Think Mexican food has to mean carb-heavy dishes? Think again! This list of Mexican-inspired recipes is packed with bold flavors and creative low-carb options to keep your meals exciting while staying on track.
Table of Contents
Tired of bland low-carb meals? Spice things up with these irresistible Mexican-inspired recipes! Perfect for meal prep, quick weeknight dinners, or whenever you’re craving the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine without the carb guilt.
Whether you’re trimming carbs or simply want to recreate your favorite takeout at home with fewer calories, this roundup has everything you need to satisfy your cravings while keeping things fresh and flavorful.
Before You Get Started
Here are some notes before you get started:
- Cooking method: These recipes require a crockpot, Instant Pot, oven, or stovetop. However, you can always check the recipe instructions for alternative cooking methods if you don’t have the method used in the recipe.
- Prep beforehand: Many of these recipes can be prepped beforehand to make your life easier. For example, you can chop the veggies or make your low-carb sides ahead of time for a low-stress meal.
- Customize: Play around with different spices and toppings to create a unique, satisfying meal!
Chicken
Discover amazing chicken dishes for everything from low carb tacos to bowls, slow cooker ideas and more.
Sheet pan chicken fajitas are the ultimate one-pan dish—seasoned chicken, vibrant peppers, and onions roasted in the oven with a zesty blend of spices. It’s an easy, flavorful dinner that’s done in 30 minutes, leaving you more time to load up your fajitas with guacamole, salsa, and a sprinkle of cheese.
If you love bold flavors, this fiesta lime chicken will be your new go-to. Marinated in lime juice and spices, then topped with a creamy cilantro ranch and shredded cheese, it’s a fresh and zesty dish the whole family will love.
Pollo Asado is packed with flavor—juicy chicken marinated in citrus, garlic, and warm Mexican spices, then seared on the grill. It’s a great low-carb base, perfect for making tacos, salads, or just devouring straight off the grill.
This Chicken Machaca is packed with bold, smoky flavors and comes together in no time. Tender shredded chicken mixed with peppers, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and spices makes it perfect for tacos, salads, or wraps.
If you’re looking for tacos that are fresh, flavorful, and low-carb, these grilled chicken tacos deliver. Marinated to perfection and grilled for that smoky char, they’re an easy way to level up taco night while staying on track.
This Mexican shredded chicken is juicy, flavorful, and perfect for all your low-carb favorites— tacos, salads, or lettuce wraps. It comes together in minutes and is packed with bold spices that make every bite delicious.
These slow cooker chicken carnitas are tender, juicy, and loaded with flavor, thanks to a simple mix of citrus and spices. They’re a low-carb win for busy days—just set it, forget it, and come back to perfect taco-ready chicken.
With its bright citrus marinade and smoky achiote paste, this slow cooker pollo pibil is full of bold flavors and low-carb goodness. The shredded chicken is perfect for tacos, bowls, or served over a bed of greens. It’s easy, exotic, and absolutely delicious.
This slow cooker chicken fajita soup has all the flavors you love about fajitas but in a cozy, low-carb bowl. Packed with tender shredded chicken, peppers, and a rich, spiced broth, it’s the perfect blend of comfort and nutrition. Top it off with some avocado or a sprinkle of cheese for a satisfying meal.
Pollo Ranchero is made with tender chicken breast, onion, and peppers in a flavorful and aromatic tomato sauce. Serve up this crave-worthy dish alongside beans and rice or load it into warm tortillas with your favorite toppings. Yum!
Beef
There are so many amazing Mexican dishes with beef that can be enjoyed low carb!
These steak fajitas are everything you want—tender, juicy slices of beef paired with caramelized onions and colorful peppers. A quick marinade makes the meat super flavorful, and everything cooks up in no time.
Let your crockpot do the heavy lifting with this easy carne asada recipe. The beef slowly soaks up all the citrus, garlic, and spice flavors, creating juicy, tender meat perfect for tacos or bowls.
