Easy Grocery List for 37 Mexican Recipes

Ready for a New Year’s upgrade to your kitchen?!

This easy grocery list will give you the option of making any of the following 37 recipes — yes, there are are 37 recipes on this site that you can make with this simple list!  Here’s a look at the fresh ingredients for your new and improved kitchen:  

Fresh ingredients on cutting board

And here’s the complete list:  

ingredient list

That’s a good amount for two people, but feel free to double it for bigger families.  Re-stock once per week and you’ll always have some easy meals on standby.  Easy Calabacitas Recipe

Keep in mind that most of these recipes are willing to accommodate your palate.  I frequently use chicken, but the protein is typically a secondary concern in these recipes.  Usually, it’s the homemade sauce (or Salsa) that makes these recipes so tasty, and everything beyond that is negotiable.   

Okay here are the 37 recipes that you can make with this simple grocery list — I hope you find lots of keepers!  Click the recipe name and it will take you to a page on this site with detailed instructions.  And at the bottom of this post is a recipe box that lists all the ingredients if you’d like to print them out.  Enjoy!!

Easy Red Sauce Enchiladas

  This is my go-to recipe for some easy red sauce enchiladas. Fast, incredible flavor, and stress-free to make — sound too good to be true?  Not when using your kitchen’s ultimate secret weapon:  chipotles in adobo.   

This is my go-to recipe for red sauce enchiladas. Fast, incredible flavor, and stress free to make. Sound too good to be true? mexicanplease.com

Tomato Jalapeno Salsa

  This is the Mother of all Mexican Salsas — it’s the first Salsa I ever made and I still use it all the time!   Roasting the tomatoes is a gamechanger and it gives you a massive upgrade when compared to store-bought salsas.     

tomato jalapeno salsa wide shot with ingredients

Refried Beans

  Keep this refried beans recipe in mind for some on-the-fly meals.  Creating your own seasoning for the beans (chipotles for the win!) will give you a massive upgrade in flavor compared to canned versions.  

This is a delicious, fiery version of Chicken Tinga. The key is to use both tomatoes and tomatillos, along with plenty of chipotles! mexicanplease.com

Spicy Chicken Tinga

  This is a wildly versatile recipe to have in your arsenal.  You can use it for tacos, quesadillas, or even tostadas.  Most Tinga recipes are tomato-based, but if you add some tomatillos to the sauce you’ll get a nice boost in flavor!  

Adding shredded chicken to the Tinga sauce

Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa

  This is a wondrous three-ingredient Salsa.  Yes, three!  The combo of roasted tomatillos, garlic and chipotles creates a sweet, smoky flavor that people fall in love with.   

Huevos Ahogados

  Have you ever had eggs poached in homemade Salsa?  If not, give this recipe a try — the broth is delicioso and and if you dip warm, cheesy tortillas into it then all is well for a few minutes.  

Huevos Ahogados Eggs Drowned in Salsa mexicanplease.com

Easy Awesome Guacamole

  This recipe proves how good Guacamole can be when using onion, lime, salt and avocado in balanced proportions — also includes an onion smooshing tip to enhance flavor.  

Anatomy of My Current Favorite Burrito mexicanplease.com

Arroz Rojo

  You’ll be surprised how much flavor you get in this delicious Mexican Rice using such a simple ingredient list.  It’s my default rice dish and it couldn’t be any easier to make.  A great recipe to have in your pocket!  

I know, World's Best is a big claim, but these chicken tacos are the ones I always come back to. The home cooked salsa is the key so don't skimp on that step. So good! mexicanplease.com

Chicken Burrito with Tomato Chipotle Salsa

  This Chicken Guacamole Burrito relies on a Tomato Chipotle Salsa to create a rich, full flavor.  Don’t forget to roast those tomatoes. So good!  

Anatomy of My Current Favorite Burrito mexicanplease.com

Avocado Salsa Verde

  Adding fresh avocados to an authentic Salsa Verde creates something magical.  Eat it early and often because it’s always the star of the dinner table and will disappear fast.  

