Unique Healthyish Mexican Recipes (2024)

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ByTamara23 April, 201916 November, 2023Updated16 November, 2023

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While it has only been a few months since my blog focus went from “healthy global” to “healthyish Latin,” this border girl has always had a passion for Mexican and Mexican-inspired food! There is no shortage of the typical (and delicious) standard Mexican fare in the blogosphere, so I thought it would be fun to bring you some of my more creative and unique Mexican recipes for Cinco de Mayo menu planning.

🍹 co*cktail Recipes

I have included co*cktails (obviously not healthy – LOL), but hey, it’s party time right? Of course the co*cktails are based on agave spirits – tequila and its lesser-known sister mezcal. Interested in more on agave spirits, see Beyond Tequila: Alternative Agave Spirits To Know…

Mexican-Inspired co*cktails

A good bottle of tequila and a few fresh ingredients are all you need to make these fabulous (and unique) co*cktails. They're sure to put you in a festive mood!

Blood Orange Mezcal Negroni

Mezcal, Campari, blood orange cordial, and fresh lime juice shaken with ice and strained into a smoked salt rimmed rocks glass! It's beautifully balanced, and oh-so-smooth!

Salsa Sunset: A Savory Margarita

Farm fresh red bell pepper and jalapeño juice muddled with fresh cilantro then added to añejo tequila, fresh squeezed lime, agave nectar, and sea salt in a fabulously fresh co*cktail with savory, sweet, heat, and acidity.If you haven't tried savory co*cktails, this one is a great place to start...

Tequila co*cktail with Blood Orange and Pomegranate

Silver reposado tequila, pomegranate liqueur (Pama), and pomegranate molasses get shaken or stirred, and the glass gets topped off with blood orange Italian soda in this easy and oh-so-delicious (not sweet) co*cktail recipe!

Tropical Margarita

A tropical margarita made with local, seasonal fresh tropical fruit and good 100% agave tequila is a perfect sipper on its own, or paired with spicy food! Try it with mango, guava, or dragon fruit for a real treat.

🍅 Salsa Recipes

My salsas are pretty unique, and I typically serve them with baked chips – if not in/with a dish. If you haven’t tried baking tortilla chips, it’s so easy. Spray corn tortillas (they can even be stale ones!) with cooking spray on both sides, and cut them into wedges. Sprinkle with sea salt. Bake them for about 10 minutes in a 375° until they begin to brown and crisp. That’s it!

Salsa Recipes

Latin-inspired healthy and healthyish salsa recipes!

Easy Mango Salsa

Chipotle Pepita Salsa

Roasted Tomatillo and Hatch Green Chile Salsa

Red Chile and Toasted Pumpkin Seed Salsa

Peruvian Salsa Criolla

Fresh Pico de Gallo Salsa

Fermented Peruvian Red Pepper Salsa

🌮 Main Dishes

My healthyish unique main dishes range from Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork to Mexican Arroz con Camarones to Mexican Grilled Chicken Hearts with Citrus Marinade. If tacos are your “thing,” you’ll find Lengua Tacos and Fried Oyster Tacos.

Healthyish and Unique Mains

Of course enchiladas, tacos, and tamales are AMAZING, but what if you want to do something more unique? I have a few great options here, and maybe one or two that will surprise you!

Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork

Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork requires a few minutes of prep, and 60 minutes under pressure... The flavors of Yucatan in this fragrant, tender pork are perfect for tacos, sopes, and over rice!

Salmon in Quick Green Mole Sauce

Salmon cooked in a creamy green sauce made with tomatillo salsa and sesame tahini and English peas. Serve with rice or cauliflower rice to sop up the delicious sauce!

Easy Ground Lamb Tacos Recipe

Mexican spices - cumin, ancho powder, cinnamon - and a hint of unsweetened cocoa combined with ground lamb (and garlic of course!) make a hearty, flavorful taco filling in just minutes!

Latin Braised Turkey Thighs

With its bold flavors and healthy ingredients, this turkey thigh recipe features a toasted pumpkin seed and red chile sauce that is both delicious and healthy...

