30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (2024)

Table of Contents
In This Post 30+ Healthy Mexican Recipes that are perfect for Cinco De Mayo (or any time!) Ways to incorporate Jalapeño peppers Wholesome Main Dish Mexican Recipes 1. Easy Mexican Barbacoa Tacos 2. Creamy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Skillet 3. Instant Pot Carne Asada Tacos 4. Sriracha Lime Shrimp Tacos Recipe 5. Easy Vegetarian Enchiladas Recipe 6. 5-Ingredient Vegan Enchiladas 7. Spicy Salmon Tacos w/ Avocado Lime Dressing 8. Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas Tacos 9. Baked Mahi-Mahi Tacos 10. Healthy Chicken Fajita Tacos 11. 30-Minute Blackened Salmon Tacos 12. Chicken Fajita Casserole 13. Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole Healthy Mexican Side Dishes 14. 30-Minute Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe 15. Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Butternut Squash 16. 17. Quinoa Gallo Pinto 18. Cilantro Lime Slaw Healthy Mexican Salad Recipes 19. Easy Healthy Taco Salad w/ Ground Turkey 20. Chili Mango Zesty Quinoa Salad 21. Mexican Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing 22. Mexican Corn Salad 23. The BEST Easy Salsa Recipe Healthy Mexican Bowl Recipes 24. Low-Carb Mexican Meal Prep Bowls 25. Meal Prep Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls 26. Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Bowls 27. Vegan Burrito Bowl 28. Chipotle Sweet Potato Burrito Bowls Mexican Desserts for Cinco De Mayo 29. Slow Cooker Mexican Hot Chocolate 30. Vegan Tres Leches Cake 31. Mexican Pots de Creme Vegan 32. Easiest Flan Recipe 33. Horchata More Latin-Inspired Recipes 30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes Ingredients Instructions FAQs References

I love Mexican food! Being half-Hispanic and growing up in Texas, Mexican food is a way of life for me. While in college I might not have eaten the healthiest versions of Mexican food out there, as an adult I love finding a recipe I used to eat and transforming it into a healthy option. As soon as Cinco de Mayo hits and summer starts creeping in, I find myself reaching for these recipes weekly. If you’re craving fresh and delicious options for a healthy Mexican meal, then have I got some great recipes for you!

RELATED: 25+ BEST Healthy Taco Recipes

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (1)

In This Post

  • Ways to incorporate Jalapeño peppers
  • Wholesome Main Dish Mexican Recipes
  • Healthy Mexican Side Dishes
  • Healthy Mexican Salad Recipes
  • Healthy Mexican Bowl Recipes
  • Mexican Desserts for Cinco De Mayo

30+ Healthy Mexican Recipes that are perfect for Cinco De Mayo (or any time!)

Just because it’s Cinco de Mayo doesn’t mean that you can’t have Mexican all year round (like we do)! But if you are going to any Cinco de Mayo celebration or just want to create your own mini-celebration at home, then you’re in the right place. These healthy Mexican recipes are the perfect meals to share and can be doubled to create more. Tacos, casseroles, and side dishes are the easiest kinds of recipes to take to any fiesta, so you won’t have to worry about making a dish all can enjoy. If you love spicy food then feel free to kick these up a notch by adding jalapeños, paprika, chili powder, or additional salsa! These recipes keep the hotness to a minimum so that you can add your take.

Ways to incorporate Jalapeño peppers

  • Raw– a jalapeño can be eaten fresh, that is uncooked, and topped onto salads, burgers, or even guacamoles. This kind of jalapeño will be quite spicy as it doesn’t have much moisture.
  • Grilled – Grill or roast your jalapeños for a charred taste that goes well with any meat dish such as a Carne Asada.
  • Pickled– You can buy already pickled jalapeños or make your own version. These are soft, mild, jalapeños that work great as a topping to a dish such as tacos.
  • Stuffed – Stuffing jalapeños is a great option for an easy side dish. Remove the jalapeño seeds to make them less spicy, fill with cheese, and bake or grill for a quick and delicious use of jalapeños.

Wholesome Main Dish Mexican Recipes

1. Easy Mexican Barbacoa Tacos

A delicious and classic Mexican Barbacoa recipe that makes the perfect sharing or family night! It’ll be the perfect addition to your healthy Cinco de Mayo gathering.