Leftover tinga? Make Tingadillas! Cheesy Chicken Tinga Quesadillas with Green Sauce | mexicanplease.com

Pico de Gallo

  You’ll never have to look up a Pico recipe again after making this version!  It’s super easy and when you get the balance right it’s the perfect example of the sum being far greater than the parts.   You can easily build meals around fresh Pico too — tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, etc.  

Five ingredients is all it takes to make a classic, authentic Pico de Gallo. This recipe keeps the tomatoes in check by using plenty of onion and seasoning. So good! mexicanplease.com

Huevos a la Mexicana

  Adding jalapeno to your scrambled eggs is a great alternative to coffee!  This is such a simple dish to make and it’s a great upgrade for plain ol’ scrambled eggs.  Some tips:  go easy on the onion or it will dominate too much, and drain the tomato a bit so there isn’t too much moisture in the pan.  

These Mexican Scrambled Eggs are perfect for lazy weekend mornings: well-balanced, easy to make, and they have real kick. Try draining the tomatoes before adding them to the pan, so much better! mexicanplease.com

Pinto Bean Soup

  I think this Pinto Bean Soup is one of the best recipes on the site, but of course, I might be biased 

  You’ll get quite an upgrade in flavor when using some good stock so please keep that in mind when making this soup.  

Sopa Tarasca is one of Mexico's most popular soups -- a delightfully satiating pinto bean soup that will keep you coming back for more. So good! mexicanplease.com

Cilantro Lime Rice

By keeping just a few ingredients on hand you’ll always have the option of whipping up this light, effervescent Cilantro Lime Rice. Works great in burritos but also does quite well served up with some beans.   

These Easy Burrito Bowls have a secret weapon that can instantly save your day: creamy avocado sauce with some zip from a jalapeno. So good! mexicanplease.com

Enfrijoladas

Corn tortillas drenched in a Chipotle infused Black Bean puree?  I’m in!  These Vegetarian Enfrijoladas have a surprisingly full flavor and can be customized to your liking.  

enfrijoladas recipe after baking with garnishes on plate

Salsa Verde

Probably one of the most useful recipes on the site!  A homemade green Salsa can transform eggs, tacos, and enchiladas into something otherworldly. Getting good at whipping up this authentic Salsa Verde opens up loads of possibilities.    

salsa verde in jar green sauce

Spicy Black Bean Nachos

Here’s another crowd pleaser — Nachos!  Even though these Nachos are topped with all sorts of goodies, it’s the chipotle-infused black beans that turn them into a keeper for me.   Expert Nacho advice:  I usually make multiple single-layer batches so they stay crispy — the double or triple layer batches will turn into a soggy mess before you can finish eating them.  

It's tough to beat the combo of warm tortilla chips, melted cheese, and spicy black beans. In other words, NACHOS!! These beans have some kick built into them from chipotles in adobo and they are beyond delicious. mexicanplease.com

Tinga Tostadas

I made tostadas way more often in 2019 than previous years — a simple tostada with refried beans, Chicken Tinga, and Queso Fresco is absolutely delicious and that’s what I did in this Tinga Tostadas recipe.  Be sure to add tomatillos to your Tinga as it makes a huge difference.   

Tostadas de Tinga are such a rewarding meal for the fam! Be sure to add some tomatillos to your Tinga as it makes a huge difference! mexicanplease.com

Entomatadas

I love it when subtle changes to familiar ingredients make a completely unique dish, and these Entomatadas are the perfect example of that!  Think cheesy corn tortillas drenched in a light tomato sauce and you’re right on track.  The key is to let the roasted tomatoes do most of the work — if you keep the onion and heat in the background then you’re in for a treat.   