This taco meat is everything you want—juicy, flavorful, and ridiculously easy. With a bold mix of spices and ground beef, you can whip up a skillet full of goodness in 20 minutes flat. Tacos, salads, or even meal-prep bowls—this recipe’s got you covered.
If you love melt-in-your-mouth beef, this slow cooker barbacoa will be your new favorite. The beef simmers in chipotle peppers, spices, and lime until it’s tender and filled with bold, smoky flavor. Perfect for tacos, bowls, or just devouring straight from the fork.
This Slow Cooker Beef Machaca is everything you want in a weeknight meal—rich, tender, and versatile. The shredded beef cooks low and slow with peppers, tomatoes, and spices, making it the perfect filling for all your favorite Mexican dishes.
Bold, smoky, and completely irresistible, this slow cooker Birria de Res brings restaurant-worthy flavor to your kitchen. The beef is simmered low and slow with chili peppers, tomatoes, and spices until it’s fork-tender—and since it’s low-carb, you can savor it any way you like.
If you’re looking for an easy, healthy meal prep option, these Taco Bowls with Cauliflower Rice are it. Packed with seasoned protein, crunchy toppings, and low-carb cauliflower rice, they’re full of flavor and keep you on track all week long.
Sunday just got better with these slow-cooker tri-tip tacos! The beef is fall-apart tender, seasoned with a savory spice rub, and perfect for low-carb taco shells or crisp lettuce wraps. Top with your favorites, like avocado or salsa, and dig in.
Turkey
Ground turkey is a staple ingredient in so many kitchens and there are so many delicious Mexican recipes that are low carb and delicious.
Who says healthy can’t be delicious? This turkey taco skillet combines tender ground turkey, cauliflower rice, and bold taco spices for a light but satisfying dinner. It’s a quick, one-skillet meal perfect for busy nights or meal prepping for the week.
Light, fresh, and full of flavor, these turkey taco lettuce wraps are a perfect swap for taco shells. Ground turkey is seasoned with taco spices and nestled into crunchy lettuce leaves for a quick, healthy dinner. Add your favorite toppings and dig in!
Enjoy the bold flavors of fajitas while keeping things low-carb with these Turkey Fajita Stuffed Zucchini boats. They’re loaded with juicy turkey, sautéed peppers, and onions and topped with melted cheese for a satisfying, guilt-free dinner.
Looking for a low-carb dinner packed with flavor? These Stuffed Poblano Peppers are loaded with ground turkey, veggies, and cheese, giving you that perfect balance of spicy, savory, and satisfying.
These Chipotle Meatballs are your new go-to low-carb recipe! With smoky chipotle heat and juicy turkey meatballs, they’re a flavorful and healthy dinner that packs a punch.
Mexican Stuffed Mushrooms stuffed with ground turkey, peppers, and onions and then covered in enchilada sauce and melted cheese couldn’t be more delicious.
Pork
Pork is a classic Mexican ingredient and there are so many low carb friendly options! Just swap in low carb tortillas.
Fork-tender pork with those perfectly crispy edges? Yes, please. These carnitas are slow-cooked for hours to lock in all that flavor and keep it low carb—perfect for stuffing into lettuce wraps or piling on a salad.
This Cochinita Pibil recipe brings the bold, savory flavors of Yucatán-style pork straight to your kitchen. The pork is marinated in citrus, achiote paste, and spices, then slow-cooked until it’s fall-apart tender. It’s a low-carb dish that’s perfect for tacos, bowls, or piled high on lettuce wraps.
Chile Verde that can be made with chicken or pork and can be made in the slow cooker, the Instant Pot, or right on the stove top. This real deal Mexican dish is seriously good.
Slow Cooker Chorizo Spiced Pulled Pork has all the flavor of a traditional Mexican chorizo but in a lightened up slow cooker meal made with pork tenderloin.
Seafood
When it gets warmer, I love making Mexican seafood recipes and so many are naturally low carb including ceviche, aguachile, and more.
