50 Healthy Mexican-Inspired Recipes To Keep Those Gym Gains
Trying to eat a little healthier? It doesn’t have to mean giving up on your favorite 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 50 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 cheesy salsa chicken & cauliflower rice skillet, or our copycat Chipotle chicken burrito bowl. Want something plant-based? Try our chipotle vegan queso, our vegan crunchwraps, or our vegan chipotle lentil 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 cocktails, our fave non-alcoholic beverages, and our best sangrias. We also have a host of Mexican desserts to round out your meal, because at Delish, we believe desserts = balance.
Skeptical about cabbage? You might be surprised how well it melds with the other flavors. We're fans!
Get the Cabbage Enchiladas recipe.
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.
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!
These crispy, cheesy Mexican taquitos are quick and easy to make—even if you don’t want to bust out the big bottle of oil. Instead, brush them with just a little oil, then bake them at 450° for around 15 minutes.
Get the Bean & Cheese Taquitos recipe.
You won't miss the tortilla in these stuffed zucchinis. They've got everything you love about your favorite burrito—black beans, corn, CHEESE—minus the carbs!
Get the Zucchini Burrito Boats recipe.
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.
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.
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.
Extra crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, these tacos are so much fun to make and eat. Putting cheese directly in your skillet might sound wrong, but it works! Once off heat, the cheese starts to harden and crisps up, giving the texture of a crunchy taco shell, but low-carb and extra delicious.
Get the Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos recipe.
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.
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.
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.
Some people think vegetarian food can't be filling—these prove they're wrong! Stuffed with a hearty combination of corn, beans, and zucchini, and topped with two types of cheese, they are the definition of a healthy and hearty meal.
Get the Vegetarian Enchiladas recipe.
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.
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.
Creamy, just-ripe avocados are tossed with chopped tomatoes, jalape?o, red onion, sweet corn, and tons of chopped fresh cilantro to create this refreshing hybrid dip. Now you’ll never have to decide between salsa and guac ever again!
Get the Avocado Salsa recipe.
You can always add on additional toppings like corn salsa, avocado ranch, or endless crunchy veggies like radishes or pickled red onions, but here we keep things simple. With ingredients you're likely to have on hand, these tostadas make for a last minute, easy meal you'll have on repeat.
Everything you love about a burrito, minus the tortilla. This low-carb dinner screams summer, with zucchini noodles, fresh cherry tomatoes, and sweet corn.
Get the Burrito Zoodles recipe.
The infinitely versatile cashew does it again with this "cheesy" Tex-Mex dip that's hard to distinguish from the original. Make it yours: Swap the chipotle with your favorite salsa, a can of Ro-tel, or harissa for a slightly different flavor profile.
Get the Chipotle Vegan Queso recipe.
These vegan tacos are loaded with bright flavors and a variety of textures—just like any good taco should be! Serve them up with some skinny margaritas and homemade guacamole for the full Taco Tuesday experience.
Get the Vegan Chipotle Lentil Tacos recipe.
Think of this as a medley of the most exciting parts of a vegetarian burrito bowl, unadulterated by rice, and hyped up by a little honey-lime action. It comes together quickly and works as a healthy side dish, a great topping for tacos, or as an appetizer with tortilla chips.
Get the Black Bean & Corn Salad recipe.
It seems all too often black beans steal the spotlight from the slightly less popular pinto bean. We're here to say: give pintos a chance! They're ultra creamy, a little smoky, and super versatile. This bacon-infused recipe works wonders on both canned and dried beans, so you can make them in under 30 minutes if you're short on time.
Get the Smoky Pinto Beans recipe.
Chimichangas are essentially fried burritos, which, don't get us wrong, we absolutely LOVE. What we don't always care for is the excess oil or the mess of deep frying. Make your chicken chimichangas in the air fryer instead for an exceptionally crispy burrito!
Get the Air Fryer Chimichanga recipe.
If salsa verde and hummus had a child, it would remind us of this dip. Our version of sikil p’ak, which in Mayan means “pumpkin seed” and “tomato” respectively, is inspired by the Yucatecan version. Our riff uses hulled pepitas and charred tomatillos, and its subtle smokiness will keep you coming back for more.
Get the Sikil P’ak Pumpkin Seed Salsa recipe.
Though it may seem surprising, homemade flour tortillas are extremely easy to make at home, and they can be ready in under an hour. Use them for tacos, burritos, whatever your heart desires!
Get the Homemade Flour Tortillas recipe.
This versatile, flavorful corn salad is the perfect way to use up leftover grilled corn. Mix and match your favorite cheeses, herbs, and nuts, but keep the citrus for brightness and oil for a little richness. And if you like a little *kick*, add some sliced jalape?os or a big pinch of red pepper flakes.
Get the Grilled Corn Salad recipe.
This marinade is the best way to make delicious at-home chicken fajitas. It transforms plain chicken breasts into juicy, flavorful strips that are perfect for folding into tortillas or placing atop rice, then topping with all your faves!
Get the Chicken Fajita Marinade recipe.
This flavorful handheld food has it all—tender marinated skirt steak, an aromatic corn tortilla, and all of the classic street taco toppings. Served for lunch or dinner, these are delicious with a hearty side of refried beans and rice, or you can keep it light with corn salad.
Get the Carne Asada Tacos recipe.
Whether you serve it as a simple dip, load it on top of your tacos, or smear it on a bun as a burger topping, we can all agree—it’s not a party without Mexico’s most famous dip. Keep it simple, like we did, or go wild with your mix-ins—just be sure to make extra, this'll go fast.
Get the Best-Ever Guacamole recipe.
Tostada shells can be tricky to find, so we made our own! Hot and fresh, there's so much more flavor. All that said, these insanely creamy beans + quick pickled red onions would taste amazing on anything, including a packaged tostada shell. ??
