22 Copycat Mexican Restaurant Recipes (2024)

How to make your favorite easy Mexican food recipes inspired by your favorite restaurants

By: Adam Kaplan, Editor, AllFreeCopycatRecipes.com

From queso and guac to fajitas and churros, these 22 Copycat Mexican Restaurant Recipes are out of this world! There's nothing better than getting in a spicy mood with a little Mexican food. And there's so much more than just tacos to try, too.

Give one of these authentic Mexican restaurant recipes a try for dinner this week, and your whole family will be asking you to make it again and again! They're real crowd-pleasers. There's so much more to try besides Taco Bell and Chipotle.

Of course, we've included some of those Tex-Mex and fast-casual style recipes as well. Whatever food mood you're in, keep scrolling and you'll find what you're looking for!

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Watch and Learn: Chipotle is famous for its guacamole. Watch the video below to learn how to make it at home!

Table of Contents

  • Copycat Mexican Restaurant Appetizers
  • Fast Food Mexican Copycat Recipes
  • Mexican Restaurant Main Dishes
  • Mexican Restaurant Dessert Recipes

Copycat Mexican Restaurant Appetizers

It would not be a Mexican meal without guacamole or salsa! The appetizers and starters really set the tone for the rest of the meal. And how could you turn down any of these amazing, zesty dishes?!

Chili's Salsa Recipe Copycat

Everybody can agree that a goodsalsa recipecan make for the perfect appetizer!

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Chipotle Guacamole Copycat

It is surprisingly simple to make guacamole yourself, so try it next time you see avocados for sale at your local grocery store

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Authentic Easy Mexican Rice

Perfectly flavored, this Mexican-style rice is the light side dish that you have been craving.

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The Pioneer Woman's Restaurant Salsa Copycat

Fiesta-Inspired Seven Layer Bean Dip

You will love this seven layer dip recipe so much that you will want to make it again and again.

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Chorizo Cornbread Balls with Chipotle Cream Sauce

Recipes with chorizo are great for adding a little spice to your life. What makes this recipe truly special, however, is the tasty chipotle sauce.

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Qdoba Copycat Queso

This copycat queso is the ultimate cheese for all your chip dipping needs.

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Fast Food Mexican Copycat Recipes

From Taco Bell to Chipotle, some of the fastest, most convenient ways to enjoy your favorite Mexican dishes are with fast food and casual dining. These recipes are the best of the best when it comes to copycat Mexican fast food recipes.

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Copycat

Next time you're tempted to make a Taco Bell run, try making it in your own kitchen instead.

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Chipotle Burrito Bowls

The combination of chicken, corn salsa, guacamole, lettuce, and sour cream is just sensational.

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Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme

Inspired by one of our very favorite Taco Bell drive thru classics!

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Chick-fil-A Copycat Chicken Tortilla Soup

The fresh taste of this homemade soup recipe will leave you wondering why you ever spent big bucks on a lesser version.

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Mexican Restaurant Main Dishes

These recipes are the stars of the show. Whether you're in the mood for something hot and spicy or a dish that's full of subtle, complex flavors, there's a recipe here for you. One bite, and we know you'll be coming back for seconds!

Copycat Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken Taco Recipe

Recipes with shredded chicken are packed with extra flavor, and this delicious taco is no exception.

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Copycat Chili's Chicken Enchilada Soup

If they ever take it off the menu, you won't have to worry. This copycat recipe can be made any time you want!

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Applebee's Chicken Quesadillas Grande Knockoff

The Applebee's recipe is loaded with gooey cheese, juicy chicken, a Mexican-style salsa, and it even has bacon.

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Homemade Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Enchiladas

Make the perfect enchilada that tastes like it came from your favorite Mexican restaurant.

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Homemade Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad

This delicious Copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad is just like the restaurant favorite!

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Restaurant-Style Albondigas Soup

Perfect for those cold days when you feel like a nice and toasty warm soup recipe to lift your spirits.

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Qdoba Steak Marinade Copycat Recipe

If you’re craving something with a uniquely delicious burst of flavor for dinner tonight, give this copycat a try!

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Mexican Restaurant Dessert Recipes

As good as all of these copycat recipes are, it's hard to be satisfied after a meal without a dessert course! Top your favorite Mexican meals off with one of these delicious Mexican restaurant style dessert recipes, and we know you'll be craving more.

Copycat Churro Bites

Justlike your favorite Mexican-inspired dessert, only snack size.

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Copycat Taco Bell Caramel Apple Empanada

Once you take a bite of one of your freshly baked dessert empanadas, you will be hooked.

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Homemade Churros

This sugary sweet treat is an easy dessert recipe you can make with the kids.

