Healthy Mexican Recipes and Menus

Featured Recipes

Strawberry-Mango Margarita Compote

Mangoes and strawberries make a magical marriage. Splashes of tequila, Triple Sec and lime add a subtle kick to the mix. For a nonalcoholic or kid-friendly version, substitute fresh orange juice for the tequila and Triple Sec.

» Strawberry-Mango Margarita Compote

Watermelon Agua Fresca

This refreshing drink is served by roadside vendors all over Mexico. Not too much fruit, not too much sugar, just a beautiful way to quench your thirst on a summer day.

» Watermelon Agua Fresca

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

The EatingWell Taco

Building the perfect taco is a very personal task—cheese under meat, cheese on top, no cheese at all? This is just our recommendation.

» The EatingWell Taco

Lean & Spicy Taco Meat

A combination of lean ground beef and ultra-lean ground turkey breast makes a less-greasy filling. Bypass taco-seasoning packets in favor of making your own full-flavored filling.

» Lean & Spicy Taco Meat

Grilled Salmon Soft Tacos

Fish tacos have become all the rage in recent years and are a specialty of the Pacific coast of Southern California and Mexico. This is a simple recipe: all the components can be made ahead of time and the fish grilled at the last moment. You can also use halibut, sea bass or tilapia in place of the salmon.

» Grilled Salmon Soft Tacos

Shrimp Veracruzana

Veracruzana is a dish full of onions, jalapeños and tomatoes from the Mexican state of Veracruz. Here we pair the zesty sauce with shrimp, but it can be served with any type of fish or chicken. The heat of fresh jalapeños varies depending on growing conditions. Be sure to taste yours as you're adding them to the dish and adjust the amount according to your taste. For pepper flavor without the heat, use a thinly sliced green bell pepper in place of the jalapeños. Serve with: Rice or potatoes and an avocado salad.

» Shrimp Veracruzana


Enjoy the fresh flavors of Mexican cuisine!

When you’re craving ethnic food—without all the fat—look no further than our neighbors to the south for healthy, mouthwatering inspiration. Many Mexican staples—beans, corn, tomatoes and peppers—are bursting with important vitamins and nutrients. Often thrown into the broad “Latin” category, Mexican cuisine has distinctive qualities, such as its many uses of corn; complex moles and salsas; and a variety of chiles that perfectly accentuate their intended dishes. The tantalizing flavors of these rich and piquant recipes will help you kick-start whatever fiesta you have planned—and to drink, don’t forget the cerveza!

Healthy Mexican Main Dishes

You may not think of fish as a taco ingredient, but the Mexican-inspired fish-taco...
Our version of this enchilada-style chilaquiles casserole is packed with nutritious...
Serve this great-tasting, tender steak as part of a taco party or with a mixed green...
Duck's gotten the unfortunate reputation of being both hard to cook and far too...
Fish tacos have become all the rage in recent years and are a specialty of the...
Usually made with creamy canned soups and several cups of cheese, the fat and sodium...
A combination of lean ground beef and ultra-lean ground turkey breast makes a less-...
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, ceviche is raw fish that's “cooked” by marinating it in acidic...
Traditionally a long-simmered stew, this Mexican-inspired stew is quick and easy,...
A fiesta-in-a-bowl, this stew gets vibrant colors and flavor from scallions, carrots...
We created this with leftover turkey in mind. Leftover or rotisserie chicken can...
Shrimp enchiladas offer a taste of coastal Mexican cuisine but some versions contain...
Veracruzana is a dish full of onions, jalapeños and tomatoes from the Mexican state...
While many North Americans think of tacos as having crisp, fried shells, authentic...
This variation on fajitas pairs fresh poblanos with steak and scallions. Skirt steak...
Building the perfect taco is a very personal task—cheese under meat, cheese on top,...
Although it's traditionally made with limes (and you could certainly make it...

Healthy Mexican Sides & Salads

Enjoy this traditional Southwestern dish of sautéed summer squash, onions and...
The bright assorted colors of rainbow chard are especially lovely in this spicy,...
Turn an ordinary taco into something special with this creamy, herb-studded sauce in...
Try this chunky orange-lime salsa on fish tacos or serve it with tortilla chips.
An easy, tasty way to jazz up canned refried and pinto beans for the perfect side to...
Surprisingly easy and far better-tasting than store-bought taco shells.
Fresh and easy, this recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa. Reserve 1 cup for Quick...
Tomatillos are delicious raw, but they take on a sweet, smoky flavor when cooked on...
Crisp, peppery diced radishes, sweet, juicy mango and tart lime juice have opposing...
Enjoy this crunchy, refreshing alternative to mayonnaise-based coleslaw on a taco or...
These easy tortilla snacks, filled with refried beans, salsa, corn and cheese,...
Use a cup of the Fresh Tomato Salsa to make this easy guacamole. Mash a few avocados...
Any leftover beans would work in this quick side dish.

Healthy Mexican Desserts

Sheet cakes are a potluck dream: the baking pan holds the cake and makes it...
Use a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip to pipe decorative swirls on top of...
Chocolate syrup makes a convenient base for a delicious sauce; cocoa powder deepens...
In Mexico, papayas are served with a wedge of lime and a pinch of salt. This sorbet...
Mangoes and strawberries make a magical marriage. Splashes of tequila, Triple Sec...

Healthy Mexican Drinks

Frozen limeade adds zing to this stellar blueberry margarita.
A summery take on a popular Spanish and Mexican rice-based drink.
This thirst-quenching cocktail was said to be created by a bartender from Chihuahua...
This refreshing drink is served by roadside vendors all over Mexico. Not too much...

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