CDKitchen, it's what's cooking online!
  • contact the CDKitchen helpdesk

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.



jump to the recipes


central america recipe finder

 
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 mini chimichangas

Mini Chimichangas

Made with garlic, red wine vinegar, water, chili powder, cumin, salt, chicken breast, parsley, flour tortillas, cheddar cheese

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for cabbage salsa

Cabbage Salsa

Made with olive oil, pickled jalapeno, cabbage, orange, lime, salt, sugar, tequila, plum tomato


Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for champurro (mexican cocoa)

Champurro (Mexican Cocoa)

Made with nutmeg, sugar, evaporated milk, water, flour, cocoa powder, salt

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for chicken chimichangas with sour cream sauce

Chicken Chimichangas With Sour Cream Sauce

Made with cumin, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, chopped green chilies, onion, garlic, butter, all-purpose flour

Method:   stovetop, deep fryer
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for tamale pie with cornbread crust (low-fat)

Tamale Pie With Cornbread Crust (Low-Fat)

Made with non-stick cooking spray, ground sirloin, tomato soup, mushroom, chili powder, salt and pepper, all-purpose flour, cornmeal, baking powder

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

get our recipe newsletters!
Get our daily recipe newsletter!

Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!


recipe for la concha beach club fajitas (chicken, beef or shrimp)

La Concha Beach Club Fajitas (Chicken, Beef or Shrimp)

Made with green bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, red bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, green chiles, olive oil, Mexican lime juice

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   2-5 hours

recipe for salsa de chile colorado

Salsa de Chile Colorado

Made with flour, salt, chiles, oil, garlic

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for mexican biscochito cookies

Mexican Biscochito Cookies

Made with ground cinnamon, orange juice, egg, all-purpose flour, anise seed, baking powder, salt, shortening or butter, sugar

Method:   oven
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for dessert enchiladas

Dessert Enchiladas

Made with water, apple or peach pie filling, flour tortillas, ground cinnamon, butter, sugar, brown sugar

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for authentic mexican salsa

Authentic Mexican Salsa

Made with diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro, green onions, serrano chiles, salt, pepper, garlic


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for slow cooker salsa

Slow Cooker Salsa

Made with salt, jalapeno peppers, plum tomatoes, garlic, onion, cilantro

Method:   crock pot
Time:   2-5 hours


recipe for bacon and egg fajitas

Bacon And Egg Fajitas

Made with Canadian bacon, flour tortillas, eggs, green onion, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper, butter

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for slow cooker mexicali rice

Slow Cooker Mexicali Rice

Made with cumin, lime juice, whole kernel corn, black beans, diced green chilies, onion, red bell pepper, converted white rice, water, frozen orange juice concentrate

Method:   crock pot
Time:   2-5 hours

recipe for brownie tacos

Brownie Tacos

Made with shredded coconut, flour tortillas, brownie mix, oil, water, eggs, powdered sugar, red hot candies, black jelly beans

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   1-2 hours


recipe for hot dog breakfast burrito

Hot Dog Breakfast Burrito

Made with tortilla, egg, butter, milk, hot dog, cheese

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for black bean and chicken burritos

Black Bean and Chicken Burritos

Made with onion, garlic, cooked chicken, salsa, water, black beans, lime juice, salt, fresh cilantro, flour tortillas

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for mixiotes

Mixiotes

Made with mixiotes, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, orange juice, garlic, dried marjoram, ancho chiles, guajillo chiles, water

Method:   stovetop
Time:   2-5 hours


recipe for slow cooker make-ahead fajitas

Slow Cooker Make-Ahead Fajitas

Made with flank steak, onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, fajita seasoning mix, garlic, flour tortillas

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for salsa negra

Salsa Negra

Made with salt, dried chipotle mora chilies, vegetable oil, garlic, water, oil

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for caramelized carnitas

Caramelized Carnitas

Made with green onion, water, garlic, pork shoulder, brown sugar, tequila, molasses, salt, black pepper

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for stuffed corn husks (tamal en hoja)

Stuffed Corn Husks (Tamal En Hoja)

Made with water, ground corn, pork, garlic, onion, green bell pepper, tomato sauce, dry wine, salt, black pepper

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for menudo (mexican tripe soup)

Menudo (Mexican Tripe Soup)

Made with bay leaf, black pepper, dried hot chilies, garlic, dried oregano, hominy, cumin, tomatoes, red bell pepper, green bell pepper

Method:   stovetop
Time:   2-5 hours

recipe for chicken and vegetable burritos

Chicken And Vegetable Burritos

Made with garlic, stewed tomatoes, zucchini, chicken broth, taco seasoning mix, salt, ground chicken, instant white rice, burrito-size flour tortillas, taco cheese mix

Method:   microwave
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for crab tortilla roll-ups

Crab Tortilla Roll-Ups

Made with salt and pepper, milk, flour, imitation crab legs, Monterey jack cheese, onion, dill weed, flour tortillas, butter

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

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

recipe for cactus tacos

Cactus Tacos

Made with salsa, queso fresco, nopalitos, olive oil, white onion, salt, black pepper, corn tortillas

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes


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 potato-chicken burritos with roasted tomato sauce

Potato-Chicken Burritos With Roasted Tomato Sauce

Made with water, dried oregano, garlic, salt and pepper, olive oil, onion, red potatoes, red bell pepper

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for slow cooker lime chicken tacos

