30 Mexican Dishes For The Long Holiday Weekend

Here are our Best Mexican Dishes that will make this 4th of July weekend delicious! Many of these recipes are quick and easy and ready to feed a hungry crowd, not to mention full of the vibrant, fresh flavors natural to Mexican cuisine.

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Post first published on June 14, 2022. Last updated June 27, 2023.

A recipe collage of Mexican dishes for 4th of July including, avocado ceviche, beef tacos, frijoles borrachos and more.

The 4th of July is just a few days away and we are rounding up our favorite Mexican dishes to celebrate. They are super flavorful, some even downright spicy, and hit all the right comfort food spots that will have everyone singing your praises.

Pick one or make a whole menu complete with a refreshing margarita or Strawberry-Hibiscus Paloma.

I know which one I’ll be making this weekend (see #17 Shredded Beef Tacos), how about you?

Our Most Popular Mexican Dishes

Appetizers & Snacks

1. Super Simple Salsa Verde

Starting out in the appetizer category but this salsa goes way beyond a dip for tortilla chips (although that’s great too). This is one of the easiest Mexican salsas, this Salsa Verde, or Green Salsa takes just a few minutes to make and goes with everything. It’s vegan and gluten-free.

A yellow bowl with a blue spoon in it filled with salsa verde.

2. Salsa Morita

If you’re going to have salsa verde you better have a salsa roja too! This smokey, spicy salsa is made from dried morita chiles, roasted tomatoes, and garlic. Morita chiles are one of my favorite chili peppers, they are smoked jalapeños (like chipotle peppers) but the ones that are last on the vine so they are sweet and luscious.

3. Vegan Ceviche with Avocado and Lime

This fresh ceviche recipe with tomatoes, red onion, and chiles is an awesome dip or light main course. Serve with tostadas for dipping or topping or as a side dish with our Red Wine and Garlic Marinated London Broil.

A hand scooping up vegan ceviche made of tomatoes, cauliflower, avocado, and red onion with a pita chip.

4. Sweet Potato Nachos with Smoked Cheddar and Black Beans

Show me one person that doesn’t have a love affair with nachos. These have a healthy boost of nutrition thanks to swapping the chips for roasted sweet potatoes. Toppings include black beans and smoked cheddar cheese but the sky’s the limit here. Add grilled chicken, pico de gallo, sour cream, whatever you like.

A white dish filled with sweet potato nachos topped with black beans and cilantro on a marble table. Next to a lime cut in half.

5. The BEST Guacamole Recipe

The secret is out, here’s my go-to guacamole recipe. Simple, easy and absolutely no tomatoes. Or garlic. Ever. The end. Serve with store bought chips or follow the instructions included in the recipe to make your own.

If making ahead for a party, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole so no air can touch it, then wrap another piece of plastic wrap tightly over the top of the bowl to prevent it from turning brown.

A large bowl of guacamole with a blue chip dipping into the bowl and a blue spoon.

6. Easy Homemade Chamoy Sauce

I love those recipes that double as appetizer, cocktail garnish, and dessert. Chamoy Sauce fits the bill for all three. Serve as a dip for a fruit and veggie platter, rim your cocktail glasses with it like they do in Mexico for margaritas or micheladas or top ripe mango with chamoy for dessert. It’s universally delicious…and loved!

A glass filled with Chamoy Sauce with a spoon sticking out of it sitting on a marble table next to a plate of mangoes.

7. Rainbow Veggie Quesadilla Recipe

When it comes to Mexican food, quesadillas are not a cop-out. They make a much-loved appetizer (especially for the under 12 crowd) and can be filled with any number of interesting ingredients like these Rainbow Veggie Quesadillas filled with fresh vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, cilantro, and more! Serve with Cilantro-Lime Slaw for a complete meal.

A large quesadilla sitting on a piece of parchment paper cut into wedges with red cabbage and red bell peppers.

8. Chicharrones de Harina

This addictive popular Mexican street food recipe went viral the first time I posted it all the way back in 2012! It is a simple recipe that shows how to deep fry the vegan wheat wheels you see at Latin grocery stores that look like red pasta. Once they are fried they get doused with chili salt and lime juice–so good and great with a pitcher of Cucumber Mezcal Margaritas.

