17 Mexican recipes even your abuela will be impressed by

Photo of author

| Published:

Exploring traditional Mexican recipes can bring a slice of authentic culture right to your kitchen table. These 17 dishes, rooted in history and family traditions, might win over the hearts of even the most seasoned home cooks, including those who have been guardians of family recipes for generations. It’s like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen, where every meal is a labor of love and a celebration of heritage.

A freshly baked taco casserole garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Vegetarian Chili

Two bowls of chili with onions and sour cream.
Vegetarian Chili. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Choosing vegetarian doesn’t sacrifice flavor, especially with this heartwarming chili. As a twist on a Mexican staple, your dish gains an unexpected yet deliciously hearty edge. Even your Abuela will request seconds, intrigued by the powerful and intriguing concoction you’ve whipped up.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Chili

Sweet Potato Tacos

Two tacos on a plate with a sauce.
Sweet Potato Tacos. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

By incorporating sweet potatoes into your taco fillings, you’ll infuse a unique twist into a traditional street food. A fusion of wholesome goodness with an authentic Mexican touch, this fusion has an absolutely appealing uniqueness. You might find your Abuela grabbing a second helping.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Tacos

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Air fried tortilla chips stacked on a plate around a bowl of dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Homemade tortilla chips are taken to another level by using an air fryer; it’s a modern twist that remains true to its roots. Crisp, light, and entrancing with an edge of innovation, this technique gives your chips a fresh makeover. Brace yourself for the approving nod from your Abuela.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

A plate of tacos with red cabbage and cauliflower slaw.
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Roasted cauliflower, in a taco, you say? Yes! Breaking all norms, this recipe delivers a wonderfully surprising flavor profile that is robust and satisfying in its own right. Adding another dimension to your favorite Mexican treat, it’s a combination even your Abuela will find fascinating.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Stuffed Peppers

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers in a white bowl.
Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Stuffed peppers provide an eclectic blend of vibrant flavors. The delightful mix encased in a hollowed-out pepper presents a dish that is as visually appealing as it is tasty. It’s a culinary experience that both you and your Abuela will relish.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

Flour Tortilla

Someone placing a tortilla on a stack of tortillas.
Flour Tortilla. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A good flour tortilla can make all the difference in a Mexican meal. Homemade, inviting, and full of tradition, achieving the perfect balance of softness and elasticity will surely make your Abuela proud of your culinary proficiency.
Get the Recipe: Flour Tortilla

Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning in a glass bowl with a teaspoon in it.
Taco Seasoning. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Don’t underestimate the impact of a good taco seasoning. With the right blend of spices, you’ll elevate your tacos to a level even your Abuela would be impressed by. The unique experience laid out in each bite is impossible to overlook.
Get the Recipe: Taco Seasoning

Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla

Some picking up a slice of cheese quesadilla.
Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Imagine a deliciously golden-brown quesadilla, made healthier through air frying. This modern spin on the beloved cheese-filled treat is surely an innovation your Abuela can get behind. Maintaining deliciousness while opting for a healthier cooking method is a win-win.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla

Burrito Seasoning

Homemade burrito seasoning on a teaspoon.
Burrito Seasoning. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Flaunting an amazing blend of spices, burrito seasoning is a deal-breaker in your Mexican kitchen. It can bring an unmistakable, resonating flavor to even the simplest burrito recipes. It’s not too overpowering, it gives just the right hint of cordiality that your Abuela would so appreciate.
Get the Recipe: Burrito Seasoning

Sopapilla Cheesecake

A piece of cheesecake on a plate next to a bowl.
Sopapilla Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who could resist a sopapilla cheesecake, with layers of creamy goodness sandwiched by flaky pastry? It’s comforting, inviting, and true to its Mexican roots. Impress your Abuela next time by whipping up this unique dessert.
Get the Recipe: Sopapilla Cheesecake

Air Fryer Mexican Corn

Mexican corn cooked and ready to eat.
Air Fryer Mexican Corn. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Take your traditional Mexican corn a notch higher with the help of an air fryer. The vibrant, appetizing colors achieved by this method will entice everyone, and the result is an aromatic, tastebud-stirring experience your Abuela will love.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mexican Corn

Salsa Roja

Salsa roja in a bowl with parsley on the top and chips by the side.
Salsa Roja. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A quintessential element of Mexican cuisine, a good salsa roja enhances any dish. It’s the perfect example of a simple yet profound enhancement – an element sure to impress your Abuela, given its time-honored place in your family’s kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Roja

Spicy Salsa Taquera

Salsa taquera in a serving bowl, with a large red chili on it.
Spicy Salsa Taquera. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Dial up the heat with your spicy salsa taquera. Able to balance fiery spice with traditional Mexican flavors, it will add a kick to any meal. Your Abuela will be both surprised and delighted by this daringly spicy addition!
Get the Recipe: Spicy Salsa Taquera

Easy Burrito

Someone stacking veggie burritos.
Easy Burrito. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

An easy burrito, fuss-free yet superb in flavor, stands on top of the home cook’s list. It encapsulates the essential Mexican flavors in one hearty package, all the while maintaining a comforting simplicity. This is one wrap your Abuela would be happy to sink her teeth into.
Get the Recipe: Easy Burrito

Refried Beans

A bowl of homemade refried beans and lime wedges.
Refried Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Mastery of good refried beans is a must in any Mexican kitchen. They are simple yet crucial in texture and flavor – a comforting, yet subtly powerful element of many dishes. This is a classic that you and your Abuela would enjoy time and again.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans

Walking Taco Casserole

A freshly baked taco casserole garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A walking taco casserole takes the convenience of handheld tacos and marries it with the hearty satisfaction of a casserole. The result is fun, practical, and absolutely delicious – a combination that even your Abuela will appreciate. This fusion of form and function is impressive in its uniqueness and appeal.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Jalapeno Poppers

Baked jalapenos on a plate with dipping sauce.
Jalapeno Poppers. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Let jalapeno poppers steal the show, the spicy-filled wonders that they are. Packed with striking tones, they deliver a vibrant punch that’s sure to impress. Even your Abuela will applaud this flavor burst far from the run-of-the-mill offerings.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Poppers

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.