59 Healthy Mexican-Inspired Recipes So You Don't Have To Give Up Your Faves (2024)

Because giving up Mexican food just isn't worth it.

By Mackenzie Filson
59 Healthy Mexican-Inspired Recipes So You Don't Have To Give Up Your Faves (1)

We're getting to that time of the year where sometimes we want to make lighter choices without cutting out our favorite types of foods. For us, that’s Mexican cuisine—we just can’t get enough of its wide variety of flavors, textures, and colorful dishes. Relatable? These 59 healthy Mexican recipes are proof you can have it all, whether you’re cutting carbs, going vegan, or just trying to add more veggies to your diet. Paired with all the classic Mexican sides and drinks, they might just have you feeling like you're oceanside in Tulum. 😎

We know health looks different to different people, so we’ve included options for every diet, like keto, vegan, pollo- or pescatarian, gluten-free, and even low oil. Craving Mexican classics like tacos or burritos, but trying to ditch the carbs? Try our cabbage burritos, our zucchini enchiladas, or our taco tomatoes. Looking to cut out your red meat consumption? Our Mexican chicken recipes have your back—some standouts here include our grilled chicken street tacos, our , or our copycat Chipotle chicken burrito bowl. Want something plant-based? Try our chipotle vegan queso, our vegan crunchwraps, or our summer squash sheet-pan tacos. Want one of Mexico’s super crunchy dishes, but aren’t stoked on the deep frying? Your air fryer to the rescue! Our air fryer chimichangas or or our air fryer chicken taquitos are proof you can get all the crispy texture you crave, without all that oil.

Want some drinks to go with your healthy and light Mexican feast? Try some of our favorite summer co*cktails, our fave non-alcoholic beverages, and our best big batch summer drinks too. We also have a host of Mexican desserts to round out your meal, because at Delish, we believe desserts = balance.

1

Taco Salad

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When it comes to healthy salads, none are more hearty than a taco salad. Load it up with veggies, cheese, and ground beef for the perfect satisfying meal. We love this classic version, but if you want to get fancy, feel free to swap in and out your fave toppings.

Get the Taco Salad recipe.

2

Skinny Margaritas

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Margaritas are pretty slimmed down (or “skinny”) already, ingredients-wise, so all we’re doing here is removing some of the refined sugar and replacing it with more natural ingredients. This means not only are these “skinny margs” lower in calories, they’ve also got slightly less alcohol (meaning you can enjoy more of them 😉). Win win!

Get the Skinny Margaritas recipe.

3

Grilled Chicken Street Tacos

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Nothing beats a street taco—super-juicy, tender grilled meat in a quick grab-and-go format, typically made possible by doubling up two smaller corn tortillas. This makes them easier to eat on the side of the street, in the car, anywhere! They're no frills yet tend to be some of the most craveable tacos around.

Get the Grilled Chicken Street Tacos recipe.

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4

Cabbage Enchiladas

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Skeptical about cabbage? You might be surprised how well it melds with the other flavors. We're fans!

Get the Cabbage Enchiladas recipe.

5

Spicy Chicken Taquitos

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Traditionally shallow-fried, our lightened-up taquitos crisp up perfectly in the oven or the air-fryer. We love topping them with pickled jalapeños or pickled red onions, homemade salsa, and sliced radishes, but you do you.

Get the Spicy Chicken Taquitos recipe.

6

Burrito Zucchini Boats

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You won't miss the tortilla in these stuffed zucchinis. They've got everything you love about your favorite burritoblack beans, corn, CHEESE—minus the carbs!

Get the Zucchini Burrito Boats recipe.

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7

Corn Tortillas

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Fresh tortillas are softer and more flavorful than what you’ll find packaged at the store. They would take any taco Tuesday night to another level, afterall, if you’ve put in the work to make great tacos al pastor, you need great corn tortillas to go with it.

Get the Corn Tortilla recipe.

