35 Healthy Mexican Food Recipes

Make these easy and delicious healthy Mexican Food recipes this weekend! These are our most popular Mexican recipes that you will absolutely love with lots of protein-packed, gluten-free and plant-based options.

Post first published May 26, 2022. Last updated August 31, 2022.

I think one thing we can all agree on is that we love traditional Mexican food. Mexican cuisine is bursting with vibrant flavors and is a joy to eat. Take a look at the healthy Mexican recipes below and gather your ingredients because these Mexican dishes are real crowd pleasers.

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Our Favorite Healthy Mexican Food Recipes

1. Sweet Potato Nachos with Smoked Cheddar

Roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and smoked cheddar cheese are a healthy alternative to nachos made with tortilla chips.

A white plate filled with sweet potato nachos topped with jalapeno slices, melted cheese, and black beans.

2. Easy Chamoy Sauce

Looking for the best Mexican food? Chamoy Sauce is the answer. Make a batch of this sweet, sour, spicy, sauce for rimming margarita glasses or drizzling over fresh fruit to serve as an appetizer. It is really so easy to make and you’ll find a million ways to use it. Vegan and gluten-free.

A plate of sliced mango coated in Chamoy Sauce with a lime half that has been squeezed next to it on a marble table.

3. Pickled Red Onions {Cebollas Curtidas}

Looking to add a bright zing to just about anything? These Pickled Red Onions or Cebollas Curtidas add phenomenal color and crunch, not to mention sweet vinegary bite to tacos, sandwiches, and tostadas.

A dish with two hot dogs in it covered in pickle relish, avocados, and pickled red onions.

4. Vegan Ceviche with Avocado and Lime

A very good vegan ceviche recipe with creamy avocado, small bites of cauliflower, chile, tomato, and cucumber soaked in loads of lime and toasted cumin.

A blue rimmed plate filled with vegan ceviche on a wood cutting board with a avocado halved sitting next to it and a few pita chips.

5. Seafood Ceviche

If you are looking for a more traditional Mexican food ceviche, this recipe has tons of citrus, shrimp, scallops, fish, and octopus. It is perfect for a light dinner or an impressive appetizer at your next get together.

A brown plate sitting on a blue and white table cloth filled with seafood ceviche and a pile of homemade tortilla chips.

6. Homemade Salsa Morita {Morita Chile Pepper Salsa}

Authentic Mexican food needs a good salsa. This Salsa Morita is a brick red spicy salsa recipe made from dried morita chiles, roasted garlic, and charred tomatoes. Vegan and gluten free! .

A green bowl filled with salsa morita and topped with sprouts there is a spoon on one side. The bowl is sitting on a marble table.

7. Cilantro Lime Slaw

This mayonnaise-free Slaw has crunchy thinly sliced cabbage with lots of fresh-squeezed lime juice, cilantro, and carrots. Super fresh and easy to make. Goes with all your favorite Mexican food recipes.

A blue salad platter filled with slaw made from thinly sliced red cabbage, white cabbage and carrots with two forks in it.

8. Calabacitas {Cheesy Mexican Zucchini}

Zucchini is anything but boring when when given the Mexican treatment of a quick sauté then a showering of melty cheese like this classic Calabacitas recipe.

A brown dish filled with Calabacitas topped with melted cheese and chopped cilantro on a brown table next to a blue spoon.

9. Crock Pot Borracho Beans {Frijoles Borrachos}

You can’t have a list of the best Mexican food and not include frijoles borrachos. This is a simple, easy recipe that can be made in the Crock Pot. Even better when made ahead. No soaking necessary.

A black pot filled with frijoles borrachos and topped with cilantro with a ladle in it.

10. Sofrito Black Beans

The ultimate recipe for making restaurant-style, ultra-flavorful Sofrito Black Beans with dried black beans, onions, garlic, jalapeños, and spices. Make this recipe up to 4 days in advance and rewarm when you are ready to eat!

A table set with a white plate with chicken mole verde, black beans, steamed rice and salad with a fork in the plate.

