When you need a family-friendly dinner that is guaranteed to please, it’s helpful to have a go-to list of well-tested and trusted easy recipes. Here are 14 Mexican ground beef recipes that are real crowd pleasers, including , a tangy beef and green tomato chili and fancy chiles en nogada. Grab your forks, 14 protein-packed meals are waiting for you!
It’s no secret that I adore my veggies. I love plant-based Mexican food so much I wrote a whole cookbook about it! In fact, some of my favorite recipes on this blog are vegetarian or vegan. I love rolling up my sleeves and tackling chiles rellenos with from-scratch salsa ranchera, a batch of simple stewed green beans, or a bowl of charred poblano guacamole. But we are not a strictly vegan family and we love a good hearty (and easy) dinner where beef is the star every once in a while.
I Selected the Best Mexican Ground Beef Recipes
I went through all of my 1100+ Mexican recipes and selected my favorite 14 Mexican ground beef recipes that are tried-and-true favorites. Keep this list handy for the next time you need a comforting, tasty meal made with simple ingredients.
While my cheesy deep dish black bean enchilada casserole will always reign supreme, it’s not exactly kid-friendly. Sometimes we need something suitable for every taste, so try this chipotle beef and bean enchilada casserole or Picadillo instead. (Great for a crowd!)
If you’re referring to this list during grill season, I’ve got several burgers to choose from. They’re quick and full of flavor. Chorizo burgers and green chile cheeseburgers are prime choices. Or go with a cozy bowl of Instant Pot beef and chipotle chili in the cooler months.
And for the most intense meaty cravings, these mini Mexican meatloaves are ready in 30 minutes.
Now, let’s check out those recipes!
14 Authentic Mexican Ground Beef Recipes
1. Mini Mexican Meatloaves
I adore these miniature meatloaves mainly because they’re so stinkin’ cute but also have the perfect ratio of crusty edges and soft interior, I need a little textural contrast in my meatloaf and this is it. Not to mention they take about half the time to bake as traditional meatloaf, which is awesome, because I don’t know anyone who wishes dinner took longer to make. These are topped with a sweet and spicy tomato sauce flavored with brown sugar and chili powder.
2. Tangy Green Tomato and Beef Chili
A tangy twist on classic beef chili. Green tomatoes are swapped for traditional ripe red tomatoes then combined with ground beef, pinto beans, and poblano peppers for an irresistible chili recipe that uses up all of the green tomatoes still in the garden come fall. Use tomatillos to make this delicious chili the rest of the year. Serve with warm white corn tortillas and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
3. Cuban Picadillo
Maybe you’ve tried my Mexican version, you know the one with the carrots and potatoes that makes stellar tacos. This picadillo however is all about Cuban flavors. This easy recipe has garlic, pimento-stuffed green olives and the sweet foil of raisins. I’ve also added some chopped cured Spanish-style chorizo for rich pork flavor and spice.
4. Chorizo Burgers with Smashed Avocados and Crispy Onions
These burgers are full of Mexican flavors made with ground beef and chorizo. They are not the healthiest thing in the world, but like most not-healthy things, pretty phenomenal. The fat and spice from the chorizo bubble and melt into the beef as they cook.
5. Chipotle Beef and Bean Enchilada Casserole
This Chipotle Beef and Bean Enchilada Casserole is absolute comfort food at its best! It is a heartier take on our favorite Black Bean Enchilada Casserole with ground beef, pinto beans, sour cream, and jack cheese tucked between layers of tortillas and topped with chipotle enchilada sauce. Garnish with lots of thinly sliced green onions.
6. Mexican-Style Picadillo
Mexican picadillo is an easy, delicious dinner made with seasoned ground beef, potatoes, and carrots seasoned with ground cumin, black pepper. It makes a Taco Tuesday taco filling the whole family will love or enjoy it with refried beans, steamed jasmine rice, and hot sauce.
7. Instant Pot Beef and Chipotle Chili
Classic beef and bean chili with lots of kick from chipotles en adobo. This is right up there with our favorite Mexican ground beef recipes. Garnish to your heart’s content! With instructions for stove top and Instant Pot! Serve with tortilla chips for crushing over the top. Leftovers are even better the next day. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
8. Green Chile Cheeseburgers with Cayenne-Lime Mayo
Either make these on the grill, or a cast-iron skillet provides an easy indoor option that pan-fries the burgers to crispy-edge perfection. Whichever cooking method you use, the final step is topping the burgers with the green chiles and sprinkling it with cheese. The cheese melts on top of the chiles and adheres them to your burger, creating a rich, velvety casing that will offset the heat of any overly fiery chiles.
9. Classic Beef and Bean Burrito
Definitely child approved; my son devours these almost weekly. The burrito filling is made with wholesome ingredients they are way better than anything you’re buying from the frozen section of the grocery store. Another option is to skip the flour tortillas and make a burrito bowl with your favorite toppings like fresh onions, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, black olives, or a dollop of sour cream.
10. Freezer-Friendly Picadillo Enchiladas
My favorite way to enjoy picadillo is in enchilada form! Covered in homemade red sauce, they are exactly what you want on a chilly, late-winter’s night. Make a double batch one for dinner tonight and stick the other in the freezer for a hearty dinner later on.
11. Feta-Stuffed Burger with Grilled Mexican Street Corn
Grilled feta-stuffed hamburger topped with esquites (Mexican-style sweet corn tossed with creamy mayo, jalapeños, lime, scallions, and cayenne). You will have more Mexican Street Corn than is going to fit on the burger but it will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This recipe makes enough for a single lady’s burger but you can easily increase the ingredients to feed a crowd.
12. Chiles en Nogada
A show-stopper of a recipe that is traditionally eaten on Mexican Independence Day because the colors of the dish represent the Mexican flag. This is a great recipe for a dinner party or special occasion.
13. Sopa de Albondigas (Mexican Meatball Soup)
This Mexican ground beef recipe is one of those fabulous one pot meals. Albóndigas Soup or Mexican Meatball Soup recipe with chipotle meatballs made with both pork and beef. They simmer in a rich beef broth with tomatoes, rice, and spinach.
14. Tamale Pie with Sweet Potato-Cornbread Crust
Tamale Pie has nothing to do with tamales or pie but instead a wonderful Tex-Mex casserole of savory meat covered in a sweet potato-cornbread crust. The meat is seasoned with a homemade spice mix of paprika, cumin, and coriander but you could use a store bought taco seasoning if that’s easier.
Even More Meaty Recipes
- Grilled Steak Fajitas with Onions and Bell Peppers
- Oxtail Soup with Cilantro Chimichurri
- Healthy Taco Salad with Ground Turkey and Sweet Citrus Dressing
- Enchiladas Verdes with Chicken
- Mexican Torta with Turkey and Black Beans
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