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If you’re looking for Tex Mex Recipes with big bold flavors, I have you covered. These recipes feature bold chiles paired with bright lime and cilantro and plenty of melty cheese. And you may be surprised at how easy it is to make homemade chili gravy enchilada sauce! Or a classic homemade taco meat, perfect for crispy tacos, taco salads, and more!
What is Tex Mex?
Tex Mex food has been around for generations and is the food of the Tejano people, Mexicans who settled in Texas. The land of Texas has a history involving a lot of different cultures meeting together and blending to create their own unique food. A mash up of Native American, Mexican, and European all come together creating food with chiles, beef, cheese, flour, rice, and regional seasonings and spices.
If you’re new around here, Tex Mex is my absolute favorite food to cook and to eat. I have selected what I consider to be the essential recipes, the most popular and well known, recipes to share in this collection today. Of course, I do have plenty more recipes on the site. You can see all my Tex Mex Recipes here.
Essential Tex Mex Ingredients (From a North Texas Kitchen)
These are the core ingredients that I keep on hand in my kitchen:
- Spices & Dried Chiles: Chili powder (Gebhardt brand specifically), ground cumin, Mexican oregano, canned chipotles, and dried chiles like guajillo, ancho, and chile de arbol.
- Foundational Staples: Masa harina, all purpose flour, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, and avocado oil.
- Proteins: Beef (especially ground beef and chuck, although we do use the entire cow) chicken, and pork.
- Dairy & Fresh Ingredients: Monterey Jack, cheddar, sour cream or crema, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, bell peppers, limes, and avocados.
These are all pantry standards in a North Texas home kitchen and the foundation of traditional Tex-Mex cooking.
The Classics
Tex Mex Chili Gravy Enchilada Sauce
Tex Mex Chili Gravy Enchilada Sauce. This quick and easy recipe comes together in about 10 minutes. It's bold and flavorful and will give your enchiladas an authentic taste! If you don't have any enchilada sauce on hand or you're wanting to elevate your cooking this recipe is for you! And you will never go back to using the canned version again!
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Homemade Flour Tortillas
These easy homemade flour tortillas are so much better than store-bought. A combination of flour, salt, water, and the fat of your choice is all you need to make these soft, pliable tortillas. Perfect for serving with fajitas or your favorite taco fillings!
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Homemade Corn Tortillas
Soft and flexible, these homemade corn tortillas are quick and easy to put together. Only 4 ingredients needed. These tortillas are the perfect complement to your favorite tacos and enchiladas.
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Steak Fajitas
This classic Tex Mex meal is made with tender skirt steak, a flavorful homemade marinade made of pineapple and fresh lime juice, plus a colorful combination of bell peppers and white onions. Serve sizzling hot with homemade tortillas for a family friendly meal that cooks in less than 30 minutes.
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White Queso
This White Queso dip is smooth and mildly spicy, made with white American cheese and roasted jalapeños. Learn how easy it is to make a cheese dip just like your favorite Mexican restaurant!
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Sides & Sauces
Easy Homemade Salsa
Homemade restaurant style salsa! So easy to make and tastes just like it's from your favorite restaurant! Perfect for dipping chips into or spreading all over some tacos.
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Mexican Crema
A thick, tangy Mexican Crema that is perfect for drizzling on tacos, enchiladas, soups and more! Made with only 4 ingredients, this homemade version adds just the right creamy, richness to your favorite Mexican and Tex Mex dishes.
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Pickled Red Onions
Pickled red onions are the tangy, crunchy topping that can instantly brighten up tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a batch ready in no time, perfect for adding a zesty twist to any meal!
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Tableside Guacamole
This tableside guacamole recipe is simply the best. The use of fresh ingredients makes all the difference, and the best part is that it's so easy to make. It's a go-to recipe for any gathering or just a little treat for yourself.
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Mexican Rice
Learn how to make fluffy, authentic Mexican Rice (arroz rojo) better than the restaurants! This simple recipe only uses simple ingredients and an easy prep time. Serve it as a side dish for any of your favorite Tex Mex or Mexican meals!
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Perfect Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice. This tender, fluffy rice is flavored with fresh zesty lime juice and chopped cilantro. Perfect for serving alongside chicken, fish, or shrimp.
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Authentic Refried Beans
These Authentic Refried Beans are so simple, only a handful of ingredients are needed. These are the perfect side dish to any Mexican or Tex Mex meal.
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Charro Beans (Frijoles Charros)
Charro beans are a Tex Mex favorite. These pinto beans are tender and simmered in a flavorful bean broth seasoned with onion, garlic and bacon. Jalapeño adds just a touch of heat. These charro Beans are the perfect side dish for any meal!
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Texas Caviar Recipe
Texas Caviar. Fresh, zesty, and flavorful, this dish is loaded with black eyed peas, black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper and avocado all drizzled in a cilantro lime dressing. This easy to make recipe can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or salad!