Easy Mexican Barbacoa Tacos

2. Creamy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Skillet

What’s not to love about cheese, chicken, black beans, and avocado? This is the easiest throw-together dish your crew will crave! A great healthy Mexican food recipe to keep around all year long.

Creamy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Skillet

3. Instant Pot Carne Asada Tacos

Tired and true this carne asada taco recipe is fast, easy, and delicious! Healthy, filling, and the perfect Mexican dish for your Cinco de Mayo fiesta.

Instant Pot Carne Asada Tacos

4. Sriracha Lime Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Never enough tacos! Create a surf & turf edition with these delicious and fool-proof shrimp tacos and wow your Cinco de Mayo crowd with something healthy.

Sriracha Lime Shrimp Tacos

5. Easy Vegetarian Enchiladas Recipe

Vegetarian, creamy, flavorful, and ready to party! These enchiladas were meant to be shared with everyone, especially anyone craving a healthy Mexican dish.

Easy Vegetarian Enchiladas Recipes

6. 5-Ingredient Vegan Enchiladas

Super simple to make with only 5-ingredients, these welcoming vegan enchiladas wholesome and so tasty! Share this with your Cinco de Mayo friends, or keep it all year round as a healthy Mexican food option.

5-Ingredient Vegan Enchiladas

7. Spicy Salmon Tacos w/ Avocado Lime Dressing

Salmon and tacos, the perfect combo of healthy, delicious, and crave-worthy! Your Cinco de Mayo crowd won’t know what hit them.

Spicy Salmon Tacos

8. Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas Tacos

Not only so tasty but also the most convenient tacos around! Throw the carnitas into your slow cooker and you’ve got an epic healthy Mexican meal waiting to be devoured.

Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas Tacos

9. Baked Mahi-Mahi Tacos

Bring your tropical vacation right to your home with these delish mahi-mahi tacos! You’ll feel the ocean breeze coming right on through with this healthy Mexican dish.

10. Healthy Chicken Fajita Tacos

Keep it classic and clean with these simple chicken fajita tacos that are full of color, a bit of spice, and a lot of flavor! Make them for Taco Tuesday or Cinco de Mayo, either way you’ll know it’s a healthy Mexican food option your family will love.

Healthy Chicken Fajita Tacos

11. 30-Minute Blackened Salmon Tacos

Score big with these blackened Salmon tacos that take that regular taco to the NEXT level! Only 30-minutes and you’ll a dish that will rival your local taco joint!

30-Minute Blackened Salmon Tacos

12. Chicken Fajita Casserole

Ooey cheese goodness transforms a regular chicken fajita meal into a kiss-your-fingers-good healthy Mexican dish! Wow your crowd with a casserole that will hit all the right spots.

Chicken Fajita Casserole

13. Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole

Spicy, cheesy, veggie filled, and healthy? Count us in! This delectable healthy Mexican dish is the perfect bake and take dish for any fiesta filled activity.

Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole

Healthy Mexican Side Dishes

14. 30-Minute Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Bring the perfect and healthy cauliflower rice side dish to compliment any taco, carne asada, or enchilada dish out there! Cinco de Mayo just got so healthy!

30-Minute Mexican Cauliflower Rice

15. Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Butternut Squash

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (15)

Delicious and with a great presentation, this quinoa butternut squash side dish will wow the Cinco de Mayo crowd with flavor and look!

Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Butternut Squash

16.

Keep it true with a classic rice and bean recipe! Welcome in the staple dish and let the flavors speak for themselves with this delicious and healthy Mexican food recipe.

17. Quinoa Gallo Pinto

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (17)

A healthy twist on a Central American dish! Try Gallo Pinto made with quinoa instead of rice and enjoy a classic dish to its fullest!

Quinoa Gallo Pinto

18. Cilantro Lime Slaw

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (18)

Cilantro and lime are regulars in Mexican cuisine! Transform your regular coleslaw into a healthy Mexican flavor dish.

Healthy Mexican Salad Recipes

19. Easy Healthy Taco Salad w/ Ground Turkey

Keep it fresh with a better take on the taco salad! Use ground turkey and make this dish light and healthy for a true healthy Mexican food option.

Easy Healthy Taco Salad

20. Chili Mango Zesty Quinoa Salad

Beautiful and delicious! This salad is the mother of all salads with chili mango flavors to capture all the spicy goodness in one healthy Mexican recipe!

