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
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.
jump to the recipes
Puffy Tacos
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Filling
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
Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Spice up your taco Tuesday with this slow cooked chipotle chicken recipe.
Method: crock pot, stovetop, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Corn Bread Tamale Pie
Made with tomatoes, water, black pepper, salt, chili powder, whole kernel corn, green bell pepper, cornmeal
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
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
Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!
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
Fried Chicken Tenders Tacos
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
Leftover Turkey Burritos
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
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
Shrimp and Veggie Fajitas
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
Fruit Breakfast Burrito
Flour tortillas are spread with cream cheese and strawberry jam and filled with sliced fresh kiwi fruit.
Time: under 30 minutes
Texas Corn 'n' Black Bean Salsa
Delicious salsa with black beans for something a little more substantial than your typical dip. With a bite from jalapeno, this chunky salsa is great on tortilla chips...
Time: 30-60 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
Grilled Portobello Mushroom And Veggie Fajitas
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
Chipotle Corn Salsa
Corn salsa is a fun change of pace to pair with tortilla chips or works outstandingly as a topping for homemade burritos and bowls. Check out this recipe with fresh tomatoes and...
Method: stovetop
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
Agua Fresca de Fruta - Mexican Fruit Cooler
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
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
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
New Mexican Salsa
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
Fresh And Easy Salsa With Blue Corn Chips
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
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
Potato and Cheese Enchiladas with Salsa Verde
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
Avocado Salsa
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
Sour Cream Chicken Tacos
Green chili adds a little heat; tomatoey-sour cream sauce with onion and garlic poured over top of the filled tortillas ties the whole dish together.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
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
Vegetarian Rice Tacos
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
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
Chipotle Carnitas
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
Authentic Tex-Mex Fajitas
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
Shrimp And Pepper Fajitas
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
Pork Carnitas
Delicious pork carnitas made by simmering the seasoned pork until tender, then baking it to give it the traditional texture.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Charred Chicken And Pepper Fajitas
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
Speedy Chicken Tacos With Creamy Chipotle Sauce
Shredded chicken is mixed with a spicy chipotle sauce and piled in taco shells with your favorite toppings.
Method: microwave
Time: under 30 minutes
Turkey Enchiladas With Cumin Lime Crema
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
Habanero Mango Salsa
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
Turkey Fajitas
Love fajitas? Try this twist that uses turkey along with the other usual fajita fillings.
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
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
Grilled Shrimp Fajitas
Bacon wrapped shrimp and vegetables are served fajita style with barbecue sauce, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and Cheddar cheese.
Method: stovetop, oven, outdoor grill
Time: under 30 minutes
Slow Cooker Carnitas
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
Shredded Chicken and Tomatillo Tacos
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
Fired Up Southwest Fajitas
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
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
Grilled Chicken Fajita Wraps
Made with sour cream, salsa and guacamole, flour tortillas, onions, green bell peppers, vegetable oil, boneless, skinless chicken breast, cheddar cheese
Method: outdoor grill
Time: 30-60 minutes
Yummy Chicken And Rice Tacos
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
Low-Fat Avocado-Tomato Salsa
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
Crab Meat and Mashed Potato Enchiladas in Sweet Red Pepper Sauce
A unique combination of crab meat, roasted red peppers, potatoes, peas, and blue cheese.
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cakes)
Made with salt, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, black walnuts or pecans
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Grilled Beef Fajitas
Made with salsa, sour cream, flour tortillas, lime juice, beef sirloin steak, onion, green bell pepper, fajita seasoning
Method: sandwich maker
Time: under 30 minutes
Bennigan's Fire-Roasted Salsa and Sweet Pineapple Pepper Cream Dipping Sauce
Made with sugar, pineapple juice, mayonnaise, salsa, crushed pineapple
Time: 1-2 hours
Arroz Con Pollo Chapina (Guatemala Style Chicken and Rice)
Made with chicken pieces, corn oil, salt, black pepper, onion, garlic, tomato, rice, carrots, green olives
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Copycat Taco Bell's Grilled Chicken Burritos
Made with soy sauce, salt, brown sugar, onion powder, liquid smoke, black pepper, chili powder, boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, rice
Method: stovetop, outdoor grill
Time: over 5 hours
Curried Lentil Burritos
Made with milk, parsley, flour tortilla, Monterey jack cheese, cilantro, scallions, ginger, sugar, ground cumin
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Tamale And Hominy Casserole
Made with Cheddar cheese, pimientos, ripe olives, onion, green bell pepper, oil, cream of chicken soup, hominy, beef tamales
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
It may look like a sad little package shoved in the back of your freezer, but frozen spinach actually has a lot of culinary uses (and some may surprise you).
Ranking #1 in nearly every "favorite cookie" poll, the chocolate chip cookie is pretty much the go-to cookie of choice for both kids and grownups alike.
In a cooking rut? Try one of these taste-tested, family-approved recipes using ground beef.