Slow Cooker Lime Chicken Tacos

Made with boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, lime juice, chili powder, corn, salsa, flour tortillas, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and shredded lettuce

Method:   crock pot
Time:   over 5 hours


recipe for blt tacos with spicy cream salsa

BLT Tacos With Spicy Cream Salsa

Made with lettuce, jalapeno Jack cheese, bacon, green onions, jalapenos, tomato, corn, ranch dressing, cayenne pepper, flour tortillas


Time:   2-5 hours

recipe for cold crab and avocado tacos

Cold Crab And Avocado Tacos

Made with salsa, taco shells, garlic, crab meat, green onions, lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, avocado


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for capirotada (mexican bread pudding)

Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

Made with bolillo, stale white bakery bread, piloncillo, cinnamon sticks, dark brown sugar, whole cloves, onion, orange, canola or olive oil

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   1-2 hours


recipe for mexican garlic soup

Mexican Garlic Soup

Made with parsley, Asadero cheese, garlic, flour, butter, beef or chicken stock, salt and pepper, eggs

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for burrito supreme casserole

Burrito Supreme Casserole

Made with lettuce, lemon juice, flour tortillas, tomato juice, taco seasoning mix, vegetable oil, ground beef, refried beans, cheddar cheese, avocado

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

recipe for summer strawberry-peach salsa

Summer Strawberry-Peach Salsa

Made with green bell pepper, onion, raisins, parsley, wine vinegar, olive oil, sugar, dry mustard, salt, thyme


Time:   over 2 hours


recipe for jalapeno cabbage salsa

Jalapeno Cabbage Salsa

Made with salt, jalapeno peppers, cabbage, tomato


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for baked bean tacos

Baked Bean Tacos

Made with taco toppings, vegetarian baked beans, taco seasoning mix, taco shells

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for mexican chicken & bean casserole

Mexican Chicken & Bean Casserole

Made with cooked rice, salt and pepper, Monterey jack cheese or cheddar cheese, cooked chicken, pinto beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, onion, picante sauce

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   1-2 hours


recipe for basic refried beans from scratch

Basic Refried Beans From Scratch

Made with bacon drippings or lard, yellow onions, jalapeno, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, cayenne pepper, oregano, queso blanco cheese

Method:   stovetop
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for cooked salsa

Cooked Salsa

Made with salt, ground cumin, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, bell peppers, dried oregano, white vinegar, jalapenos, tomatoes

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

recipe for 30 minute chicken taco bake

30 Minute Chicken Taco Bake

Made with Cheddar cheese, boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, taco dinner, oil, sour cream

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for leftover chicken quesadillas

Leftover Chicken Quesadillas

Made with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, beans, tortillas, rice, chicken, vegetables, onion or scallions, fresh cilantro

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for beef fajitas with pico de gallo

Beef Fajitas With Pico De Gallo

Made with fajita seasoning, flank steaks, flour tortillas, cheddar cheese, lime wedges, fresh cilantro sprigs, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, avocado

Method:   outdoor grill
Time:   over 5 hours

recipe for carne gisada con papas (meat and potatoes)

Carne Gisada Con Papas (meat And Potatoes)

Made with garlic, cumin, round steak, potatoes, tomato sauce, salt, black pepper

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes


recipe for avocado-tequila salsa

Avocado-Tequila Salsa

Made with salt, avocados, plum tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, tequila


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for super bowl salsa

Super Bowl Salsa

Made with dried cilantro, tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, green onions, garlic, dried red chili peppers


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for baked spicy beef chimichangas

Baked Spicy Beef Chimichangas

Made with flour tortillas, picante sauce, green chiles, ground beef, onion, garlic, Mexican four cheese, refried beans

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for apple avocado salsa

Apple Avocado Salsa

Made with black pepper, salt, lime zest, jalapeno pepper, Granny Smith apple, avocado, lime juice, red bell pepper, red onion, fresh cilantro


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for cafe pasqual's salsa fresca

Cafe Pasqual's Salsa Fresca

Made with ground cumin, Italian plum tomatoes, white onion, Serrano or jalapeno chili pepper, fresh cilantro, salt


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for apple habanero salsa

Apple Habanero Salsa

Made with lime, fresh cilantro, apples, habanero peppers, red onion


Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for avocado and mint salsa

Avocado And Mint Salsa

Made with onion, avocado, lemon, mint, sea salt


Time:   under 30 minutes

recipe for tejano pork tamale pie

Tejano Pork Tamale Pie

Made with salt, cayenne pepper, chili powder, pork roast, garlic powder, cornmeal, milk, whole kernel corn, diced tomatoes, eggs

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   2-5 hours

recipe for smoked turkey tacos with salsa

Smoked Turkey Tacos With Salsa

Made with water, tomato, corn, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, turkey, garlic

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes


recipe for grilled scallop tacos with black bean salsa

Grilled Scallop Tacos With Black Bean Salsa

Made with red cabbage, lime juice, orange juice, kosher salt, tomatoes, canned black beans, red onion, cilantro, jalapeno

Method:   outdoor grill
Time:   2-5 hours




About CDKitchen

Online since 1995, CDKitchen has grown into a large collection of delicious recipes created by home cooks and professional chefs from around the world. We are all about tasty treats, good eats, and fun food. Join our community of 200K+ members - browse for a recipe, submit your own, add a review, or upload a recipe photo.