Entomatadas are a deliciously light meal made from ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen! mexicanplease.com

Roasted Tomato and Tomatillo Salsa

This one is kinda new but it’s a total keeper!  Most Salsas on the site will use either tomatoes or tomatillos as the base, but when you use both you get something completely unique.  It has a wonderful flavor and it’s super easy to make too.  

This is a delicious Salsa to add to your repertoire! It uses both tomatoes and tomatillos to create a completely unique flavor. Yum!! mexicanplease.com

Easy Chicken Tacos

A freshly blended Salsa can lead to all sorts of quick meals and these Chicken Tacos are a perfect example of that.  I make simple meals like this all the time!  

Chicken Tacos with Guac and homemade Salsa! mexicanplease.com

Salsa de Aguacate

If you’ve ever come across a taqueria green sauce that is light, creamy and on the verge of being bland, then you already know Salsa de Aguacate!  It’s a watered-down avocado sauce that’s designed to be a dance partner for big, meat-heavy tacos.    

Salsa de Aguacate in serving bowl.

Chicken Burritos with Avocado Salsa Verde

I use the Avocado Salsa Verde from above to make these super satisfying chicken burritos.  Once you’ve got some of the creamy green sauce on hand then everything else is just a bonus, so feel free to get creative with your burritos!  

Put some Avocado Salsa Verde in your burritos and everything beyond that is a bonus! I added chicken, Mexican rice, and cheese to this batch -- yum!! mexicanplease.com

Huevos Rancheros

If you have homemade Salsa on hand then you don’t need much else for an authentic batch of Huevos Rancheros.  I used Tomato Jalapeno Salsa for this batch and added some freshly made refried beans — so good!  

If you have some homemade Salsa on hand then you don't need much else for an authentic batch of Huevos Rancheros. We're adding some freshly made refried beans to this batch -- so good! mexicanplease.com

Chilaquiles with Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa

I use the Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa to make these Chilaquiles — fried tortilla strips drenched in Salsa and topped with an over-easy egg.  Yum!  

coating baked tortilla chips with salsa

Baked Tortilla Chips

Here’s the easiest way to make a batch of Baked Tortilla Chips.  I like them best when the edges are crispy but the middle is still slightly chewy, i.e. don’t cook them too long!  

This is the easiest way to make a batch of Baked Tortilla Chips. I like them best when the edges are crispy but the middle is still slightly chewy, i.e. don't cook them too long! mexicanplease.com

Migas

This is a great breakfast dish to keep in mind for weekend mornings.  I added bacon to this version but you could always omit it for a vegetarian version.  

Migas are the perfect Mexican breakfast dish for lazy weekend mornings. We're topping this version with a freshly made Salsa Verde and it is delicious! mexicanplease.com

Chicken Flautas

A few simple tricks will ensure you end up with a crispy batch of Chicken Flautas.  These were served up with a fiery Avocado Salsa Verde.  

A few simple tricks will ensure you end up with a crispy batch of Chicken Flautas. We're serving them with a fiery Avocado Salsa Verde. So good! mexicanplease.com

Molletes

Molletes are open-faced bean and cheese sandwiches that can be made in a matter of minutes.  I topped these with freshly made Pico de Gallo for a quick meal!  

You probably already have all the ingredients you need for these Molletes (Mexican Bean and Cheese Sandwiches). Try them with some freshly made Pico de Gallo -- so good! mexicanplease.com

World’s Best Chicken Tacos

It’s hard to beat these chicken tacos.  If you make everything from scratch you’re in for a treat — just be sure to serve them warm and goopy!  

I know, World's Best is a big claim, but these chicken tacos are the ones I always come back to. The home cooked salsa is the key so don't skimp on that step. So good! mexicanplease.com

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Here’s an authentic Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe that relies on just a few key ingredients to create some real flavor!  Includes directions for frying up a quick batch of tortilla strips.  

Here's an authentic Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe that relies on just a few key ingredients to create some real flavor! Includes directions for frying up a quick batch of tortilla strips. mexicanplease.com

Chicken Guacamole Quesadillas

I make versions of these quesadillas all the time.  They are super easy to make and if you top them with some homemade Pico they are wonderfully satiating.  

