51 Incredibly Healthy Mexican and Tex-Mex Recipes
Mexican and Tex-Mex food are perennial fan favorites. From simple chips and salsa to spicy chile rellenos and enchiladas, there are many different dishes to choose from. Across Mexico, traditional recipes pull from the rich diversity of produce and ingredients native to the region. Whether you gravitate toward authentic dishes or the hybrid options of Tex-Mex, these often-cheesy meals can make even the cleanest eater consider ditching their diets. However, when it comes to Mexican food, taste and health don't have to be at odds. You can still enjoy some of your favorites with these 51 delicious, healthy Mexican recipes. And if you're looking to round out your meal, serve these recipes with one of these 13 Best Side Dishes for Mexican Food. Plus, don't miss our 22 Meals to Melt Belly Fat in 2022.
Steak Nachos
Nachos may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of healthy food. But, at only 360 calories, this recipe delivers on all of the taste without any of the guilt. The secret here is a spicy cheese sauce that tastes decadent but actually helps save on the calories.
Get our recipe for Steak Nachos.
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Crispy Chipotle Shrimp Quesadilla
At a restaurant, quesadillas can come in at nearly 1,000 calories, but this lighter version comes in at only 340. Caramelized vegetables complement the spicy shrimp, and add density to the dish without adding on unnecessary fat.
Get our recipe for Crispy Chipotle Shrimp Quesadilla.
Beef Tacos
When you're looking for a simple meal to make for taco night, this classic beef taco recipe is great to have in your back pocket. Top with lots of vegetables—like fresh pico de gallo—to pack in some extra nutrients with each bite.
Get our recipe for Beef Tacos.
Sweet Potato and Spicy Chorizo Tacos
If you're in the mood for comfort food but don't want to go overboard, these sweet potato and chorizo tacos are a great option. Looking to make it vegetarian? Swap out the meat with soy chorizo instead.
Get our recipe for Sweet Potato and Spicy Chorizo Tacos.
Vegetarian Black Bean Omelet
Don't forget about breakfast! Starting the day off with a healthy Mexican-inspired omelet can help you get on track for mindful eating throughout the day. This recipe packs in the flavor for just 330 calories and can be part of a budget-conscious meal plan.
Get our recipe for Vegetarian Black Bean Omelet.
Fish Taco Bowls
Looking for cleaner dairy-free healthy Mexican recipes? This fish taco bowl will do it! Loaded with fresh mango salsa, slaw, guacamole, and cauliflower rice, this fish taco bowl is an easy one to make for dinner—or even meal prep for the week.
Get our recipe for Fish Taco Bowls.
Crock-Pot Vegetarian Chili
If you're looking for even more ways to cut meat out of your diet, then you're going to love this crock-pot vegetarian chili recipe. It's a great, healthy option when you need to serve a crowd.
Get our recipe for Crock-Pot Vegetarian Chili.
Plant-Based Breakfast Burrito
If you're looking for even more plant-based healthy Mexican recipes, you're going to love this plant-based breakfast burrito option. Topped with all kinds of hearty (yet healthy) options to keep you full for hours.
Get our recipe for A Plant-Based, Grain-Free Breakfast Burrito.
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos
With 16 grams of protein and eight grams of fiber, this meal is sure to fill you for plenty of time after you eat it. Plus, thanks to fresh additions like onion, chopped sweet peppers, cilantro, and queso, there's plenty of flavors to go around.
Get our recipe for Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos.
Guacamole
No list of healthy Mexican recipes would be complete without a mention of guacamole. Already healthy on its own, you can fit guacamole into your diet plan by swapping the usual chips on the side for sliced bell peppers.
Get our recipe for Guacamole.
Steak Tacos
Topped with fresh guacamole, queso fresco, and pico de gallo, these steak tacos bring a refreshing twist for your Taco Tuesday celebrations. So if you're creating a list of healthy Mexican recipes, you'll certainly want to add this one to it.
Get our recipe for Steak Tacos.
Chorizo Breakfast Burritos
When you're looking for a hearty breakfast that won't totally ruin your calorie budget for the day, this chorizo breakfast burrito is a great option. And if you're having a hard time folding a burrito, don't worry, we have a guide on how to fold a burrito so none of your fillings fall out.
