8 Mexican-inspired recipes to bring the heat

Cinco de Mayo, celebrated every May 5th, commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France in 1862. Also known as Battle of Puebla Day, it’s celebrated broadly throughout North American in Mexican communities.

Our favourite way to celebrate? With rich, flavourful dishes inspired by Mexican cuisine, of course! We’ve rounded up some of our favourite Mexican-inspired recipes that are perfect for Cinco de Mayo, or any day of the year.

1. Spicy Mexican-Style Black Bean Stew with Lime Crema

Packed with smoky, spicy goodness, this vegetarian stew is sure to have your mouth-watering from the enchilada spicy blend. Black beans create a filling balance with the crushed tomatoes and are high in vitamin C, folate, and fibre.

Scoop up every last spoonful with spiced tortilla chips for a delicious crunch!

Get the recipe here: Spicy Mexican-Style Black Bean Stew with Lime Crema and Spiced Tortilla Chips

2. Chorizo Tacos with Feta and Pickled Jalapeños

Nothing compares with a serving of smoky chorizo – unless it’s chorizo with the salty smoothness of feta!

Perfect for a quick meal, these tacos take less than 30 minutes to prepare – but way less time to devour. Paired with a delightful spring salad, the spiciness of the chorizo is perfectly cut with some lightly crumbled feta.

Get the recipe here: Chorizo Tacos with Feta and Picked Jalapeños

3. Mexican-Spiced Shrimp Bowls with Jewelled Rice

The whole family will love digging into this filling and bountiful bowl. Sweet bell peppers cover a generous portion of Basmati rice, topped with savoury, saucy shrimp for a seafood mix you won’t soon forget.

Packed with aromatic spices and vibrant colours, you’ll be asking for seconds.

Get the recipe here: Mexican-Spiced Shrimp Bowls with Jewelled Rice and Red Sauce

4. Choriqueso Burgers with Spicy Crema

There’s nothing quite like a juicy burger – but this smoky and spicy chorizo version is really something else! Covered in melty mozzarella and encased in artisan buns, even the 20 minutes these burgers take to prepare will seem too long as you smell them on the grill or stovetop!

Paired with a lemony kale Caesar salad with just the right amount of tang, it’s, dare we say it, the perfect meal.

Get the recipe here: Choriqueso Burgers with Spicy Crema and Kale Caesar

5. Smart Mexican-Inspired Chicken Tender Salad

This one’s for the lime crema fans!

The zippy, tangy flavours of lime perfectly complement the chipotle heat from the chicken in this lower calorie and lower carbohydrate salad that’s a meal in itself. A Roma tomato adds the perfect neutral flavour to bring it all together.

Get the recipe here: Smart Mexican-Inspired Chicken Tender Salad with Lime Crema Dressing

5. Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

We can’t have a list of Mexican-inspired recipes without including enchiladas. This family-friendly recipe is easy to prepare and ready in just 30 minutes – perfect for the kids to lend a hand and build up an appetite.

Flour tortillas encase tender chicken and pan-friend green peppers, while melted cheese covers everything like an ooey, gooey blanket. Add a helping of sour cream, and enjoy!

Get the recipe here: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream

6. Mexican-Inspired Beef Tortilla Stacks with Fresh Salsa

We firmly believe you can never have too many quesadillas, but with this Mexican-inspired twist on a classic recipe, we’re confident you won’t run into that problem.

With grated carrots making a surprise appearance to add some veggies, we suggest getting your hands on one of these cheesy wedges before they all disappear.

Get the recipe here: Mexican-Inspired Beef Tortilla Stacks with Fresh Salsa and Lime Crema

7. Chicken Fajita Bowls with Spiced Rice

Fajitas are a class Mexican dish that are always a big hit with kids, and this variation certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Ready in just 25 minutes, spiced rice, Mexican-seasoned chicken thighs, rich salsa, and just a touch of cheese and lime crema make these the perfected deconstructed fajitas. Vibrant colours make this a showstopping meal the whole family will love digging into.

Get the recipe here: Chicken Fajita Bowls with Spiced Rice

8. Chorizo Nacho Platters

Crunchy tortilla chips, chunky avocado, chopped onions and jalapeños, mixed olives and salsa, plus piles and piles of gooey, melted cheese? Say no more!

Perfect for the kids to lend a hand and with a breezy clean-up, nachos are a fun and versatile meal for any day of the week, and great for letting everyone personalize them just the way they like.

Get the recipe here: Chorizo Nacho Platters with Salsa and Crema

Add a special treat to any of the meals above with our grilled pineapple recipe, or explore other international recipes to bring some flair to the dinner table.