Nothing compares to Mexican cuisine. The best recipes make more than meals, they make memories.
You can choose from countless restaurants to grab a great meal, but if you really want to immerse yourself in the culture of Mexican cuisine, grab your aprons and learn how to make your favorite dishes.
Mesa Grapevine has compiled the best recipes to satisfy your Mexican craving and expand your palate!
1. Fish Tacos
The best way to ensure that you're eating authentic Mexican food is to make it yourself, and what better dish to start with than fish tacos.
Fish tacos are a blend of everything that we love about Mexican cuisine; a burst of flavor in a tasty tortilla! Fish tacos are a cultural favorite due to its versatility and simplicity.
There are plenty of incredible recipes to choose from but the best recipes are the ones that stick to the basics.
One of our favorites is this recipe from the New York Times. It's simple, easy, and oh so delicious.
If you're feeling a little adventurous try beer-battering the fish for an extra jolt of flavor.
Ingredients
Whitefish (We recommend flounder, but you can choose your favorite hearty white fish)
All-purpose flour
Salt and pepper
Dark Mexican beer
Lemon juice and zest
Oil
Cabbage
Salsa (Homemade or store bought)
Corn tortillas
Of course, you're not tied to these ingredients! Don't be afraid to give your fish tacos your own twist!
2. Chicken Mole Enchiladas
If you're well-versed in Mexican cuisine, chances are you've had mole.
Mole is a full-flavored sauce with a complex taste. While many of these recipes are easy to follow, the best recipes are often the ones that challenge you.
Many chefs find that challenge in mole.
While it's not impossible to make, it is a time consuming, extensive process. Made most notably with dark chocolate, mole also includes several spices and even the best recipes incorporate up to ten chilies.
Don't let mole's difficult process deter you. Author and playwright Denise Chavez once said, "Let's get one thing straight: Mexican food takes a certain amount of time to cook. If you don't have the time, don't cook it. You can rush a Mexican meal, but you will pay in some way."
Once you conquer mole, everything else will come together easily. Enchiladas is a straightforward, comforting meal to make. The flavor of the enchiladas is heightened thanks to the mole, creating a unique take on a traditional dish.
This recipe will guide through the complexities of delicious Chicken Mole Enchiladas.
Ingredients
Bolillo
Ancho chiles
Red chile pods
Tomatillos
Chicken
Peanut butter
Mexican chocolates (Nestle-Abuelita is recommended)
Cocoa powder
Corn tortillas
Cheese
Olive oil
Chicken broth
Tomatoes
Onion
Garlic
We get it. Mole can be difficult to make. If you've just gotta have it, come and satisfy your craving with our tasty Chicken Mole!
3. Mexican Rice
Mexican rice, or arroz, is a staple in nearly every Mexican dish.
For centuries, rice has served as the foundation in Mexico's diet. In fact, Karen Hursh Graber likens the importance of rice to Mesoamerica's dependence on corn, known as the "gift of the gods".
Rice was introduced in Mexico by the Spaniards through the port of Veracruz in the 1520s. Veracruz provided an ideal climate to cultivate rice.
Since its introduction, rice has been incorporated into nearly every meal. In fact, the introduction of rice in Mexico is one of the earliest examples of fusion cooking!
Mexican rice is a mild, yet flavorful alternative to traditional white rice. With the addition of chicken broth, tomatoes, and onions, the rice is given more body, making it the perfect addition to any meal.
The best recipes include tomatoes, jalapeno, and garlic, but rice is another dish that you can feel free to be creative with.
One of our favorite recipes is this one from Genius Kitchen that perfectly blends traditional Mexican rice with an extra, tasty zing!
Ingredients
Tomatoes
Onion
Jalapeno
White rice
Chicken broth
Tomato paste
Oil
Garlic
Salt
Lime
Cilantro
There you have it! Mexican rice just the way abuela makes it!
4. Elote
Trust us, you've never had corn like this! Elote is Mexican grilled corn that is unique in its presentation and unforgettable in taste.
Elote is a classic Mexican street food that has made its way across the United States.
Served as corn on the cob, elote is a burst of flavor. The sweetness of the corn is complimented with the tangy zest of lime, chile, and cayenne powder and softened with butter and cotija cheese.
Served as a side-dish or a tasty treat of its own, elote is a welcome addition to any home. It's also the perfect choice for a barbecue!
There are dozens of recipes claiming to be the best but we found this delicious recipe is the perfect guide for your new grilled endeavor.
Ingredients
Corn (husked)
Chile powder
Cayenne powder
Cotija cheese
butter
Lime
Vegetable oil
If you decide to cook elote as a side dish, we recommend cutting the cob into smaller pieces.
Discover even more of the best recipes for side dishes that will pair well with elote and the entree of your choice!
5. Guacamole
Recently, avocado has become a phenomenon in its own right! Its super food qualities and versatility goes great with almost anything. Guacamole takes avocados and turns it into a tasty dip that's perfect for tacos, chips, and everything in between.
What we love most about guacamole is that while the ingredients traditionally stay the same, everyone has their own twist.
The best recipes always include avocados, lemon, salt, and tomato, but we recommend jalapeno for that extra kick.
Follow this traditional recipe to make guacamole that will go great with Taco Tuesday!