Get the Best-Ever Mexican Tostadas recipe.
Use your favorite jarred salsa verde to make this extremely easy and flavorful shrimp dish that's sure to impress. Want to take it over the top? Use homemade salsa verde instead!
Traditionally shallow-fried, our lightened-up taquitos crisp up perfectly in the oven or the air-fryer. We love topping them with pickled jalape?os or pickled red onions, homemade salsa, and sliced radishes, but you do you.
Get the Spicy Chicken Taquitos recipe.
If you're a fan of Tex-Mex ground beef tacos and are trying to follow a low-carb diet, consider these taco cups your new keto besties.
Get the Keto Taco Cups recipe.
We can thank the cuisine of Tex-Mex for the classic fajita. Originally, the term referred simply to a grilled strip of meat served in a tortilla, and these days you can find steak, crock-pot, shrimp, or even vegetarian fajitas. Minimal prep and minimal cook time means these can be on your dining room table FAST.
Get the Chicken Fajitas recipe.
While we’re surely not entirely opposed to the canned stuff in a pinch, there’s no denying that homemade salsa verde is far superior. Ready after a few simple steps, it’s worth every second to make this flavor-packed, creamy dip. Trust us—once you've had it fresh, you may never go back. ??
Get the Best-Ever Salsa Verde recipe.
Elote is an unbelievably popular antojito (little craving) that you can find sold on the street in Mexico. It's often served on a stick, though you could skip the skewer and make it the same way you'd boil or oven bake regular corn on the cob.
Get the Elote: Mexican Street Corn recipe.
To keep the flavors clean, our version of this classic dishv is baked and not fried. We broil the poblanos until they're blackened for an extra-smoky vibe, then fill them with a cheesy rice mixture that's honestly so delicious, it can be eaten on its own. Once baked to perfection, top it all off with tangy sour cream, fresh salsa, and cilantro—now that's a good stuffed pepper, upgraded.
Get the Chiles Rellenos recipe.
Looking for ways to use up that sweet summer corn? Look no further! This simple salad hits all the right notes: creamy, spicy, salty, and citrusy, just like the beloved Mexican street food dish elote (grilled sweet corn coated in mayo, cotija cheese, and spices) that it's inspired by.
Get the Mexican Corn Salad recipe.
We created a recipe that will satisfy your craving for cheesy, saucy chicken enchiladas while still keeping things light. Instead of using flour tortillas, we use tender, thin slices of zucchini to wrap up the chicken. Smothered with melted Monterey Jack and spicy enchilada sauce, you'll barely notice the difference!
Get the Zucchini Enchiladas recipe.
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.
Pull out some frozen chicken, some cauliflower rice, a bottle of salsa verde, and a block of Monterey Jack cheese, and you’re ready to make this low-key low-carb dinner. Bonus: You can whip this up in just 25 minutes—seriously.
Get the Cheesy Salsa Chicken & Cauliflower Rice Skillet recipe.
With chopped tomatoes, jalape?os, black beans, and cumin, this flavorful chicken and cauliflower rice skillet channels some serious Tex-Mex vibes, in the best way.
Get the Cheesy Tex-Mex Cauli Rice recipe.
Keto people, meet your new favorite weeknight dinner. It's super-easy, extremely hearty, and it's got a nice little kick from the jalape?o. Make a batch of keto tortilla chips and you won't need any utensils, simply dip and chow down!
Get the Keto Taco Casserole recipe.
For those currently abstaining from tortillas, we present: the cabbage burrito. Fill with all your favorite burrito fixin's or keep it simple with our taco-spiced beef & bean mix.
Get the Cabbage Burritos recipe.
This bowl starts with a mound of brown rice, topped with sautéed onions, peppers, steak (a lá OG fajitas), and our favorite Mexican toppings. We chose corn, black beans, and avocado, but feel free to mix it up.
Get the Steak Fajita Power Bowl recipe.
Eggplant makes for a surprisingly sturdy, low-carb shell for these tostadas. They're a huge hit at parties!
Get the Eggplant Tostadas recipe.
Cheesy cauliflower breadsticks, cauliflower gnocchi, cauliflower pizza crust... and now these quesadillas. Is there anything cauliflower can't do?!
Get the Cauliflower Quesadillas recipe.
Bell peppers take the place of tortilla chips in these low-carb veggie nachos. We don't think you'll even miss them, but we won't tell if you want to sneak a few in for crunch.
Get the Bell Pepper Nachos recipe.
To make this dip creamy, we simply stirred in half a cup of plain Greek yogurt, which has a ton nutritional clout thanks to protein and probiotics. This dip is basically a blank canvas—and like guacamole, can go in SO many different directions depending on what flavors you like.
Get the Creamy Avocado Dip recipe.
Taco Bell's Crunchwrap Supreme is the stuff of legends, and we totally see why: Full of seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and, most importantly, a crunchy tostada shell, this stacked, handheld dish has just about everything you could ever want... and now you can make it at home!
Get the Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme recipe.
50 Healthy Mexican-Inspired Recipes To Keep Those Gym Gains
Trying to eat a little healthier? It doesn’t have to mean giving up on your favorite 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 50 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 cheesy salsa chicken & cauliflower rice skillet, or our copycat Chipotle chicken burrito bowl. Want something plant-based? Try our chipotle vegan queso, our vegan crunchwraps, or our vegan chipotle lentil 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 cocktails, our fave non-alcoholic beverages, and our best sangrias. We also have a host of Mexican desserts to round out your meal, because at Delish, we believe desserts = balance.
It IS possible to make a Mexican dish that is lighter on fat and calories. Need proof? Check out our collection of 50 healthy Mexican recipes.
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