If you’re organising an event which involves food, menu planning is a very important part of the process. And trust us. We know how daunting selecting what to eat is.
Firstly, you want to make sure you have enough food on hand so that no one goes hungry. However, you don’t want to spend too much money either. Well, the good news is that there are some great options out there when it comes to Mexican catering food ideas. Even better, many of them won’t blow-out your budget.
Luckily, there are plenty of them out there, so all you have to do is have an idea of what you want to serve at your event. And that’s why we are here!
Here are 20 Mexican catering food ideas that will help you plan an amazing menu for any type of party or event:
1. Tacos
When it comes to tacos, they really are just about everywhere in Mexico.
They come in all shapes and sizes, from simple ones made with corn tortillas to more elaborate versions made with flour tortillas stuffed with meat, cheese, beans, etc. If you’re looking for something quick and easy, then look no further than taco trucks.
These little turnovers filled with savoury fillings like beef, chicken, pork and cheese, are another staple of Mexican cuisine. There are many different types of empanadas, including sweet ones, which are often served as dessert after dinner.
A typical Mexican breakfast food, this dish consists of fried tortillas topped with eggs covered in salsa verde (green sauce) and avocado slices. You can also add beans, if you wish.
It is a delicious dish that is both easy to prepare and pleasant to eat during an event or a party.
These cheesy pocket sandwiches are usually filled with ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sometimes even jalapenos. They’re a popular choice at fiestas because they’re both filling and inexpensive.
Moreover, they also make a great lunch option for kids – so we reckon they’d work well at a kid’s birthday party.
Finally, they’re perfect for parties because they can easily be cut into bite-sized pieces.
Make sure you pop Quesadillas on your list of Mexican catering foods ideas.
5. Ensalada De Frijol Y Pollo
Translating as beans and chicken salad, this dish is really popular in Mexico. It’s a classic combo that is typically served cold, but it’s also great when served warm.
Alternatively, if you want to keep your salads simpler and leave the chicken and meat for the rest of the dishes, you can serve an Ensalada de Jícama y Habas. This salad features shredded jicama root mixed with boiled habas (broad beans).
It’s a refreshing side dish that will fill you up without weighing you down.
A third option would be to make an Ensalada Mixta, which is exactly what it sounds like – a mixed salad.
Mixed salad greens are a popular side dish in Mexico. Depending on what’s available, people may add avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, radishes, bell peppers, onions and jalapeños. Feel free to be creative with it, but don’t forget to include it amongst your Mexican catering foods ideas.
A traditional Mexican sandwich, this open-faced delight is loaded with pulled pork and toppings like tomatoes, onions, cilantro, olives and pickled jalapeños. It’s usually eaten for lunch, but it’d be a great addition to your dinner buffet table.
Welcome to the delicious world of tostones – fried green plantains that are a traditional snack in Mexico. They’ve become somewhat of a trendy food item in the United States lately and we reckon they’ll be popping up here in Australia too soon.
They’re usually eaten plain or dipped in guacamole, coriander (cilantro), and olives. Whilst they are generally served hot, you can also have them cold.
As an extra option, you can have tostones con pollo, which are crispy fried plantains stuffed with pieces of chicken and covered in a sweet pineapple juice glaze. Yummy hey?
Pop them on your list of Mexican catering foods ideas.
A torta ahogada (or ‘drowned sandwich’ in English) is a Mexican sandwich cooked with pork carnitas and red onions on a crusty bread roll that’s similar to a baguette. It’s served with fresh lime wedges and dipped or “drowned” in a red chilli sauce.
The Latin American version of a pitta-wrapped food, tamales are intriguing parcels of tastiness. Made of corn leaves and stuffed with delicious ingredients like chicken, pork, beef, chilli, vegetables, cheese, or a combination of things, they are delicious.
Chochoyotes are little masa-based dough balls that are cooked in soup or broth. You may say that they are like meatballs but without the meat, or that they are somewhat steamed dumplings with no filling.
These days you can find them made with wheat flour, rice, potato, or even gluten-free flours, so feel free to ask for some extra options if you have, for example, gluten-intolerant guests invited. Served in a herby broth, shrimps are a great option to add to the bowl.
11. Flan
Now we’re talking!
A popular Mexican delicacy, flan is a creamy, rich, orange-scented custard topped with a golden, syrupy layer of caramelised sugar. If you know the French creation, creme caramel, it’s a close cousin.
Sopes are similar to little tortillas, but thicker around the edges to keep all the toppings on them. These small corn cakes are typically deep-fried, although they can also be baked if you want them to be healthier, and they’re most usually topped with shredded beef, pork, or chicken.
This raw seafood dish has been around for centuries in South America. It’s made by marinating fresh fish or shrimp in citrus juices, fruits, and spices.
Take some pork, marinate it for a few hours, then gently grill it and pile it onto a tortilla. This juicy pork is then cut into thin pieces, and served with fresh pineapple, cilantro, and chopped onions.
Juicy, tender, and flavoursome, they will be gone before you know it. Why not try serving them alongside a salsa, such as pico de gallo?
This rich chocolate sauce is traditionally made from dried chilies, nuts, seeds, cocoa powder, vanilla and more.
It is thickened with ground almonds and/or oats.
While the word “mole” is used to refer to a variety of sauces in Mexico, mole poblano is a very thick, savoury, chilli and chocolate sauce. Surprisingly, some recipes include as many as 20 ingredients.
As a Top Tip, suggest that your guest soak the Tortitas Ahogadas in the mole poblano – they are a great combo!
Once you have exhausted Mexican food, perhaps you can try another cuisine? Check out our Filipino Catering Food Ideas for more fantastic dishes.
17. Paella Valenciana
Another classic Spanish rice dish, paella Valenciana includes chicken, rabbit, shellfish, clams, mussels, vegetables, etc. Famous around the world, you can easily treat your guests with some as it is one of the ‘safe’ choices when it comes to fussy taste buds.
If you want to add more spiciness to the buffet, this is the dish to do it. Camarones al mojo de achiote is shrimps, and optionally octopus, that is breaded and pan-seared in a fiery red mojo sauce containing aji (chilli) peppers, garlic, and herbs.
Most people argue that Steak and mashed potatoes are a classic combination. However, they don’t get much better than this!
Soft and creamy jacket potatoes are loaded with ground beef or even slices of juicy grilled steak – all seared to perfection.
Finally, top with some sour cream, and you have a match made in heaven!
20. Arroz Con Leche
Lastly, we have a dessert.
Rice pudding is a childhood favourite, and there’s no reason why you should grow out of it. This dish is made with milk instead of water, and cooked slowly until all the flavours meld together into a smooth texture.
This is a famous dessert in countries like Germany too. Perhaps you’ve tried it somewhere? If you have, you know a dash or 2 of cinnamon on top will really amps up the flavours.
Now that you have 20 Mexican catering foods ideas and plenty of alternatives to them, you can start getting that menu ready.
Since you Mexican food is the basis of the menu, don’t forget to bring some Mexican drinks to the party. As we all know, you can never go wrong with margaritas!
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
