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Love Mexican food? Looking for some easy Mexican recipes that are affordable? Check out these easy Mexican dinner ideas and tips for making great Mexican food for a weeknight dinner or a special Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Whether you favor savory, filledenchiladasor crispy, crunchytaquitos, plump and tendertamalesor loadedtacos, we’ve got you covered with budget-friendly Mexican food recipes you’ll want to make on repeat.
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- How to Save Money
- FAQs
- Looking for Budget Party Food Ideas?
- Recommended Recipes
- Tell us what you think!
Nowadays, you can find a decent taco almost anywhere. Almost.
But this wasn’t always the case. When we lived in Kansas City back in the early 2000s, it was pretty hard to find great Mexican dishes at arestaurant. Since we were working hard to get out of debt and didn’t have much money to dine out anyway,I worked to perfect our favorite Mexican recipes at home.
This turned out to be perfect for us, especially with six kids to feed. Prepping chicken enchiladas in bulk and freezing them for later or loading the slow cooker with a pork shoulder for delicious Carnitas turned into a major game changer.
Why Make Mexican Food at Home
If you want to enjoy great Mexican food on a budget, make it at home!
Not only are ingredients such as cilantro, chiles, and masa easily available, but they haven’t met the fate of inflated prices that happens with some cuisines. Couple that with the fact that Mexican food is prepared with more affordable whole foodsand you’ll find that it’s a very frugal fare.
How to Save Money
One of the things I love about Mexican food is that many grocery stores offer great deals on ingredients you might want to use to prepare Mexican dinners. Real ingredients.Look for these ingredients on sale:
- tri-tip, top sirloin steak, or flap meat (forcarne asada)
- pork shoulder
- boneless, skinless chicken breast
- ground beef or turkey
- avocados
- strawberries
- mangoes
- roma tomatoes or white onions
- jalapeno peppers
- tortillas or tortilla chips
- limes or bottled lime juice
- sour cream
- canned refried beans or sauces
- shredded cheese or cotija
- rice
- corn on the cob
- commercial sauces and salsas (though I think you should scroll down and make homemade!)
Keep an eye out for the ingredients you see on sale and stock up to prepare a Mexican dinner on the cheap. As the budget allows, buy more than you’ll need. Mexican food belongs in your weekly meal-planning rotation!
FAQs
How do you learn to make Mexican dinner recipes?
Without Mexican grandmothers to show us the ropes, Bryan and I have taught ourselves some things along the way, too, like how to make tamales or homemade tortillas or enchilada sauce.
One of my favorite resources for Mexican dinner ideas has been this book: the Sunset Mexican Cookbook. It is long since out of print, but you can find used copies for cheap. Snag one because this is the portal to some good cheap eats!
Aside from trial and error and cooking through a vintage cookbook, we’ve also been known to peek into taqueria kitchens and ask endless questions of Mexican restaurant owners and friends in our quest to make great Mexican food at home.
What are the best Mexican dinner recipes?
To choose the best Mexican dinner idea is probably impossible. It really depends on your experience: who prepared it, where did you eat it, how happy were you in that season of life. Food, as we know, is subjective.
But, generally speaking, some popular Mexican dinner ideas include: chilaquiles, pozole, enchiladas, guacamole, tostadas, tamales, quesadillas, salsa, carne asada, tacos, and ceviche. Tres leches cake is always a winner!
The best is defined by what you like. What are your favorites when you go out to eat? Chances are you can make them just as good and more cheaply at home.
Looking for Budget Party Food Ideas?
Be sure to check out our archives of party food recipes and tips for saving money on those important celebrations.
Recommended Recipes
I grew up in Southern California, eating at some of the best Mexican food, or Cal-Mex, to be had — from friends’ kitchens to taquerias from Santa Barbara to San Diego. These are all recipes I’ve developed based on great meals — with a few Americanized favorites thrown in for good measure.
Salsas, Sauces, and Seasonings
So often the secret is in the sauce! Homemade salsas, sauces, and seasonings can really make a difference to your favorite tacos recipe. These Mexican food recipes are super easy to prep and take very little time.
Easy Homemade Salsa
If you’ve been buying salsa in a jar, it may be time to think about making Homemade Salsa. It’s cheaper and tastier than the commercial varieties. And so easy!