Get our recipe for Chorizo Breakfast Burritos.
Chicken Mole Enchiladas
These enchiladas rely on the authentic preparation method, without all of the Americanized add-ons that build up the calories, like sour cream. The result? Delicious food that fuels your body without weighing you down.
Get our recipe for Chicken Mole Enchiladas.
Protein-Packed Chicken Fajita Burrito
Red pepper and low-fat cheese deliver all of the flavor with far fewer calories than your typical burrito recipe. One of the best parts of this recipe is how it can be prepared in advance for busy lunches on the go.
Get our recipe for Protein-Packed Chicken Fajita Burrito.
Fish Tacos with Tilapia and Avocado
Lighten up the protein in your usual tacos by marinating a few tilapia fillets! Topped with fresh avocado, queso fresco, and some crunchy slaw, these tilapia tacos should be at the top of your list for healthy Mexican recipes to try.
Get our recipe for Fish Tacos with Tilapia and Avocado.
One-Skillet Taco Pasta
Thanks to black beans and ground beef, this taco pasta recipe boasts 19 grams of protein, all for under 400 calories. And with the beans, whole-grain pasta, and veggies, you'll get a whopping 17 grams of fiber per serving, too. Filling, nutritious, and delicious, this is one unexpected healthy Mexican recipe you'll want to keep in your back pocket.
Get our recipe for One-Skillet Taco Pasta.
Sunrise Sandwich With Turkey, Cheddar, and Guacamole
Let's classify this one as more TexMex-inspired rather than authentically Mexican. The heart-healthy guacamole and lean turkey meat make this sandwich a healthy choice for just 380 calories.
Get our recipe for Sunrise Sandwich With Turkey, Cheddar, and Guacamole.
Spicy Tuna and Avocado Fish Taco
One of the highlights of the many port cities thought Mexico is the abundance of fresh seafood. Taking advantage of these naturally lean proteins makes for the perfect set-up for healthy tacos. These balanced flavors highlight the taste of the tuna and the tang of a few pickled onions.
Get our recipe for Spicy Tuna and Avocado Fish Taco.
Chili
Between the ground beef, the beans, and the plethora of cooked vegetables, a simple bowl of this chili will keep you feeling full for hours. If you're looking to make this recipe even leaner, top it with plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and lighten it up on the shredded cheese.
Get our recipe for Chili.
Crispy Quesadillas with Guacamole
Overstuffed with cheese and teeming with greasy toppings, quesadillas are all but guaranteed to pack quadruple-digit calories. Our quesadilla recipe reverses the cheese-to-filling ratio, going long on the nutrient-dense vegetables and using just enough chorizo and cheese to make it feel like an indulgence. You'll love to whip one of these up the next time you're looking for healthy Mexican recipes to make for dinner.
Get our recipe for Crispy Quesadillas with Guacamole.
Restaurant-Level Salsa
You don't need to head to a Mexican restaurant in order to get the best salsa for your meal! You can make restaurant-level salsa, thanks to this easy five-ingredient recipe, right at home.
Get our recipe for Restaurant-Level Salsa.
Easy Rotisserie Chicken Tacos With Salsa Verde
Let's be honest, is there anything a rotisserie chicken can't do? They are cheap, quick and healthy. In this recipe, rotisserie chicken is transformed into a healthy taco filling, with flavor that can match even the best restaurants. The best part is that these come in at just 345 calories.
Get our recipe for Easy Rotisserie Chicken Tacos With Salsa Verde.
Carne Asada Burrito
One of the biggest downfalls of trying to stay healthy at a fast-casual Mexican restaurant like Chipotle is monitoring your portion sizes. Making your burritos at home is a great way to make sure you know exactly how much food you are getting without sacrificing any of the great burrito taste. The easy recipe has just 420 calories per burrito.
Get our recipe for Carne Asada Burrito.
Crab Cakes With Mango-Avocado Salsa
Shellfish is a protein commonly used in Mexican cooking. In this crab cake recipe, the cakes are baked, rather than fried, which cuts down on the overall calorie count without losing the taste or perfect outer crunch.
Get our recipe for Crab Cakes With Mango-Avocado Salsa.
Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Onions
Why smother your tacos in cheese when you could have lots of other delicious tasting (and healthy) topping options instead? Try making quick pickled red onions to pair with your shrimp tacos, along with some fresh slaw and a dollop of homemade crema.
