flavorful chicken that can be served over rice, in tacos, burritos, or salads, or with a variety of other sides. 

Instant Pot Chilorio is a Mexican recipe that uses an Instant Pot to cook pork in a chili-based sauce. 

It is a traditional dish that is typically served as a filling for tacos or burritos, or as a topping for other Mexican dishes. It can also be enjoyed on its own with sides.