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Central American Cuisine

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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Enter a word or two in the box to find recipes within the central america section. You can search the title, ingredients, or entire recipe by selecting the appropriate option.

Recipes  /   central america
recipe for bizcochos (mexican holiday cookies)

Bizcochos (Mexican Holiday Cookies)

Made with lard, sweet wine or any fruit juice, sugar, cinnamon, anise seeds, egg yolks, all-purpose flour

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for mexican chicken casserole ii

Mexican Chicken Casserole II

Made with chicken, monterey jack cheese, sour cream, green chiles, cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn tortillas, cheese

Method:   oven
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for cafe poca cosa mole de chilhuacle with shredded chicken

Cafe Poca Cosa Mole de Chilhuacle with Shredded Chicken

Made with garlic, yellow onions, carrot, chilhuacle chilis, pasilla chilis, guajillo chilis, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, oregano, chili powder

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for slow cooker barley, black bean, and corn burritos

Slow Cooker Barley, Black Bean, and Corn Burritos

Made with chicken or vegetable broth, frozen whole-kernel corn, green onions, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic, fresh cilantro...

Method:   crock pot
Time:   2-5 hours

recipe for wonderful salsa

Wonderful Salsa

Made with vinegar, tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, garlic, ground cumin, black pepper, canning salt, sugar

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

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recipe for slow cooker beef and bean burritos

Slow Cooker Beef And Bean Burritos

Made with plum tomato, London broil, taco seasoning mix, non-stick cooking spray, onion, white vinegar, green chiles, refried beans, flour tortillas, Monterey jack...

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for tamale pie casserole

Tamale Pie Casserole

Made with tomato sauce, corn, ripe olives, salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic, green bell pepper, milk

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for fish stick enchiladas

Fish Stick Enchiladas

Made with frozen fish sticks, onion, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, green chiles, cheddar or monterey jack cheese, flour tortillas

Method:   oven
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for beef fajita wraps

Beef Fajita Wraps

Made with taco sauce, sour cream, skirt steak, green bell pepper, red onion, mexican rice, flour tortillas

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for beef burritos

Beef Burritos

Made with onion, ground beef, cumin, chili powder, salsa, cilantro, flour tortillas, refried beans, black olives, lettuce

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for hacienda restaurant's crabmeat enchiladas

Hacienda Restaurant's Crabmeat Enchiladas

Made with bell pepper, salt, Serrano pepper, garlic, Colby and Jack cheese, ground cumin, red pepper, black pepper

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for mexican tamale pie

Mexican Tamale Pie

Made with onion, green bell pepper, garlic, tomato sauce, frozen whole corn kernels, chopped green chiles, ripe olives, chili powder, yellow cornmeal

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for pastel de moctezuma (mexican pie)

Pastel De Moctezuma (Mexican Pie)

Made with heavy cream, plain yogurt, chihuahua cheese, salt, tomatillos, onion, garlic, jalapeno peppers, fresh cilantro

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for sizzling chicken fajitas

Sizzling Chicken Fajitas

Made with flour tortillas, green bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, chili powder, garlic, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, vegetable oil, onion

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for crabmeat tacos

Crabmeat Tacos

Made with corn tortillas, cucumber, vegetable oil, onion, garlic, imitation crabmeat or cooked white fish, salsa, fresh cilantro, romaine lettuce, green bell pepper

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for ground pork burritos

Ground Pork Burritos

Made with hoisin or plum sauce, flour tortillas, salt, ground pork, yellow onion, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, cayenne pepper

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for tangerine habanero salsa

Tangerine Habanero Salsa

The perfect sweet and spicy salsa, with a bit of an Asian flair. Serve with grilled fish or seafood, or with tortilla chips as an appetizer.


Time:   1-2 hours


recipe for slow cooker mexican hamburger casserole

Slow Cooker Mexican Hamburger Casserole

Made with cheese, diced tomatoes with green chiles, ground beef, corn chips, onion, cream of mushroom soup

Method:   oven, stovetop, crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for santa fe chicken enchiladas

Santa Fe Chicken Enchiladas

Made with vegetable oil, butter, green chilies, chili powder, flour, ground coriander, ground cumin, chicken broth, sour cream, monterey jack cheese

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   2-5 hours

recipe for layered tostada bake

Layered Tostada Bake

Made with olive oil, egg white, ground beef, onion, taco seasoning mix, tomato sauce, refried beans, baking mix, cornmeal, milk

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for beef taco casserole

Beef Taco Casserole

Made with Cheddar cheese, ground beef, onion, kidney beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic salt, tortilla chips

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for el chico fried ice cream

El Chico Fried Ice Cream

Made with oil, maraschino cherries, vanilla ice cream, corn flake crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, honey or chocolate syrup, whipped cream

Method:   deep fryer
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for classic mexican rice

Classic Mexican Rice

Made with monterey jack cheese, long grain rice, oil, onion, garlic, salt, chili powder, tomato sauce, water or canned chicken broth

Method:   stovetop, microwave
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for mexican carnitas verdes (pork with green salsa)

Mexican Carnitas Verdes (Pork With Green Salsa)

Made with black pepper, seasoned salt, pork loin roast, salsa verde, onion, garlic

Method:   oven
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for slow cooker beef tostadas

Slow Cooker Beef Tostadas

Made with salt, black pepper, lime juice, garlic, jalapeno pepper, onion, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, tostada or hard taco shells

Method:   microwave, crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for orejas (palm leaves)

Orejas (Palm Leaves)

Made with butter, flour, salt, egg, water, vegetable oil

Method:   oven
Time:   1-2 hours


recipe for tacos callejeros (street vendor's tacos)

Tacos Callejeros (Street Vendor's Tacos)

Made with cooked chicken, pork, or beef, green cabbage, cilantro, white onion, roma tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, serrano peppers, limes

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for jalisco chili relleno con queso

Jalisco Chili Relleno con Queso

Made with eggs, Poblano or Anaheim chilies, Cheddar cheese, Queso Fresca or Ricotta, Mozzarella cheese, garlic, green onions, ripe pepper, cilantro, salt and ground back...

