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Our 21 Best Authentic Mexican Recipes
What makes a recipe an authentic Mexican recipe? Certainly, traditional ingredients and time-tested preparations make a recipe authentic. Of course, as time passes and cultures collide, cuisines evolve, transforming into fusion foods, modern takes on the traditional, which we also love (looking at you, Tex-Mex). But with this collection of Mexican recipes, we pay tribute to the originals, the tried and true, comforting, authentic Mexican food recipes that were built to last. These are just some of our favorites; for more, check out our collection of Authentic Mexican Recipes.
Sandy's Primavera Casserole
Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables for the ones used here.
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Homemade Mexican Chorizo
Mexican chorizo is a little different than its Spanish cousin, but equally delicious. Use these sausages as you would any spicy sausage, or use the loose sausage meat to make tacos for a flavor-packed change from regular old ground pork. Freeze for up to 3 months.
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Authentic Enchiladas Verdes
This authentic chicken enchilada recipe is made with fresh green salsa, just like you would find in a Mexican restaurant or better yet, in a Mexican home.
VIEW RECIPE Carne en su Jugo (Meat in its Juices)
Carne en su jugo is a Guadalajara favorite. Small pieces of flank steak are cooked in their juices, then mixed with whole beans and crispy crumbled bacon. It makes me feel at home!
VIEW RECIPE Authentic Mole Sauce
This authentic mole sauce is made with hot chiles, rich chocolate, spices, and tomatillos for a delicious topping on enchiladas and stewed meats.
VIEW RECIPE Menudo Rojo (Red Menudo)
Learn how to make menudo, a deep red soup made with tripe, chile peppers, and hominy, with this easy recipe. A combination of chile peppers gives this soup its trademark red color and adds mild spice to every bite. My husband absolutely devoured it the first time I made it.
VIEW RECIPE Birria de Res Tacos (Beef Birria Tacos)
Mexican birria tacos, Jalisco-style, made with braised beef that's slow-cooked in a fragrant 3-chile sauce with a delicious spice mix. Crispy tacos, and tender, mouth-watering beef team up with melted Mexican cheese in this impressive meal. This recipe takes a little time but it's so worth it!
VIEW RECIPE Churros
Churros (Mexican fritters) are very common at fairs. In my border hometown, the line at this stand is always overwhelming. People wait hours in line just to get a taste of these churros. I have run across several recipes but this is the best one by far.
VIEW RECIPE Carne Asada al Cilantro
In this true Mexican carne asada recipe, skirt steak is marinated in a cilantro-beer sauce and grilled (asada) to perfection. Serve with a side of drunken beans and corn tortillas. If preferred, substitute flank steak for the skirt steak.
VIEW RECIPE Mexican Mango and White Fish Ceviche
Fresh and delicious, this Mexican ceviche will add punch to your next party. An easy no-cook, make-ahead starter or nibble. Serve with tortilla chips, avocado, lime wedges, and salt to garnish.
VIEW RECIPE Sweet Orange Tamales
These sweet tamales with orange, almonds, and raisins are eaten as a dessert in Mexico. Try to find extra sweet ripe oranges for the best flavor. [Recipe originally submitted to Allrecipes.com.mx]
VIEW RECIPE Mexican Enchiladas Suizas
Corn tortillas are filled with shredded chicken and baked in a creamy green tomatillo sauce. The 'suizas' sauce is Spanish for 'Swiss,' a nod to its creaminess.
VIEW RECIPE Easy Migas
Learn how to make migas with this inexpensive and quick to make recipe. This was my husband's favorite breakfast growing up in a Mexican household. Now we make this recipe at any time of day. Even our kids always ask for seconds. I sometimes add hot pepper sauce or ingredients you would like in a omelet, but my husband prefers it the traditional way.
VIEW RECIPE Guacamole with Corn
This easy Mexican guacamole with corn (guacamole con elote) and tomatoes tastes great with corn chips. As with all guacamole recipes, make sure you are using ripe avocados. [Recipe originally submitted to Allrecipes.com.mx]
VIEW RECIPE Tamales Oaxaqueños (Oaxacan-Style Tamales)
This authentic homemade tamales recipe comes from the Mexican region Oaxaca. The tamales are stuffed with a homemade masa and chicken filling made with tomatillos and 2 different types of chile peppers - ancho chile and mulato chile. [Recipe originally submitted to Allrecipes.com.mx]
VIEW RECIPE Authentic Mexican Chile Rellenos
Authentic chile relleno recipe handed down for generations in my family.
VIEW RECIPE Cochinita Pibil (Mexican Pulled Pork in Annatto Sauce)
This cochinita pibil recipe is straight from Mexico. Pork shoulder is cooked in a spicy red annatto sauce, then shredded and served with habanero sauce.
VIEW RECIPE Chiles en Nogada (Mexican Stuffed Poblano Peppers in Walnut Sauce)
This traditional Mexican dish is from the area of Puebla. Poblano chiles are stuffed with a flavorful ground pork stuffing, then covered in a creamy walnut sauce and garnished with pomegranate seeds and parsley. The long list of ingredients is deceiving - this make ahead dish is quite easy once you have all your ingredients!
VIEW RECIPE Authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate
To make this authentic Mexican hot chocolate, you need Mexican hot chocolate tablets or squares which gives it its unique taste. Eat the chile only if you can handle it!
VIEW RECIPE Green Rice with Cheese
A yummy variation on traditional Mexican green rice (arroz verde) with cheese and crema so the rice becomes super creamy and cheesy.
VIEW RECIPE Pescado en Achiote (Mexican Fish in Annatto Sauce)
White fish fillets and shrimp are marinated with achiote, orange juice, lemon, and spices, baked in the oven, and served with habanero sauce and red onion. You can use any white fish fillets. These are typical flavors of Southeast Mexico.
VIEW RECIPE Authentic Tacos al Pastor
Tacos al pastor is a quintessential Mexican dish, with tender pork and pineapple marinated in a savory and aromatic chile sauce. Serve with warm corn tortillas, tomatillos salsa, and lemon or lime wedges.
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