Mexican Appetizers

This collection of Mexican Appetizer Recipes contains all the best dips, salsas, and quick and easy appetizers that will perfectly compliment your entrees at your next fiesta!

More Collections: Mexican Chicken Recipes, Mexican Dessert Recipes, Mexican Soup Recipes

Perfect for Fiestas!

I’ve mentioned before that I’m part Mexican. My family loves to have Mexican themed meals on occasion when we get together!

Sometimes it’s for holidays like Cinco de Mayo or Christmas, but other times it’s just for a regular old Sunday dinner. Either way, we love a good fiesta. 😉

Whenever we have a Mexican meal, we go ALL out with appetizers, entrees, desserts, and even drinks! I wanted to share with you some of our favorite Mexican Appetizer Recipes that we frequently use for these fiestas!

This list includes quick and easy recipes that take less than 30 minutes, dips, and salsas.

What are the most common Mexican appetizers?

There are many amazing starters that can be served at any Mexican Fiesta. Some of our favorites include:

• Salsa: You can’t go wrong with classic chips and salsa. You can use the traditional red salsa or serve variations like corn salsa or mango salsa.
• Dips like guacamole, hot queso, bean dip and more make a perfect Mexican appetizer.
• Taquitos can be filled with Chicken, beef, or even avocado or cream cheese and chicken.
• Quartered quesadillas– they can be plain cheese or filled with other delicious ingredients.
• Jalapeno poppers and street tacos are small and easy to eat.

making mexican appetizers

Adding/reducing spice in Mexican appetizers:

• Jalapenos and peppers are often used in Mexican food. They can also be quite hot. If you don’t want a hot dish then you can reduce the amount used, Another thing you can do to reduce their heat is to remove the seeds and 
• Make it mild and provide options for guests to add heat to their individual dishes such as hot sauce, hot salsa, red chili flakes, sliced jalapenos, chipotle pepper flakes.
• Reducing the heat of a hot dish: Honey, butter, lime juice and lemon juice will help cut through the heat and neutralize it a bit. You can also top the dish with sour cream,  cheese,  avocados, lettuce and tomatoes. Serving the dish with some starch like rice, beans, flour tortillas, or cornbread can also help reduce the spiciness of the meal.

Appetizer Serving Tips

How many to serve: Having the right amount of appetizers can be tricky to calculate. The main factors I use are if dinner will be served, the length of the party, and number of guests. 

• If dinner will also be served, then plan for about 3-5 pieces per person.
• Only appetizers: plan to serve about 10-12 pieces per person for a two hour party. Add about 5 more pieces per person for every hour after.
• If you have fewer than 10 guests offer 2-3 different types of appetizers. If you are having more than 10 guests add another dish for every 5-8 more people.

Variety: Try to offer a mix of warm and cold, heavy and light, proteins and produce. If you can, try to incorporate different colors and textures as well.

Serving Logistics: Have one central appetizer table or divide the appetizers onto several plates or tiers and have them placed in various areas around the room. Include plates, napkins and utensils at each station.

Make Ahead: Many Mexican appetizers can be prepared ahead of time. See the individual posts for more info. Dips are especially delicious when made ahead of time because all the flavors have a chance to blend together. 

Easy Mexican appetizers

I love Mexican appetizers, and it’s especially nice when they are quick and easy. These recipes are super simple and take less than 30 minutes to prep!

Chicken Quesadillas – These easy, cheesy Chicken Quesadillas are a crowd favorite. They are not only filled with cheese and chicken, but a delicious homemade sauce that makes these hand-held goodies irresistible!

Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos – These Sausage Stuffed Jalapeños Are Also Filled With Cream Cheese And Baked To Perfection. Trust Us When We Say They’re A Must-Have Appetizer At Your Next Party.

Buffalo Chicken Taquitos – Serve these Buffalo Chicken Taquitos as an easy dinner idea, or as an appetizer at your next party or get together.

Jalapeno Poppers – Spicy Fried Jalapeño Poppers Are A Classic Appetizer That Everyone Wants! Bite Into These Cheesy Poppers For A Flavor Explosion!

