35+ BEST Mexican Beef Recipes (Easy & Authentic)

From succulent tacos to hearty stews, Mexican beef dishes are a perfect harmony of spices, chilies, herbs, and tender meat. Here’s 35+ irresistible Mexican beef recipes that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Mexico.

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Mexican cuisine is renowned for its bold and vibrant flavors that bring together a diverse range of ingredients to create unforgettable dishes. Among these culinary treasures, beef takes center stage in many traditional Mexican recipes.

These 35+ recipes showcase the artistry of Mexican cuisine, celebrating the harmonious blend of spices, textures, and flavors that define this beloved cuisine.

Whether you’re craving a hearty stew, a sizzling grilled dish, or a savory taco, these authentic recipes invite you to embark on a tasty adventure.

Try pairing your meal with one of these 35+ Mexican Appetizers and 25+ Mexican Desserts.

The BEST Mexican Beef Recipes to Try at Home!

Tacos and Tostadas

Carne Asada Tacos
Carne Asada Tacos: Marinated and grilled beef served in warm tortillas with fresh salsa.
Get the RECIPE from From Valerie’s Kitchen
Barbacoa Tacos: Slow-cooked, tender beef seasoned with rich spices.
Get the RECIPE from Cooking Classy
Birria Tacos: Shredded beef stewed in a flavorful red chili sauce.
Get the RECIPE from Grandbaby Cakes
Tacos de Lengua: Tacos featuring tender beef tongue, cooked until melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Get the RECIPE from Mexico in my Kitchen
Beef Tostadas Compuestas: Layered tostadas with beef, refried beans, lettuce, and more.
Get the RECIPE from Everyday Latina
What is Cabeza
Tacos de Cabeza: Tacos made with various cuts of beef head meat.
Get the RECIPE from Izzy Cooking
Tostadas de Picadillo: Crispy tostadas topped with seasoned ground beef and vibrant toppings.
Get the RECIPE from Maricruz Avalos Kitchen Blog
Homemade Beef Chalupas — emmasthing
Chalupas: Fried tortillas topped with beef, salsa, and cheese.
Get the RECIPE from Emma’s Thing

Hearty Stews and Soups

Albondigas Soup
Albondigas Soup: Flavorful meatball soup with a tomato-based broth.
Get the RECIPE from So Much Food Blog
Caldo de Res: A hearty beef soup with vegetables and aromatic herbs.
Get the RECIPE from Isabel Eats
Pozole Rojo: A comforting stew made with beef and hominy corn in a red chili broth.
Get the RECIPE from Chili Pepper Madness
Menudo: Tripe and beef stew known for its bold flavors and spices.
Get the RECIPE from Mexico in my Kitchen

Classic Main Dishes

Overhead shot of stuffed poblanos arranged in baking dish drizzled with lime crema.
Stuffed Poblano Peppers loaded with a mixture of beef & rice and topped with a zesty lime-crema. This healthy recipe will be on your table in 30 minutes.
Get the RECIPE
Chiles en Nogada: Roasted poblano peppers stuffed with picadillo (ground beef filling) and topped with walnut sauce.
Get the RECIPE from Mexican Food Journal
Carne Deshebrada: Shredded beef cooked with tomatoes, onions, and spices for a versatile filling.
Get the RECIPE from Muy Delish
Bisteces a la Mexicana (Mexican Style Beef Stew)
Bistec a la Mexicana: Sautéed beef strips cooked with tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños.
Get the RECIPE from Skinnytaste
Ropa Vieja (Instant Pot or Stove)
Ropa Vieja: Shredded beef cooked in a tomato-based sauce with peppers and onions.
Get the RECIPE from Skinnytaste

Savory Casseroles and Skillet Dishes

Chilaquiles con Carne: Tortilla casserole layered with beef, cheese, and salsa.
Get the RECIPE from Beef Loving Texans
Pastel Azteca: A layered casserole with tortillas, beef, cheese, and creamy poblano sauce.
Get the RECIPE from Honest Food
Picadillo: A versatile ground beef dish cooked with tomatoes, raisins, olives, and spices.
Get the RECIPE from House of Yumm

