Cheap Mexican Recipes and Tips

Featured Recipes

Lime-Jalapeno Chicken

Tangy, mildly spicy and tender, this chicken is delicious with black beans and salsa.

» Lime-Jalapeno Chicken

Chilaquiles Casserole

Our version of this enchilada-style chilaquiles casserole is packed with nutritious beans and vegetables. Canned prepared enchilada sauce has great flavor and keeps the prep time quick. It can vary in heat level so find one that suits your taste. If you want to eliminate the heat altogether, try a green enchilada sauce (which is often milder than red) or substitute two 8-ounce cans of plain tomato sauce.

» Chilaquiles Casserole

Shredded Turkey & Pinto Bean Burritos

We created this with leftover turkey in mind. Leftover or rotisserie chicken can also be used. Make it a Meal: Serve with guacamole and chopped jalapeno peppers and/or hot sauce - and a cold cerveza.

» Shredded Turkey & Pinto Bean Burritos

Mini Chile Relleno Casseroles

Everyone gets an individual portion with this vegetarian, Tex-Mex mini casserole. A normal-size casserole like this would take close to an hour to bake—these are ready in half the time. Heatproof ramekins are a cook's best friend—we use them all the time to hold ingredients while cooking. You can buy them at most grocery stores.

» Mini Chile Relleno Casseroles

Beef & Bean Chile Verde

Chile Verde, usually a slow-cooked stew of pork, jalapeños and tomatillos, becomes an easy weeknight meal with quick-cooking ground beef and store-bought green salsa. Make it a Meal: Serve with fresh cilantro, red onion and Monterey Jack. Add cornbread on the side and your favorite hot sauce.

» Beef & Bean Chile Verde

Tijuana Torta

A Mexican-style torta is just like a burrito, except the “wrapper” is a hollowed-out roll instead of a tortilla. Here it's filled with mashed spiced black beans and a quick guacamole. Take this vegetarian version to another level (and add calcium) by melting Monterey Jack cheese onto the bean side of the sandwich. Serve with: Grilled corn on the cob or Spanish rice.

» Tijuana Torta

Crispy Turkey Tostadas

Shredded leftover turkey tops homemade tostadas in this Tex-Mex favorite. Making your own tostada shells from fresh corn tortillas is easier than you might think—crisp them up in the oven while you prepare the toppings. Choose either regular petite diced tomatoes or those with added jalapeños, depending on your inclination for spicy food. Serve with black beans, rice and extra salsa or hot sauce on the side.

» Crispy Turkey Tostadas


19 Mexican Food Recipes for $3 or Less Per Serving.

Mexican food is one of our favorite ethnic cuisines, but hitting the local burrito shop too often can take a toll on your budget. Stay in and create your own fiesta with EatingWell’s healthy, budget Mexican recipes. You could eat more healthfully, too, since many Mexican restaurants take a heavy hand with salt and fat—hardly good for our health—and hardly necessary, especially when so many ingredients key to Mexican food are inherently healthy (and inexpensive), such as corn, tomatoes, beans and rice. Making these healthy, delicious Mexican recipes on a budget at home will give you more control over what you put in your mouth—and what you take out of your wallet.

Mexican Recipes Under $2 per Serving

Our version of this enchilada-style chilaquiles casserole is packed with nutritious...
Tangy, mildly spicy and tender, this chicken is delicious with black beans and salsa.
Everyone gets an individual portion with this vegetarian, Tex-Mex mini casserole. A...
Traditionally a long-simmered stew, this Mexican-inspired stew is quick and easy,...
These easy tortilla snacks, filled with refried beans, salsa, corn and cheese,...
We created this with leftover turkey in mind. Leftover or rotisserie chicken can...
Building the perfect taco is a very personal task—cheese under meat, cheese on top,...
A Mexican-style torta is just like a burrito, except the “wrapper” is a hollowed-out...

Mexican Recipes Under $2.50 per Serving

Traditional Mexican techniques combine with spicy Southwestern chic for a creamy...
These quesadillas have an irresistibly creamy filling. They also make great...
Shredded leftover turkey tops homemade tostadas in this Tex-Mex favorite. Making...
Usually made with creamy canned soups and several cups of cheese, the fat and sodium...
Whip up this simple, tasty omelet on those nights when it seems the refrigerator is...
Filled with bell peppers, pinto beans, mushrooms and onions, these colorful...
Canned chipotle peppers add a rich, smoky flavor to these black bean sandwiches....
While many North Americans think of tacos as having crisp, fried shells, authentic...

Mexican Recipes Under $3 per Serving

Chile Verde, usually a slow-cooked stew of pork, jalapeños and tomatillos, becomes...
We've borrowed the best Mexican flavors and ingredients for this quick scramble...
Albondigas, Spanish for “meatballs,” star in the traditional broth-based Mexican...

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