Designed to be fast and effortless, these Chicken Guacamole Quesadillas will have you coming back for more. Don't forget the freshly chopped Pico de Gallo. So good! mexicanplease.com

Tomatillo Pico de Gallo

This Pico de Gallo is made using raw tomatillos.  Yes, raw!  It has such a unique flavor and I’ve been using it for some awesome quesadillas lately.  

This Tomatillo Pico de Gallo wants to be in your kitchen! Lately I use it for quesadillas and it's always a hit. mexicanplease.com

Avocado Soup

If you’re new to Avocado Soup then you’re in for a treat!   It’s a light, satisfying soup that doesn’t require a lot of ingredients.  Try to use some stock that you trust for this recipe as it can make quite a difference.  

Here's a delicious Avocado Soup recipe that you can always rely on. Serve it lukewarm or chilled and definitely try it with some freshly made veggie stock! mexicanplease.com

Huevos Divorciados

If you ever want to compare and contrast Red and Green Salsa then try making these Huevos Divorciados.  It’s an egg dish that’s topped with both Tomato Jalapeno Salsa and Salsa Verde — just in case you and your partner can’t agree on the breakfast menu!  

This classic Mexican breakfast dish is served with two freshly made Salsas -- yes, two! I use a bottom layer of potatoes and chorizo, but corn tortillas are also a good option. mexicanplease.com

Black Bean and Guac Tostadas

You really don’t need much else besides Beans and Guac for some awesome tostadas.  I used the chipotle-infused refried beans for this batch — so good!  

Serious reward to effort ratio here! We're crisping a corn tortilla and loading it up with spicy black bean puree and a refreshing guacamole. So good! mexicanplease.com

Homemade Tostada Shells

Speaking of tostadas, you don’t have to go out and buy tostada shells if you don’t have any!   It’s easy to bake your own at home — just give some corn tortillas a thin layer of oil and 4 minutes per side in the oven.  Tip:  using thinner tortillas helps them crisp up.   

Stack of tostadas after baking

Chorizo Breakfast Burritos

I’m including this one even though it has Chorizo and that’s technically not on the pantry list.  I love using these potatoes and Salsa in breakfast burritos so keep it in mind if you’re craving something similar this weekend.  

It would be easy to give all the credit to the chorizo in these epic breakfast burritos. But it's the tomatillo salsa that really amps them up. So good! mexicanplease.com

  And that’s it! 

Okay, I hope you’ve got loads of new ideas for the New Year!  Once you’re in the habit of buying these ingredients you’ll have dozens of meals on standby that will taste significantly better than takeout food and cost much less — perfect!!   There’s a recipe box with the grocery list below, feel free to print it out if you’d like to take it to the grocery store.    Buen Provecho.    

Fresh ingredients on cutting board

Grocery List for 37 Mexican Recipes

Keep these ingredients on hand and you’ll have access to any of the 37 recipes listed in this post! 5 from 2 votes Print Pin Rate Author: Mexican Please

Ingredients

  • 3-4 avocados
  • 4-6 jalapenos (or serranos)
  • 6-8 plum tomatoes
  • 8-10 tomatillos
  • 4-6 onions
  • 2 garlic bulbs
  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 5-6 limes
  • 2 cans chipotles in adobo
  • rice
  • beans (canned or dried)
  • flour tortillas (burrito sized)
  • corn tortillas
  • chicken breasts
  • eggs
  • cheese (I use Jack, Cotija, and Queso Fresco)
  • kitchen staples

Notes

Kitchen staples:  stock, oil, salt, pepper, spices, hot sauce (Valentina), Crema (or sour cream) Like this recipe?

  Our latest recipe is a batch of Candied Jalapenos. 

Quart sized jar of Candied Jalapenos

Still hungry?!

Source: mexplease.com

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