7 Tex-Mex Copycat Recipes for a Build-Your-Own Dinner

Recipe by Food Network Kitchen at Food Network

Publisher total time

15 min

Active time

15 min

Yield

6 servings (about 2 cups)

Publisher details recorded October 21, 2026. Follow the source recipe for timing notes and current details.

A guacamole interpretation for a burrito-bar topping.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe avocados
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
• 1 to 2 teaspoons finely chopped seeded jalapeno (see Cook's Note)

Make this one of a few toppings rather than a separate appetizer course as well. Check the quantity against the number of bowls or tortillas you expect people to build.

Recipe by Food Network Kitchen at Food Network

Publisher total time

20 min

Active time

15 min

Yield

4 servings

Publisher details recorded October 21, 2026. Follow the source recipe for timing notes and current details.

A corn-salsa interpretation for bowls, tacos, or chips.

Ingredients

• 1/2 small poblano chile pepper, seeded
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels (from 2 ears), or 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

This can be the contrasting topping beside a richer protein. Combine shopping lists carefully, but keep each recipe’s quantities separate when you prepare the components.

Recipe by Brooke Fajcz at Savor the Flavour

Brooke Fajcz’s Chipotle-inspired carne asada.

Ingredients

For The Marinade

• ½ cup olive oil
• 4 jumbo garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds, We used El Guapo brand
• 4 chipotle chili peppers, from 1 can (canned in adobo sauce)
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
• ½ teaspoon Saigon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
• For the Carne Asada
• 2 pounds skirt steak, cut in three large pieces
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Choose this as an alternative to carnitas, rather than automatically making both. Read the source’s marinade and cut-of-meat guidance before buying steak or setting the dinner time.

Recipe by Carrie Barnard at Eating on a Dime

Carrie Barnard’s three-cheese queso interpretation.

Ingredients

• 8 oz American Cheese torn into small pieces
• 8 oz White American Cheese torn into small pieces
• 8 oz White Monterey Jack Cheese shredded
• 2 Poblano Peppers
• 2 Roma Tomatoes
• ¼ tsp Salt
• ¼ tsp Pepper
• 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• ¼ tsp Paprika
• ¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper
• ¼ tsp Garlic Powder

Use the full recipe to choose the cheeses and equipment. A warm dip can be the extra on a simple burrito bar, but it is another item that needs a place in the cooking plan.

Recipe by Food Network Kitchen at Food Network

Publisher total time

1 hr

Active time

40 min

Yield

4 servings

Publisher details recorded October 21, 2026. Follow the source recipe for timing notes and current details.

A filled-tortilla dinner inspired by Chi-Chi’s.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced (remove seeds for less heat)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Kosher salt
• 1 small tomato, chopped, plus more for topping
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 15-ounce can refried beans
• 4 10-inch flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, plus more for topping
• Mexi-sauce, for topping (recipe follows)
• Shredded lettuce, for topping
• Mexican rice, for serving

Mexi-Sauce

• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 chopped garlic cloves
• 2 4-ounce cans chopped green chiles (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

This can replace the burrito-bar plan entirely. Check the source’s filling and cooking directions before adding extra components, and keep the first version close to the developer’s recipe.