Tex-Mex Mains, Sides and Desserts

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Check out these flavorful homemade Tex Mex main and side dish recipes with a handful of sumptuous desserts thrown in for good measure! These dishes are packed with bold spices, fresh ingredients, and nostalgic vibes that will bring the love to your kitchen and satisfy every craving!

Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe (Without Frying!)

A Mexican fried ice cream ball with chocolate and caramel syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry on a plate.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Craving a taste of Mexico? This easy Mexican Fried Ice Cream skips the deep fryer and delivers all the deliciousness with a creamy vanilla ice cream coated in a crispy cinnamon cornflake shell. Top it off with your favorite sauces and whipped cream for the perfect Cinco de Mayo treat!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe (Without Frying!)

Black Bean Tacos

Black bean tacos
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

These Black Bean Tacos are a quick and easy vegetarian meal perfect for any night of the week. Prep the flavorful black bean filling, toppings, and zesty sauce ahead of time for an even faster dinner. Customize with your favorite toppings like pickled cabbage, cilantro lime crema, and cotija cheese!
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Tacos

Avocado Salsa

Avocado salsa in a bowl with tortilla chips
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

This avocado salsa recipe is a fresh and flavorful appetizer or side dish! It’s made with avocado, mango, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime, and it’s perfect for serving with chips or on tacos. Best of all, it’s quick and easy to make!
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salsa

Flan de Queso

Top view of Mexican Flan on a white plate on a white table, with slices cut out of it.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Mexican Flan is light and fluffy with a signature silky texture, made with a creamy custard, and topped with a rich caramel sauce!
Get the Recipe: Flan de Queso

Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Two halved poblano peppers stuffed with ground meat, black beans, corn, tomatoes, melted cheese, and cilantro on a plate.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

These Stuffed Poblano Peppers are a fiesta of flavors! Packed with lean ground turkey, rice, black beans, and veggies, all topped with melty cheese, they’re a healthy and satisfying Tex-Mex delight. This recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Salsa Verde Chicken

overhead view of a salsa verde chicken breast on a white plate with rice, corn and beans, and lime wedges.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Salsa Verde Chicken recipe is a quick and easy Mexican dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes! Simply bake chicken breasts with flavorful salsa verde and cheese for a healthy and delicious meal. Garnish with cilantro and green onion for the perfect finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde Chicken

Air Fryer Cherry Cheesecake Chimichangas

An image of air fryer cherry cheesecake chimichangas stacked in a pile with the top one cut in half.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Cherry Cheesecake Chimichangas combine the creamy richness of cheesecake with the crispy, golden texture of a deep-fried burrito! They’re perfect for Cinco de Mayo or just a fun family dessert!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cherry Cheesecake Chimichangas

Instant Pot Chili (with dry beans)

This hearty Instant Pot Chili recipe is made with dried beans and your choice of ground meat (beef, turkey or chicken) or try vegan soy crumbles! Vegan-adaptable! Serve it up with Our Favorite Homemade Cornbread. Video.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Instant Pot Chili recipe is the perfect cozy and comforting meal! Made with dry beans and your choice of beef, chicken, turkey, or even a vegan substitute, this recipe is adaptable to your dietary needs. With layers of flavor, this chili is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chili (with dry beans)

Mexican Corn Recipe

limes around street corn on a plate
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

This grilled Mexican street corn recipe, also known as elotes, is a classic side dish that’s perfect for summer and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. The corn on the cob is lightly charred and slathered in a creamy chili-lime sauce, then topped with cilantro and cotija cheese for an explosion of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Recipe

Easy Vegan Flan (No-Bake!)

Plate with a portion of vegan flan with a bite removed
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

If you’ve never had flan, you’re in for a treat! This easy, vegan version may be dairy- and egg-free, but it doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture. A dreamy,
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Flan (No-Bake!)

Mexican Chicken Salad with Orzo

bowl of Tex-Mex chicken salad with orzo and a cilantro lime dressing
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This Mexican chicken salad with orzo is a quick and easy meal that’s packed with flavor! It features perfectly seasoned pan-fried chicken, black beans, corn, fresh veggies, and a zesty dressing. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a great option for a light lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Chicken Salad with Orzo

Healthy Baked Salmon Tacos

healthy baked salmon tacos with avocado and cilantro lime Greek yogurt dressing
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

These healthy baked salmon tacos are a fresh and flavorful meal that can be on the table in under 30 minutes. The creamy cilantro lime Greek yogurt dressing is a lighter alternative to sour cream, making this a guilt-free and delicious option for your next taco night. These would be perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fun addition to your game-day spread!
Get the Recipe: Healthy Baked Salmon Tacos

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Snowball cookie recipe, prepared and served on a wooden tray with powdered sugar in the background.
Photo credit: Baking a Moment

Mexican Wedding Cookies: Such a delicious treat! With a crumbly, nutty texture and a rich, buttery taste, they’re sure be a real favorite!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Wedding Cookies

Turkey Black Bean Taco Salad

Taco Salad on a serving plate.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

This Turkey Black Bean Taco Salad is a fresh and flavorful take on a classic. It’s packed with protein from the turkey and black beans, plus it’s topped with a zesty cilantro lime crema that brings it all together. It’s a healthy and satisfying main dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Black Bean Taco Salad

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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