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Cactus Salsa
Cactus Salsa isn’t one of the most common party appetizers you’ll find, but it’s super delicious, fresh, and easy to make.
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Mango Peach Salsa
Enjoy a twist with your chips and salsa with this tasty Mango Peach Salsa. Instead of tomatoes, use peaches. It's perfect for chips or topping grilled meat and fish.
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Spicy Serrano Salsa
Save money and enjoy a delicious spicy Serrano Salsa with this easy recipe. You'll be the hit of the fiesta this summer.
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Strawberry Salsa
Strawberry Salsa is a fun way to incorporate this summer fruit into your savory dishes. It’s got the same sweet-tart flavor and vivid red hue as traditional tomato, but gives your dishes a fun twist. Dip into it with chips or serve it atop grilled meats.
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Easy Homemade Salsa
Chips and salsa are always a crowd pleaser. But, what if you made your own salsa? This Super Easy Homemade Salsa will make you the hit of the party!
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Easy Homemade Pico de Gallo Recipe
Pico de gallo is nothing more than a salsa made with fresh tomatoes, onions, herbs, and chiles. It comes together so quickly, you’ll wonder why you don’t make it more often.
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Easy Guacamole Recipe
With just four ingredients this Easy Guacamole recipe is one that you'll have memorized after your first batch! It's so good for dipping and topping tacos, burritos, and salads.
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Easy Red EnchiladaSauce Recipe
Just oil, flour, ground chile, spices, and water are needed to make this spicy sauce that comes together in less than 20 minutes!
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Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Save money, yet enjoy great flavor with a homemade taco seasoning mix. It’s great for taco fillings, casseroles, marinades, and soups.
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Homemade Chipotle Seasoning Mix for Tacos
This Chipotle Seasoning brings just the right amount of heat and flavor. You can stir up a batch of this smoky homemade taco seasoning in about five minutes!
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Snacks
While chips and salsa is a common snackor appetizer, there are other great dips to explore. While some ofthese dips might not be authentic Mexican recipes, they are inspired by their great flavors.
Homemade Tortilla Chips Recipe
Homemade tortilla chips, fresh from the air fryer, oven, or fry pan, are a delight. You'll wonder why you ever bother buying the bagged variety.
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Santa Barbara Cowboy Caviar
Santa Barbara Caviar is a delicious bean dip that acts like a salsa. It’s perfect with chips, to top tacos or enchiladas, or even to serve simply on rice.
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Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
This Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is packed with flavor from jalapeno, bell pepper, garlic, and onion, as well as creaminess from cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar. It's perfect for dipping!
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Really Homemade Seven Layer Dip
This easy seven layer dip recipe is homemade – meaning less processed and more deliciousness! It’s the perfect appetizer for taco night as well as holiday get-togethers.
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Sides
Homemade Mexican food sides are easy to prep and super gentle on the budget. Cook up a pot of this Spanish rice recipe or a batch of Mexican street corn in just minutes.
Mexican Coleslaw
Enjoy a simple, make-ahead side dish that mixes up in minutes with this Easy Mexican Coleslaw recipe that incorporates some of your favorite southwest flavors such as cilantro, lime, chile, and cumin.
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Mexican Rice
Mexican rice is a delicious and easy side dish to accompany tacos, fill burritos, or otherwise enhance your Mexican style meal.
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Spanish Brown Rice
Sautéed brown rice and finely chopped onion simmer in a tomato-vegetable broth for an amazing Spanish Brown Rice to serve in burritos and bowls, and as a side for tacos, enchiladas, and tamales.
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Homemade Corn Tortillas
Homemade corn tortillas are not difficult to make and best thing — they will transform your taco night into something out of this world!
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Corn Salad
Sweet juicy corn, crunchy pepper, and kicky green onion combine in a delicious corn salad you'll want to enjoy all year long. Serve it as a side salad or as a topping for tacos or nachos.
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Instant Pot Refried Beans
Cook up a pot of healthier refried beans to serve as a side dish, to fill burritos, or to top nachos. The Instant Pot makes it quick and easy, no soaking required.
