Central American Cuisine

Sometimes the best meals have the simplest components, and that's exactly what this chili and tamale combo is.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Salsa verde made from scratch with fresh serranos and cilantro elevates this enchilada recipe into restaurant-level territory.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

A fantastic DIY canned salsa that you'll want to have stocked up all year. Grab the freshest tomatoes in summer and simmer them down with onion, cilantro, and some fiery jalapenos.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   over 5 hours

Fresh, homemade salsa can be a total game changer. This Anaheim chile and fresh tomato salsa is good with tortilla chips, but you'll also want it on hand for tacos, burritos, and...


Time:   1-2 hours

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

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Making flour tortillas from scratch takes a little practice but you can't beat the homemade flavor and texture. You can use these tortillas for soft tacos, fajitas, burritos...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Use up leftover turkey in a different way with these zesty burritos. All it takes is a few seconds in the microwave and dinner is served.

Method:   microwave
Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with onion, green bell pepper, garlic, chipotle chilies en adobo, ground cumin, black beans, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, adobo sauce, Cheddar cheese

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

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

Good salsa is all about fresh, so when you see the ingredient list you know this one's a winner. If you prefer a salsa with a bit of a kick, leave some of the seeds from the jalapenos...


Time:   1-2 hours

Made with tomatoes, water, black pepper, salt, chili powder, whole kernel corn, green bell pepper, cornmeal

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

Whip up some homemade pico de gallo with fresh tomatoes, jalapeno, lime juice, red onion, and cilantro. This simple recipe is perfect for adding a zesty kick to your favorite...


Time:   1-2 hours

The crock pot is a great way to make fajitas! No grill, no mess!

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

Tasty and easy shrimp fajitas, ready in under 30 minutes. Hint: think outside the box with additional toppings. Guacamole, diced tomatoes, etc can dress these up further.

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Tequila in the marinade gives these tender skirt steak fajitas a little extra punch.

Method:   outdoor grill, stovetop
Time:   2-5 hours

When you first bite into one of Aunt Chilada's Yucatan-style tamales, you're hit with a savory and slightly spicy flavor blend of shredded pork and just the...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   2-5 hours

Made with olive oil, water, lime, flank steak, bell pepper, onion, flour tortillas, salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream

Method:   stovetop, outdoor grill
Time:   under 30 minutes

Fresh, homemade salsa with a kick is good for so much more than just tortilla chip dipping. Add to breakfast tacos, spread on quesadillas, or use as a burger topping.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Quick and easy fajitas made with ground beef, bell peppers, and zucchini. Served with a low fat sour cream-mustard sauce.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

Crispy chicken tenders are wrapped up neat in soft flour tortillas with a spicy corn salsa, monterey jack cheese, and shredded cabbage.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

There's nothing quite like biting into a juicy, flavorful fajita. The perfect blend of spices and beef, wrapped up in a soft tortilla, is an undeniably delicious Tex-Mex...

Method:   outdoor grill, oven
Time:   1-2 hours

Made with tomato paste, pinto beans, corn, cumin seed, jalapeno, kosher salt, sour cream, lime, fresh cilantro, Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with creamy avocados, ripe tomatoes, and a hint of lime, this easy-to-make avocado salsa recipe is perfect for snacking or as a topping.


Time:   1-2 hours

A unique combination of crab meat, roasted red peppers, potatoes, peas, and blue cheese.

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

This copycat dessert from El Chico Cafe combines deep-fried ice cream balls coated in a sweet, crunchy mixture. Serve with whipped cream and cherries for an...

Method:   deep fryer
Time:   over 5 hours

Can't decide between a hard or soft shell taco? Try a puffy taco instead! Tortillas are cooked in oil until puffed and crispy and then stuffed full with your favorite fillings.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Tired of the usual chicken or beef enchiladas? Change things up with some tender, slow-cooked shredded pork in this easy recipe for enchiladas.

Method:   crock pot, oven
Time:   2-5 hours

Flour tortillas are spread with cream cheese and strawberry jam and filled with sliced fresh kiwi fruit.


Time:   under 30 minutes

These easy chicken fajitas are full of flavor thanks to a simple cilantro-lime marinade. The chicken is grilled until nice and juicy, then served with...

Method:   outdoor grill
Time:   under 30 minutes

Carnitas means "little meats" which relates to the chunks of pork. This version has a spicy kick with the addition of canned chipotle chiles.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   2-5 hours

This simple 3-ingredient recipe comes in handy for taco night, especially since you can make this ahead of time and freeze it.

Method:   crock pot
Time:   2-5 hours

Shredded chicken is mixed with a spicy chipotle sauce and piled in taco shells with your favorite toppings.

Method:   microwave
Time:   under 30 minutes

This no-cook fresh tomato salsa is the perfect addition to any summer meal. It is quick and easy to make, and can be made ahead of time.


Time:   1-2 hours

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

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

Create mouthwatering tamales with this easy-to-follow recipe. Featuring a flavorful cornmeal batter and savory chicken filling, these homemade tamales are perfect for any occasion.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

Rice and veggie tacos are an absolutely stand-out option for quick and easy meals. Well-spiced rice with tomatoes and any number of add-ins will always make a tasty taco.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Don't skip out on the splash of red wine vinegar. It helps give this salsa a punch that brightens up tacos, burrito bowls, and anything else you throw this salsa on top of.


Time:   under 30 minutes

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

A few thoughtful touches take a good taco to a great taco. We're talking cilantro leaves on top, a couple jalapenos, and a squeeze of lime. It's not hard to up your...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

The rice inside the tacos is a fun change from your typical tacos and the recipe is very flexible so you can change things up however you like.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Spice up your taco Tuesday with this slow cooked chipotle chicken recipe.

Method:   crock pot, stovetop, oven
Time:   2-5 hours

Think of this as a fusion between fajitas and a stir-fry. The flavorful shrimp and vegetables are quickly cooked in a skillet and served up on warm corn tortillas.

Method:   stovetop, microwave
Time:   under 30 minutes

A tasty fresh salsa made with tomatoes, green onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and cilantro and served with festive blue corn tortilla chips.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with salt, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, black walnuts or pecans

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

Made with sunflower oil, skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, yellow bell pepper, red onion, dried oregano, chilies, vegetable oil, lime, salt and ground black...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with salt and pepper, red onion, red tomatoes, jalapenos, garlic, fresh cilantro, kumquats, orange juice, lemon juice, brown sugar

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Learn how to make Agua Fresca de Fruta, a traditional Mexican fruit cooler using just 4 simple ingredients - cold water, ice, soft fruit, and sugar.


Time:   under 30 minutes

This version of avocado salsa goes easy on the avocados to reduce the fat content, but has plenty of flavor to make up for it. Serve it with your favorite tortilla chips or...


Time:   under 30 minutes

Mangoes and habanero peppers combine to provide a sweet heat to this salsa. Try this tropical salsa on fish tacos or simply eat with chips.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Not all fajitas need meat! Marinated and grilled veggies add plenty of filling and flavor to these fajitas.

Method:   outdoor grill
Time:   under 30 minutes

Diced zucchini adds a cool and refreshing element to this zesty salsa. Serve with chips or as a condiment on your favorite Tex-Mex meal.


Time:   30-60 minutes

Slow-cooked with cilantro and beer, the juicy shredded pork is great for tacos on classic corn tortillas but also in burritos, quesadillas, and stacked up nachos.

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

Love fajitas? Try this twist that uses turkey along with the other usual fajita fillings.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours