Get a Taste of the American Southwest With Our Favorite Tex-Mex Dishes
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Tex-Mex is a type of food that's hard to define. It's inspired by many traditional Mexican dishes but has its own unique spin that was born straight out of the American Southwest. One distinction that sets Tex-Mex recipes apart from the rest is that it's beefier, cheesier, and often seasoned with cumin or chili powder. There are Yellowstone-inspired favorites like cowboy caviar and Texas chili along with Ree Drummond's twist on green chile cheeseburgers and tamale pie! For more distinct Tex-Mex recipes, check out the burrito recipes, nachos, and cheesy party dips on the list ahead.
If you've ever been to a Tex-Mex restaurant before, you know the sound of sizzling fajitas coming around the bend. "When I get a hankering for beef fajitas, I pretty much can think of nothing else until I eat them," Ree says of the classic Tex-Mex dish. Luckily, her recipe for fajitas will satisfy that craving, but we've also made sure to include chicken fajita pasta for another fun twist. The best part is that these Tex-Mex recipes are easy to make any night of the week. Try the taco casserole for a family-friendly meal or make the Southwestern pasta salad for your next backyard cookout. There's even a recipe for cinnamon-spice sopapillas that's perfect for a Southwestern dessert! So, go ahead shake up a classic Texas ranch water cocktail and cook up one of the recipes here.
Southwestern Pasta Salad
There are so many classic Tex-Mex flavors in this creamy pasta salad. For starters, the sweet corn, shredded cheese, and pinto beans are paired with a smoky chipotle pepper and cumin dressing. Then, there's avocado and cilantro for a burst of freshness!
Get the Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe.
Beef Fajitas
These grilled flank steak fajitas have all the fixins, like sizzling peppers and onions, grated cheese, salsa, and sour cream. It's one of Ree's "favorite things on earth!"
Get Ree's Beef Fajitas recipe.
Queso Dip
Kick off any Tex-Mex party with this classic cheesy dip. The ooey-gooey goodness comes from two types of cheese: white American and pepper jack for a spicy kick.
Get the Queso Dip recipe.
Southwestern Salad
This veggie-packed salad is light and refreshing, but you can also add some heft by topping it with grilled steak slices or even BBQ chicken. Either way, you won't want to leave off the zesty avocado dressing.
Get the Southwestern Salad recipe.
Chicken Fajita Pasta
Can't decide between fajita night and pasta night? Now you don't have to pick just one. This fun cuisine mash-up takes Tex-Mex to a whole new level.
Get Ree's Chicken Fajita Pasta recipe.
Tex-Mex Grain Bowls
Roasted vegetables seasoned with cumin and chili powder make this vegetarian grain bowl full of flavor. There's also pinto beans, avocado, and pickled jalapeños for good measure.
Get Ree's Tex-Mex Grain Bowls recipe.
Breakfast Burritos
There's nothing fancy about these breakfast burritos, but if you want to give them even more Tex-Mex flavor, Ree suggests swapping the sausage with chorizo and adding some pico de gallo or sour cream.
Get Ree's Breakfast Burritos recipe.
Chicken Nachos
These nachos are saucy, spicy, and cheesy—what's not to love? You can get creative with whatever fixings you like, or simply dive right in without any fuss.
Get Ree's Chicken Nachos recipe.
Taco Casserole
For a new take on taco night, try making the dish in a casserole instead. It's layered with ground beef, beans, cheese, and tortilla chips, then topped with all your favorite taco toppings.
Get the Taco Casserole recipe.
Cowboy Beans
If you love baked beans and you also love chili, get ready to try your new favorite cowboy dish. It's a big pot of comfort with smoky spices that's perfect for serving up with a hunk of cornbread.
Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.
Tamale Pie
This Tex-Mex comfort food starts with an adobo-seasoned filling of ground beef, chorizo, and beans. Then, it's topped with a fluffy, cheesy corn muffin mix. The whole thing is cooked in a cast-iron skillet that can go straight from the oven to the table.
Get Ree's Tamale Pie recipe.
Taco Salad
This lightened-up twist on taco Tuesday will even satisfy a hungry cowboy. That's because it's topped with going beef, cheese, jalapeño slices, and tortilla chips.
Get the Taco Salad recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
This colorful dip is sometimes referred to as Texas caviar, named after the state in which it was invented. It's a combination of black eyed peas and black beans, along with crunchy veggies, Tex-Mex spices, and fresh herbs.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Green Chile Cheeseburgers
If you've ever wondered what it means to serve up your burgers Southwestern-style, just look at Ree's recipe that's topped with melted pepper jack cheese and grilled chile peppers. Oh, and there's also a delicious garlic-lime mayo!
Get Ree's Green Chile Cheeseburgers recipe.
Texas Chili
A true Texas chili has no beans in sight. Instead, it's made with all beef, two types of dried chiles, and plenty of spice. Top it off with pickled jalapeños and corn chips.
Get the Texas Chili recipe.
Breakfast Enchiladas
Turn enchiladas into a fun weekend brunch with this recipe that's filled with chorizo, scrambled eggs, and Mexican blend cheese. The red enchilada sauce is store-bought for a quick and easy dish.
Get the Breakfast Enchiladas recipe.
Instant Pot Carnitas with Cornbread
Put your Instant Pot to work to make this spicy, tender pork carnitas dish. It's best served over a big piece of cornbread with fresh toppings, like radishes, cilantro, and pico de gallo.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Carnitas with Cornbread recipe.
Cinnamon-Spice Sopapillas
Be prepared to fall in love with this fried dough dessert. It's a popular treat in the Southwest, and it's often coated in cinnamon sugar, then served with honey for extra sweetness.
Get Ree's Cinnamon-Spice Sopapillas recipe.
Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese has big Tex-Mex flavor thanks to the fire-roasted corn, poblano chile pepper, and pepper jack cheese. It's perfect for those who can handle a hint of spice.
Get Ree's Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese recipe.
Green Chile Enchiladas
This might just be the easiest enchilada recipe you've ever tried. There's no rolling or filling of tortillas. Instead, it's all layered into a cast-iron skillet and baked until hot and bubbling.
Get Ree's Green Chile Enchiladas recipe.
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