Full Moon Cafe marinates their chicken in fajita seasoning to give it that special spice in the soup. Garnish with tortilla strips for a nice crunch.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Central American Cuisine

Most of the recipes you'll find here are of Mexican origin but we have others from Costa Rica, Guatemala, and other regions of Central America.
There are some recipes that are considered Central American but really are American creations. Since there is often a fine line between authentic and non-traditional, we've included them here as well.
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Copycat Full Moon Cafe Tortilla Soup
Chi Chi's Salsa
The key to Chi Chi's salsa isn't some secret recipe, it's just good tomatoes. Blending ripe tomatoes just for a second yields a uniformly chopped salsa, perfect for scooping up with...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Applebee's Chicken Fajita Rollups
Made with sour cream, white tortilla shell, chicken, pico de gallo, jack and Cheddar cheese mix, lettuce, tomatoes
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Copycat Chili's Salsa
Here's a salsa that's as easy as it is tasty. It's all blending and no chopping, so it's ideal for making a big batch for parties or game days.
Time: 1-2 hours
Taco Rice
If you're making a batch of rice for tacos, burritos, or salads, you owe it to yourself to jazz it up a bit. This variety is plenty zesty thanks to taco seasoning and diced tomatoes.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!
Boiled Carnitas
Picture this: tender, juicy pork enveloped in golden, sizzling lard. These boiled carnitas turn flavorful ingredients into hearty bites everyone can appreciate.
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken
Salsa is your best friend in this recipe. It majorly cuts down on the ingredient list, and you can pick spicier or milder varieties to suit your tastes.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Breakfast Burritos for a Crowd
These breakfast burritos, filled with scrambled eggs, turkey or ham, and fresh vegetables, are a great way to serve a large group.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Copycat Chi Chi's Baked Chicken Chimichangas
The Chi Chi's Mexican restaurant chain no longer exists in the U.S. but you can make chicken chimichangas just like they used to with this recipe.
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Chicken Tacos With Corn And Black Beans
Is it Tuesday? Either way, it's time for some tacos. Black beans and corn give the chicken plenty of support. And if you really want to take these tacos up a...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Black Bean And Shoepeg Corn Salsa
Spice up your snack time with this black bean and shoepeg corn salsa. It's a zesty, fresh, and slightly rebellious take on your salsa expectations.
Time: 2-5 hours
Taco Crunch Casserole
Yummy and versatile dish made with ground beef, sweet corn, and salsa. Topped with cheddar and crushed tortilla chips and served casserole-style.
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Carne Asada Chimichangas
Carne asada is deliciously memorable on its own, but when stuffed into a crispy chimichanga it becomes a whole new experience.
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Crescent Taco Pie
Made with cheddar cheese, ground beef, taco seasoning mix, water, crescent dinner roll, sour cream, corn chips
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Mexican Goulash
A Mexican-flavored twist on American-style goulash. Pasta, ground beef, and vegetables are are simmered in a spiced tomato sauce.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Applebee's Pico de Gallo
Pico de gallo is an absolute must for Mexican night. Tomatoes, onion, jalapeno and cilantro is how Applebee's does it. Great on tortilla chips, tacos, burritos, you name it.
Time: over 5 hours
Don Pablo's Salsa Fresca
An easy salsa recipe that tastes like the salsa fresca from Don Pablo's restaurants
Time: under 30 minutes
Mexican Beef Stir-Fry
Think of this recipe as stir-fried fajitas! Your typical beef fajitas are served Asian-style instead of on tortillas
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
South Texas Cheese Enchiladas with Chile Gravy
Made with mild cheddar cheese, olive oil, chili powder, water, flour, cumin, ground oregano, garlic powder, garlic salt, grated mild cheddar cheese
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Ground Beef Chimichangas
These ground beef filled chimichangas are a breeze to prepare and make a great dinner or lunch.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Ranch Burrito Wraps
A simple blend of shredded chicken, ranch seasoning, sour cream, and salsa is heated and rolled into tortillas for an easy burrito-style wrap.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Family Friendly Chicken Fajitas
Simple chicken fajitas with just the right amount of spice to keep them family-friendly.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Chalupa
Made with green chili peppers, oregano, pinto beans, pork roast, water, onion, garlic, salt, chili powder, cumin
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Baked Tacos
An easy baked version of tacos made by filling flour tortillas with ground beef, beans, salsa, and seasonings.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Bob Evans' Maple Sausage Breakfast Burritos
Bob Evans' Maple Sausage Breakfast Burritos are a hearty take on the traditional breakfast burrito.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Copycat Carlos Murphy's Sweet Onion Salsa
Ready to shake up your appetizer lineup? This copycat sweet onion salsa is not just for chips; it can transform anything from tacos to grilled meats.
Time: 2-5 hours
Cheesy Chicken Fajitas
Flour tortillas stuffed with a cheesy mixture of chicken, peppers, and onions are a consistent crowd pleaser, especially with sour cream and salsa on the side.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
TGI Friday's Sizzling Vegetable Fajitas
With a cilantro parmesan pesto and a small army of sauteed onions and other veggies, these customizable fajitas are as flavor-packed as any of their meaty...
