Mexican Recipes

Mexican food and chili peppers go together like nothing else in the culinary world, so it's no surprise this is one of my favorite places to cook.

The flavors are bold, the techniques are endlessly interesting, and you can go from a simple weeknight taco to a full weekend birria project without ever getting bored. I've been building out this collection for years - authentic Mexican recipes that respect the original, plus easy Mexican dinner ideas you can actually pull off on a Tuesday.

Either way, chili peppers are integral to every dish. Dried anchos and guajillos for the braises and sauces. Fresh jalapeños and serranos for the salsas. Chipotles for that smoky kick that makes everything better. Browse by category below. There's a lot here, and all of it is worth making.

A saucy bowl filled with Mexican pork stew (asado de puerco)

Mains & Proteins

These recipes are some of the very best authentic Mexican dishes on our site, and they're something you can be proud to serve your friends and family.

Taco Recipes

Everyone loves a good taco, and we have a lot to choose from here! See more taco recipes →

Enchilada Recipes

Enchiladas are a great way to make a meal for a crowd. They are make-ahead friendly, and work perfectly for meal prep, too! see more enchilada recipes →

Fajitas Recipes

If you like seeing that sizzling platter of fajitas making their way to you from the kitchen across the restaurant as much as we do, you're going to love these Mexican-style fajita recipes you can make at home!

Guacamole Recipes

Where there are chips and dip, there had better be guacamole on the table, too. See more guacamole recipes →

Nacho Recipes

Nachos might just be the perfect appetizer. Sometimes we even make a whole meal of them. Here are some of our favorites.

Salsa Recipes

What is better with Mexican food than a GREAT salsa? NOTHING. That's what. Here are the best salsa recipes from Chili Pepper Madness. See more salsa recipes →

Classic Mexican Staples

These are the recipes that belong in every solid Mexican food lineup. They bring the basics to the table, add fresh contrast, and help round out everything from quick weeknight meals to bigger weekend spreads. If you want the building blocks that make homemade Mexican meals feel complete, start here.

Mexican Recipes - FAQs

Frequently asked questions about this recipe collection.

What are the most popular Mexican recipes?

Tacos, enchiladas, guacamole, and salsa are at the top of the list for most people. Birria tacos have taken on a life of their own in recent years, and classics like carnitas, chiles rellenos, and pozole never go out of style. I've got all of them here.

What makes a Mexican recipe authentic?

A lot of it comes down to the chili peppers. Authentic Mexican cooking uses specific dried chiles - anchos, guajillos, chipotles, pasillas, árbol - and each one brings something different to a dish. It's also about technique, like toasting dried chiles, charring tomatoes and onions, and giving braises the time they need to build flavor. Shortcuts exist, but knowing the real method makes everything taste better.

What are some easy Mexican recipes for dinner?

Chicken tinga is one of my go-tos. It comes together fast and works on tacos, on nachos, in enchiladas, or just over rice. Steak tacos, chicken fajitas, and taco bowls are also great weeknight options. If you have an extra hour, enchiladas are worth the effort and reheat beautifully.

How do I make Mexican food spicier?

Swap up the pepper. Use serranos instead of jalapeños in your salsa, or throw a few chiles de árbol into your next sauce or braise. You can also add a homemade hot sauce to the table and let everyone dial in their own heat. That's usually how I do it.

ALL Mexican Recipes

Need even more inspiration? Check out the rest of our Mexican recipes!