Ingredients
Hass avocados
Lemon
Garlic
Tomato
Jalapeno (Optional)
Onion
Salt
Blue corn tortilla chips
The biggest complaint about guacamole is how quickly it oxidizes and turns brown. You can make your guacamole last by keeping it covered with plastic wrap but some people have gone the extra mile. Before you cover with plastic wrap try adding extra lime juice and keeping the pit in with your dip. You can also sprinkle a little water on it before covering it.
Don't forget the tortilla chips either! Bon Appetit recently took the Best Chip Challenge into its own hands to find the best brand of chips for your guac!
6. Short Rib Tacos
Tacos are great, but add short ribs into the mix and you have a recipe for greatness!
Short rib tacos are a tasty cooking adventure that you will revel in. While it is a relatively easy meal to make, it takes some time if you really want to get it right.
The secret is how you cook the ribs. The best recipes are the ones that suggest cooking the ribs slowly like this one from Marcela Valladolid at the Food Network.
If you truly want to cook great tasting ribs, we recommend taking the time to cook them as long as possible. Cooking them even a couple days before can improve the flavor of the ribs.
Ingredients
Beef short ribs
Beef broth
Ancho chiles
Onion
Garlic
Brown sugar
Apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper
Vegetable oil
Corn tortillas
Mexican crema or sour cream
Cilantro
Short Rib Tacos pair great with the Mexican rice recipe listed above!? Buen provecho!
7. Mexican Lasagna
Mexican lasagna is a new culinary take on Italian lasagna. With a dash of taco sauce and extra spices, you will enjoy a tasty meal that's as filling as it is delicious.
Lasagna has a rich history that dates all the way back to Ancient Greece. An Italian favorite, many regions have adopted this traditional dish and adapted it to fit their own unique culinary style.
Mexican lasagna is more of a modern dish but that doesn't make it any less delicious. Replace marinara sauce and noodles with taco sauce and flour tortillas and you're on your way towards a reinvention of culinary proportions.
Have we mentioned that it's also pretty easy to make?!
Mexican lasagna's best recipes include nearly everything you would need to make delicious tacos and a few exciting ingredients.
Racheal Ray's recipe is a traditional take on a modern dish, highlighting all the key ingredients.
Ingredients
Chicken breast
Black beans
Corn kernels
Chili powder
Ground cumin
Taco sauce
Onion
Cheese
Scallions
Olive oil
Salt
Flour tortillas
You can always give this dish your own twist or flair by replacing chicken with the meat of your choice or adding extra zest with more spice!
8. Carne Asada
This is for the steak lovers! Carne Asada is a culinary delight that consists of marinated flank steak, spice, and so much flavor!
Many of the best recipes will agree that what truly makes a Carne Asada is the marinade. Keep in mind that the meat takes a while to marinate. This is not a meal you can make the day-of and expect a perfectly marinated flank steak.
Once you concoct a delicious marinade, you'll want to allow the meat to marinate for at least 24 hours.
Follow this authentic Carne Asada recipe for a beautifully cooked meal that tastes like it's from a five-star restaurant.
Ingredients
Flank steaks
Jalapeno
White vinegar
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Limes
Garlic
Cilantro
Orange juice
Carne Asada is all about the meat so we've included some helpful tips!
Cut against the grain.
Marinate in a plastic bag or covered bowl.
If you don't like cilantro leave it out. Do not replace with parsley!
If possible, cook on an outside grill.
Heat the grill to 500 degrees before grilling the steak.
Cooking time is dependent on the meat's thickness so use a meat thermometer.
We also believe there's power in culinary creativity! Perfect your marinade by trying something new every time you grill!
9. Tamales
When you think of Mexican culinary innovations, you should think of tamales. No, they're not considered an exotic delicacy, but the hard work and ingenuity that goes into tamales is not to be trifled with.
Often made around the holidays, tamales have become a dish that's usually made for special occasions. This is partly due to the considerable work it takes to make them.
Tamales don't require many ingredients, but it does require quite a bit of elbow grease.
This recipe is a very informative, step-by-step guide for first-timers. Tamales are a culinary endeavor but they are worth the hard work.
Ingredients
Tamale Dough
Masa
Lard
Beef broth
Corn husks
Sour cream
Baking powder
Salt
Making tamales is often a social event. Grab a buddy, make some mimosas, and make a day of it with your friends and family!
10. Mexican Wedding Cookies
No meal is complete without dessert!
While Mexican Wedding cookies are traditionally savored during the holidays or -- as their name suggests -- weddings, these delightful, nutty cookies can be enjoyed all year round.
Known for their buttery, sweet taste, Mexican Wedding cookies originated as an alternative to the wedding cake. Interestingly, many regions have cookies of a similar nature making them a tasty global treat.
The best part of Mexican Wedding cookies? They are incredibly easy to make. With only a few ingredients, you can follow this short recipe and make cookies your family will adore.
Ingredients
Powdered sugar
Butter
Vanilla
All-purpose flour
Pecans
Mexican Wedding cookies come in a variety of shapes but the best recipes have them rolled into compact balls or curved into crescents.
Best Recipes for Authentic Mexican Food in Grapevine, Texas
"Great taste isn't an accident...It's made possible by combining fresh ingredients in recipes that were perfected through time."
Perfecting a dish can take years of practice. If at first you don't succeed try, try, and try again! The best recipes are the ones that you perfect yourself!
While you practice your culinary prowess stop into Mesa Grapevine to taste our Mexican classics. Check out our dinner and drinks menu!
Have a big birthday or special event coming up? We'd love to have you enjoy our best recipes! Find out more about our group dining and catering service!