25 Authentic Mexican Recipes Like Grandma Used to Make
Whether you’re looking for a dish just like your abuela used to make or want to learn more about traditional Mexican cooking, you’ll love these authentic Mexican recipes from Muy Bueno.
Authentic Mexican Recipes Like Grandma Used to Make
This recipe list features authentic Mexican recipes shared by Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, the owner of Muy Bueno, cookbook author, and Emmy-winning producer and writer.
Muy Bueno is a food blog showcasing Yvette’s family recipes passed down from her grandma and mom, as well as her own recipes inspired by treasured memories of her grandma Jesusita’s cooking.
Chicken Tinga
“This was amazing! My hubby just returned from Monterey and said that this was better than anything he ate there.” —Carol
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga
Chicken Mole Enchiladas
When you hear mole sauce, you can’t help but think of authentic Mexican cooking.
Yvette’s rich mole sauce, made with Mexican chocolate, perfectly combines her grandma’s and mom’s recipes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Mole Enchiladas
Pork Tamales Rojos
Yvette has memories of her grandma spending days leading up to Christmas making tamales for the entire family.
She shares her grandma’s recipe and includes step-by-step directions, as well as a video tutorial so you can make authentic-tasting pork tamales with friends and family.
Get the Recipe: Pork Tamales Rojos
Red Chicken Pozole
Pozole is a spicy chile Mexican soup traditionally served at New Year’s Eve celebrations, but it’s great any time of year.
It’ll be a hit at your Cinco de Mayo celebration or anytime during the fall and winter when you want comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Red Chicken Pozole
Huevos Rancheros
The secret to making authentic huevos rancheros is the homemade ranchero sauce. Recipe variations and different topping ideas are also included.
Get the Recipe: Huevos Rancheros
Conchas (Mexican Sweet Bread)
“My husband originates from Mexico and he loves conchas. I, on the other hand, have always found them to be very dry. That is until I tried this recipe. It was easy to put together, and my family loved it.” —Gail
Get the Recipe: Conchas
Albondigas Soup
Nothing tastes more comforting than a bowl of this old-world Mexican soup that consists of mini meatballs, broth, rice, and veggies.
As a child, Yvette remembers watching her grandma roll the meatballs and wondering how she made them so perfect.
While her grandma made them perfectly because of years of practice, she shares a clever hack for making them all uniform in shape, just like her grandma.
Get the Recipe: Albondigas Soup
Red Chile Chilaquiles
Yvette couldn’t share her family’s tortilla recipe without also sharing her incredibly yummy red chili chilaquiles recipe.
Made with fried pieces of tortillas, cheese, and plenty of homemade red sauce, chilaquiles are a popular Mexican breakfast.
Whether you eat them with eggs or other toppings, one thing is for sure: they are a satisfying way to start the day.
Get the Recipe: Red Chile Chilaquiles
Tacos de Carnitas
Taco Tuesday just got much more flavorful and authentic with these carnitas tacos.
Tender caramelized pork, chipotle peppers, and plenty of Mexican spices combine to make these mouthwatering tacos that rival any taqueria.
Get the Recipe: Tacos de Carnitas
Authentic Mexican Buñuelos
Buñuelos is a traditional Mexican dessert consisting of a crispy golden tortilla sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
One person commented that they love eating theirs with a scoop of vanilla ice cream; yum!
Get the Recipe: Authentic Mexican Buñuelos
Sopes
Sopes are a traditional Mexican dish originating from southern and central Mexico. Made with masa, their pinched sides form a shallow cup you can fill with all sorts of tasty toppings.
Get the Recipe: Sopes
Nopales con Huevo
It doesn’t get more traditional than Nopales con Huevo, a Mexican breakfast made with scrambled eggs and cactus pieces.
Get the Recipe: Nopales con Huevo
Mexican Hot Chocolate
If you haven’t tried Mexican hot chocolate before, you’re in for quite a treat. It’s made with cinnamon sticks and Mexican chocolate and will give you an instant cozy feeling.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate
Pork Tinga Flautas
These flautas are stuffed with tender pulled pork and spices made in the slow cooker and then fried to golden perfection.
Get the Recipe: Pork Tinga Flautas
Pork Tacos al Pastor
One recipe reviewer said, “This is a perfect way to reproduce tacos al pastor in the home. It is so reminiscent of all the tacos de pastor with pineapple dripping down from the top of the pile in puestos all over Mexico.”
Get the Recipe: Pork Tacos al Pastor
Asado de Puerco (Pork in Red Chile Sauce)
Sometimes called Chili Colorado, Asado de Puerco is a pork stew made with chili sauce.
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing Mexican recipe, you can easily make a big batch of this incredible stew.
Get the Recipe: Asado de Puerco (Pork in Red Chile Sauce)
Homemade Flour Tortillas
One of my husband’s favorite things his Mexican grandmother would make growing up was homemade tortillas fresh off the stove smothered in butter.
Get all of Yvette’s tips for making irresistible tortillas just like abuela.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Flour Tortillas
Gorditas with Chile Verde Beef and Potatoes
Yvette shared a lovely family memory of her grandma making these for the annual church bazaar every year. They were so tasty that a massive line of people would always be waiting to get one.
Yvette learned how to make gorditas from her grandma, which is the foundation of the recipe below.
Get the Recipe: Gorditas with Chile Verde Beef and Potatoes
Birria de Res
Birria de Res is a hearty red chili sauce and beef stew.
This slow cooker recipe couldn’t be easier to make, and there are multiple ways to use this meat, so you’ll never get bored.
Get the Recipe: Birria de Res
Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)
Capirotada is a traditional Mexican bread pudding from the 1400s. It’s made with cinnamon, cloves, cheese, raisins, and bread (of course).
This recipe has many five-star reviews, and many comments have one overriding theme; it tastes just like mom’s or grandma’s capirotada they grew up eating.
Get the Recipe: Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)
Chiles Rellenos
Chiles Rellenos was one of Yvette’s favorite dishes growing up, so much so that she published this exact recipe in her first cookbook.
Get the Recipe: Chiles Rellenos
By the way, her latest cookbook, Muy Bueno: Fiestas, has amazing Mexican recipes for celebrating just about every occasion.
Sopaipillas
“Growing up in New Mexico, these were a staple always on my abuela’s table. This recipe reminds me of when I was a little girl waking into the kitchen.” —Pauline
Get the Recipe: Sopaipillas
Caldo de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Soup)
“The taste brought me back to my grandmother’s small kitchen, and when we would visit her from out of state, she would make this delicious caldo.” —Norma
Get the Recipe: Caldo de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Soup)
Chicken Enchiladas
Ready in just 30 minutes, these chicken enchiladas will impress everyone.
Once you make the easy homemade enchilada sauce, you’ll never want to go back to canned again.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas
Mexican Rice and Frijoles Refritos (Refried Beans)
Rice and beans are Mexican food staples, and these traditional recipes will have you making them just like mom and grandma.
This rice recipe has been in the family for generations, so you know it’s authentic.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Rice
Yvette and her mom have a fabulous video showing you how to make their family refried bean recipe.
Get the Recipe: Frijoles Refritos (Refried Beans)
In Closing
A special thanks to Yvette from Muy Bueno for letting me feature her wonderful recipes.
Yvette told me that her blog Muy Bueno is a “legacy piece to my grandma,” and you can definitely feel the love in each recipe she shares.
So whether you’re looking for a specific nostalgic dish just like your abuela used to make or want to learn more about Mexican cooking and culture, be sure to check out Muy Bueno.
