Need more reasons to love Mexican food? Here are 12 Delicious & Healthy Mexican Recipes for Cinco de Mayo and every day of the year!

A collection or Mexican-inspired recipes.

Mexican food is such a fun way to add pizzazz when life gets too boring. Whenever I feel like indulging in something overwhelmingly delicious and not necessarily innutritious, I reach to my favorite Mexican dishes. This shouldn’t hit you as a surprise but Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite eating holidays of the year, even more so than Thanksgiving!

Okay… I realize this was a HUGE statement, but remember I am Latina, so I like my spices and flavors!! Are we still friends??

In this round-up you will find 12 Delicious and Healthy Mexican Recipes for Cinco de Mayo and every day of the year! These are the traditional recipes you love with an inclination towards healthier substitutions, wholesome ingredients and low carb friendly, to keep our healthy eating goals in check.

Let’s dive into our selection. Hope you enjoy it!

Easy Beef Enchiladas

Easy simple and classic Beef Enchiladas made with few ingredients under 30 minutes. A fun recipe that is quick enough for a weeknight dinner or a delicious meal for the weekend!

beef enchiladas recipe

Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

Easy Homemade Mexican Rice (Authentic Restaurant-Style) is finished with fresh cilantro and lime juice. This flavorful rice is easy to make at home and super fun to eat!

Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Fajitas

Easy, healthy and delicious, this sheet pan chicken fajitas using chicken sausage is all about the flavor and versatility. Cook everything at once, for as little as 20-minutes and serve it any way you like!

chicken fajitas

Instant Pot Mexican Rice and Beans

This set-it-and-forget-it Instant Pot Mexican Rice and Beans recipe combines dried black beans, brown rice, veggies, and Mexican flavors all in one pot. Enjoy it as an effortless 30-minute side dish or hearty meal!

instant pot Mexican rice and beans

Spicy Shrimp Tacos

Easy, healthy and spicy Shrimp Tacos. These tacos are DELICIOUS and super nutritious too! (Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Soy-Free)

easy shrimp tacos

Instant Pot Mexican Refried Beans

These Instant Pot Mexican Refried Beans are so creamy, fresh, and full of flavor! They’re easy to make in the Instant Pot and on the stove. It’s a classic Mexican side dish that you need in your life!

instant refried beans

Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup

This foolproof Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup is perfect for healthy weeknight dinners, meal prep, and flavor-packed lunches! It’s easy to make in 30 minutes and loaded with shredded chicken, black beans, veggies, and savory Mexican spices.

Mexican chicken soup in instant pot

Ranchero Beans Breakfast Burritos

This delicious breakfast burrito is pack-filled with flavorful ranchero beans, fluffy scrambled eggs, roasted peppers, onions and lots of cheese!

Ranchero Beans Breakfast Burrito

Grilled Eggplant Tacos

Grilled Eggplant Tacos topped with a delicious bean corn and tomato salsa, melted cheese, avocado bites and fresh cilantro!

Low-Carb Grilled Eggplant Tacos

Low Carb Fish Tacos with Fresh Garden Salsa

Add a pop of color to your plate with these Low Carb Fish Tacos with Fresh Garden Salsa! Juicy pan fried fish is stuffed into lettuce leaves and topped with fresh salsa and avocado sauce. A perfect and healthy summer taco!

low carb fish tacos

Black Bean Enchilada

Spice up dinner time with this delicious Black Bean Enchilada loaded with sweet potato, cheese in a homemade enchilada sauce!

black bean enchilada

Sheet Pan Nachos

Sheet Pan Spicy Nachos; bring the fun to the party with this ultra-easy and mouthwatering recipe!

spicy nachos

Instant Pot Chicken Chili

Set it and forget it Instant Pot White Chicken Chili made with dried beans. The result is a flavorful chili with pulled chicken chunks and a flavorful broth that will warm your whole body!

instant pot chili recipe

Chili Cheesy Nachos

These Chili Cheese Nachos are topped with an easy homemade beef chili, cheddar cheese sauce, and toasted corn. It’s the ultimate cinco de mayo party snack!

chili nachos recipe

Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce; learn how you can make a delicious enchilada sauce using few ingredients in less then 10 minutes!

enchilada sauce
What are 3 typical foods served at Cinco de Mayo?

Molé Molé Poblano is the official dish of Cinco de Mayo because the day commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. However popular foods like Tacos, Enchiladas and Nachos are highly requested during this celebratory holiday.

What is real traditional Mexican food?

Authentic Mexican food dates back to the times of Mayan Indians and the Aztec Empire. Both cultures collided, combining foods like corn tortillas, beans, chili peppers, wild game, and fish.

Is Mexican food healthy?

There’s no denying that Mexican food is delicious. But many of the entrees are made with oil, lard, and salt and are loaded with cheese and sour cream. 

How to make healthy Mexican food?

Cooking Mexican food at home is the best way to control the ingredients and therefore make healthy Mexican food. Mix and match healthy options like grilled meat (chicken, fish, shrimp), ceviche (raw seafood marinated in lemon or lime juice and other seasonings), black beans, brown rice, avocado salad, sautéed veggies, or tortilla soup

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Instant Pot Mexican Rice and beans

Instant Pot Mexican Rice and Beans

by Silvia Dunnirvine
Instant Pot Mexican Rice and Beans is a naturally vegetarian side dish or meal that’s easy to make with black beans, brown rice, veggies, and spices. It’s a one-pot, 30-minute recipe!
Prep: 8 minutes
Cook: 26 minutes
Additional Sauté (optional): 10 minutes
Servings: 8 people

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup dried black beans (not soaked)
  • 1 1/2 cup brown rice
  • 1 1/2 cup salsa (I used medium chunky)
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 whole red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 whole white onion, chopped
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup cilantro (stem and leaves, minced)

Spices and Seasoning

  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder

Instructions 

  • Add beans, rice and vegetable broth to the instant pot and stir to combine.
  • Next add the salsa, corn, bell pepper, onion, cilantro and spices BUT DO NOT STIR.
  • Cover the instant pot and seal the vent. Cook on HP for 26 minutes. When done allow for 10 minutes of NPR, then quickly release any remaining pressure.
  • Open the pot and give it a good mix. If there is more liquid in the pot than you wish, turn on sauté mode for an additonal 10 minutes. This will eliminate some of the liquid*

Notes

To store: Place any leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To freeze: The leftovers can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat: Heat the rice and beans in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Add additional vegetable broth or salsa if more liquid is necessary.

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1090mg | Potassium: 673mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 759IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Keyword: Instant Pot, Instant Pot Mexican Recipes, Mexican Rice and Beans
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Like this? Leave a comment below!

Hi! I’m Silvia.

My goal is to make cooking simple and enjoyable.

Garden in the Kitchen is full of easy and balanced recipes for busy families. Classics get a healthier twist with additions of veggies or alternative ingredients.

I hope my recipes will inspire you to cook more home meals and above all have fun in the kitchen!

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6 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness. Those grilled chicken tacos almost knocked me off my chair! So many gorgeous dishes in this collection, Silvia. Thanks so much for including me = such a treat. Sharing 🙂

  2. That’s a lot of avocado – YUM! Love this list and thank you so much for including my recipe! 🙂 Sharing!