Chili Mango Zesty Quinoa Salad

21. Mexican Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (21)

This salad holds nothing back! Get all your Mexican flavors and spices in one mega salad for maximum share-ability for any party, especially a Cinco de Mayo bang.

22. Mexican Corn Salad

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (22)

Mexican corn is a super popular dish, but have you ever tried it in salad form? It’s amazing and the perfect companion to any delicious healthy Mexican meat dish!

23. The BEST Easy Salsa Recipe

You can’t think Mexican without thinking chips and salsa! Create a super easy and light salsa that’s the perfect companion to any chip or as a salad topping. Bring on the healthy Cinco de Mayo party!

The BEST Easy Salsa Recipe

Healthy Mexican Bowl Recipes

24. Low-Carb Mexican Meal Prep Bowls

Here’s to a healthy, low-carb Mexican option! Just because it’s a fun dish doesn’t have to mean it’s carb-loaded. Add in all the flavor and nix the carbs!

Low-Carb Mexican Meal Prep Bowls

25. Meal Prep Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls

Love burritos? Try this deconstructed version of a burrito! Anything can become a bowl, and this makes it easy to take and share wherever you go.

Meal Prep Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls

26. Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Bowls

Absolutely full of flavor, spice, and that yummy kick that you find in healthy Mexican food. Your vegan and non-vegan friends won’t know what hit ’em!

Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Bowls

27. Vegan Burrito Bowl

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (27)

You won’t miss any meat or cheese with this vegan bowl! Throw it together and create a salad or keep it separate for a true bowl experience. Whatever you choose, it’ll be a delish and healthy Mexican food recipe!

28. Chipotle Sweet Potato Burrito Bowls

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (28)

Sweet potato mixed with chipotle spices create a dish that’s perfect for any Mexican-themed party celebration, or a weeknight in! So good you’ll make it over and over.

Mexican Desserts for Cinco De Mayo

29. Slow Cooker Mexican Hot Chocolate

Nothing goes better after dinner than a Mexican hot chocolate full of spice and well, chocolate! Wonderfully rich, this dessert drink will make your mouth water, even as you’re making it.

Slow Cooker Mexican Hot Chocolate

30. Vegan Tres Leches Cake

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (30)

Dairy-free eaters rejoice! This Tres Leches cake is now available for everyone to eat. Throw this staple Mexican dessert together for any crowd!

Vegan Tres Leches

31. Mexican Pots de Creme Vegan

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (31)

Delicious and classy, create this Mexican dessert and keep everyone happy. You can place them into their own ramekins for an extra special touch!

32. Easiest Flan Recipe

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (32)

Flan is a very common Mexican dessert, and it’s so simple to make! Wow your family and friends with this delicious custard cake and bring on the authentic flavor.

33. Horchata

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (33)

Not every dessert comes in cake form! Bring on this creamy rice drink that is full of cinnamon and the perfect amount of sweetness for a delicious healthy Mexican recipe.

Whether you’re celebrating or just having a themed night, these healthy Mexican dishes are the perfect touch for a fun, flavorful meal!

More Latin-Inspired Recipes

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  • Dulce De Leche Chia Seed Parfait

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (34)

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (35)30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (36)30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (37)30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (38)30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (39)

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes

Mexican food can be delicious and healthy, and with just the right touch can even be made vegan. Whether it's a main dish, side dish, or a dessert, find the perfect, easy-to-make healthy Cinco de Mayo Mexican food recipe in this list!

Course: Dessert, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Author: Christine McMichael

Ingredients

  • 1 Serving Favorite Healthy Mexican Main Dish
  • 1 Serving Delicious Side Dish
  • 1 Serving Amazing Dessert!

Instructions

  • Choose your favorite healthy Mexican main dishes, side dishes, salads, bowls, and desserts!

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @jar.of.lemons or tag #JarOfLemons!

30+ Healthy Mexican Food Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest Mexican dish you can eat? ›

With a few simple switches and modifications, you can find nutritious food on just about every Mexican menu without skimping on taste and flavor. In general, more nutritious options include fajitas, bean burritos, grilled chicken dishes, and soft tacos.

What can I eat at a Mexican restaurant if I'm on a diet? ›

Forget fried foods

Some popular foods to avoid are nachos, chimichangas, chalupas, taquitos and chile relleno and other dishes that are also deep-fried. Better choices are chicken fajitas, grilled chicken with peppers and onions or a soft taco. AMA offers a recipe for chipotle chicken bowls with cilantro-lime quinoa.

