Mexican recipes
Mexican food is far more than tacos, though there are plenty of those here too. This page collects quick dishes inspired by Mexican home cooking and Mexican American favorites: tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, enchilada-style skillets, salsas, rice bowls and egg dishes like huevos rancheros. Everything is ready in 20 minutes or less.
39 recipes, quickest first.
8 minRestaurant-style salsa
10 minClassic guacamole
10 minPico de gallo
12 minSkillet queso dip
12 minSpiderweb taco dip
12 minStovetop nacho cheese sauce
15 minBlack bean breakfast burritos
15 minBlack bean tacos with quick pickled onion
15 minCampfire skillet nachos
15 minChilaquiles rojos
15 minLoaded sheet pan nachos
15 minMexican street corn salad (esquites)
15 minSeven-layer dip
16 minBlack bean and corn quesadillas
17 minChipotle shrimp tacos
17 minWalking tacos
18 minCarne asada tacos
18 minChicken enchilada skillet
18 minChicken fajitas
18 minChorizo, potato and egg breakfast tacos
18 minCinnamon sugar chips with fruit salsa
18 minClassic ground beef tacos
18 minCopycatCopycat Chipotle burrito bowls
18 minCopycatCopycat Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunch
18 minFish tacos with lime slaw
19 minBeef and bean burritos
19 minCopycatCopycat Chipotle cilantro-lime rice
19 minCopycatCopycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
19 minHuevos rancheros
20 minChicken tinga tostadas
20 minChicken tortilla soup
20 minClassic chicken quesadillas
20 minCopycatCopycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme
20 minCrispy potato tacos
20 minGrilled Mexican street corn (elote)
20 minJack-o'-lantern quesadillas
20 minSkillet pork al pastor tacos
20 minSteak and cheese quesatacos
20 minTurkey taco skillet
Stock a few staples, such as corn and flour tortillas, canned black or pinto beans, limes, cilantro, chiles and a good salsa, and you can make most of these on a busy night. Use the tips for spice levels and swaps, like chicken for shrimp or beans for meat, so the whole table is happy.
Common questions
What Mexican food can I make quickly at home?
Quesadillas, shrimp or fish tacos, chicken tinga using rotisserie chicken, black bean tostadas, chilaquiles and huevos rancheros all take 20 minutes or less. Fast-cooking proteins, canned beans and store-bought tortillas do the heavy lifting. A quick pico de gallo or pickled onions adds fresh flavor in minutes.
How do I warm corn tortillas so they don't crack?
Heat them one at a time in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for about 30 seconds per side, until soft and lightly charred in spots. Stack them in a clean kitchen towel as you go to trap steam and keep them pliable. Microwaving a stack wrapped in a damp paper towel also works.
What is the difference between pico de gallo and salsa?
Pico de gallo is a fresh, chunky salsa of diced tomato, onion, chile, cilantro, lime and salt, with little liquid. Salsa is a broader term covering many sauces, cooked or raw, smooth or chunky, made with tomatoes, tomatillos, dried chiles or fruit. Pico is one kind of salsa, best eaten the day it is made.