Get our recipe for Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Onions.
Instant Pot Chili with No Beans
Looking to keep your diet low-carb? Skip adding beans to the chili and make this keto-inspired Instant Pot chili with no beans! Loaded with vegetables, this chili is bursting with so much flavor, you won't even miss the beans.
Get our recipe for Instant Pot Chili with No Beans.
Chicken Tacos with Roasted Red Pepper
Sure, you could top your chicken tacos with the usual suspects, but why not spice it up a bit? Roast red peppers and serve them on your chicken tacos with some corn salsa and a dollop of crema.
Get our recipe for Chicken Tacos with Roasted Red Peppers.
Breakfast Burritos in Collard Greens
Why have the tortilla when you could enjoy your breakfast wrapped in a collard green instead? This Whole30-inspired recipe makes it easy to give up that extra starch in the morning.
Get our recipe for Breakfast Burritos in Collard Greens.
Grilled Mexican Steak Salad
Whether you prepare this for lunch or dinner, this healthy salad delivers on all of the spicy chipotle flavor at just 340 calories.
Get our recipe for Grilled Mexican Steak Salad.
Cheese and Chorizo Stuffed Jalapeños
The chorizo mixed into the filling of these jalapenos added an extra dose of heat, while the cream cheese rounds out the overall flavor. By losing the traditional breadcrumb coating on these jalapeno poppers, the overall nutrition stays much more manageable for your diet.
Get our recipe for Cheese and Chorizo Stuffed Jalapeños.
Breakfast Tacos with Bacon and Spinach
Breakfast for dinner? Sure, why not! Eggs are an easy protein to enjoy at any point of the day, and they're great wrapped up in a corn tortilla. Thanks to the extra bacon, these tacos are packed with a good amount of protein to satisfy your hungry stomach.
Get our recipe for Breakfast Tacos with Bacon and Spinach.
Beef Burrito Bowls
Why go to Chipotle for a burrito bowl when you can easily make one at home? This burrito bowl not only takes out the grains, but skips on the extra cheese, making it a very clean healthy Mexican recipe to enjoy for lunch or dinner. Or both!
Get our recipe for Beef Burrito Bowls.
Grilled Mexican-Style Corn
Also known as elote, this Mexican-style street corn has become a crowd favorite in recent years, converting even the most vegetable-adverse eaters into believers. To cut down on the calories without sacrificing the authentic taste, use lime juice and chili powder alone, without the added mayonnaise.
Get our recipe for Grilled Mexican-Style Corn.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
After one pot of this easy-to-make soup, you'll forget all about the sodium-laden bowls of restaurants past. Using pulled chicken breasts in this soup helps keep the calorie count at 300.
Get our recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
Don't feel like having the tortilla? This crock-pot chicken tacos recipe is great for making huge taco salads. Simply add it to a bed of greens with some other vegetables, taco cheese, salsa, and sour cream. And if you're missing the crunch of a hard shell taco, sprinkle on some crushed tortilla chips as well!
Get our recipe for Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos.
Breakfast Burritos
By swapping out white tortillas for whole wheat, swapping fatty pork sausage for the lean chicken variety, and adding fiber-rich beans and some fresh avocado, we've slashed the calories in half while increasing the overall nutrition (and deliciousness).
Get our recipe for Breakfast Burritos.
Pork Chile Verde
This is a trip to Mexico in a bowl. You can basically hear the waves crashing on the shores of Cancun while you spoon up this spicy delight. By keeping it simple, focused on pork and vegetables without any heavy additives, this authentic dish is transformative without being weighed down with calories.
Get our recipe for Pork Chile Verde.
Healthy Mexican Hot Dogs
For nights when you are craving Mexican flavors but don't have the time to cook a full meal, this easy dish delivers in just a few minutes. To keep it healthy, make sure you are on the lookout for hotdogs that are free of chemical preservatives, like the variety offered from Applegate Farms.
Get our recipe for Healthy Mexican Hot Dogs.
Fruit-Packed Mexican Paleta Recipe
Skip that rich dessert and enjoy something light after you eat one of these healthy Mexican recipes. You can choose whatever type of fruit you'd like for your paleta recipe. As long as it can be thrown in the blender with a bit of sugar and pureed, then it's prime paleta material. This recipe is a dream for the kiddie cooks in the family as well as for the parents who want to give their kiddies a healthy treat.
