Mexican and Southwestern - Cooking Classy https://www.cookingclassy.com/recipes/mexican/ with a sprinkle of fancy Wed, 12 Jun 2024 21:21:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 44235149 Tofu Tacos https://www.cookingclassy.com/tofu-tacos/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/tofu-tacos/#respond Fri, 10 May 2024 15:07:56 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=71477 Fast, easy and flavorful Tofu Tacos! Made with inexpensive, protein rich, well seasoned tofu, corn tortillas and plenty of fresh toppings. You'll likely be surprised to find your whole family loving these!

Close up photo of tofu tacos.Healthy Tofu Tacos

For a long time tofu has had have a bad name. Not many people seem to care for it, and I used to be one of them. But I'm telling you if you season it right it can actually be really delicious and even something you'll want to make again and again!

In these tofu tacos the tofu is abundantly seasoned with a variety of Mexican spices, soy sauce and lime juice which builds up much more depth and a welcome vibrant flavor.

Believe it or not you may find you like them just as much as the classic ground beef tacos! And these are a healthier alternative to rotate with, plus tofu is about half the price of ground beef and ground turkey.

These tacos come together quickly for a simple weeknight meal, they are perfectly filling, and they make a great leftover lunch the next day if you have any left.

If you haven't given tofu a chance yet I'd say this is an excellent place to start. And as always with tacos, just be sure to pile high all those tasty toppings!

Row of ground tofu tacos shown from the side with lime wedges for serving.

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Chicken Taco Salad https://www.cookingclassy.com/chicken-taco-salad/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/chicken-taco-salad/#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2024 14:58:36 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=68314 Loaded Chicken Taco Salad - Made with protein rich chicken and black beans, fresh veggies, tortilla chips, and all the best toppings. It's brimming with goodness and completely delicious!

Chicken taco salad shown with blue and yellow tortilla chips, corn, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, chicken, cilantro, cheese and sour cream.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

In this bountiful salad you find it's rich in Tex-Mex flavor and has so much freshness in every bite. There's a beautiful variety of color, flavor and textures, with each ingredient enhancing the dish.

It's layered with nutritious Romaine lettuce, crispy tortilla chips, a zesty citrus marinated chicken, salsa coated beans and veggies, plus rich cheese, sour cream, and avocado.

The chicken is pan seared then the taco salad filling is cooked in that same pan. And it's convenient that you don't need a grill for this recipe and it can be made any day of year no matter the season.

If you happen to have any leftover filling you can use it in tacos, quesadillas or burritos the following day for lunch. There's just so much to love about this delicious Chicken Taco Salad!

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Vegetarian Chili https://www.cookingclassy.com/vegetable-chili/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/vegetable-chili/#comments Tue, 06 Feb 2024 17:46:30 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=36129 Healthy Vegetarian Chili is jam-packed with fresh nutritious veggies, two types of beans, and it's all simmered in a deeply spiced tomato base. It's a delicious stew-like soup, ideal for those chilly autumn and winter days and it's so tasty served with homemade cornbread.

Vegetarian chili in a large white pot.

Easy Vegetarian Chili

You'll love that this is a vegetable chili you can feel great about eating and feeding the family, and it doesn't taste too much different than a meat-heavy chili thanks to all those flavorful Mexican spices.

It comes together quickly, it's just a bit of chopping and has a fairly short simmer time compared to that of traditional chili. It's hearty and filling thanks to the beans and fiber rich vegetables and it's still a great base for piling on all the best chili toppings.

We love it with avocado, cheese, and sour cream atop but if you if you want to make this a vegan chili then opt for a vegan cheese and sour cream, or just omit them both altogether.

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Texas Chili Con Carne https://www.cookingclassy.com/texas-chili-con-carne/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/texas-chili-con-carne/#comments Thu, 19 Oct 2023 22:00:10 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=68821 Texas style Chili Con Carne - Bite size pieces of chuck roast are browned then simmered in a homemade thick chili puree until flavors have well developed and beef is perfectly tender. From there you can top it with all your favorite toppings and pair it with tortilla chips or cornbread for the ultimate cozy meal! 

Chili con carne in a serving bowl topped with shredded cheese, cilantro and chopped onion.