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Homemade Pinto Beans
Cooking pinto beans from scratch is a great way to enjoy beans as a side dish or as a meatless main dish. They are so much cheaper than canned beans.
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Easy Instant Pot Black Beans
These instant pot black beans are a game changer when it comes to serving beans. No soaking required, you can prepare tastier and cheaper black beans in less than an hour.
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Fajita Vegetables
Fajita vegetables, basic sauteed onions and peppers, add fiber and flavor to many dishes. Make a big batch to enjoy throughout the week in bowls, wraps, salads, and sandwiches.
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Main Dishes
From Mexican-American ground beef tacos to more traditional Carne Asada, these main dishes are guaranteed to please. They are budget-friendly and easy to prep.
Huevos Rancheros
These “ranchers eggs” are such a great thing to wake up to. Huevos Rancheros also makes a great quick supper.
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Carnitas Tostadas
Carnitas Tostadas are a fantastic alternative to tacos. Load up a crispy tortilla shell with refried beans, chunks of tender carnitas, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Super yum!
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Bean Tostadas
Simple Bean Tostadas come together quickly and easily for an affordable meatless meal, with tortillas, refried beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite toppings.
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Easy Chicken Fajitas
Pull dinner together in a jiffy with this recipe for Easy Chicken Fajitas. Slices of chicken, onion, and pepper are simply seasoned with cumin, oregano, and garlic for a quick-fix dinner.
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Shredded Beef Tacos
Shredded beef tacos are a deliciously simple way to make taco night terrific. The tender beef cooks in the slow cooker while you assemble fresh toppings.
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Turkey & Black Bean Tacos
Taco Night is the highlight of the week. Make this week’s taco feast good and cheap with these spicy ground turkey tacos with black beans that you can bake in the oven.
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Pork Carnitas Tacos
Love the Pork Carnitas Tacos that you order at the local taco shop? Bring that delicious goodness to your home kitchen. Using the slow cooker makes the process super easy. You will wow your crowd with these delicious homemade Pork Carnitas Tacos.
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Chicken Street Tacos
Enjoy an easy dinner with this recipe for Chicken Street Tacos. So simple, but so delicious, these tacos can easily feed a crowd or be adapted to a grain-free lettuce wrap.
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Homemade Taco Meat
Homemade Taco Meat cooks up quickly, freezes beautifully, and tastes amazing. Make your favorite tacos with ground beef, chicken, turkey, or plant based grind and season it with our homemade taco seasoning.
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Paso Mom Tacos with Home Fried Taco Shells
Fried tortillas make the perfect vehicle for homemade tacos. You won’t stop at just one.
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Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Grilled Shrimp Tacos are super easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Make a few freezer meal kits of spice and seafood, and you can enjoy these tacos at the drop of a hat.
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Green Chicken Enchiladas with Cream Cheese
Enchiladas are a perfect meal. Don’t buy frozen and don’t go out. Make these at home and enjoy the savings and the amazing flavor.
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Cheese Enchilada Recipe
Cheese Enchiladas are quick and easy to prepare, but they taste like something special. They are a delicious, meatless meal you can make in a snap.
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Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
Spice up your evening with this hot and cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole. You can whip it up in a flash — and make an extra to freeze.
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Crockpot Enchiladas
Crockpot Enchiladas are packed with flavor and make a perfect potluck recipe. Let the slow cooker do all the work while you enjoy time with friends and family.
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Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole comes together quickly, freezes beautifully, and makes for a delicious and hearty main dish. Make a double batch so you can repeat the experience next week!
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Homemade Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Chiles
Hosting a crowd? Serve two big pans of homemade chicken enchiladas with freshly roasted chiles. No crowd? No problem. Stash one pan in the freezer for another time.
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Chile Cheese Enchilada Casserole
Chile Cheese Enchilada Casserole is a quick alternative to traditional, rolled enchiladas — and perfect for meatless Mondays. This chile and cheese enchilada casserole comes together simply for a quick and delicious meal.
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Bean and Meat Crockpot Enchilada
Let the slow cooker do the work for you with these lazy cook enchiladas. Simply layer beans, meat, tortillas, cheese, and sauce, for the simplest delicious enchiladas.