A pink tray filled with chicharrones de harina and a little cup that has lime wedges in it on a white table cloth.

Sides

9. Slow Cooker Borracho Beans {Frijoles Borrachos}

The ingredients list is simple, pinto beans, jalapeno pepper, onion, beer but the sum is so much greater than its parts. Plus, this is a fantastic recipe to make for a party, make it ahead of time and keep it warm in the crock pot.

A black pot filled with Frijoles Borrachos with a ladle sticking into the pot and cilantro leaves garnishing the top.

10. Sofrito Black Beans

This is another one of those recipes that could work in multiple ways. If it is chilly this weekend where you are, serve it as a soup topped with sour cream, hot sauce, and a tall stack of warm flour tortillas. Or serve as a side dish with Grilled Fish Tacos.

A plate of food sitting on a wood table with a fork in one side and a glass with a lime wheel in it and a bowl of tostadas.

11. Cilantro-Lime Corn

Elote or Mexican Street Corn is everyone’s favorite, but I love this lighter take of corn on the cob brushed with a simple butter made from fresh cilantro and lime juice. It is an easy side dish that goes great with Mexican dishes like barbacoa as well as burgers or grilled chicken.

Several ears of sweet corn in a baking dish topped with chopped cilantro and sprinkled with cheese and a lime wedge.

12. Homemade Corn Tortillas

Want to show your family and friends true love? Make them a batch of homemade corn tortillas using masa harina by following these step-by-step instructions—now that’s devotion! Serve with any of the Mexican recipes mentioned above or use them to make chicken tacos.

A black pan on a stove with a tortilla being cooked on it next to a red spatula.

13. Homemade Flour Tortillas

If flour tortillas are more your style, try this recipe. A wet dough and long kneading time make them soft and chewy.

A woman in a red stripped shirt holding a stack of flour tortillas.

Main Dishes

14. Torta Ahogada

This authentic Mexican sandwich is a total crowd pleaser. Filled with carnitas, pickled red onions, and refried beans then drowned in a spicy arbol Chile salsa.

A man in a black shirt holding a torta ahogada on a white plate.

15. Chicken Mole Verde

If you’ve never made mole sauce before this is a great place to start. This summery green mole is simple compared to some other mole sauces and is made with tomatillos, cilantro, jalapeños, and thickened with pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. Serve with our easy best-ever canned black beans recipe and steamed rice for a delicious Mexican dinner. Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly.

A plate of chicken mole verde topped with sesame seeds and a side of black beans and a side of steamed rice.

16. Authentic Chile Relleno Recipe

When you want to impress with something special make these Chiles Rellenos. They are filled with melted Oaxaca cheese, lightly battered, and deep fried until airy and crisp.

A Chile relleno sitting in a pool of tomato sauce next to two other chiles rellenos.

17. Picadillo

A staple in any Mexican home, this is the one dish my husband requests from his mom whenever we go to visit. Seasoned ground beef with potatoes and carrots, great with Mexican rice and beans and a tall stack of warm tortillas, absolute comfort food at its best.

A pan filled with Picadillo topped with sliced jalapenos, and sliced scallions sitting next to a stack of corn tortillas and limes.

18. Chiles En Nogada

Typically this is a dish reserved for Mexican Independence Day because it is a famous dish from Puebla and represents the colors of the Mexican flag, but I think it is a perfect dish for any special occasion. Charred poblano peppers stuffed with a savory meat mixture then topped with a walnut-based cream sauce and pomegranate seeds.

Two chiles en nogada sitting on a blue platter topped with a cream sauce and pomegranates and parsley leaves.

19. Grilled Cilantro-Garlic Pork Chops

If you are looking for something easy to throw on the grill, these pork chops are amazing! A simple marinade of lemon juice, garlic, and fresh cilantro makes them super juicy and tender. Nervous about grilling? Follow the step-by-step instructions for pork chop perfection. Serve with our Veracruz-Style Hominy and simple sautéed broccolini from our sister site, Kate’s Best Recipes.

