We've compiled a list of 36 Healthy Mexican Recipes that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Mexico, all while keeping it light and nutritious.
Picture sizzling fajitas with colorful veggies, tacos al carbon, or carne asada on any weeknight menu and top them with zesty salsa, homemade guac, and a touch of the best queso ever and still call it a healthy meal for all. Consider this your one-stop-shop for light Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes, no guilt on the side.
1. Stuffed Poblanos
These low-carb Stuffed Poblano Peppers check all the comfort boxes! Hearty and completely satisfying, these stuffed peppers come loaded with taco-seasoned ground beef, rice, and black beans (bring on the fiber!). The filling is coated in a delicious quick-fix enchilada sauce, and the whole shebang is topped with cheese and baked until it's perfectly melty.
2. Shredded Chicken Tacos
Turn boneless, skinless chicken breasts into a full-flavored, healthy Mexican masterpiece fast with this super-easy Shredded Chicken Tacos Recipe! Juicy, shredded chicken breasts take a turn in a quick-fix Ranchero-style sauce. Then, the chicken gets loaded in a toasty tortilla and topped off with your favorite taco toppings, like homemade pico, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
3. Steak Fajitas
Make your weeknight dinner a healthy sinch with this classic Steak Fajitas Recipe. It's adaptable as it is delicious. It begins with a simple cilantro-lime marinade that packs a great big punch of Tex-Mex flavor and ends with tender strips of beef, wrapped in a warm tortilla and topped off with a colorful trio of fajita veggies!
4. Tinga de Pollo
With this Tinga de Pollo recipe, you can outshine even the best Mexican food restaurants, all while keeping things healthy and protein-packed. Bank on this: juicy, shredded chicken in a rich, delicious tomato sauce (not to be confused with birria) flavored with chipotle chiles in adobo, onions, garlic, and a simple mix of spices on the table in less than one hour. Serve with Mexican rice, in a taco, or on a tostada!
5. Tacos al Carbon
This Tacos al Carbon recipe was created for home cooks like you looking to slam out an easy dinner you can feel good about serving. It's guaranteed to satisfy every last of your Mexican food cravings while aligning with your health goals. Check out our list of toppings (you have to try our charro beans!) to morph your dinner table into a full-blown Mexican restaurant experience!
6. Carne Guisada
You've just found the quickest Carne Guisada recipe on the internet. Most recipes call for hours of simmering, but this one is ready in 30 minutes and sacrifices zero of that rich, beefy flavor. With simple, clean ingredients and just a few spices, you'll have a delicious dinner in no time.
7. Crock-Pot Chicken Fajitas
Made with fresh ingredients and a simple blend of spices, these simple Crock-pot Chicken Fajitas will become your family's new favorite Crock-Pot recipe. It is a dinnertime win, especially on those crazy weekdays when you really need dinner to cook itself! Serve with a side of authentic Chile con queso, black beans, or on top of a salad!
8. Enchiladas Rojas
Enchiladas Rojas, or red enchiladas, had to make the 36 Healthy Mexican Recipes list! They are made with warm corn tortillas dipped in a flavorful red sauce, filled with your favorite shredded protein, and topped with queso fresco, cilantro, and more. Whether you choose shredded beef, pulled pork, or chicken, these enchiladas are irresistibly delicious.
9. Stovetop Taco Soup
This 30-minute Stovetop Taco Soup is perfect for busy weeknights but comforting enough for Sunday supper. It's a hearty veggie soup with taco-seasoned ground beef and canned kidney beans.
10. Shrimp Fajitas
This Shrimp Fajitas dish offers juicy, succulent shrimp topped with fajita veggies and a squeeze of fresh lime juice--all served on warm flour tortillas, and it takes less than 30 minutes to make. You would have to wait that long (and pay an arm and a leg) to get delivery from your favorite Tex-Mex joint!