Beef Flautas – Tortillas Filled With Meat And Cheese And Fried To Perfection! Crispy, Flavorful Flautas Are A Delicious Dinner For Everyone!

Cream Cheese and Chicken Taquitos – Everyone Loves These Cheesy Taquitos! They’re Filled With Chicken, Cream Cheese, Salsa, And Spinach And Are Great As Appetizers Or Even A Main Dish.

Avocado Taquitos – Avocado Taquitos aka “Flautas” are filled with avocados and cheese and fried to perfection! They’re perfect for a main dish or appetizer.

Chicken Tacos – Super Easy Restaurant-Style Chicken Tacos. Easy Ingredients Including Shredded Chicken, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, & Corn Tortillas.

Ground Beef Tacos – One Of Our Favorite Versions Of Tacos – Ground Beef Tacos!! They’re Filled With Meat And Cheese, Fried Until Golden And Topped With Lettuce And Tomatoes.

Fiesta Pinwheels – Fiesta pinwheels are bite-size tortilla rolls filled with a spiced cream cheese mixture. They are a party in your mouth!

mexican Dip recipes

Keeping cold dips cold and hot dips hot? Salsa and dips are definitely a favorite to be served with Mexican dishes. The trick is to be able to keep them hot or cold.

• Hot: The easiest way to keep dips hot is to use a crock pot. You can also use chafing dishes. Serve in a ceramic or glass dish since they will retain heat longer than metal. Another way to try is to only set out as much as will be eaten in 30 minutes. Refill with hot dip is needed. 
• Cold: You can serve cold dips on top of a bowl or tray of ice. Another way to keep your dip cold is to only set out what can be eaten within 30-60 minutes. Keep the rest of the dip in the fridge and refill as needed.

All of these dips can compliment the entrees (I love eating bean dip with my enchiladas!), but you can also serve them with tortilla chips. We have a recipe for Homemade Tortilla Chips (fried) and Baked Tortilla Chips that are slightly healthier. 😉

Chili Cheese Dip – Just Four Ingredients Make For The BEST And Yummiest Chili Cheese Dip! Melty Cheese And Hearty Chili Are So Tasty Together! It’s The Perfect Appetizer For Any Party.

Cream Cheese Bean Dip – This Cream Cheese Bean Dip Recipe Is Our New Favorite Mexican Dip! With Sour Cream, Cream Cheese, Mexican Cheese, Refried Beans, And Salsa, It Is The Perfect Dip To Eat With Chips, Tacos, Or Any Mexican Dish!

Avocado Lime Ranch Dip – It Only Takes A Small Handful Of Ingredients And A Few Minutes To Whip Up Some Creamy And Delicious Avocado Lime Ranch Dip! Filled With Cilantro, Lime Juice, And Avocado, This Ranch Dip Is Perfect For Dipping Chips Or Topping Mexican Dishes!

7 Layer Bean Dip – This Is Our Family’s Favorite 7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe! It Has Loads Of Flavor And All Your Favorite Dip Ingredients Including Avocados, Olives, Tomatoes, Cheese, Guacamole And More! It’s A Must-Have Appetizer At Every Family Function.

Chipotle Ranch – Chipotle ranch has just the right amount of kick. Drizzle it over salads, dip tortilla chips, or serve it on the side of your Mexican entrees.

Crock Pot Bean Dip – This Cheesy And Delicious Crock Pot Bean Dip Is Made With Hardly Any Effort! SO Easy, Convenient, And Perfect For Holiday Parties! Grab Those Chips And Get Dippin’.

Jalapeno Popper Dip – Jalapeño Popper Dip Is Packed With 4 Kinds Of Cheese, Just Enough Spicy Jalapeños To Give It A Kick, And A Golden Crispy Topping. This Dip Is Sure To Be A Hit At Your Next Party!

Chili’s Queso – Copycat Chili’s Queso Recipe Takes Just Minutes To Make!! It’s Not Only Simple But It’s Delicious And Addicting.

Taco Dip – Loaded With All Of Your Favorite Taco Toppings, This Creamy Taco Flavored Dip Is Perfect For Dipping With Tortilla Chips. We Love This Appetizer For Parties And Get Togethers.