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for chili and tamales

Chili And Tamales

Made with chili, tamales, onion

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for mexican dessert tortillas with ice cream

Mexican Dessert Tortillas with Ice Cream

Made with cinnamon, butter, flour tortilla, honey, ice cream

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for asian burritos

Asian Burritos

Made with peanut oil, ginger root, garlic, scallions, mushrooms, red bell pepper, bok choy, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, bean sprouts

Method:   stovetop, microwave
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for drunken beef tacos

Drunken Beef Tacos

Made with oil, dried New Mexico chili peppers, onions, garlic, poblano chili peppers, diced tomatoes, tequila, raisins, fresh cilantro, tomatilllos

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   2-5 hours


recipe for mexican orange candy

Mexican Orange Candy

Made with butter, sugar, milk, pecans, oranges

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for eggplant enchiladas

Eggplant Enchiladas

Made with corn tortillas, butter or margarine, eggplant, garlic, onion, green pepper, diced green chiles, cheddar cheese, enchilada sauce, salt and pepper

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for margarita salsa

Margarita Salsa

Made with cilantro, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, orange bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, tomatoes, whole jalapenos, Anaheim peppers, fresh pineapple, fresh raspberries


Time:   over 5 hours


recipe for sausage and refried beans breakfast burritos

Sausage and Refried Beans Breakfast Burritos

Made with chunky salsa, green bell pepper, tomato, breakfast sausage, refried beans, butter or margarine, eggs, burrito-size flour tortillas, mild cheddar...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for slow cooker beef chilaquiles

Slow Cooker Beef Chilaquiles

Made with ground beef, onion, corn tortillas, garlic, tomato and green chilies, cheddar cheese, cumin, black pepper

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

recipe for slow cooker mexican meat loaf

Slow Cooker Mexican Meat Loaf

Made with taco sauce or salsa, ground beef, egg, taco sauce, corn chips, Mexican cheese, taco seasoning mix, salt

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours


recipe for shrimp enchiladas

Shrimp Enchiladas

Made with garlic, oregano, salt, white pepper, red pepper, heavy cream, chicken broth, Monterey jack cheese, sour cream

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for slow cooker mexican flank steak

Slow Cooker Mexican Flank Steak

Made with fresh cilantro, flank steak, tomatillos, baby corn, red onion, garlic, black pepper, salt, dried oregano, diced tomatoes

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for tacos de papa y chorizo

Tacos De Papa Y Chorizo

Made with sour cream, tomatillo sauce or taco sauce, salt, tortillas, oil, chorizo links, potatoes, jalapeno or chipotle chili

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for zesty burrito-style bratwurst

Zesty Burrito-Style Bratwurst

Made with salsa, red onion, sour cream, chipotle and onion seasoning, cilantro, bratwurst, green pepper, red pepper, tomato, green onions

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for easy tamale pie

Easy Tamale Pie

Made with vegetable oil, onion, ground beef, diced tomatoes, cream-style corn, milk, cornmeal, salt, chili powder, ripe olives

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for chicken and bacon fajitas

Chicken And Bacon Fajitas

Made with flour tortillas, cilantro, boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, salt, peppered bacon, onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for copycat el chico salsa verde

Copycat El Chico Salsa Verde

Made with roux, pumpkin seeds, green chiles, fresh parsley, chicken stock, oil, salt and pepper

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for guatemalan corn soup

Guatemalan Corn Soup

Made with milk, sweet corn, onion, flour, margarine

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for tostada casserole

Tostada Casserole

Made with cheddar cheese, corn chips, ground beef, taco seasoning, refried beans, tomato sauce

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for mexican caramel candy (cajeta de celaya)

Mexican Caramel Candy (Cajeta de Celaya)

Made with cinnamon, cornstarch, baking soda, milk, goat milk, sugar

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for chorizo and shrimp tacos

Chorizo And Shrimp Tacos

Made with salt, chipotle peppers in adobo, sour cream, chorizo sausage, olive oil, shrimp, garlic, black pepper, taco shells or corn tortillas, pepper Jack cheese

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for california tamale pie

California Tamale Pie

Made with ground beef, yellow corn meal, milk, ripe olives, Cheddar cheese, egg, chili seasoning mix, seasoned salt, tomatoes, whole kernel corn

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


recipe for slow cooker pulled pork fajitas

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Fajitas

Made with pork boneless loin roast, onion, barbecue sauce, chunky salsa, chili powder, cumin, frozen stir fry bell peppers and onions, salt, flour tortillas

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for chicken and beef tamale pie

Chicken and Beef Tamale Pie

Made with chicken broth, ground beef, onion, garlic, chili powder, tomatoes with their juice, jalapeno peppers, salt and freshly ground black pepper, pinto beans, cilantro

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for roasted lemon salsa

Roasted Lemon Salsa

Made with lemon juice, black pepper, lemons, olive oil, shallots or green onions, sugar, salt

Method:   oven
Time:   2-5 hours


recipe for spam fajitas

Spam Fajitas

Made with non-stick cooking spray, green bell pepper, onion, Spam Luncheon Meat, flour tortillas, salsa, Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese, lettuce, sour cream or yogurt

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes




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