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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 fajita crepes

Fajita Crepes

Made with sirloin steak, green bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, fajita seasoning mix, water, lime juice, vegetable oil, non-stick cooking spray, crepes

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for chilaquiles verdes con carne

Chilaquiles Verdes Con Carne

Made with fresh cilantro, corn tortillas, vegetable oil, beef, salsa verde, crema mexicana or sour cream, queso asadero or Monterey Jack cheese

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for cajun fajitas

Cajun Fajitas

Made with oregano, dried marjoram, garlic powder, ground red pepper, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, black pepper, vegetable oil, chicken breasts, green bell pepper

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


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 alfalfa restaurant sour cream bean burritos

Alfalfa Restaurant Sour Cream Bean Burritos

Made with salt and pepper, crushed tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

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recipe for slow cooker asian tacos

Slow Cooker Asian Tacos

Made with flour tortillas, coleslaw mix or broccoli slaw mix, pork shoulder, teriyaki sauce, stir fry sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, 5-spice powder, garlic, cilantro

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for creamy slow cooker tacos

Creamy Slow Cooker Tacos

Made with corn chips, ground beef, tomatoes and green chiles, whipping cream, chili beans, process cheese

Method:   stovetop, crock pot
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for spicy chicken sausage tacos

Spicy Chicken Sausage Tacos

Picture this: you and your friends, with scrumptious spicy chicken sausage tacos, kicking off a fun night in.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for fresh tomato pineapple salsa

Fresh Tomato Pineapple Salsa

Made with garlic, lemon juice, tomatoes, pineapple, jalapeno peppers, green onions, fresh cilantro


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for pollo fundido

Pollo Fundido

Made with flour tortillas, green bell pepper, white onion, celery, tomatoes, water, boneless chicken, garlic, salt and pepper

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for crab enchiladas with chipotle cream sauce

Crab Enchiladas with Chipotle Cream Sauce

Made with crabmeat, fresh chives, black pepper, tortillas, dried chipotle chiles, shallot, garlic, butter

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for turkey enchilada casserole

Turkey Enchilada Casserole

Made with monterey jack cheese, turkey, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, onions, green chile, ripe olives, cumin, oregano, flour tortilla

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   1-2 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 tamales - carne de puerco cocido

Tamales - Carne de Puerco Cocido

Made with dried red chilies, sugar, garlic, beef stock, shortening, all-purpose flour, oregano, salt and pepper, corn husks

Method:   stovetop
Time:   over 5 hours


recipe for mushroom enchiladas

Mushroom Enchiladas

Made with sour cream, black olives, mushrooms, onion, butter, corn tortillas, enchilada sauce, Monterey jack cheese, green onions

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for joy philbin's turkey tacos

Joy Philbin's Turkey Tacos

Made with tomato, olive oil, ground turkey, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper, onion, tortillas, lettuce

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 sirloin fajitas

Sirloin Fajitas

Made with onion, mushrooms, oil, dry sherry, sirloin tips, Serrano or jalapeno peppers, cumin seed, ground coriander, cilantro, flour tortillas

Method:   oven, stovetop
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 filet carne asada with guacamole and refried beans

Filet Carne Asada With Guacamole and Refried Beans

Made with corn oil, corn tortilla, hass avocados, onion, tomato, cilantro, salt

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


recipe for salt lick's fajitas with grilled vegetables

Salt Lick's Fajitas With Grilled Vegetables

Made with salsa, olive oil, lime juice, tequila, garlic, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red onion, flour tortillas, taco cheese

Method:   outdoor grill
Time:   2-5 hours

recipe for shrimp and crab enchiladas in chipotle cream sauce

Shrimp And Crab Enchiladas In Chipotle Cream Sauce

Made with tomatoes, tomatillos, ancho chilies, garlic, onion, toasted cumin seed or cumin powder, chipotle peppers in adobo, corn oil, salt

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for mexican orange candy

Mexican Orange Candy

Made with butter, sugar, milk, pecans, oranges

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


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 salsa yucateca de habaneros

Salsa Yucateca De Habaneros

Made with radishes, habanero peppers, limes, purple onion, purple cabbage


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for black olive salsa

Black Olive Salsa

Mix it up with a flavorful black olive salsa. With ripe tomatoes, colorful bell peppers, and a spicy kick, this salsa is your new go-to dip.


