Posted by Tastefully Simple on March 29, 2022
Burrito bowls. Chips and guac. Cheesy quesadillas.
Whether you’re a devoted fan of Chipotle, Qdoba, Panchero’s or a little local cantina, I think it’s safe to say that we all have a favorite hot spot when it comes to take-out with a Tex-Mex twist. But the extra cost – and the extra calories – can add up pretty quickly.
So how can you make homemade versions with the same kind of crispy-crunchy deliciousness in your own kitchen? From loaded nachos to hearty burritos, here are 10 restaurant-style recipes you can make with your own fresh ingredients and south-of-the-border spices – right at home!
10 Copycats for Tex-Mex Take-Out
1. Magic Chicken Taco Burritos. Make your own restaurant-quality chicken burritos in minutes, loaded with tender chicken, rice and garden-fresh toppings.
It’s SO easy, especially if you make a big batch of shredded chicken with Mom’s Favorite Taco Seasoning ahead of time with your slow cooker or multi-cooker. Just wrap ‘em, grab ‘em and go.
2. Double Decker Tacos. Ditch the drive-thru! Create your own two-tiered crispy beef tacos, tucked into soft tortillas with perfectly seasoned refried beans.
Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped avocadoes or your other favorite garnishes.
3. Mango Cha Cha Tacos. So light, flaky and crunchy, fish tacos are one of my family’s favorite dinners, especially during summertime.
Filled with crispy-golden cod, these tropical fish tacos are topped with fresh slaw bursting with bright bits of mango. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh mixed fruit on the side.
4. Onion Onion Guacamole. Holy moly! It’s easy to create your own cantina-worthy guacamole in 10 minutes at home.
Scoop it up with tortilla chips or fresh veggies, like sweet bell pepper strips, jicama sticks and baby carrots.
5. BBQ Pork Nachos. Everyone will gather around the table for these crispy baked nachos, piled high with BBQ pulled pork, melty cheese and chopped tomatoes.
Great for game day or movie night, too!
6. Sweet Mesquite Steak Quesadillas. Not a big fan of plain ol’ cheese quesadillas? Try this sizzling version, packed with grilled steak, onions, peppers and just a touch of smoky sweetness.
Serve with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo.
7. Sí Sí Cilantro Shrimp Tacos. Fresh. Zesty. Simple. Kissed with lime and cilantro, these succulent and slightly spicy shrimp tacos are topped with fresh, crunchy slaw.
Tip: if you have a smaller family, consider cutting the recipe in half – that’s what we do at our house!
8. Southwestern Chicken Salad. Tossed with chopped chicken, black beans, whole kernel corn, fresh avocado and chopped Romaine lettuce, this hearty salad is filled with Southwest flavors – and it’s ready in 15 minutes flat.
Top with tortilla strips for a little extra crunch.
9. Mesquite Pork Burrito Bowls. So easy to personalize, these smoky-sweet bowls are made with mesquite shredded pork, black beans, cheese, sour cream and all kinds of fresh fixings.
Even better? You can make them in no time with your multi-cooker.
10. Bayou Chicken Street Tacos. Quick and simple, these street-style tacos are filled with tender chicken, crunchy slaw, queso fresco and a surprisingly delicious secret ingredient: toasted crispy fried onions. So different and so good!
Remember, you can find all kinds of additional Tex-Mex recipes on Tastefully Simple’s website, too.
No matter which ones you choose, I hope you have fun bringing a little taste of the cantina to your own kitchen!
Jen