11. Papas Con Chile {Crispy Potatoes in Red Sauce}

Papas con Chile is a simple, delicious vegan and gluten-free dish made with crispy fried potatoes cooked in a fresh tomato sauce with jalapeños. Enjoy as a side with your favorite Mexican foods or stuffed into tacos.

A close up of cubed potatoes covered in a tomato sauce garnished with sliced red onions and green scallions with a spoon in it.

12. Perfect Pot of Beans

Here’s how to make the most DELICIOUS, authentic pinto beans recipe—tender beans in a complex and flavorful broth with lots of comforting goodness. Make this on Labor Day and everyone will be asking you to repeat it all year long.

A white pot filled with pinto beans cooked in a brown broth with a wood spoon in the pot.

13. Vegan Refried Bean Recipe

All you need is a few simple ingredients and time for the beans to get tender for restaurant-style refried beans cooked right on the stovetop. The most requested Authentic Mexican food side. Give this healthy, vegan refried bean recipe!

A white dish with a red stripe around the rim filled with refried beans topped with avocado slices and cilantro leaves.

14. Citrus Chicken Fajitas

This citrus marinated chicken fajita recipe is a Tex-Mex favorite. Serve in a warm flour tortillas or corn tortillas for a gluten-free version. A super kid-friendly weeknight dinner.

A silver tray with three tacos of chicken fajitas on it topped with grilled bell peppers and onions.

15. Salt and Pepper Shrimp Tacos

Hello Taco Tuesday! Quick and easy shrimp tacos sautéed in lots of garlic and black pepper. These come together in minutes and are gluten-free and low in calories.

A ceramic plate filled with shrimp tacos drizzled with cream and topped with crumbled cheese.

16. Huaraches

This plant-based Huaraches recipe takes you step-by-step through how to make this Authentic Mexican food in the shape of the traditional Mexican sandal. These heavenly bean-filled masa cakes are topped with tomatillo salsa, sautéed squash blossoms, and chipotle aioli. Gluten-free and vegan-adaptable!

A brown plate with a huarache on the plate sitting on a wood table with a lime cut in half next to it and green salsa.

17. Chicken Mole Verde

Chicken Mole Verde –A vibrant green mole made with tomatillos, cilantro, jalapeños, and thickend with pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. Serve with the Sofrito black beans above and steamed rice for a delicious Mexican dinner. Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly!

A dish with a blue rim filled with chicken mole verde and a spoon sticking into the dish sitting on a white cloth.

18. Chicken Tomatillo Stew

Soul-satisfying comfort food right here. This vibrant Chicken Tomatillo Stew has butternut squash, tender chicken, carrots, tomatillos, and chiles. Dairy and gluten-free!

A large blue soup pot filled with chicken and tomatillo stew with pieces of butternut squash floating in it.

19. Veracruz-Style Hominy Recipe

Loaded with veggies this vegan main course is super nutritious. Chewy, toothsome hominy is the star here simmered with tomatoes, lemon, and green chiles. Serve with Coconut-Cilantro Rice!

Two white plates sitting on a placemat of banana leaves filled with hominy and rice and topped with sliced almonds.

20. Chipotle Black Bean Chili

Chipotle Black Bean Chili with sweet onions, peppers, and tomatoes. A delicious way to load up on vegetables! Garnish with shredded cheese and serve with cornbread for a completely plant-based meal.

A ceramic bowl filled with chili and topped with shredded orange cheese and soup cream and lots of fresh herbs.

21. Mushroom and Cheese Vegetarian Enchiladas

Vegetarian Enchiladas with sautéed shiitake mushrooms and a blend of creamy Oaxaca cheese and sharp Gruyere. Top with guacamole and sour cream for an easy, healthy Labor Day recipe!

A white plate with mushroom enchiladas on it topped with guacamole and sour cream and a side of rice.

22. Grilled Cilantro Garlic Pork Chops

These delicious and lean grilled Cilantro Garlic Pork Chops take just a few minutes of prep and makes for a perfect weekend barbecue recipe. We’ll walk you step-by-step through exactly how to cook perfect pork chops every time.

Three grilled pork chops on a marble cutting board the one in the front is sliced into slices with lemons in the back.