Shrimp fajitas on a single pan? Yes, please! Tossed in a bold fajita seasoning and roasted with vibrant peppers and onions, these shrimp cook up tender and flavorful in no time.
Spicy, bold, and irresistibly saucy, these Camarones a la diabla are shrimp cooked in a fiery chili sauce that packs a punch. Pair them with rice or tortillas to soak up every last drop of that smoky heat.
Garlic lovers, this one’s for you! These Camarones al Ajillo are tender, buttery shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic sauce with a squeeze of lime for brightness. Serve them with cauliflower rice or warmed corn tortillas to soak up every last drop—it’s that good.
Make these delicious Salmon Fajitas in just 20 minutes with 8 simple ingredients. Quick, healthy, and easy plus you can make them on a single sheet pan, in a skillet, or even in the air fryer.
Learn how to make Aguachile, a spicy cold shrimp dish from Mexico! Raw shrimp is marinated in fresh lime juice, cilantro, and jalapenos and then served cold.
Easy Fish Ceviche is a bright and refreshing Latin American dish made with fresh fish marinated in lime juice. It is easy to make, the perfect summer dish, and great as a main dish with tostadas or as a light appetizer or dip.
Vegetarian
Eating both low carb and vegetarian can be tricky, but these Mexican favorites can help!
This easy homemade sofritas recipe delivers all the smoky, spicy flavors you love without the carbs. Crumbled tofu is simmered in a bold chipotle sauce that’s perfect for low-carb taco bowls, salads, or even stuffed peppers. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor.
Looking for a low-carb, veggie-packed fajita option? These Portobello fajitas hit the spot! With savory mushrooms, sweet bell peppers, and a touch of spice, you get all the fajita flavor without the carbs. Perfect for a healthy, flavorful dinner.
Tofu Fajitas are a delicious way to make vegetarian and vegan fajitas! This dish is the ultimate healthy weeknight dinner, made with crispy tofu, onions, peppers, and a flavorful combination of spices.
This Rajas con Queso is a traditional Mexican guisado made with the most delicious blend of poblano peppers, onions, corn, and cheese. Serve this creamy, slightly spicy dish in tortillas or with chips.
Variations and Tips
Want to change things up? Here are a few fun variations and tips:
- Spicy Variations: Looking to turn up the heat? Toss in some jalapenos, chipotle peppers, or even habaneros for a fiery kick. A drizzle of sriracha or hot sauce can also do the trick!
- Meal Prep Ready: Want to make these recipes ahead of time? Most of these fillings can be prepped in bulk and stored for a few days in the fridge or freezer. Make extra to have ready for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Taco seasoning: Many of these recipes use taco seasoning or a blend of spices similar to taco seasoning. You can buy the pre-made seasoning or make your own taco seasoning in place of the spices if you like.
How to Serve These Low-Carb Meals
Keep these dishes low-carb with these low-carb sides!
- Cauliflower rice: Pile your meal on top of a bed of Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice or Mexican Cauliflower Rice and make a low-carb burrito bowl!
- Low carb tortillas and lettuce wraps: Ditch the flour and corn tortillas and use low carb tortillas, lettuce wraps, or jicama tortillas instead. They’re lower in carbs and perfect for tacos! Most grocery stores carry a huge variety of low carb tortilla options.
- Veggies: If the meal doesn’t have veggies, you can add some Zucchini & Poblano Pepper Saute, Grilled Peppers, or Fajita Veggies!
- Salad: Make a bed of lettuce, arugula, spinach, or whatever leafy greens you like, and add your protein on top for a delicious Mexican-inspired salad!
Low-Carb Toppings and Dressings
Since we’re short on carbs, you can make your meals come to life with toppings and dressings!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about these low-carb Mexican-inspired meals:
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-4 days, depending on the type of protein. Chicken, beef, turkey, and vegetarian dishes will last longer, whereas seafood won’t stay fresh as long.
Can I freeze leftovers?
You can add leftovers to the freezer, where they will stay good for up to 3 months. Just let the leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.