Chili Con Carne

Chili con carne is a robust and rich chili made with beef roast that includes deeply flavored Mexican chilies and spices all simmered together in a stew-like dish. This is a Texas style chili and it's made of mostly beef and chili sauce without lots of added fillers.

It uses a generous amount of browned beef chuck chunks rather than ground hamburger and this really builds up the meaty flavor. Whole dried chilies are used in place of pre-ground store-bought chili powder, and those chilies are toasted in a skillet then soaked in liquid and pureed in a blender to build the base of this hearty chili.

The chili is simmered low and slow on the stovetop for well harmonized depth of flavor and to tenderize the beef.

It's an impressive made from scratch chili that may seem intimidating at first but once you try it you'll see it's easier to make than you'd think.

It's also a tasty change from the original style chili and you may find tasters to love it even more, especially meat lovers! Plus it could just win your next chili cook off!

Pot filled with Texas style chili con carne.

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Corn Salsa https://www.cookingclassy.com/corn-salsa/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/corn-salsa/#respond Sat, 12 Aug 2023 04:54:06 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=68395 Fresh Corn Salsa - made with fresh ears of crisp corn, sweet bell pepper, vibrant red onion, herby cilantro, and a zesty spiced lime dressing. It's makes a perfect chip dip or a topping to pair with a main protein.

Corn salsa with corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, cilantro and onion.

A Summery Corn Salsa Recipe

Corn salsa that's much better than Chipotle! It's a healthy dip that also doubles well as a side dish.

Fresh corn and bell pepper are fire roasted over a hot grill or gas stove flame for a beautiful smokey char, then it's tossed with a colorful plethora of other complementary fresh Mexican-style ingredients.

It has such a tantalizing blend of flavors that's is makes the perfect chip dip, or its delicious served over salmon, shrimp, chicken or beef (we love the salmon option).

Plus it's a versatile salsa with lots of ways to switch things up (see ideas below).

It's best made in season when you can get prime sweet yellow corn, but during the colder months try it with frozen corn too.

Rainbow of corn salsa ingredients chopped in a mixing bowl before tossing.

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Chicken Burrito Bowls https://www.cookingclassy.com/chicken-burrito-bowl/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/chicken-burrito-bowl/#comments Fri, 28 Jul 2023 03:14:40 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=68254 A loaded Chicken Burrito Bowl recipe! Skip the takeout, and make these easy burrito bowls instead! This homemade version is made with juicy seasoned chicken, cilantro-lime rice, and all the best toppings. It’s a recipe brimming with flavorful goodness that you’ll want to make on repeat!

Chicken burrito bowl with cilantro lime rice.

Homemade Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I’m craving Chipotle but want to eat at home. Made with fluffy cilantro-lime rice, tender chicken, and all the best toppings, it’s nutritious and delicious recipe the whole family will agree on. 

Plus, it’s easy to customize and great to make ahead of time for meal prep. You’ll find this chicken burrito bowl recipe is the perfect option to feed a crowd, pack for lunch, or whip up for a quick weeknight meal. 

In fact, these burrito bowls are so tasty you may never go back to restaurant versions again! I’ll show you how to cook, assemble, and store them for easy meals whenever a craving hits. 

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Elotes Mexican Street Corn https://www.cookingclassy.com/grilled-mexican-street-corn/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/grilled-mexican-street-corn/#comments Mon, 24 Jul 2023 03:36:10 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=29364 Grilled Mexican Street Corn is one of the ultimate summer side dishes! This homemade version is just as good as the elote corn you'll find from the vendors in Mexico. When served at parties and cookouts it will be the first thing to go!

Elotes finished with mayonnaise, crema, cotija, cilantro and Mexican hot sauce.

What is an Elote?

Elotes, also known as grilled Elote Mexicano, Mexican street corn, or Mexican grilled corn, is a popular Mexican street food. “Elote” means “corn on the cob” in Spanish, and the recipe consists of corn on the cob that has been grilled and slathered with a mayo or crema sauce, topped with Cotija cheese, and dusted with chili powder.

In Mexico, it is sold to locals and tourists from street carts much like pretzels or hot dogs in New York. Once you try elotes for the first time you'll be wondering "Where has this been all my life?!"