Three pork chops sitting on a marble cutting board they have been grilled and the bottom one is sliced with lemons.

20. Chicken Enchiladas Verdes

Perfect for celebrating, these cozy enchiladas are filled with shredded chicken and topped with a charred poblano pepper chili sauce, Mexican crema, and crumbled queso fresco.

A white plate with a green rim that is filled with three chicken enchiladas verdes covered in cream and topped with cheese.

21. Shredded Beef Tacos {Carne Deshebrada}

Easy and delicious, the beef gets coated in spices like chili powder, cumin, and coriander then slowly braised until it is falling apart tender. Instant Pot instructions included if you are short on time. Serve with Papas Con Chile {Crispy Potatoes in Red Sauce}.

Two beef tacos sitting on a plate topped with mango salsa, cilantro, and avocado.

22. Black Bean and Cheese Tamales

If you want to take on a weekend project, these tamales are it! And oh, so worth it. You will score big points when you tell everyone you made fluffy, cheese and bean filled tamales. These are favorites with my family any time of year.

A tamal sitting on a yellow plate it is filled with black beans and cheese and topped with salsa verde. Some is eaten.

23. Pozole Rojo

I love this Pozole recipe. Even though it is summer, it doesn’t mean we don’t all crave the delicious stew that is Pozole. Don’t forget all the garnishes! Minced onion, thinly sliced cabbage or lettuce, and Mexican oregano are my favorite.

Three bowls of pozole on a blue and white cloth with lots of garnishes surrounding them like thinly sliced cabbage and more.

24. Fried Green Tomato Burritos

These vegetarian burritos are simply amazing. You’ll love the wedges of tart green tomatoes seasoned with a chipotle pepper rub, breaded in panko and fried.

A burrito cut in half showing the fried green tomatoes and black beans on the inside with a jar of salsa next to them.

25. Cochinita Pibil

The classic pork dish got even better because you can easily slow roast it in the oven. Soaked in bright orange achiote paste and wrapped in banana leaves it cooks low and slow until it is fall apart tender.

A corn tortilla topped with cochinita pibil and pickled red onions and a cilantro leaf on top of a banana leaf.

26. Tacos al Pastor with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Perfect for a backyard barbecue, you don’t even need a spit to make these pork tacos. This recipe will walk you step-by-step how to make these taco truck favorites at home. Video included too!

A corn tortilla topped with grilled pork and pineapple salsa on a marble table.

Breakfast & Brunch

27. Authentic Chilaquiles with Scrambled Eggs

Serving brunch this weekend? Do it right with a pan of the world’s best chilaquiles. Freshly-fried tortillas soaked in a guajillo chile sauce, fluffy scrambled eggs and topped with cheese, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños.

A terracotta plate filled with chilaquiles sitting on a white tablecloth and topped with a dollop of sour cream.

28. Huevos Rancheros

If your husband is anything like mine, he loves fried eggs in the morning. These Huevos Rancheros are the key to his heart. Homemade Salsa Ranchera, fried tortillas, warm refried beans, they are definitely worth waking up early for.

A close up of two fried eggs served sunny side up topped with pico de Gallo and a fork stuck into one of them.

Desserts

29. Authentic Churros with Mexican Chocolate Sauce

There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I had a batch of warm-from-the-fryer churros with a gallon of chocolate sauce to dunk them in. Check out the special technique in this recipe that makes frying them up easier.

A pink plate with churros on it and a hand holding a churro that is being dunked in chocolate sauce.

30. Classic Tres Leches Cake

Nothing says summer like a slice of chilled Tres Leches Cake topped with fluffy whipped cream frosting and a pile of raspberries. This cake is best if left to soak overnight, so plan ahead if making for a party. Make the whipped cream frosting and decorate just before serving.

A metal rectangular cake pan with a Tres Leches cake in it topped with whipped cream and a pile of raspberries.

More Delicious Mexican Dishes You’ll Love!

Have a Wonderful 4th Friends!

I hope you and your family love these recipes as much as we do. Leave me a comment below and let me know which ones you tried or even better, take a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno. Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!