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Poblano Chile Enchiladas
Poblano Chile Enchiladas – rich and spicy enchiladas filled with roasted poblano chiles and topped with a salsa verde-sour cream sauce – are a must-make for your meal plan this week!
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Cheesy Sausage Enchiladas
These Cheesy Sausage Enchiladas are a delicious, yet simple dinner that will feed a crowd as well as provide great leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
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Creamy Turkey Enchiladas
Fold cooked turkey into corn tortillas and top with this creamy homemade sauce for the best turkey enchiladas ever to meet Thanksgiving leftovers.
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Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas
Delicious and flavorful, made with pantry staples, these turkey andblack beanenchiladas are easy to prep and super freezer-friendly.
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Chicken Fajita Burrito
Chicken Fajita Burritos are filling, flavorful, and packed with peppers, onions, and jalapeños. They make a great lunch, snack, or dinner that you can make ahead and freeze.
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Chili Cheese Burritos
Chili Cheese Burritos are a quick and easy dinner that comes together effortlessly. Savory chili tucked in a tortilla wrapper and topped with your favorite goodies makes for a dinner you'll want on repeat.
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Bean and Beef Burritos with Red Sauce
Bean and Beef Burritos, particularly those topped with luscious enchilada sauce and cheese are so tasty. Bake them in the oven for a healthier chimichanga-style dinner. Even better, you can make them and freeze them in advance!
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Green Chile Burritos
Make up a batch of these Green Chile Burritos for supper or to stash in the freezer at a later date. Either way, you’ll eat good and cheap.
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Freezer Burritos
Ever been tempted by the contents of the frozen food aisle? It will be easy tojust say NO when you’ve made your own homemade burritos for the freezer.
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Cheese Tamales with Chile & Corn
Dotted with chiles, corn, and cheese, these Cheese tamales are packed with flavor and super simple to make, the perfect vegetarian tamales.
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Sheetpan Nachos
Feed a crowd and your hunger for loaded nachos all in one fell swoop. This Sheetpan Nachos recipe will have you set for success.
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Nacho Bar
Serve a fun nacho bar with tortilla chips and cheese dip, along with a variety of nacho toppings so that your diners can make their own plates with their favorite taco toppings.
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Six-Layer Nachos
Viva la fiesta! These six-layer nachos are packed with flavor and are freezer-friendly. They go well poolside as well as at a tailgate party.
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Chicken Flautas Recipe
Similar to taquitos, flautas are little flutes of tortilla rolled and filled with something delicious, in this case, seasoned chicken and cheese.
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Beef Taquitos
While they may take a little advance preparation, homemade beef taquitos are an amazing meal! They taste so much fresher than what you buy at the taco stand and cost less, too!
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Pinto Beans and Rice
Pinto beans and rice are a good cheap eat, especially when you top it with chips, salsa, and some other goodies. It’s a filling meal to help you save money.
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Chicken Burrito Bowls
Forget the fancy taco shop and it's high priced burrito bowls. You can make your own — better and for less! Pack these Chicken Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Crema for lunch this week.
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Turkey Taco Salad
This easy Turkey Taco Salad is affordable as well as absolutely delicious. Customize it to suit your preferences or whatever you have on hand that needs using up. A taco in a bowl — it's a good cheap eat!
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Black Bean Taco Salad
Brown bagging it will taste amazing when you pack up a Black Bean Taco Salad. These stay good for several days in the fridge, so make a bulk batch!
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Easy Taco Salad
A taco salad is a great dish to take to a potluck or serve to a crowd on a hot, summer night. Loaded with veggies as well as savory taco meat, cheese, and beans, it's filling without being heavy.
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Santa Fe Salad with Chicken and Corn
This Santa Fe Salad is super easy to pull together. Signature corn and black beans get added protein from shredded chicken and other tasty toppings.
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Barbacoa Beef
This Barbarcoa Beef comes together quickly and easily in the slow cooker. The tangy, tender beef filling is perfect for tacos, lettuce wraps, bowls, and burritos.
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Carne Asada Recipe
Enjoy the smoky, savory goodness of homemade carne asada that you marinate yourself. With this carne asada recipe, you can avoid the unhealthy additives of commercial marinades and focus on real food flavor.
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This post was originally published April 30, 2019. It has been updated for content and clarity.