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Weeknight Tex-Mex Favorites
Best Ground Beef Taco Recipe
The absolute BEST ground beef Tacos! An easy to make homemade taco seasoning and a secret ingredient that makes this the most flavorful and juiciest taco meat EVER! The perfect family weeknight meal that can be ready in less than 30 minutes!
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Tex Mex Cheese Enchiladas
Tex-Mex enchiladas with Chili Gravy are the definition of comfort food, Texas-style—cheesy, saucy, and packed with bold, nostalgic flavors. The homemade enchilada sauce, rich and savory with just the right kick, makes these enchiladas taste like they came straight from your favorite local spot.
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Sheet Pan Nachos
Easy Sheet Pan Nachos with ground beef are a fun and quick family dinner! Tortilla chips loaded up with juicy taco meat, refried beans, melty cheese and all your favorite toppings. This meal comes together in 30 minutes and is large enough to feed a crowd.
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Chicken Fajitas
Chicken Fajitas are a quick and easy weeknight meal the entire family will love. They are flavored with pineapple and lime juice and a blend of seasonings. Served sizzling hot with a colorful blend of grilled bell peppers and onions. Load into soft flour tortillas and top with some authentic guacmaole for a classic Tex Mex meal.
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Taco Salad
This easy classic Taco Salad features fresh, crisp lettuce with a taco seasoned ground beef and all the best taco toppings including cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and onion. Drizzle with a simple homemade dressing that only needs 2 ingredients!
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30 Minute Chicken Tacos
30 Minute Chicken Tacos! This is the EASIEST, most flavorful shredded chicken taco recipe! Perfect for a weeknight dinner, or busy day. Only 30 minutes is needed to cook up and shred the chicken.
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Breakfast Tacos
A breakfast staple in Texas restaurants these Breakfast Tacos are easily made at home! Tortillas layered with potatoes, crispy bacon, soft scrambled eggs and all the toppings! Filling and flavorful these tacos are the BEST way to start the day.
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Ground Beef Burrito Bowls
These easy Ground Beef Burrito Bowls are a quick, flavorful dinner made with seasoned beef, rice, beans, and all your favorite toppings. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, they’re customizable, budget-friendly, and family-approved!
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Texas Nachos (The ULTIMATE Nacho)
Tired of sad and lonely chips? Meet the Texas Nachos! Every single chip is loaded up with refried beans, cheese and jalapeno. Serve on a tray with your favorite dips. The perfect appetizer for your Tex Mex meals.
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Barbacoa (True Texas Style)
This slow cooker barbacoa is a true Texas taco shop classic—made simple by using beef chuck roast. It’s tender, juicy, and perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas for authentic barbacoa tacos at home.
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Carne Guisada
This hearty Carne Guisada features tender chunks of beef cooked until tender and served in a flavorful brown gravy. This Mexican beef stew recipe is effortless and made with simple ingredients. Serve it with rice, refried beans, and warmed tortillas, or use it as a taco filling!
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Carne Picada
Easy to make Carne Picada is tender, flavorful beef cooked with a combination of onion, jalapeño, and tomatoes with a bold Tex Mex seasoning blend. The perfect beef recipe for tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, nachos and more!
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Sweet Treats & Drinks
Sopapilla Cheesecake Recipe
Quick and easy, these Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are a fun dessert ready to feed a crowd! Layers of flaky dough, with a creamy, sweet cheesecake in between. All topped with a cinnamon sugar crust.
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Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas
This quick, simple and easy dessert recipe tastes like a churro but only needs a fraction of the time to make! This recipe can be made in under 10 minutes!
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Tres Leches Cake Recipe
This easy to make Homemade Tres Leches Cake is tender and drenched in a three milk mixture. Topped with fluffy whipped cream and fresh fruit, it can also be topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a truly authentic Mexican dessert treat!
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Fresas Con Crema (Strawberries and Cream)
Quick and easy Fresas Con Crema (Strawberries and Cream) recipe! Ripe, juicy strawberries in a cold, sweet cream sauce. Perfect easy no bake dessert recipe!
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Easy Mexican Fried Ice Cream
An easy to make Mexican Fried Ice Cream without any actual frying. Cold creamy ice cream coated with cinnamon sugar, and a crispy cinnamon breading. Top with chocolate and whipped cream for the ultimate dessert!
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Strawberry Horchata
Indulge in the perfect summer treat with this Strawberry Horchata. This creamy and refreshing drink blends the classic horchata flavors with the sweet and tangy taste of fresh strawberries.
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Agua Fresca Recipe (Basic Recipe for ANY fruit)
This easy Agua Fresca Recipe can be used to make a refreshing, non-alcoholic, fruit drink using any of your favorite fruits. Perfect for cooling down and relaxing on a hot summer day.
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