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Basic Pan Dulce (Mexican Sweet Bread)
Made with ground cinnamon, flour, eggs, sugar, shortening, salt
Method: oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Canned Tomato-Pepper Salsa
Canning is all but a lost art these days. It's still a great strategy, though. Take advantage of ripe, in-season tomatoes and make some flavorful salsa you can enjoy all...
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Mexican Chicken Thighs
A combination of lime and orange juice adds a spike of citrus, and blending all the spices into a thick sauce adds a tremendous layer of flavor to this Mexican chicken dish.
Method: oven, outdoor grill
Time: under 30 minutes
1940's Tamale Pie
Made with water, salt, butter, onion, garlic, green bell pepper, chili powder, butter or oil
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Chimichangas
Slow-cooked pork is the key to this simple yet delicious recipe for Tex-Mex style chimichangas. Pork, salsa, and cheese-filled flour tortillas are deep-fried and served...
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Southwestern Salsa With Black Beans & Corn
Made with black beans, corn, red bell pepper, purple onion, and the special secret ingredient: toasted cumin seeds
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Milk Cooked Carnitas (Using Boston Butt Roast)
Indulge in this savory recipe for milk-cooked carnitas without having to drive to a taqueria. You're welcome.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Spicy Thai Salsa
Unmistakably Thai ingredients like fish sauce and shrimp paste give this salsa a unique spin, and make it a sensational choice for fusion food like spicy Thai tacos topped with...
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Copycat Qdoba Mexican Grill Naked Chicken Burrito
Made with black or pinto beans, grilled chicken, cheese, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, avocados, jalapeno
Time: under 30 minutes
Copycat Hungry Tarpon's Fried Shrimp Burrito
Fried shrimp, coleslaw, tartar sauce and flour tortillas make these copycat burritos a dinner you'll want to repeat
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Fish Stick Fajitas
This unique twist on classic fajitas uses frozen fish sticks layered in soft flour tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Method: microwave, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Beef Tamales
Experience the delicious flavor of traditional Mexican cuisine with these hearty beef tamales. Serve them as a main dish for a family dinner or as a festive party appetizer.
Method: stovetop, rice cooker/steamer
Time: 2-5 hours
Rotel Salsa
A big batch of homemade salsa is always a great thing to have hanging around in the fridge, especially when you throw in fresh lime juice and green onions.
Time: 1-2 hours
Border Grill Carne Asada Tacos
Step up your taco game with these amazing tacos just like they serve at the Border Grill restaurants. No taco seasoning mix here!
Method: outdoor grill, stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Crab and Shrimp Seafood Enchiladas
Tortillas stuffed with a cheesy mixture of shrimp, crab, and onions get topped in a creamy garlic parsley sauce.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Arroz con Leche (Mexican Rice Pudding)
A popular Mexican recipe, this rice pudding can be served warm or cold as a dessert, breakfast, or anytime sweet treat.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Shredded Chicken Burritos
Made with Mexican cheese, large flour tortillas, whole chicken, taco seasoning mix, stewed tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, cornstarch
Method: crock pot, stovetop, oven
Time: over 5 hours
Mexican Pozole With Tomatoes And Hominy
Lean beef is simmered with stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, cilantro, seasonings, and hominy.
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Corn Tortillas
Making your own tortillas is the key to spectacular tacos. Your tacos, enchiladas and other Mexican classics will be downright delicioso in no time.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Dulce Zacatecano
A delectable dessert from south of the border. Butter-fried bananas are good enough on their own, but top them with sweet, freshly whipped cream and you'll find yourself in paradise.
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Slow Cooker Breakfast Burritos
Slow-cooked tomato, onion, and ham mixed with Monterey jack and cheddar is a marvelous mix for early morning tortillas.
Method: crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
Skillet Tamale Pie
The taste of tamales without all the calories, or all the work!
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Microwave Salsa
Good, homemade salsa makes such a difference over flavorless store-bought jars. Starting with ripe tomatoes is crucial, so if they're in season then you're on your way to a sensational...
Method: microwave
Time: under 30 minutes
Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Steak
Great flavors come together in this crock pot dinner made with round steak, garlic powder, chili powder, mustard, onion, tomatoes, and kidney beans - all served over...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Stove-Top Grilled Fajitas
Can't grill? No problem, these chicken fajitas are made in a grill pan with seasonings that taste like it's fresh off the grill.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
A can of cream of mushroom soup can be a real dinner saver. It works great in casseroles and can turn into a sauce or gravy in a pinch.
Beer makes batters better, meat more tender, and sauces more flavorful.
Make your mornings a little less hectic with these overnight breakfast recipes. Prep the night before and enjoy a warm, comforting meal in the morning.




























