8

Keto Taquitos

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Typically, taquitos are made by rolling a variety of fillings tightly in a corn tortilla before deep frying. They're good. Like, REALLY good. Unfortunately, they're not keto, so we got creative and replaced the tortilla with something that is: cheese!

Get the Keto Taquitos recipe.

9

Turkey Taco Lettuce Cups

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We’re always on the lookout for yummy ground turkey recipes, and this one is one of our faves. These lettuce wraps come together fast (just 20 minutes!), are super flavorful, and can be customized how you like it. Top them with your favorite taco toppings, really anything goes!

Get the Turkey Taco Lettuce Cups recipe.

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10

Taco Tomatoes

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We're all for a genius low-carb hack—and these tomatoes totally deliver. We had never thought to stuff them with taco meat, cheese, and sour cream, but we'll do anything in the name of ditching a tortilla for a low-carb meal. You can change up the fillings for cheeseburger tomatoes, too.

Get the Taco Tomatoes recipe.

11

Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos

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Featuring refried black beans stuffed inside a crunchy corn tortilla, this irresistible cross between a taco and a sheet-pan quesadilla will make any weeknight feel like a celebration. Oh—and did we mention you only need 5 ingredients to get the party started?

Get the Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos recipe.

12

Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

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While we’re all about switching things up, when we want a tried-and-true perfect meal, we always go back to Chipotle's chicken burrito bowl. It’s classic, reliable, and, best of all, completely customizable depending on our mood. We’ve included recipes here for all our favorite burrito bowl toppings, but feel free to swap them in and out for yours!

Get the Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl recipe.

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13

Ceviche

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While it may seem fancy, ceviche is actually a fairly simple dish at its core. All it involves is tossing raw seafood in lime juice, then letting the acid in the citrus “cook” the fish. The result is a light and refreshing dish that’s a perfect summertime snack or pre-dinner app.

Get the Ceviche recipe.

14

Grilled Portobello Tacos

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Mushroom lovers alert: Summer taco nights just got upgraded. Featuring portobello mushrooms marinated in taco spices and grilled to perfection, these vegetarian tacos will delight meat-lovers and vegans alike.

Get the Grilled Portobello Tacos recipe.

15

Vegan Crunchwraps

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We updated our fave crunchwrap supreme to be totally vegan and completely irresistible. Creamy vegan queso dip and meaty lentils make a satisfying filling while a quick trip in a hot skillet adds crunch to every bite.

Get the Vegan Crunchwraps recipe.

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16

Baked Yuca Fries

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Are you a sweet potato fry fan? You’re going to LOVE these. These sweet and nutty cassava fries admittedly do take a bit of preparation, but once you’ve peeled, chopped, and boiled them, you can turn them into extremely crispy fries that’ll rival any French fry.

Get the Baked Yuca Fries recipe.

17

Picadillo

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This isn’t a glorified chili, even if your gut instinct is to call it one. Picadillo is even more than a simple tailgate bowl of beef and beans, anyone you serve it to will love it. Complex in flavor, and studded with briny capers and olives and sweet raisins, it is a great weeknight meal.

Get the Picadillo recipe.

18

Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole

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There are few things zucchini can't do—from grilled zucchini to zucchini soup and zucchini lattice lasagna, you can use it in so many different ways. Here, the summer squash is standing in for corn tortillas in this lightened-up, enchilada-inspired casserole. Yum!

Get the Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole recipe.

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19

Grilled Shrimp Tacos With Sriracha Slaw

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There are no extraneous ingredients here—once you grab shrimp, you've probably got almost everything to make these already! We left the tails on the shrimp for grilling, but feel free to take them off.

Get the Grilled Shrimp Tacos With Sriracha Slaw recipe.

20

Cauliflower Tacos

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Looking to spice up taco night? Call in the roasted cauliflower. Loaded with crisp cabbage slaw and drizzled with a tangy lime crema, these richly spiced cauliflower tacos promise to shake up your weeknight dinner routine for good.

Get the Cauliflower Tacos recipe.