11. Green Enchiladas
These Green Enchiladas are authentic, so it's like eating at your favorite Mexican food place, only better, thanks to the super fresh ingredients we use to make that dreamy Verde sauce. Believe me when I say that once you've tasted this, you will never buy a premade green sauce again!
12. Taco Salad
Taco meat is seriously so easy, and it doesn't take much to make it delicious. This Taco Salad is proof. Bonus alert: this recipe is equipped with a creamy-salsa style sauce so delicious, it'll blow your taco-loving mind. We also like to use cilantro-lime dressing, or chipotle ranch Dressing to top off this tasty salad.
13. Beef Barbacoa
Picture this: Juicy and flavor-drenched shredded Beef Barbacoa a warm corn tortilla, topped with chopped onion and cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime. If that doesn't scream fresh, healthy, savory, and delicious, I don't know what will. Add any of the following toppings to spruce up your tacos: cotija or queso fresco, pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa, salsa rojo, diced avocado, and/or sliced radishes.
14. Beef Birria
Perfectly tender shredded beef coated in rich and deeply flavorful guajillo sauce, this Beef Birria is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You will feel like a dinner-time queen with so little effort while serving up a deliciously healthy meal. You can even make the sauce up to 2 days in advance! And best yet: the slow cooker does all the work for you!
15. Steak Fajita Salad
Transform a Tex-Mex favorite into a healthy parade of flavors with Steak Fajita Salad! This fresh take on fajitas features juicy, marinated flank steak atop a bed of fresh, colorful veggies like Romaine lettuce, avocado, bell pepper, and onions! It's topped off with a sprinkle of cheese and a drizzle of creamy, zesty cilantro-lime dressing.
16. Steak Ranchero
Steak Ranchero is a beefy, Mexican-flavor explosion that definitely deserves a spot on your dinner table. The shebang takes place in one skillet and is ready in 30 minutes from start to finish. Serve whole with a side of refried beans and rice or sliced with flour or corn tortillas, guacamole, and a sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese.
17. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
With tasty, sautéed veggies, delicious seasoning, juicy pulled chicken, and a little time in the Crock-Pot, Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup is as simple to make as it is tasty. No need to worry about fancy kitchen gadgets or hard-to-find ingredients; this perfect combo of flavors will have you feeling like a dinner-time hero before the kids are even out of school!
18. Mexican Shredded Beef
Mexican Shredded Beef is perfect for curing comfort and Mexican food cravings in one fell swoop. It's hearty and filling, and the uses for leftovers are practically endless. Use this dish for shredded beef tacos, as a filling for burritos or quesadillas, or as a topper for nachos or burrito bowls!
19. Carne Asada Tacos
Serve these Carne Asada Tacos street taco-style, with corn tortillas, sliced beef, diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Simple, easy, and 100% guaranteed to satisfy any and all Mexican food cravings without all the extra calories.
20. Shrimp Tacos
Tacos de Camaron boasts jumbo shrimp dusted with bold Mexican spices, pan-seared to perfection in just minutes! They're wrapped in a warm tortilla topped with shredded cabbage, a dollop of creamy chipotle sauce or avocado Crema, and a squeeze of lime. Simple ingredients, big flavors, and a fiesta for your tastebuds!
21. Baked Chicken with Ranchero
Baked Chicken Ranchero is perfect for weeknight dinners and healthy eating! A healthy baked recipe featuring pounded, flat chicken breast smothered in a tomato-based ranchero sauce. The dish is perfect for slicing, topping with avocado, wrapping up in a toasty flour or corn tortilla, and completely delicious.
22. Enfrijoladas
Enfrijoladas are Mexican enchiladas featuring a flavorful, rich, and velvety smooth black bean puree, corn tortillas, and oftentimes cheese filling with an avocado garnish. There are many ways this dish can come together, but this recipe is easier and healthier than most, which is why it landed a spot on our 36 Healthy Mexican Recipes roundup.
