50 Healthy Mexican-Inspired Recipes To Keep Those Gym Gains (2024)

50 Healthy Mexican-Inspired Recipes To Keep Those Gym Gains (1)

Trying to eat a little healthier? It doesn’t have to mean giving up on your favorite foods. For us, that’s Mexican cuisine—we just can’t get enough of its wide variety of flavors, textures, and colorful dishes. Relatable? These 50 healthy Mexican recipes are proof you can have it all, whether you’re cutting carbs, going vegan, or just trying to add more veggies to your diet. Paired with all the classic Mexican sides and drinks, they might just have you feeling like you're oceanside in Tulum. 😎

We know health looks different to different people, so we’ve included options for every diet, like keto, vegan, pollo- or pescatarian, gluten-free, and even low oil. Craving Mexican classics like tacos or burritos, but trying to ditch the carbs? Try our cabbage burritos, our zucchini enchiladas, or our taco tomatoes. Looking to cut out your red meat consumption? Our Mexican chicken recipes have your back—some standouts here include our grilled chicken street tacos, our , or our copycat Chipotle chicken burrito bowl. Want something plant-based? Try our chipotle vegan queso, our vegan crunchwraps, or our vegan chipotle lentil tacos. Want one of Mexico’s super crunchy dishes, but aren’t stoked on the deep frying? Your air fryer to the rescue! Our air fryer chimichangas or or our air fryer chicken taquitos are proof you can get all the crispy texture you crave, without all that oil.

Want some drinks to go with your healthy and light Mexican feast? Try some of our favorite summer co*cktails, our fave non-alcoholic beverages, and our best sangrias. We also have a host of Mexican desserts to round out your meal, because at Delish, we believe desserts = balance.

1

Cabbage Enchiladas

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Skeptical about cabbage? You might be surprised how well it melds with the other flavors. We're fans!

Get the Cabbage Enchiladas recipe.

2

Grilled Shrimp Tacos With Sriracha Slaw

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There are no extraneous ingredients here—once you grab shrimp, you've probably got almost everything to make these already! We left the tails on the shrimp for grilling, but feel free to take them off.

Get the Grilled Shrimp Tacos With Sriracha Slaw recipe.

3

Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole

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There are few things zucchini can't do—from grilled zucchini to zucchini soup and zucchini lattice lasagna, you can use it in so many different ways. Here, the summer squash is standing in for corn tortillas in this lightened-up, enchilada-inspired casserole. Yum!

Get the Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole recipe.

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4

Bean & Cheese Taquitos

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These crispy, cheesy Mexican taquitos are quick and easy to make—even if you don’t want to bust out the big bottle of oil. Instead, brush them with just a little oil, then bake them at 450° for around 15 minutes.

Get the .

5

Burrito Zucchini Boats

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You won't miss the tortilla in these stuffed zucchinis. They've got everything you love about your favorite burritoblack beans, corn, CHEESE—minus the carbs!

Get the Zucchini Burrito Boats recipe.

6

Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

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While we’re all about switching things up, when we want a tried-and-true perfect meal, we always go back to Chipotle's chicken burrito bowl. It’s classic, reliable, and, best of all, completely customizable depending on our mood. We’ve included recipes here for all our favorite burrito bowl toppings, but feel free to swap them in and out for yours!

Get the Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl recipe.

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7

Taco Tomatoes

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We're all for a genius low-carb hack—and these tomatoes totally deliver. We had never thought to stuff them with taco meat, cheese, and sour cream, but we'll do anything in the name of ditching a tortilla for a low-carb meal. You can change up the fillings for cheeseburger tomatoes, too.

Get the Taco Tomatoes recipe.

8

Skinny Margaritas

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Margaritas are pretty slimmed down (or “skinny”) already, ingredients-wise, so all we’re doing here is removing some of the refined sugar and replacing it with more natural ingredients. This means not only are these “skinny margs” lower in calories, they’ve also got slightly less alcohol (meaning you can enjoy more of them 😉). Win win!

Get the Skinny Margaritas recipe.

9

Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos

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Extra crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, these tacos are so much fun to make and eat. Putting cheese directly in your skillet might sound wrong, but it works! Once off heat, the cheese starts to harden and crisps up, giving the texture of a crunchy taco shell, but low-carb and extra delicious.

Get the Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos recipe.