59 Healthy Mexican-Inspired Recipes So You Don't Have To Give Up Your Faves (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 Mexican food is good for weight loss? ›

Mexican foods that are lower in calories typically include options like pollo a la plancha (plate of chicken) and shrimp ceviche (a fresh seafood salad). Chicken or veggie tacos with lean protein and many vegetables are also low-calorie options.

What is a heart healthy Mexican dish? ›

Best: Burrito Bowl

For a healthy bowl, go with brown rice, black or pinto beans, and grilled chicken or lean steak. Top with lettuce and salsa, which packs plenty of flavor for just 5 calories a tablespoon. Hold the sour cream, or use a small amount of light sour cream, and get the guacamole on the side.

What is the most fattening Mexican food? ›

The fried tortilla chips, high-fat meats, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, refried beans, and deep-fried combo dishes can really pack on the pounds.

What Mexican meat is the healthiest? ›

Lean meats are a healthy source of protein commonly found in Mexican foods. Chicken, shrimp, fish, pork, and beef are great sources of protein and can help to increase your energy and help keep your muscles healthy. Skip on the carnitas as they are high in saturated fats.

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 food has the lowest calories? ›

Grilled proteins are typically some of the lowest-calorie foods you will get at a Mexican restaurant as long as they are paired with the side smart dishes. Choose grilled seafood, chicken, or steak with a side of black beans, grilled or sauteed vegetables.

What is the most important food in the Mexican diet? ›

At the heart of the cuisine of this beautiful country are three very important crops: corn, beans, and chilies. These native foods are cheap and widely available.

What is a staple dish in the Mexican diet? ›

Corn is the main base of Mexican cuisine. Corn, chili, and beans were the “holy trinity” of food for Mesoamerican civilizations. In fact, corn is the source of great Mexican dishes such as 'enchiladas', 'huaraches', 'machetes', 'tlacoyos', 'sopes', 'molotes' and 'quesadillas'.

How do Mexicans eat healthy? ›

Beans: Mexican food makes heavy use of beans, which may lower the risk of heart disease (4). Beans are also rich in protein and iron, making them an all-around healthy choice. Vegetables add flavor: Mexican food is rich in vegetables, particularly squash, tomato, chile peppers, and avocado.

What food do Mexicans love the most? ›

Even though we sometimes crave pizza, sushi, pasta, or sandwiches, we Mexicans LOVE tacos, tortas, enchiladas, scrambled eggs, broths, quesadillas, and homemade stews, provided they're prepared with love and our national seasoning.

Are enchiladas healthy? ›

But the truth is that Mexican food is full of healthy options (and all Latin American food, for that matter). This includes enchiladas, which provide a great balance of carbs, protein, and fiber. Enchiladas are also a source of vegetables thanks to the salsa, and it's easy to load them up with even more veggies!

What is the healthiest Mexican dish to eat? ›

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 not to eat at a Mexican restaurant? ›

Try to avoid deep fried dishes like chalupas, taquitos and chimichangas. Opt for healthier items like grilled chicken or shrimp and chicken or veggie fajitas. If you're in the mood for a taco salad, order it without the deep-fried taco bowl. It's basically one, big, fried tortilla chip!

Are tamales healthy? ›

Tamales are rich in certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They're generally a good source of vitamin B3 (niacin) since the nixtamalization process enhances niacin's bioavailability—the amount of niacin that can be absorbed by our bodies—, per a 2016 study.

What is the lowest carb thing to eat at a Mexican restaurant? ›

Try carne asada (steak grilled with Mexican spices) or chicken dishes, sometimes served with grilled veggies and salsas. Carb counts vary based on the dish, but most meat and poultry contain zero carbohydrates. However, be mindful of any sauces that might be added.

Is Mexican food healthy or unhealthy? ›

One of the most common questions I hear as a dietitian is, “Is Mexican food healthy?” Yes, Mexican food can be very healthy. This is thanks to its base of corn, beans, tomato, and squash. The abundance of fresh produce and spices also helps make Mexican food very nutritious!

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

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