While Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican holiday celebrating it’s 1862 victory over France, it might be safe to say that Americans enjoy celebrating it just as much! At least according to some statistics, Mexican/Hispanic food remains one of the most popular cuisines among Americans. But the ‘Americanized’ tex-mex restaurants we know and love often leave us feeling ‘heavy’ and overstuffed.
Flavorful, amazing tex-mex dishes are not off limits. In fact, you can cook up some mouth-watering dishes that are good for you without a lot of time or energy. A few keys to lightening up your tex-mex favorites:
- Choose lean cuts of protein (skinless poultry, lean beef/pork, fish and seafood)
- Select beans and refried beans that do not have added lard, fat or oil
- Buy 100% whole grain or corn tortillas that have a simple ingredient list AND do not have hydrogenated oils
- Use sharp, flavorful cheeses so that a little bit will give a big flavor boost
- Watch out for sodium- cheese, jarred salsa, enchilada sauce, condiments, seasoning packets, prepared beans- all of these contribute a significant amount of sodium to a recipe
- Use lime for an acidic punch to reduce the need to add salt
- Make up your own seasoning blend at home and avoid the packaged ones
- Don’t forget to add fresh herbs like cilantro for vibrant flavors
- Avoid the bottomless bowls (or bags) of chips on the table
Most individuals I know enjoy tex-mex at least 1 night each week so whether you are hosting a Cinco de Mayo fiesta or just looking for some new recipes for ‘Taco Tuesday’, here are 19 healthy tex-mex recipes you and your family are sure to love!
Lightened Up Mexican Lasagna
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD at Healthy Inspiration
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD at Healthy Inspiration
Tex-Mex Breakfast Taco
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD at Healthy Inspiration
Easy Vegan Tacos with Refried Beans & Corn Salsa
by Sharon Palmer, RDN at The Plant-Powered Dietitian
Chicken Fajita Sweet Potato Nachos
by Whitney E Tabaie, RDN at Whitney E. RD
Apple Pie Breakfast Tacos
by Lauren Harris-Pincus MS, RDN at Nutrition Starring YOU
Chicken Mole
by Judy Barbe, RDN at LiveBest
Rockin’ Guacamole with Baked Tortilla Chips
by Chef Catherine Brown, Culinary Nutritionist at Chef Catherine Brown
Healthy Migas Breakfast Bowl
by Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD at Lively Table
DIY Taco Cups
by Dixya Bhattarai, MS, RD, LD at Food, Pleasure & Health
Fiesta Lime Black Bean Salsa
by Josten Fish, RDN at Muscle and Manna
Mexican Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes
by Jessica Penner, RD at Smart Nutrition
Seared Scallop Tostadas
by Jenny Shea Rawn at My Cape Cod Kitchen
Easy Guacamole
by Jenna Braddock, RDN at Make Healthy Easy
Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw
by Laura Rutledge, RDN at Nourishing Plate
Mango Cucumber Salsa
by Judith Scharman Draughon, MS, RDN, LD at Foods with Judes
Gluten Free Black Bean & Jalepeno Cauliflower Tostadas
by Kara Lydon, RDN at The Foodie Dietitian
Gluten Free Vegetable, Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
by E.A Stewart, RDN at The Spicy RD
Baked Cod Fish Tacos with Creamy Mango Guacamole
by Jodi Danen, RDN at Create Kids Club
Easy and flavorful, these healthy Tex-Mex recipes are perfect for your Mexican fiesta! Which one will you try first?
“Life without Mexican food is like no life at all.”