What Mexican food is not fattening? ›

Grilled seafood, lean meat, and poultry are excellent sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Protein helps to keep you feeling full and is a dieter's best friend. Choose dishes that have plenty of fresh veggies, lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa.

How to eat healthily in Mexico? ›

Choose roasted, stewed and grilled foods with little or no added oil (fat). Include vegetables and fresh fruits in each meal. Choose them with peel and in season. Eat whole grains like tortilla, oatmeal, amaranth, rice, bread and pasta; and legumes like beans, lentils and green beans, daily.

What is the most unhealthy Mexican food? ›

Worst: Chimichanga

This is code for “deep-fried burrito.” Think that sounds unhealthy? You're right. The dish has more than 1,500 calories and 93 grams of fat. Factor in toppings like guacamole and sour cream, and you'll get most of your day's calories and sodium in one meal.

How to lose weight on a Mexican diet? ›

The Mexican meal plan for weight loss emphasizes low-calorie, high-nutrient foods common in Mexican cuisine. It includes a variety of fresh vegetables, lean proteins such as chicken, fish, and beans, and whole grains.

Is Mexican rice healthy? ›

The big picture: Mexican rice is one of the healthier ways to eat rice. Cooking rice with vegetables and olive oil adds extra vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your rice. Add extra frozen veggies for even more nutrition!

Are refried beans healthy? ›

Refried beans are healthy because they are high in protein, fiber, minerals, and other nutrients and they may help you lose weight. Refried beans are a delicious and versatile dish that appears on the menus of many Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants. You can also easily make this meal at home or buy it in a can.

What is Mexico's biggest nutritional problem? ›

Obesity is the leading public health concern in Mexico and has been on the rise for the past 30 years. Its evolution has been illustrated by four nationally representative health and nutrition surveys (2000, 2006, 2012, 2018). During this period, adult obesity increased 42·2%, after adjusting for population change.

Is homemade Mexican food healthy? ›

A great thing about Mexican cooking is that it already includes many fresh vegetables, herbs, spices and lean proteins, says Beci Falkenberg, a chef at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont. Try her tips to make your favorite Mexican-inspired meals healthier.

What is healthy on a Mexican menu? ›

Other healthier options at a Mexican restaurant could include Tamales, Gazpacho ( a tomato-based soup traditionally served cold), grilled seafood-based dishes, salsa and Picante sauce, soft tacos with chicken or beef, fish tacos, or chile con carne (minus cheese and chips).

What Mexican food is anti-inflammatory? ›

Spices: Mexican food features a variety of spices and flavors that can provide anti-inflammatory benefits. This includes spicy chiles, as well as oregano, cumin, and garlic, among others (5,6,7,8).

Why is Mexican food so hard on my stomach? ›

Too much sodium can irritate the lining of the digestive tract, leading to inflammation and other problems, which can include acid reflux and heartburn. Skip the store-bought taco seasoning packets. These are likely to contain inflammatory additives, anti-caking agents, and preservatives.

What Mexican dish has the least calories? ›

Choose grilled foods instead of fried foods (like chimichangas or taquitos). Aim for items or entrées that incorporate rice, black beans or seasonal veggies while picking out a lean protein that is either grilled or baked like chicken or steak is a great low calorie option.

Is Mexican food a healthy diet? ›

Aids Healthy Digestion

A lot of Mexican dishes contain corn and beans. They are both rich in soluble fiber that keeps you feeling full and helps food to move through your digestive tract more quickly for healthy elimination. Apart from that, it also helps lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

What Mexican food is good for your stomach? ›

Yes, Mexican food can benefit your digestive health for several reasons. It is rich in fiber: Many Mexican dishes are high in fiber, which is important for gut health. Fiber helps to keep the digestive system regular and can also help to reduce inflammation.

What Mexican dish has the most protein? ›

Best Mexican Protein Sources
  • Ceviche. ...
  • Spicy chipotle shrimp. ...
  • Chicken Tinga. ...
  • Chicken Pipian. ...
  • Huevos ahogados. ...
  • Mole poblano. ...
  • Bean and cheese burritos. Bean and cheese is the classic vegetarian option for a reason! ...
  • Salpicon. Salpicon is one of my favorite easy, healthy ways to serve beef.
May 23, 2024

References

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