Avocado Cream Sauce – Spread, Dip, Dabble- This Avocado Cream Sauce Is The Perfect Paring To All Of Your Mexican Dishes! It’s A Little Bit Tangy, Creamy, And Super Delicious.

Chicken Enchilada Dip – If You Love The Flavors Of Enchiladas Like We Do, You’ll Love This Dip. It Really Does Taste Like Creamy, Cheesy Enchiladas In A Delicious Appetizer Form.

Hamburger Dip – A cheesy, hearty dip made with only 4 ingredients—this Savory Hamburger dip is always a hit at parties.

Tamale Dip – Hearty Tamale Pie Dip Is Filled With The Familiar Flavors Of A Mouth-Watering Cheesy Chicken Tamale. Even Better, It’s Much Easier To Make And Takes Less Than Half The Time!

Simple Guacamole – Spicy, Chunky Simple Guacamole Is So Easy And Addicting, It’s Sure To Be A Crowd Pleaser! You Won’t Be Able To Stop Eating It.

Queso Blanco – The Best And Easiest Queso Blanco Recipe Out There. This Delicious Dip Is Made In No Time, And Will Be The Perfect Addition At Your Next Get Together, Especially Served With Tortilla Chips And Veggies.

favorite salsas

Again, all of these fresh salsas are tasty on the side of any Mexican entree, but they’re also perfect with some tortilla chips. For the chunkier salsa (like the ones with fruit), I recommend using the scoop shaped tortilla chips!

Corn Salsa – Savory Corn Salsa Has A Little Kick Of Spice! There Are So Many Yummy Uses For This Delicious And Simple Salsa.

Strawberry Salsa – You Can’t Go A Summer Without Eating This Sweet And Spicy Strawberry Salsa! The Flavors Are So Unique. You Can Even Serve With Fish, Tacos, Or Any Mexican Dish.

Homemade Salsa – This Is Such An EASY Homemade Salsa Recipe! All You Have To Do Is Throw All The Ingredients Into Your Blender, And Blend! It Tastes Just Like Restaurant Salsa, And Goes Perfectly With Tortilla Chips, Tacos, Enchiladas, Or Any Other Mexican Food!

Tomatillo Salsa – Easy Tomatillo Salsa Is Spicy And Delicious! It’s Great With Tortilla Chips Or As A Sauce On Top Of Your Favorite Mexican Dishes!

Peach Salsa – Fresh Peach Salsa Is Delicious With Chips, On Top Of Fish Or Pork, Or Spooned Over Tacos! You’ll Love The Sweet And Savory Flavors In This Simple Recipe!

Black Bean and Corn Salsa – This Black Bean And Corn Salsa Is One Of Our Favorite Dips And Appetizers. It’s Great With Any Mexican Dish Or Served With Tortilla Chips And Is Filled With Tomatoes, Avocados, Corn And Black Beans!

Chili’s Salsa – The restaurant salsa you know and love, made at home anytime you like! This Chili’s Salsa copycat recipe is literally made in minutes with the help of a blender.

Salsa Verde – Sweet Salsa Verde – A Delicious Salsa Recipe That Is Sweet And Spicy And Takes Just Minutes To Make. Ingredients Include Tomatillos, Jalapeños, Sugar, & Cilantro.

Mango Salsa – This Sweet And Savory Mango Salsa Is Perfect With Chips Or Any Mexican Meal. It’s Filled With Sweet Pineapple, Cilantro, Mangoes, Onion, Cilantro And Jalapeños Making It Full Of Flavor And Simple To Make.

Pineapple Salsa – Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Salsa That You Won’t Be Able To Stop Snacking On. Eat It With Your Favorite Tortilla Chips And Share With Friends And Family!

Cucumber Salsa – Crisp And Light Cucumber Salsa Is Delicious With Tortilla Chips Or On Top Of Tacos. It Is Best When Freshly Made And Chilled.

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The Complete List

Here are the picture recipe cards for all the recipes in this collection!

With so many delicious Mexican Appetizers to choose from you really can’t go wrong! Any of these are sure to be a hit.

Be sure to check out all of our Appetizer Recipes!