40+ Mouthwatering Mexican Recipes, From Carnitas to Chocolate-Covered Chicharrones

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

It's no secret that we're big fans of Mexican food. Over the years, we've managed to whip up a whole bunch of flavorful Mexican-inspired dishes and drinks, from mouthwatering tacos to tequila-infused cocktails, all of which would make for a festive and delicious meal to enjoy on Cinco de Mayo. Get our editor-tested Mexican recipes ahead and prepare to hear your stomach growl!

— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes

Grilled Fish Tacos
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Grilled Fish Tacos

Marinated halibut with a quick and flavorful mint-cucumber-mango salsa make for grilled fish tacos that will be hard to forget.

Jalapeño Margarita
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Jalapeño Margarita

This jalapeño margarita has a kick to it.

Meat Taco Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Meat Taco Salad

This zesty taco salad is so fast and easy to make, it just might become your newest go-to meal.

Mexican Grilled Corn
POPSUGAR Photography | Sara Yoo

Mexican Grilled Corn

Munch on Mexico's famed elote asado, a recipe wherein charcoal-grilled juicy ears of corn are slathered with rich crema and rolled in dried, ground chiles and crumbly cheese.

Homemade Tortilla Chips
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Ditch the supermarket bags and try your hand at homemade tortilla chips two ways: baked and fried.

Guacamole
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Guacamole

If guacamole were part of a club, it would be the president. Needless to say, there's nothing boring about this basic guacamole recipe.

Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup

A great way to use those leftovers? Cooking up some spicy broth with chicken and avocado.

Tomatillo Salsa
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Tomatillo Salsa

Don't be intimidated by the thought of making your own salsa. This tomatillo-chipotle salsa recipe is easy even for beginners.

Steak Tacos
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Steak Tacos

The great thing about this savory steak tacos recipe is that it doesn't require any marinade time — the meat takes just about 10 minutes to cook.

Huevos Rancheros
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Huevos Rancheros

This easy-to-make breakfast staple consists of refried beans, fried eggs, bell peppers, onions, and guacamole.

Chicken Enchiladas
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Chicken Enchiladas

This cheesy, flavorful chicken enchiladas recipe features rotisserie chicken.

Slow-Cooker Bean Dip
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Slow-Cooker Bean Dip

Snacking just got a whole lot tastier with this easy-to-make slow-cooker bean dip.

Healthy Seven-Layer Dip
POPSUGAR Photography

Healthy Seven-Layer Dip

If you love the taste of a seven-layer dip but can't handle all the dairy and refried beans, give this lightened-up recipe a try. It keeps the same festive look with much less fat and far more fiber.

Burrito Bowl
POPSUGAR Photography

Burrito Bowl

This quick and delicious burrito bowl can be made at home in less than 10 minutes.

Polenta and Beans
POPSUGAR Photography

Polenta and Beans

Riff on the flavors of a traditional burrito and opt for a plate of vegan and gluten-free polenta and beans instead. It takes less than 30 minutes to cook and it tastes so good.

Grilled Veggie Tacos With Guacamole
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Grilled Veggie Tacos With Guacamole

Grilling vegetables adds a bold charred flavor, and these grilled veggie tacos will have you hooked.

Mexican Breakfast Burritos
POPSUGAR Photography | Amanda Haas

Mexican Breakfast Burritos

Start your morning off right with these delicious Mexican breakfast burritos.

Salsa Three Ways
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Salsa Three Ways

Whether hot or zesty, you'll find something for everyone with these salsa recipes from Rick Bayless.

Chocolate-Covered Chicharrones
POPSUGAR Photography | Susannah Chen

Chocolate-Covered Chicharrones

Chicharrónes, or deep-fried pig skins, dipped in chocolate are puff-like perfection.

Frozen Margaritas
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Frozen Margaritas

There's no sugary syrup involved in making these frozen margaritas, only orange liqueur, lime juice, and blanco tequila.

Shrimp and Tortilla Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Susannah Chen

Shrimp and Tortilla Soup

Ten minutes. That's all it takes to put together this shrimp and tortilla soup that's light but imbued with smoky and bright flavors.

Nacho Cheese Dip
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Nacho Cheese Dip

Nacho cheese with Velveeta — it's a guilty pleasure we're not ashamed to admit we support.

Paloma Cocktail
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Paloma Cocktail

We're giving the typical paloma cocktail an upgrade — think fresh grapefruit juice, club soda, and simple syrup.

Four-Cheese Queso Dip
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Four-Cheese Queso Dip

This four-cheese queso dip might as well have a different name: ooey-gooey goodness.

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Queso
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Queso

Enjoy queso a new way thanks to this supersimple mushroom, spinach, and goat cheese recipe.

Chile Con Queso Nachos
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Chile Con Queso Nachos

Habanero chicken sausage adds a little something extra to the chile con queso in these loaded nachos.

Pinot-Grita
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Pinot-Grita

If you're tired of tequila, this Pinot-Grita cocktail comes with a bit of Pinot Grigio to throw your taste buds for a loop.

Pico de Gallo
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Pico de Gallo

Pico de gallo is a Mexican food staple — whip up your own with this easy recipe.

Vegetarian Taco Salad
POPSUGAR Photography

Vegetarian Taco Salad

This layered vegetarian salad is as colorful as it is tasty, and it's super easy to whip together.

Pineapple Margarita
POPSUGAR Photography | Susannah Chen

Pineapple Margarita

A fan of all things spice? Then waste no time making this pineapple margarita with a chili-salt rim. The sweet-salty-fiery complexity is out of this world.

Turkey Tacos
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Turkey Tacos

So Mexican tacos don't typically come with turkey — but give these turkey tacos a try and we guarantee they'll be a hit.

Carnitas
POPSUGAR Photography | Sara Yoo

Carnitas

The taco-truck staple known as carnitas is just as comfortable on its own as it is served beside carne asada and chorizo.

Pineapple Salsa
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Pineapple Salsa

Serve it like a traditional salsa with chips or use it as a topping — either way, we bet you'll be delighted by this pineapple salsa.

Cranberry Margarita
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cranberry Margarita

Make a tart, brightly hued margarita with a splash of cranberry juice.

Anything Goes Burrito
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Anything Goes Burrito

The beauty of our burrito? You're allowed to stuff it with whatever you could possibly imagine (well, with whatever you have left in your fridge).

Watermelon-Mango Salsa
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Watermelon-Mango Salsa

Give regular salsa a run for its money with this unexpected watermelon-mango salsa.

Strawberry Margarita
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Strawberry Margarita

We don't need to hear any words other than strawberry margarita to try this recipe ASAP.

Tex-Mex Tacos
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Tex-Mex Tacos

Once you find out these ground beef tacos take no time to prepare, you'll wonder how you went without them before.

Mexican Crema
POPSUGAR Photography | Katie Sweeney

Mexican Crema

Somewhere between sour cream and crème fraiche lies this must-have condiment.

Fruit With Chili and Lime
POPSUGAR Studios

Fruit With Chili and Lime

Mexican fruit vendors will often sell pineapple, watermelon, and mango seasoned with chili and lime. Re-create this set-up for dessert.

Pan de Muerto
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Pan de Muerto

Even though this sugar-topped bread is for celebrating el Día de Los Muertos in November, it's a great way to get a taste of traditional Mexican fare year-round.