Get our recipe for Fruit-Packed Mexican Paleta.
Mexican Quinoa and Chicken Salad
This Mason jar salad only takes around 30 minutes to prepare, and you can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. In this case, the extra time will only make the dish even more flavorful as the lime juice, cilantro, and garlic soak into the chicken and quinoa.
Get our recipe for Mexican Quinoa and Chicken Salad.
Mexican Chocolate Smoothie Bowl
Chocolate for breakfast? It's not too good to be true. This Mexican chocolate smoothie bowl features dark chocolate almond milk, along with chopped chocolate, for a creamy meal that's way less sugary than your typical chocolate treat.
Get our recipe for Mexican Chocolate Smoothie Bowl.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Looking for an easy family dinner to throw together for a quick meal? Well, this chicken fajitas recipe is it! Sheet pan dinners have the convenience of a dump-and-go like slow cooker meals, but only take around 30 minutes to cook—instead of waiting four to eight hours for a meal!
Get our recipe for Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas.
Crock-Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole
But if you'd rather a meal you can simply dump-and-go, this chicken enchilada casserole is it! You can even prep the ingredients for this healthy Mexican recipe in a large plastic freezer bag and place in your freezer until you're ready to use it.
Get our recipe for Crock-Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
Bacon-Chile Burgers with Guacamole and Fresh Salsa
Just because you're craving a burger doesn't mean you have to waste more than 1,000 calories on a basic sit-down restaurant or fast food order! You can actually enjoy a delicious burger with bacon (yes, bacon!) for a mere 402 calories. By simply adding some guacamole and fresh salsa, you'll have a flavorful patty that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Get our recipe for Bacon-Chile Burgers with Guacamole and Fresh Salsa.
Instant Pot Steak Fajitas
In less than 30 minutes you'll have yourself a delicious meal for a crowd with almost minimal effort on your end! These Instant Pot steak fajitas can be served on warm tortillas, or on a bed of greens with a heaping amount of guacamole.
Get our recipe for Instant Pot Steak Fajitas.
Keto Fat Bomb Stuffed Jalapeños
Jalapeño peppers are carb-conscious vegetables (about 1 gram of carbs per medium-sized pepper), so a keto version of jalapeño poppers is really a no-brainer. These are stuffed with ground beef and a full-fat, creamy cheese filling, then topped off with a combo of crispy bacon and pork rinds for extra flavor.
Get our recipe for Keto Fat Bomb Stuffed Jalapeños.
Turkey Chili
Though we've never been shy about professing our undying affection for chili, it's not without its dangers, namely soaring sodium counts and reliance on fatty ground beef. Go lean by using ground turkey and build flavor with spices, beer, and a bit of chocolate.
Get our recipe for Turkey Chili.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
One of our favorite healthy Mexican recipes to make is our slow cooker pork carnitas! This recipe can roast on high for four hours, but for best results, let it roast on low for eight. The meat will be falling off by the time you start breaking it apart! Serve it with tortillas, limes, queso fresco (or cotija!) cheese, and, of course, some pickled red onions.
Get our Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas Tacos.
Chicken and Black Bean Nachos
This chicken nacho recipe ensures that every chip is evenly covered with protein-packed chicken and fiber-rich beans, plus enough salsa and lime-spiked sour cream to keep your mouth watering. Don't worry, we've got plenty of shredded Monterey Jack cheese melted on top to keep you satisfied. A nacho is not a nacho without cheese, after all.
Get our recipe for Chicken and Black Bean Nachos.
Chicken and Red Chile Enchiladas
With just 375 calories per serving, this homemade chicken and red chile enchilada recipe will feel decadent while not totally breaking your calorie budget for the day.
Get our recipe for Chicken and Red Chile Enchiladas.
Pumpkin Mole Chili
Even if it isn't the fall season, you can still enjoy this delicious pumpkin mole chili for a weeknight dinner. Even with only 265 calories and 7 grams of fat per serving, this is one of those healthy Mexican recipes that will leave you feeling incredibly satisfied.
Get our recipe for Pumpkin Mole Chili.
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