Grilled Delights

Grilled Carne Asada: Flavorful marinated beef, grilled and served with sides.
Get the RECIPE from Isabel Eats
Arrachera: Marinated skirt steak grilled to perfection and often served with salsa.
Get the RECIPE from The Big Man’s World
Tacos al Carbon: Grilled beef tacos served with charred tortillas.
Get the RECIPE from A Table Full of Joy

Filling Burritos and Enchiladas

Enchiladas Suizas Recipe
Enchiladas Suizas: Corn tortillas filled with beef, topped with creamy tomatillo sauce and cheese.
Get the RECIPE from Female Foodie
Beef and Bean Burritos: Hearty burritos filled with seasoned beef, beans, and cheese.
Get the RECIPE

Innovative Fusion

Beef Empanadas: Flaky pastries stuffed with well-seasoned beef.
Get the RECIPE from Le Creme de la Crumb
Ground Beef Tamales (tamales de picadillo) - Maricruz Avalos Kitchen Blog
Beef Tamales: Corn masa filled with tender beef and aromatic spices, wrapped in corn husks.
Get the RECIPE from Maricruz Avalos Kitchen Blog

Sides and Snacks

SIDE VIEW OF ENCHILADA DIP IN LARGE SKILLET.
Take your snacking to the next level with this Cheesy Enchilada Dip. Beans are layered with ground beef and enchilada sauce, and topped with lots of melty cheese, green onions and a dollop of sour cream.
Get the RECIPE
Albondigas in blue bowl topped with sour cream and jalapenos.
Spanish Meatballs – or Albondigas – simmer in enchilada sauce and are topped with sour cream, radishes & cilantro. Serve them taco-style in tortillas or as an appetizer with toothpicks. 
Get the RECIPE
Sopes: Thick tortillas topped with refried beans, beef, lettuce, and cheese.
Get the RECIPE from Maricruz Avalos Kitchen Blog
Beef Quesadillas: Flour tortillas filled with beef and melted cheese.
Get the RECIPE from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Gorditas de Chicharrón: Corn pockets stuffed with beef and crispy pork rinds.
Get the RECIPE from Life Limon Y Sal

Marinated Marvels

Beef Machaca: Dried and rehydrated shredded beef mixed with eggs, tomatoes, and peppers.
Get the RECIPE from Diethood
Carne Adobada: Beef marinated in a smoky, spicy adobo sauce.
Get the RECIPE from Zestful Kitchen
Beef Fajitas: Sliced beef marinated in lime and spices, perfect for sizzling platters.
Get the RECIPE from Recipe Runner

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these Mexican beef recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

More Mexican Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Traditional Mexican Beef Recipes?

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Collage of Mexican beef recipes.

35+ Mexican Beef Recipes

From succulent tacos to hearty stews, Mexican beef dishes are a perfect harmony of spices, chilies, herbs, and tender meat. Here's 35+ irresistible Mexican beef recipes that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Mexico. Try these albondigas (Mexican beef meatballs).
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

For Topping

  • Sour cream, cotija cheese, sliced radishes, cilantro, avocado

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
  • Stir together corn chips and milk in a large bowl; let stand about 5 minutes or until chips soften. Stir in onion, garlic, cilantro, paprika, cumin, eggs, salt and pepper. Fold in beef.
  • Shape into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (about 2 tablespoonfuls each). Evenly space meatballs on a cookie rack set in a deep sided baking sheet or on a broiler pan.
  • Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until browned.
  • Transfer meatballs to a large skillet or Dutch oven; add enchilada sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
  • Serve meatballs with tortillas and desired toppings.

Notes

Tips: These meatballs can be made ahead of time. Simply bake them and place them in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, just put them on the stove with the enchilada sauce and add an additional 10 minutes to the simmering time.
 
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 566kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 182mg | Sodium: 874mg | Potassium: 535mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 375IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 215mg | Iron: 3.9mg

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