It's perfectly juicy and crisp, it has a delicious balance of sweet and spicy heat, the creamy coating with a zip of lime and chili powder perfectly compliments it's mellow flavor, and the cheese finish makes it amazingly crave-worthy.

This is a side dish you do not want to miss out on! I'd dare say it's a summer staple and should regularly be added to the dinner rotation.

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Navajo Tacos https://www.cookingclassy.com/moms-navajo-tacos-and-indian-fry-bread/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/moms-navajo-tacos-and-indian-fry-bread/#comments Wed, 03 May 2023 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/2012/08/moms-navajo-tacos-and-indian-fry-bread/ Navajo Tacos are made of tender homemade fry bread that are layered with a seasoned ground beef and bean filling, crisp lettuce, rich cheese, juicy tomatoes, and creamy sour cream. They are truly one of the ultimate comfort foods!

Homemade navajo taco on a plate. Made with homemade fry bread, ground beef and bean filling, lettuce, tomatoes, olives and sour cream.

Our Favorite Navajo Tacos!

Think piled high taco salad but even better! These are a Southwestern classic.

Just imagine a pillowy soft yet chewy center encased by a lightly crisp, perfectly fried golden brown exterior. Then it's generously topped with a deeply flavorful browned beef taco filling and all those vibrantly colorful toppings that have a pleasant complementary blend of textures.

People of all ages love them! They are such a simply satisfying taco to say the least.

Try them soon and you'll see why our family has craved them as long as we can remember!

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Chicken Tinga https://www.cookingclassy.com/chicken-tinga/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/chicken-tinga/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2022 02:10:35 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=64272 Chicken Tinga is a Mexican dish made of chicken thighs that are browned and then simmered in a vibrant tomato, onion, and chili seasoned taco sauce. Once cooked it's shredded and served over warmed corn tortillas as tostadas with all your favorite toppings. It's a simple recipe and you'll love the highlight of smokey flavor!

Chicken tinga served in a corn tortilla garnished with pico de gallo and avocado slices.

Chicken Tinga Tacos

Tired of the same taco recipe over and over? This is a delicious, flavorful recipe to brighten up that same old rotation.

This stove-top simmered chicken tinga makes an impressive taco filling and there's really not a whole lot to it. It cooks in 30 minutes meaning you don't have to wait hours and hours like you do for a shredded beef or pork taco filling.

If however you do have more time, you could easily get away with simmering it low and slow in the crockpot slow cooker or instant pot instead (it should be done in about 3 to 4 hours on low heat), which should make it even easier to shred chicken quickly.

Is it Spicy?

Yes, chicken tinga is deliciously spicy because of the added chipotle chiles in the dish. I've listed to add 1 - 3 chipotle chilies to taste depending on the heat level you prefer (we love it with 3!).

Then there is a swap noted in the substitutes below if you want a milder version with fewer spices.

Chicken tinga tacos lined up on a serving plate.

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Steak Tacos https://www.cookingclassy.com/steak-tacos/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/steak-tacos/#comments Wed, 25 May 2022 22:42:09 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=64422 The BEST Steak Tacos recipe! Steak pieces are soaked in a simple lime and ancho chili seasoned marinade and quickly pan seared in a super hot skillet until just perfectly browned. From there it's layered on tortillas and finished with your favorite toppings!

Single steak taco with avocado, cilantro and red onion shown close up.

Easy Skillet Steak Tacos

Tacos are one of the best foods out there and these steak tacos are no exception!

They are brimming with bright lime flavor and delicious seasonings, the hint of honey in the marinade helps the steak sear beautifully, and the toppings that crown them are the perfect finishing highlight.

The key here is just to pick out good quality steak. I recommend looking for sirloin with a generous amount of marbling or using prime grade. Marbling is the fat swirled throughout the steak, more marbling means more flavor and a more tender piece of meat (I buy prime top sirloin at Costco for about $10 a pound, it's a great place to get good quality steak).

I think it's safe to say these tacos will quickly become a family favorite! They take little effort yet finish with big flavor.

Watch the Video!

[wprm-recipe-video]

 

Photo of marinated and seared steak pieces for tacos.

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