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10

Turkey Taco Lettuce Cups

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We’re always on the lookout for yummy ground turkey recipes, and this one is one of our faves. These lettuce wraps come together fast (just 20 minutes!), are super flavorful, and can be customized how you like it. Top them with your favorite taco toppings, really anything goes!

Get the Turkey Taco Lettuce Cups recipe.

11

Baked Yuca Fries

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Are you a sweet potato fry fan? You’re going to LOVE these. These sweet and nutty cassava fries admittedly do take a bit of preparation, but once you’ve peeled, chopped, and boiled them, you can turn them into extremely crispy fries that’ll rival any French fry.

Get the Baked Yuca Fries recipe.

12

Vegan Crunchwraps

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We updated our fave crunchwrap supreme to be totally vegan and completely irresistible. Creamy vegan queso dip and meaty lentils make a satisfying filling while a quick trip in a hot skillet adds crunch to every bite.

Get the Vegan Crunchwraps recipe.

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13

Vegetarian Enchiladas

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Some people think vegetarian food can't be filling—these prove they're wrong! Stuffed with a hearty combination of corn, beans, and zucchini, and topped with two types of cheese, they are the definition of a healthy and hearty meal.

Get the Vegetarian Enchiladas recipe.

14

Taco Salad

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When it comes to healthy salads, none are more hearty than a taco salad. Load it up with veggies, cheese, and ground beef for the perfect satisfying meal. We love this classic version, but if you want to get fancy, feel free to swap in and out your fave toppings.

Get the Taco Salad recipe.

15

Grilled Chicken Street Tacos

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Nothing beats a street taco—super-juicy, tender grilled meat in a quick grab-and-go format, typically made possible by doubling up two smaller corn tortillas. This makes them easier to eat on the side of the street, in the car, anywhere! They're no frills yet tend to be some of the most craveable tacos around.

Get the Grilled Chicken Street Tacos recipe.

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16

Avocado Salsa

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Creamy, just-ripe avocados are tossed with chopped tomatoes, jalapeño, red onion, sweet corn, and tons of chopped fresh cilantro to create this refreshing hybrid dip. Now you’ll never have to decide between salsa and guac ever again!

Get the Avocado Salsa recipe.

17

5-Ingredient Black Bean Tostadas

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You can always add on additional toppings like corn salsa, avocado ranch, or endless crunchy veggies like radishes or pickled red onions, but here we keep things simple. With ingredients you're likely to have on hand, these tostadas make for a last minute, easy meal you'll have on repeat.

Get the 5-Ingredient Black Bean Tostadas recipe.

18

Burrito Zoodles

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Everything you love about a burrito, minus the tortilla. This low-carb dinner screams summer, with zucchini noodles, fresh cherry tomatoes, and sweet corn.

Get the Burrito Zoodles recipe.

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19

Chipotle Vegan Queso

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The infinitely versatile cashew does it again with this "cheesy" Tex-Mex dip that's hard to distinguish from the original. Make it yours: Swap the chipotle with your favorite salsa, a can of Ro-tel, or harissa for a slightly different flavor profile.

Get the Chipotle Vegan Queso recipe.

20

Vegan Chipotle Lentil Tacos

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These vegan tacos are loaded with bright flavors and a variety of textures—just like any good taco should be! Serve them up with some skinny margaritas and homemade guacamole for the full Taco Tuesday experience.

Get the Vegan Chipotle Lentil Tacos recipe.

50 Healthy Mexican-Inspired Recipes To Keep Those Gym Gains (2024)

FAQs

What Mexican dishes are high in protein? ›

Good Source of Protein

Incorporate Mexican meals, such as enchiladas and tacos which contain meat (e.g., pork, fish, beef, chicken, and shrimp) to increase your protein intake.

What is the healthiest thing to eat at Mexican? ›

We serve it with three flour tortillas, rice, refried beans, and salad with lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, and tomatoes. The experts say the healthiest Mexican menu options include grilled chicken dishes, which we offer in our tacos, burritos, enchiladas, grilled chimi, la tapatia, Pollo Jalisco, and more.

What Mexican food is anti inflammatory? ›

Spices: Mexican food features a variety of spices and flavors that can provide anti-inflammatory benefits. This includes spicy chiles, as well as oregano, cumin, and garlic, among others (5,6,7,8).