Mexican Fish in Creamy Tomatillo Sauce

A flavorful, creamy, spicy tangy sauce to dress up fish (any way you like it)! We love this sauce on sea bass, barramundi, salmon, and tilapia. Try it on your favorite!

Mexican Arroz con Camarones

A fiesta in bowl,Mexican Arroz con Camarones combines Mexican flavors - cilantro, cumin, and garlic - with shrimp, rice, black beans, and veggies. Garnished with avocado, jalapeño, more cilantro, and lime wedges, it's quick, healthy, and flavorful... Ready in 30 minutes!

Low Carb Mexican Cauliflower Rice Bowls

A very customizable low carb Mexican-inspired dish loaded with healthy ingredients and zesty flavor! The cauliflower "rice" is first roasted for maximum flavor and texture... We like it with chicken chorizo, black beans, corn, and nopalitos!

Mexican Grilled Chicken Hearts With Citrus Marinade

A simple and delicious way to serve meaty, iron-rich chicken hearts... Chicken hearts soak in Mexican spices and orange, lime, and lemon juices, and spend only a few minutes on the grill!Skewers make a great appetizer, or serve with cilantro rice and a salad for a healthy main dish!

Fried Oyster Tacos With Citrus Salsa

Crunchy cornmeal breaded and fried oysters adorned with a bright and colorful citrus salsa, avocado slices, radishes, and shredded cabbage... This is probably my favorite taco recipe!

Lengua Tacos With Salsa Verde and Caramelized Onions

Savory, crispy lengua (tongue) in corn tortillas topped with caramelized onions, salsa verde, crumbled cheese, cilantro, and radish. Hit one "out of the park" with this slightly non-standard but delicious taco!

Vegetarian Tostadas with Black Beans and Nopalitos

Oven-baked tortillas topped with creamy refried black beans, spicy nopalitos and caramelized onions, salsa verde, sliced avocado, and crumbled cotija... These tortillas are a favorite at Andersen casa!

Mango Avocado and Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas

Shrimp "cook" in lime juice and optional hot sauce, then get rough chopped with avocado and mango and piled high on a baked tortilla.

Vegetarian Green Chile Chilaquiles

Hatch green chile, black beans, and corn with crisped baked tortilla strips soak up veggie broth before getting topped with an (optional) egg, crumbled cotija, and cilantro!

Nopalitos and Red Chile Rice Bowls

A healthy vegetarian dish with nopales and red chile over top of black beans and rice. The dish is then garnished with a runny egg, crumbled cotija, avocado, and cilantro. Buen provecho!

🥗 Side Dishes

If you’re serving a crowd, try my Instant Pot Vegan Borracho Beans. Doesn’t your tasty main dish deserve something more than a can of refried beans?

Mexican Sides

Beans, rice, and so much more for your Cinco de Mayo table! Resist the urge to just open a can of refried beans, please?

Dragon Fruit Salad with Tajín and Lime

Dragon fruit chunks and cara cara orange sections tossed with a lime simple syrup and sprinkled with spicy Mexican tajín in a quick, simple fruit salad!

Grilled Mexican Panzanella Salad with Chayote

Grilled chayote and sweet corn, grilled bread cubes, fresh heirloom tomatoes, queso fresco all tossed with a cilantro lime vinaigrette!

Healthy Mexican Coleslaw with Passion Fruit Dressing

This one features napa cabbage, shredded carrots, thin-sliced Fresno pepper, cilantro, and scallions in a zesty passion fruit dressing.

Quick Nopalitos (Cactus) Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

A tangy Mexican salad with lots of color and texture, Quick Nopalitos (Cactus) Salad with Citrus Pomegranate Vinaigrette is loaded with flavor and nutrients, and promises to be an interesting addition to your salad repertoire…

Instant Pot Vegan Borracho Beans

Borracho beans (drunken beans) without pork fat but with all the flavor of the traditional! Make a pot of these delicious and healthy beans to serve alongside your Mexican mains!

Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Creamy yogurt and mayonnaise sauce with ancho, garlic, lime, cotija, and cilantro coats fresh, grilled sweet corn... A great side dish with a cumin-rubbed and grilled chicken breast or pork chop!

Mexican Cilantro Rice

A simple, flavorful Mexican cilantro rice to pair with your favorite Mexican mains! An entire bunch of cilantro is pulsed with water and added to the rice cooking liquid in this tasty Mexican rice recipe.

Mexican Fried Green Tomatoes

Crispy, crunchy on the outside, tender and full of fresh, tangy flavor on the inside... Mexican Fried Green Tomatoes are a twist on the classic, and a perfect side dish for your healthy Mexican mains!

Red White and Green Salad

This colorful salad features strawberries and sweet red pepper (red), feta cheese and slivered almonds (white), and nutrient-rich baby spinach tossed with a citrus-strawberry vinaigrette... The colors of the Mexican flag!

Mexican Red Rice

Mexican Red Rice (Arroz Rojo) is a super flavorful, easy, gluten free side dish to serve with your Mexican mains... Or try adding rotisserie chicken or topping with an egg for a quick meal!

Skillet Mexican Charred Sweet Corn

Charred sweet corn with jalapeno, bell pepper, cumin, garlic, cotija and cilantro in a quick and easy Mexican side dish...

Mexican Sweet Potato Mash

A healthy vegan, dairy free, gluten free Mexican-inspired side dish perfect for your holiday table!

🍨 Desserts!

Yes, this healthy eater does occasionally indulge in desserts (it’s a special occasion treat)! I have included a couple of my favorite Unique Mexican Desserts – Coconut Mango Custard with Candied Pepitas and Blood Orange Margarita Sorbet. Both desserts require planning ahead, but they’re definitely worth the extra effort!

Mexican Inspired Desserts

A few of my favorite Mexican Inspired Desserts to finish off a day of delicious eats!

Dairy Free Blood Orange Flan

An elegant dessert for a special occasion... it's worth the extra effort!

Coconut Mango Custard with Candied Pepitas

A tropical-inspired custard gets topped with crunchy spicy-sweet-salty candied pepitas... It's gluten and dairy free, creamy, and delicious!

Blood Orange Margarita Sorbet

The vermillion hue of fresh-squeezed blood oranges combined with fresh lime juice, tequila, and citrus simple syrup makes a gorgeous and refreshing not-too-sweet finale to a beautiful meal!

Mexican Chocolate Trifle with Orange Curd and Pomegranate Pudding

A hint of cinnamon and chipotle in a brownie with a fresh orange cinnamon and a pomegranate pudding thickened with tapioca. A little time-consuming but worth the effort!

Spiced Tequila Poached Pears with Orange Pomegranate Coulis

Pears poached in spiced tequila get drenched in an orange pomegranate sauce infused with triple sec...

Mango Margarita Sorbet

A luscious frozen treat with the ingredients and flavors of a mango margarita! It's vegan, gluten and dairy free, and delicious!

Tropical Tapioca Parfaits with Mango and Mascarpone

Creamy tapioca with a hint of ginger and coconut, layered with fresh tropical fruit, and a dollop of passionate maracuya (passionfruit) mascarpone!

Peruse this collection of Unique Mexican Recipes, and you’re sure to find some inspiration for your Cinco de Mayo festivities, but you’ll want to pin them for later too!

For even more Mexican food inspiration, head over to my “Mexican” category. I’m in the process of fine-tuning my recipes index, and I thought it warranted its own category!

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A fabulous lineup of dishes for today!!! Hope you had a marvelous Cinco de Mayo!
Reply
1. Thank you MJ! It was pretty fabulous (ie. not hot)! Haha.
  Reply

Meet Tamara

Hola from the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas! I'm Tamara, the recipe developer, co*cktail mixologist, photographer, and writer behind Beyond Mere Sustenance. Beyond Mere Sustenance is a food blog with creative (often unique) recipes that are mostly healthy (I call it healthyish) with a Latin flair. Having lived on or near the border my entire life and traveled extensively in Peru, you’ll find a strong emphasis on Peruvian and Mexican recipes.