23. Coconut Quinoa with Roasted Squash

This epic quinoa dish is full of Mexican-inspired flavors like toasted pumpkin seeds, coconut, and avocado. High in lean proteins and fiber and vegan too!

A ceramic serving platter filled with quinoa topped with roasted squash, sliced avocado, and pomegranate seeds.

24. Chicken Tinga Tacos

These Chicken Tinga Tacos are healthy, easy, and ready in under 30 minutes! This traditional Mexican food recipe could not be easier. Serve as tacos with sliced avocado and scallions or over rice in a burrito bowl.

A white plate with three chicken tacos on it that are wrapped with blue corn tortillas on a wood table with a bowl of limes.

25. Healthy Taco Salad with Sweet Citrus Dressing

Taco Salad is technically salad, but not always healthy. This version really lives up to its name swapping seasoned ground turkey for the beef and lots of crisp vegetables.

A big yellow bowl filled with taco salad topped with radish slices, sprouts, avocado, ground turkey, and beans.

26. Grilled Fish Tacos with Sweet Corn Salsa

A terrific grilled fish tacos recipe topped with fresh sweet corn salsa. This super healthy dinner is light, fresh, and perfect for summer. Ready in 30 minutes and gluten-free!

A white baking dish filled with grilled fish tacos topped with sweet corn salsa, sliced jalapenos, and a fork in the dish.

27. Huevos Rancheros

If your weekend celebrations include breakfast, Huevos Rancheros (or Rancher’s Eggs) are the way to go. Crisped corn tortillas covered with beans topped with fried eggs and ranchero sauce is one of the best Mexican food recipes. Gluten-free and vegetarian!

A blue dish filled with Huevos rancheros topped with pico de Gallo, Cotija cheese, and cilantro leaves with a fork.

28. Chorizo and Eggs

Another weekend breakfast option: This recipe features Mexican chorizo (our homemade version is lower in fat than store-bought), sautéed onions, garlic, fresh tomatoes and scrambled eggs. You could also swap soy chorizo for the pork version. Serve with refried beans or as breakfast tacos.

A brown plate with chorizo and eggs and refried beans sitting on a purple and white checkered table cloth with a spoon.

29. Cilantro-Lime Corn

A lightened up version of street corn. The corn is steamed and then given a light brush of cilantro-lime butter and a sprinkle of Cotija cheese.

A white baking dish with an oval shape filled with corn on the cob topped with chopped herbs, crumbled cheese, lime wedges.

30. Mangonada {Spicy Mango Slushy}

Is it a drink? Is it a dessert? The answer is yes! If you’ve ever had this sweet, sour, salty mango slushy than you know how perfect it is on a hot day. Layers of frozen mango smoothie and fresh ripe mango. A perfect place to use your homemade Chamoy Sauce.

A glass of mangonada with a Tajin rim and a few chopped mangos on top and a swirl of Chamoy Sauce with a tamarind straw.

31. Jugo Verde {Mexican Green Juice}

This all-natural, anti-inflammatory cold press juice is the perfect way to start your mornings.

A tall glass filled with green juice with a gold metal straw sticking out of the glass next cucumber slices.

32. The Best-Ever Canned Black Beans

Don’t miss my secret to making the most basic of ingredients (canned beans) taste incredible!

A copper pot of black beans on a wood table next to some veggies there is a potato masher in the pot.

33. Roasted Green Hatch Chile Salsa

A party favorite, this is a stunning salsa when Hatch chiles are in season. Serve as a dip with baked tostadas or drizzle over your favorite healthy Mexican food recipe.

A glass jar filled with green salsa surrounded by tortilla chips with a white ceramic spoon sticking out.

34. Pico de Gallo

An easy, authentic recipe for Pico de Gallo. This salsa is fast and simple and loved by everyone!

A ceramic bowl filled with Pico de gallo salsa sitting on a wood table next to some lime halves.

35. Oaxacan-Style Chicken Picadillo

This lightened up Picadillo recipe uses rotisserie chicken and is super simple to make but every bit as delicious. This is one of our all-time favorite healthy Mexican food recipes.