These homemade Mexican food recipes are not only delicious, they're designed for meal prep for easy weeknight dinners. GF, Paleo & low carb options!
Living outside of Austin, I have SO much amazing inspiration for Mexican & Tex Mex food. I love recreating these dishes in my own kitchen and creating meal prep friendly versions.
In the roundup below, you'll find Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb and even Whole30 compliant Mexican & Tex Mex recipes. You'll notice these are not all “authentic” or traditional Mexican recipes. I love coming up with fun variations that are healthy, delicious and EASY to make at home. Each of these recipes fits the bill.
Tips for Making Homemade Mexican Food Work for You
Before we get to the recipes, I wanted to share a few of my tips for making homemade Mexican food work for any diet. There are a few strategies you can use to adapt pretty much any Mexican favorite to your dietary needs.
- Make Your Own Dips & Sauces: This applies not only to homemade Mexican food of course but to anything you make. It is pretty much always healthier (and often more delicious) to make your own sauce. You'll find recipes for homemade enchilada sauce, guacamole and salsa below. Sure, you could buy each of these things, but they'd likely have some pretty weird ingredients in addition to a ton of salt, and often sugar. The homemade versions are easy and quite healthy!
- Reconsider the Cheese: At Prep Dish, dairy is always optional on our Gluten Free, Paleo & Super Fast meal plans. If you enjoy dairy and feel good eating it, you do you! But if dairy doesn't agree with you, there's no need to miss out on the wonderful flavors of Mexican & Tex Mex cuisine. Most Mexican favorites are just as delicious with a lot less cheese than you usually see on them at restaurants.
- Adapt the Wrap! If you're Paleo or Low Carb, don't despair! You don't have to lose out on Mexican food. Lettuce wraps work so well for tacos and Mexican-inspired wraps. There are of course also many low carb and paleo-friendly tortillas out there now if you enjoy those.
21 Healthy Mexican Food Recipes
Each of these healthy Mexican food recipes was featured on our meal prep meal plans. They're nutritious, flavorful and specifically designed for meal prep! That means you can enjoy these amazing flavors any night of the week. If you'd like to try the meal plans for yourself, sign up for a free trial to see what they're all about!
Turkey Taco Soup
This easy and flavorful soup frequently makes our subscribers' favorites list! It has all of the beloved flavor of a taco, but in a healthy soup. Let everyone add their own toppings and this is sure to be a family favorite!
Slow Cooker Green Chili Beef Burritos
Serve the slow cooker green chili beef in tortillas or serve in lettuce wraps or over cauli rice for a fun paleo Mexican recipe. This is a perfect make ahead meal for those super busy nights when you want to eat ASAP when you get home.
Guacamole Stuffed Mini Peppers
If you haven't tried pairing guacamole with fresh veggies, you're in for a treat! I love how pretty the easy guac is when stuffed into mini bell peppers but if you're in a hurry, it's just as tasty as a healthy dip for your favorite raw veggies.
Paleo Fish Taco Bowls w/ Cilantro Lime Slaw
Dairy free cilantro lime slaw is the star of this dish. This dairy free Mexican food recipe is perfect for when you want the bold flavors associated with Mexican cuisine, but with a lighter take. It would also be delicious with chicken or shrimp!
The Best Beef Burrito Recipe
This one came straight from our super fast meal plans, which allow you to prep 5 healthy dinners in just one hour. That means, in addition to being delicious, it's super quick and easy!
Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowls
You could of course serve these as tacos if you wish but I'm a big fan of “bowl meals”. They work so well for families and large groups as everyone can build their own.
Low Carb Chile Relleno Casserole
If you're keto or low carb, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on those bold Mexican flavors! This Tex Mex chicken recipe is cheesy, delicious and keto-friendly.
Potato Nachos
Potato nachos are just plain fun. They've been a favorite with kiddos and adults alike here at Prep Dish. This is as much a concept as it is a recipe so have fun experimenting with your favorite toppings!
Gluten Free Enchiladas
With the homemade enchilada sauce here, there's no need to smother these in cheese (although, of course, you can!) They are incredibly tasty and satisfying without it. If you've never made enchilada sauce before, you'll likely be surprised at just how easy it is! There's no going back.
Beef Fajitas w/ Easy Guacamole
Homemade guacamole stars again in this easy weeknight dish. Simple and tasty, this one comes together quickly. Make it with beef as in the recipe or mix it up with chicken and shrimp – all are delicious!
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Slow cooker dishes like this are perfect for the busy fall season. Orange zest and juice as well as fresh cilantro make this dish as bright as it is hearty.
Chorizo Bowls w/ Veggies
Using chorizo, which is already so flavorful, helps this dish come together quickly while still packing in a ton of flavor.
Shredded Beef Barbacoa Lettuce Wraps
Shredded beef barbacoa is super versatile. Serve it in lettuce wraps, tortillas, over quinoa or in a cauli rice bowl. It's perfect for groups with mixed dietary needs.
Slow Cooker Chicken Verde
This Tex Mex chicken recipe makes good use of the slow cooker. Cilantro, fresh lime juice, green onions and cherry tomatoes balance out the earthy flavors from cumin and garlic powder for a flavorful, satisfying dinner.
Slow Cooker Mexican Pork Salad
Pork shoulder cooks in chicken broth in the slow cooker (or Instant Pot) for tender, falling apart meat that takes this prep-ahead salad over the top. It's perfect for a packed lunch or family dinner.
Mexican Jicama Shrimp Saute
I'm a huge fan of jicama and think it's seriously underrated. It gives a fantastic crunch and it's subtle sweetness plays well with Mexican spices. This is one of those paleo Mexican recipes you'll find yourself making again and again.
Tomatillo Avocado Salsa
While jarred salsa is fine in a pinch, it has none of the fresh, brightness that homemade salsa brings to a dish. You can adjust the spice level by how many jalapeño seeds you leave in. Remove them all for a milder salsa or leave some in for a serious kick!
Chicken Enchilada Bowls
The secret to any good bowl is an incredible sauce that brings it all together. In this case, it's my homemade enchilada sauce which comes together in just a few minutes but really makes this dish shine.
Shrimp Taco Bowls w/ Cilantro Lime Sauce
A simple creamy, cilantro lime sauce brings all of these delicious ingredients together. For meals like this, I love laying out all of the toppings and letting everyone build their own. Always a crowdpleaser!
Grilled Veggie & Refried Bean Tacos
These vegetarian tacos get so much flavor from grilled corn and poblano flavors. Refried beans make a tasty and filling base.
Tex Mex Casserole
While not a traditional Mexican food recipe, this family-friendly casserole incorporates so many of the flavors we all know and love from Tex Mex cuisine.
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FAQ – Common Questions About Homemade Mexican Food
What are some good Mexican meal prep recipes?
Some of my favorite Mexican meal prep recipes include turkey taco soup, healthy chicken burrito bowls and shredded beef barbacoa lettuce wraps.
How can I make healthier Tex Mex food at home?
Two of the simplest things you can do to make healthier Tex Mex at home are to make your own dips and sauces and to limit (or omit) the cheese. While restaurants tend to pile on the cheese, a little really goes a long way in terms of enhancing flavor and texture.
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