What Mexican food can I eat to lose weight? ›

Forget fried foods

Some popular foods to avoid are nachos, chimichangas, chalupas, taquitos and chile relleno and other dishes that are also deep-fried. Better choices are chicken fajitas, grilled chicken with peppers and onions or a soft taco. AMA offers a recipe for chipotle chicken bowls with cilantro-lime quinoa.

What Mexican food after workout? ›

Whether you choose a black bean or chicken burrito, the combination of tortilla with protein and the carbs from rice are great fuel for achy muscles. Skip the sour cream and opt for guacamole for the antioxidants and healthy fats in avocado, and pile on the tomato or corn salsa for even more antioxidants.

Is Mexican food good for muscle? ›

Protein is essential because it boosts energy and keeps your muscles and tissues healthy. Thankfully, most Mexican dishes include meat (whether it's chicken, beef, fish, or pork), making them a great source of protein. This does not imply, however, that all the meat in Mexican cuisine is high in protein.

What is the unhealthiest Mexican food? ›

What Is the Unhealthiest Dish You Can Order at a Mexican Restaurant? The unhealthiest dish you can order at a Mexican restaurant is… the chimichangas. A chimichanga is essentially a deep-fried burrito. It is a Tex-Mex dish made with a large tortilla stuffed with multiple servings of rice, beans, cheese and meat.

What Mexican food is good for your stomach? ›

Yes, Mexican food can benefit your digestive health for several reasons. It is rich in fiber: Many Mexican dishes are high in fiber, which is important for gut health. Fiber helps to keep the digestive system regular and can also help to reduce inflammation.

Is homemade Mexican food healthy? ›

Healthy eating doesn't have to be boring, and you don't have to give up your favorite foods to make progress on your health goals. A great thing about Mexican cooking is that it already includes many fresh vegetables, herbs, spices and lean proteins, says Beci Falkenberg, a chef at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont.

What is the #1 most inflammatory food? ›

Inflammatory Foods
  • Red meat, such as steak and hamburgers.
  • Processed meat, such as bologna, bacon, sausage and lunchmeat.
  • Commercial baked goods such as snack cakes, pies, cookies and brownies.
  • Bread and pasta made with white flour.
  • Deep fried items such as French fries, fried chicken and donuts.

What is the number one food that kills inflammation? ›

1. Avocados. Avocados are often sought after for their creamy texture and satiating taste. But they are also powerhouses when it comes to fighting inflammation.

Which 5 foods are notorious for causing inflammation? ›

What foods cause inflammation?
  • Red meat and processed meats, including bacon, hot dogs, lunch meats and cured meats.
  • Refined grains, including white bread, white rice, pasta and breakfast cereals.
  • Snack foods, including chips, cookies, crackers and pastries.
  • Sodas and other sweetened drinks.
  • Fried foods.
Jun 29, 2022

What are the 5 super foods for weight loss? ›

The following are the top five superfoods supported by science for weight loss:
  • Green tea. Green tea is known to be extra powerful as it contains catechins – antioxidants that can hinder fat storage around the belly and aid quicker weight loss. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Legumes. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Potatoes.

What Mexican meal has the least calories? ›

Grilled proteins are typically some of the lowest-calorie foods you will get at a Mexican restaurant as long as they are paired with the side smart dishes. Choose grilled seafood, chicken, or steak with a side of black beans, grilled or sauteed vegetables.

Are tamales healthy? ›

Tamales are super nutritious and tasty; there's a reason they've been around for centuries! They have fiber, micronutrients, resistant starch, and protein that can promote health for many people. But tamales are so much more than just their nutrition facts.

What are Mexican protein choices? ›

To eat healthy in a Mexican diet, consider the following tips: Choose lean proteins like grilled chicken, fish, or beans. Opt for whole grains like corn or whole wheat tortillas. Load up on vegetables and use fresh salsas for added flavor.

What Mexican food is high protein low carb? ›

Grilled Meats

Try carne asada (steak grilled with Mexican spices) or chicken dishes, sometimes served with grilled veggies and salsas. Carb counts vary based on the dish, but most meat and poultry contain zero carbohydrates. However, be mindful of any sauces that might be added.

What are popular proteins in Mexico? ›

Chicken, pork, and beef are all major protein sources in Mexico.

References

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