23. Ground Turkey Tacos
Ground Turkey Tacos make for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, and ground turkey is an easy swap to keep your protein high and fat content low in dish. But make no mistake that making this switch comprises any flavor. And they can be used for more than just tacos! Use this versatile recipe as the topping for a taco salad or nachos, or as a filling for burritos, quesadillas, and more!
24. Ceviche de Camaron (Shrimp Ceviche)
Wanna impress your friends? Whip up Ceviche de Camaron for your next gathering. Refreshing, light, and healthy, this Mexican appetizer is perfect for feeding a crowd and boasts incredibly flavorful shrimp marinated in lime juice and a colorful and fresh assortment of veggies in every single bite. And if you want to add some flair with this dish, don't forget the margs!
25. Salsa Fresca
If you've ever searched for a Chuy's salsa dupe, your search ends today. Homemade Salsa Fresca doesn't take much to please a crowd--it all comes down to quality ingredients with quality flavors (and one secret ingredient!). Grab your tortilla chips and send yourself to salsa fresca dip heaven!
27. Homemade Tortilla Chips
Homemade Tortilla Chips only require three ingredients and 15 minutes or less to make the perfect dip sidekick. Golden brown, perfectly crunchy, and so much better for you than what you'd find at the store or your favorite Mexican restaurant, these chips are a win-win for everyone. We highly recommend serving these with pico, salsa fresca, or guacamole.
28. Ceviche de Pescado (Fish Ceviche)
It doesn't get fresher than Ceviche de Pescado. Fresh fish marinated in citrus juices and mixed with fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and cilantro add bursts of flavor and a healthy dose of vitamin C to this appetizer. We like to serve fish ceviche with tortilla or plantain chips, or even with saltine crackers and a bottle of hot sauce on the side.
29. Homemade Pico
Homemade Pico de Gallo is the perfect accompaniment to any Tex-Mex or Mexican recipe and can also be served as a dip alongside a bowl of tortilla chips. We love to use it on pretty much any Mexican main dish such as fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, and tacos.
30. Black Bean + Corn Salsa
Black Bean + Corn Salsa explodes with both flavor and color, and it's a healthy (yet hearty) dip recipe perfect for satisfying any snack craving or feeding a crowd! If you've got 15 minutes or less and these pantry staples on hand (you can also use fresh corn and black beans), you've got yourself a wholesome, tasty snack!
31. Mexican Salsa
This Mexican Salsa recipe is packed with flavor and extremely easy to make. No roasting, boiling, or cooking, and best of all, the fresh ingredients bring all the flavor. Serve it with tortilla chips and Chile con queso to cure any snack-time hankerings or as a topping for tacos, fajitas, and more!
32. Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is loaded with flavorful shrimp, avocado, juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, and more! It's an appetizer that packs a serious punch of flavor. This healthy dip consists of pan-seared shrimp in a vibrant cocktail sauce with creamy avocado and the perfect blend of crunchy vegetables.
33. Avocado Salsa
One can never have too many dips--salsas especially. Avocado Salsa is the perfect counterpart to any red salsa out there. Made with fresh tomatillos (don't be scared of them!), avocado, and fresh lime juice, this dip fits right in alongside Crock-Pot taco queso and fresh salsa.
34. Cilantro-Lime Dressing
Cilantro-Lime Dressing is creamy and tangy, adding delicious Mexican flair to anything and everything it touches, especially the dishes on our 36 Healthy Mexican Recipes list! It's not limited to just salads--load it up on tacos, grilled meats, and more!
35. Refried Black Beans
The sky's the limit when it comes to homemade Refried Black Beans. This beautiful legume is packed with fiber and serves as a main dish for all our vegetarians out there, a robust Tex-Mex side, or a topping for meals like our healthy turkey tostadas!
36. Crock-Pot Pinto Beans
We added a bit of Mexican flair to this Crock-Pot Pinto Bean recipe. Serve them over nachos or a taco salad or on the side of tacos de Camaron. They really do compliment just about any Tex-Mex recipe well on our 36 Healthy Mexican + Tex-Mex Recipe roundup!
Leave a Reply