12 Quick and Easy Mexican Dishes

By
Robin Grose
Robin Grose
Food writer who lived in Mexico City for 20 years, learning key flavors and techniques to create Mexican food recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/17/20
Tacos and guacamole

Cultura RM Exclusive / Brett Stevens / Getty Images

When you're in the mood for Mexican food, you can make a delicious recipe that is fast and simple. If you stock a few basics in your pantry and refrigerator, you're only minutes away from a main dish, side, or appetizer that will satisfy your cravings and please your family and guests. By making it yourself, you'll be amazed at how inexpensively you can create these dishes, too.

  • 01 of 12

    Shrimp Ceviche

    Shrimp ceviche

    Brian Doben / Photodisc / Getty Images

    If you have a few hours to let it marinate, this shrimp ceviche is amazingly simple to make. Best known as a fiesta appetizer, it can also be a quick meal that requires no cooking, so it's great for summer. It's inspired by the seaside villages in Puerto Vallarta and is a healthy dish that is filled with flavor.

  • 02 of 12

    Chile and Cheese Flautas

    Chile and cheese flautas
    John E. Kelly / Getty Images

    These crispy, savory chile and cheese flautas are great for appetizers or snacks. Enjoy them with salsa or guacamole. They go together fast with just a few ingredients.

  • 03 of 12

    Simple Guacamole

    Guacamole

    Marti Sans / Stocksy United

    Guacamole is always a hit, and this is an easy, simple guacamole recipe that sacrifices nothing in the flavor department. You'll love serving it as an appetizer with chips. It's also fantastic with burritos, tacos, or grilled chicken.

  • 04 of 12

    Quick and Easy Tuna Tacos

    Quick tuna taco recipe

    The Spruce 

    You probably already have a can of tuna in your cupboard, so you can have these quick and easy tuna tacos hot and ready to eat in just 10 minutes. Stick with the basic version or branch out with variations. You don't have to use canned tuna, either; salmon, mackerel, or even sardines work out surprisingly well.

    Continue to 5 of 12 below.
  • 05 of 12

    Easy Enchiladas

    Enchiladas
    The Spruce

    This recipe for basic enchiladas is so simple that you can put them together in about 10 minutes. Keep it simple with just cheese or add a little bit of beef or chicken for a meatier meal. Finished off in the oven, your enchilada dinner will be ready in just half an hour.

  • 06 of 12

    Mexican Quiche

    Mexican quiche

     The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Spice up your next brunch or luncheon with this easy Mexican quiche recipe. The spices and chiles add a kick to the egg mixture, for a hearty but healthy dish filled with cheese, peppers, and onions.

  • 07 of 12

    Grilled Cumin Lime Chicken

    Grilled Cumin Lime Chicken - Pollo a la Plancha

    Gabriel Bucataru / Stocksy United

    It only takes a little easy brining and marinating to turn plain grilled chicken breast into a juicy and savory grilled cumin-lime chicken (pollo a la plancha). The marinating time is worth a little planning because it creates a wonderful main dish for your family and guests. Plus, it makes excellent leftovers for slicing and serving on a salad.

  • 08 of 12

    Pollo Rojo

    Pollo rojo: chicken in tomato and chile sauce

    Rick on Flickr / cc by 2.0

    This recipe for pollo rojo (chicken in tomato and chile sauce) takes only 30 minutes of cooking time. You can enjoy it for a family meal or serve it to guests. It becomes especially festive when sprinkled with chopped green onions or cilantro. Almost everyone likes chicken, so it's an easy recipe that should please the crowd.

    Continue to 9 of 12 below.
  • 09 of 12

    Easy Mexican Rice

    Mexican rice (Spanish rice)
    The Spruce

    Your Mexican meal may not seem complete without Mexican (or Spanish) rice. It's a standard side dish at Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants in the United States, and incredibly easy to make at home. You can even use whatever chopped vegetables you have in the kitchen.

  • 10 of 12

    Easy Refried Beans

    Refried beans

    Bhofack2 / iStock

    Refried beans is another standard side dish at Mexican restaurants. While you could simply open a can, you have more control over what goes into them by making them yourself from dried pinto beans. Use the beans as a side or dip, a filling for burritos, or on a plate of nachos.

  • 11 of 12

    Huevos Rancheros

    Huevos Rancheros
    Armando Mejía / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Make a great Mexican breakfast or brunch with this simple huevos rancheros recipe (eggs with ranchera sauce). You need just three essential elements: tortillas, fried eggs, and ranchera sauce. The salsa is a wonderful blend of onion, garlic, and chile flavors that you'll find lots of other uses for.

  • 12 of 12

    Easy Breakfast Burrito

    Breakfast burrito

    @da.madden / Twenty20

    You don't have to stop by the fast-food joint to pick up a breakfast burrito. Make one at home with eggs, chorizo, cheese, and sour cream. It's guaranteed to taste better than the alternative.