Mexican Potluck Recipe Ideas: Flavorful Dishes

Mexican Potluck Recipe Ideas – Mexican cuisine is a fantastic choice for potlucks because it offers bold flavors, colorful presentations, and dishes that are easy to share with a crowd. Popular options include hearty casseroles such as enchiladas or tamale pie, which can be baked in large pans and served in generous portions. Tacos are another crowd-pleaser, with fillings like shredded beef, chicken, or grilled vegetables that guests can customize with toppings such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese. For lighter options, consider Mexican street corn (elote), a vibrant corn salad, or fresh pico de gallo with tortilla chips. Slow-cooked dishes like chili con carne, carnitas, or barbacoa are ideal for feeding many people, while sweet treats like churros, tres leches cake, or flan make perfect desserts to round out the spread. Mexican potluck recipes are not only delicious but also encourage interaction, as guests can mix, match, and build their own plates filled with festive and flavorful foods.

Mexican Potluck Recipe Ideas

Chicken Enchiladas

Credit @skinnytaste

• Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken

  • 8–10 corn tortillas

  • 2 cups enchilada sauce

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar/jack cheese

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 2 tbsp oil

  • Sour cream, cilantro for garnish

• How to Cook

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

  2. Heat tortillas in a pan with a bit of oil to soften.

  3. Mix chicken, onion, and ½ cup enchilada sauce.

  4. Fill tortillas with the mixture, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in a baking dish.

  5. Pour remaining sauce on top and sprinkle cheese.

  6. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly.

  7. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro before serving.

Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Credit @mexicue

• Ingredients

  • 6 corn cobs (grilled or boiled)

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • ½ cup cotija cheese (or feta)

  • 1 tsp chili powder

  • 2 tbsp lime juice

  • Chopped cilantro

• How to Cook

  1. Grill or boil corn until tender.

  2. Brush each cob with mayonnaise.

  3. Sprinkle cotija cheese and chili powder generously.

  4. Drizzle lime juice and garnish with cilantro.

  5. Serve hot on skewers or cut into pieces for sharing.

Guacamole with Tortilla Chips

Credit @guactimeusa

• Ingredients

  • 4 ripe avocados

  • 1 tomato, finely diced

  • ½ onion, minced

  • 2 tbsp lime juice

  • 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped

  • Salt & pepper

  • Tortilla chips for serving

• How to Cook

  1. Mash avocados in a bowl.

  2. Mix in tomato, onion, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper.

  3. Adjust seasoning to taste.

  4. Serve with tortilla chips in a large bowl.

Mexican Rice

Credit @carlsbadcravings

• Ingredients

  • 2 cups long-grain rice

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 2 tomatoes, blended into sauce

  • 3 cups chicken broth

  • 2 tbsp oil

  • 1 tsp cumin

  • Salt

• How to Cook

  1. Heat oil in a pan and fry rice until lightly golden.

  2. Add onion and sauté until soft.

  3. Stir in tomato sauce and cumin.

  4. Pour in broth, season with salt, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.

  5. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Beef Tacos

Credit @modern_honey

• Ingredients

  • 500g ground beef

  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder mix)

  • 8–10 taco shells

  • 1 cup shredded lettuce

  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes

  • 1 cup shredded cheese

  • Salsa & sour cream

• How to Cook

  1. Cook beef in a skillet until browned.

  2. Add taco seasoning and ½ cup water, simmer until thickened.

  3. Fill taco shells with beef.

  4. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

Chicken Quesadillas

Credit @thecozycook

• Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts, grilled & sliced

  • 4 large flour tortillas

  • 2 cups shredded cheese

  • ½ cup bell peppers, sautéed

  • ½ cup onions, sautéed

  • Sour cream & salsa

• How to Cook

  1. Heat a tortilla on skillet.

  2. Add cheese, chicken, peppers, and onions.

  3. Top with another tortilla.

  4. Cook until golden brown on both sides.

  5. Slice into wedges and serve with dips.

Churros with Chocolate Sauce

Credit @timeoutmarketcapetown

• Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour

  • 1 cup water

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • 1 tbsp sugar

  • 1 egg

  • Oil for frying

  • Cinnamon sugar mix

  • Chocolate sauce (melted chocolate + cream)

• How to Cook

  1. Boil water, butter, and sugar in a saucepan.

  2. Stir in flour, mix well until dough forms.

  3. Cool slightly, then mix in egg.

  4. Pipe dough into hot oil and fry until golden.

  5. Roll in cinnamon sugar.

  6. Serve with warm chocolate sauce.

Pozole (Mexican Hominy Soup)

Credit @micasamexicana.yvr

• Ingredients

  • 500g pork shoulder, cubed

  • 2 cans hominy (white corn)

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic

  • 2 dried chilies, soaked & blended

  • 1 tsp cumin

  • 1 tsp oregano

  • Toppings: cabbage, radish, lime, tortilla chips

• How to Cook

  1. Boil pork with onion and garlic until tender.

  2. Add hominy and chili paste.

  3. Season with cumin and oregano.

  4. Simmer for 1–2 hours.

  5. Serve with shredded cabbage, radish slices, and lime.

Tamales

Credit @patijinich

• Ingredients

  • 2 cups masa harina (corn flour)

  • ½ cup lard or shortening

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • Filling: shredded chicken/beef with salsa

  • Corn husks (soaked in water)

• How to Cook

  1. Mix masa, lard, and broth into a soft dough.

  2. Spread dough onto corn husk.

  3. Add filling, fold husk to wrap.

  4. Steam tamales for 1–1.5 hours until firm.

  5. Serve warm.

Mexican Shrimp Ceviche

Credit @mariasmexicankitchentx

• Ingredients

  • 500g shrimp (peeled & deveined)

  • 1 cup lime juice

  • 1 tomato, diced

  • ½ onion, diced

  • 1 jalapeño, minced

  • 2 tbsp cilantro

  • Salt & pepper

• How to Cook

  1. Chop shrimp into small pieces.

  2. Marinate in lime juice for 30–60 minutes (until opaque).

  3. Mix in tomato, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.

  4. Season with salt and pepper.

  5. Serve chilled with tortilla chips.

Sopes (Thick Corn Cakes with Toppings)

Credit @lolitasrva

• Ingredients

  • 2 cups masa harina

  • 1 ½ cups warm water

  • Pinch of salt

  • Toppings: refried beans, shredded meat, lettuce, cheese, salsa

• How to Cook

  1. Mix masa harina, water, and salt to form dough.

  2. Shape into small thick discs.

  3. Cook on skillet until slightly golden.

  4. Pinch edges to form a rim.

  5. Top with beans, meat, lettuce, cheese, and salsa.