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Up Next:

34 Copycat Food Court Favorite Recipes
Did we miss anything? Tell us your go-to homemade Mexican recipe below!

22 Copycat Mexican Restaurant Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 ingredients that feature in many Mexican dishes? ›

Ingredients Used in Mexican Cuisine
  • Chile Peppers. One of the first things that may come to mind when you think of Mexican food are chiles, which makes sense considering chiles are indigenous to Mexico and have been part of the cuisine for thousands of years. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Fats. ...
  • Tomatoes. ...
  • Cheese.
Jan 18, 2023

What are 5 popular Mexican dishes? ›

filters
  • 1 Nachos81%
  • 2 Burritos80%
  • 3 Fajitas79%
  • 4 Salsa79%
  • 5 Quesadilla79%
  • 6 Guacamole68%
  • 7 Chili con Carne66%
  • 8 Chimichangas65%

What oil is used in Mexican food? ›

In Mexico, traditional food is commonly made with “manteca” or lard. It comes in tubs and is made from pork. For home cooking, by far the most commonly used oil for cooking is vegetable oil. Corn, canola and soy are the most common.

What are 3 staples of Mexican cuisine? ›

But, keeping in mind the country's unique culinary traditions, it's fair to say that Mexican cuisine depends on three core staples: corn, beans, and chiles.

What are the 8 most commonly used ingredients in Mexican cuisine? ›

10 Essential Ingredients in Mexican Cooking
  • Chilli Peppers. Chillies are indigenous to Mexico and have been an important part of the food for thousands of years. ...
  • Corn. Corn is the main source of grain in Mexican cuisine. ...
  • Tortillas. No Mexican pantry is complete without tortillas. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Limes. ...
  • Herbs. ...
  • Tomatoes.

What are 3 of the most common ingredients in most Mexican dishes? ›

The Most Important Ingredients for Mexican Cuisine
  • Corn (maize) Popol Vuh, which is the sacred book of the Mayas, says that men were made of corn. ...
  • Chili. In Mexican cuisine, the use of chili is a must. ...
  • Cocoa.
Mar 16, 2024

What is the most eaten dish in Mexico? ›

Guacamole is undoubtedly one of Mexico's most popular dishes, but few people know that this traditional sauce dates back to the time of the Aztecs.

What is the most ordered food at Mexican restaurants? ›

Highlights: Most Popular Mexican Dishes Statistics

Tacos are the top Mexican dish that 76% of Americans love, according to YouGov. Chicken fajitas is the second most popular Mexican dish in America, enjoyed by 58% of the population. Cornwall in the UK has seen a 500% increase in burrito consumption since 2018.

What seasoning do Mexicans use? ›

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

What ingredients do Mexican restaurants use? ›

Cumin, cayenne, and black pepper are popular seasonings used to give Mexican food its familiar zesty taste. In Tex-Mex cuisine, spices and herbs are used with great care to create the bold, distinctive flavors that make this style of cooking so unique.

What vegetables are used in Mexican food? ›

Some of the most popular vegetables in Mexico are tomatoes, onions, and peppers since they're used to make salsas. Other traditional Mexican vegetables include garlic, squash, cabbage, nopales, and more.

Do Mexicans use vinegar? ›

In addition to regional cuisine variations, there are also many unique spice blends that are specific to different parts of Mexico. For example, the Yucatan region is known for its use of achiote paste, a blend of annatto seeds, spices, and vinegar that is used to add both flavor and color to dishes.

How do you make Mexican food more flavorful? ›

Boost Flavor with Dry Roasting

Many Mexican recipes include a step that involves roasting tomatoes, chiles, tomatillos, onions, cloves of garlic, or other ingredients on a comal or in a skillet over low to medium heat. This is called dry roasting because it does not involve oil or any other fat.

What are the main ingredients in Mexican dishes? ›

The most popular Mexican ingredients are beans, rice, avocado and limes. They're utilized in nearly every dish, from hearty enchilada casseroles to creamy drinks like horchata.

What are the main ingredients in Mexican cuisine? ›

Mexican cuisine
  • Mexican cuisine consists of the cooking cuisines and traditions of the modern country of Mexico. ...
  • Today's food staples native to the land include corn (maize), turkey, beans, squash, amaranth, chia, avocados, tomatoes, tomatillos, cacao, vanilla, agave, spirulina, sweet potato, cactus, and chili pepper.

What are 4 Mexican spices? ›

What Are the Most Common Spices Used in Mexican Food?
  • Garlic. Garlic is a popular spice in Mexico, present in various dishes. ...
  • Cumin. Cumin's origin is in the Mediterranean, but the seed found its way into Mexican cuisine. ...
  • Ground Chile. Ground chiles are ubiquitous in Mexican recipes and pack the proper heat. ...
  • Oregano.
Jan 18, 2022

What are the 4 meals in Mexico? ›

It's Not Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Mexico
  • When Do We Eat? Mexican mealtimes don't correspond exactly to American mealtimes. ...
  • Desayuno. Desayuno is more like a light snack to start your day, than a full meal. ...
  • El Almuerzo. This is more like an American brunch or big breakfast. ...
  • Comida. ...
  • Cena. ...
  • Snacks. ...
  • Beverages.
Jun 13, 2022

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