Time:   1-2 hours


recipe for layered tortilla casserole

Layered Tortilla Casserole

Made with green onions, cheese, tortillas, refried beans, chicken breast strips or ground beef, salsa, frozen corn

Method:   oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

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 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 chilaquilas

Chilaquilas

Made with sour cream, Cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, Mexican salsa, green or red pepper, cooked beef or chicken, black olives, Monterey jack cheese

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for black eyed pea enchiladas

Black Eyed Pea Enchiladas

Made with Cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, black eyed peas, tomato sauce, hot sauce, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, green chilies

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for strawberry pineapple salsa

Strawberry Pineapple Salsa

Made with sugar, lemon juice, ginger, pinneapple, mango, strawberries


Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for enchiladas de puerco verde (pork in green sauce)

Enchiladas De Puerco Verde (Pork In Green Sauce)

Made with diced green chilies, Mexican crema or sour cream, cooked pork, Monterey Jack cheese, green onion, green chili enchilada sauce, corn tortillas

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for soft cheese tacos

Soft Cheese Tacos

Made with oil, corn tortillas, onion, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, diced tomatoes, processed cheese product, butter, cumin, cheddar cheese

Method:   crock pot, electric skillet/wok, oven
Time:   2-5 hours

recipe for turkey and potato tacos

Turkey And Potato Tacos

Made with Monterey Jack cheese, lettuce, ground turkey, onion, garlic, vegetable oil, russet potatoes, chili powder, salt, flour tortillas

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for shrimp tacos with spicy cream sauce

Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Cream Sauce

Made with garlic, sour cream, chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, ground cinnamon, water, shrimp, orange juice

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

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 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 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 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 raspberry salsa

Raspberry Salsa

Made with lime juice, sugar, fresh raspberries, sweet onion, jalapeno chili peppers, garlic, fresh cilantro


Time:   1-2 hours


recipe for mexican corn pie

Mexican Corn Pie

Made with baking powder, cornmeal, flour, cheddar cheese, butter, sugar, eggs, green chiles, cream-style corn, monterey jack cheese

Method:   oven
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for cranberry-mango salsa

Cranberry-Mango Salsa

Made with salt, jalapeno pepper, fresh cranberries, mango, red onion, fresh cilantro, honey


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for taco bell a.1. steak house wrap

Taco Bell A.1. Steak House Wrap

Made with flour tortillas, steak sauce, onion, garlic, hot pepper sauce, beef round steak, bell pepper strips

Method:   oven, outdoor grill
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for avocado and crab enchiladas

Avocado and Crab Enchiladas

Made with tortillas, onion, black olives, mushrooms, butter, crab meat, avocado, sour cream, lemon juice, tabasco sauce

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for cowboy salsa with avocado, black eyed peas, and corn

Cowboy Salsa With Avocado, Black Eyed Peas, and Corn

Made with tomatoes, red wine vinegar, hot sauce, salad oil, garlic, black pepper, avocado, black-eyed peas, corn, cilantro


Time:   under 30 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 slow cooker vegetarian enchilada casserole

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

Made with ripe olives, corn tortillas, garlic powder, tomatoes, salsa, tomato paste, black beans, corn, green chiles, cumin

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for breakfast fajitas

Breakfast Fajitas

Made with salsa, flour tortillas, cheddar cheese, Italian bulk sausage, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, onion, apple, oil, eggs

Method:   oven, 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 las manitas fajitas

Las Manitas Fajitas

Made with lime juice, fajita meat, onions, garlic, black pepper

Method:   outdoor grill
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for apple pear salsa

Apple Pear Salsa

Made with Serrano chilies, lime juice, pineapple juice, Anjou pears, Red Delicious apples, fresh mint


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for fresh corn enchiladas

Fresh Corn Enchiladas

Made with fresh cilantro, lime, corn, butter, onions, cumin seed, sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for crawfish enchiladas

Crawfish Enchiladas

Made with bell pepper, Rotel tomatoes with chilies, crawfish tails, chili powder, garlic, cayenne pepper, white pepper, heavy cream, chicken bouillon, blonde butter roux

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes




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