Enjoy these 30 easy Mexican recipes for Lent that you can make in a flash! Below are recipe ideas for fish, shrimp, and vegetables you can prepare from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday. Of course, these ideas are delicious for meatless Fridays or any day of the year, too.
The Lent season is around the corner, and this is the time of year when lots of families fast and cook dishes without red meat to serve on Fridays through holy week, or Semana Santa as we call it in our family.
And I’m so ready for seven weeks of yummy Mexican Lenten recipes. Are you? I have gathered a list of some of my favorite dishes to share with you to help you plan your menus.
To make your life easier, I’ve divided these ideas into categories with photos and links for each recipe. I recommend checking the whole list first, and then you can jump to a specific section by clicking these links:
- Mexican lent recipes with fish.
- Mexican lent recipes with shrimp.
- Mexican lent recipes with vegetables.
Enjoy!
Easy Mexican Lenten Recipes with Fish
Here, you will find fish dishes prepared with tuna, cod, tilapia, and salmon.
Mexican Tuna Patties
This is a kid favorite, serve with a few drops of lime juice and a salad and you are set!
Mexican Tuna Salad
I call this Silvia's tuna salad because I created this recipe during college when I wanted a fresh tuna salad without mayonnaise.
Fresh and yummy, serve it on tostadas for a complete meal.
Tuna Filled Avocado
The creaminess of the avocado goes so well with the tuna and veggies. But the best part is you can make this recipe in about 15 minutes!
Pan-Seared Cod with Strawberry Salsa
Try something new! This is a great combination of tender fish with sweet & spicy salsa.
Fish Veracruz
Also known as Pescado a la Veracruzana, this white fish is cooked in a tomato sauce with bell peppers, olives and capers. Yum!
Easy Breaded Fish Tacos
Fish tacos are always delicious and fast to prepare. These tacos feature breaded code with spicy chipotle salsa. A great dish for those days when you need to throw something together in minutes.
Fish Empanadas
The delicious filling for these empanadas includes tilapia (you can also use cod), olives, capers, and vegetables.
Jalapeño Tuna Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
A deliciously spicy and sweet combo. These stuffed sweet potatoes are ready in less than 15 minutes, thanks to the use of the microwave. Top with crunchy tortilla chips and chopped cilantro. Perfect for lunch or dinner.
Baked Salmon with Pesto
Even though this is not a 100% Mexican recipe for lent, I want it to add it to this list because it's flavorful and easy to prepare. Add pasta and a salad and you will have an incredible lenten dinner.
Spicy Salmon Cakes
Crispy outside and moist inside, these spicy salmon cakes are a delicious dish to end your day.
Mexican Tuna Stuffed Potato Roll
A roll of creamy cheese potatoes stuffed with a flavorful mixture of tuna fish, tomatoes, peppers and olives. Add a salad and you have dinner ready.
Easy Mexican Lenten Recipes with Shrimp
Some of my favorite seafood dishes are prepared with shrimp, check them out.
Shrimp and Guacamole Tacos
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. Guacamole and shrimp pair so well, and they’re both fast and easy to prepare.
Mexican Popcorn Shrimp Tostadas
This recipe for popcorn shrimp tostadas is incredibly simple, but still so extraordinarily satisfying and delicious. Layers of shrimp, veggies, cream, and cheese are so hard to resist!
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Sweet and savory, the combination of tomato sauce, avocado, chiles and shrimp make this dish irresistible and fresh.
Shrimp in Roasted Green Salsa
This recipe beautifully balances the flavors of the roasted tomatillos with the mild flavor of the shrimp. Serve with white rice and corn tortillas.
Shrimp in Beer Sauce
Another delicious idea for serving shrimp, this time in a deep and delicious tomato and beer sauce.
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Also known as “camarones al ajillo,” this is the easiest recipe ever. The shrimp cooks in a buttery and garlicky sauce, literally in minutes!
Cilantro Pesto and Shrimp Pasta
Another fast recipe, ideal for busy nights. We make it with zesty cilantro and creamy cashews. Spaghetti is a favorite but you can use any pasta shape you like.
Easy Mexican Vegetarian Recipes for Lent
Delicious dishes made with fresh ingredients.
Cheese Stuffed Jalapeños
These chiles are great as appetizers or as a main dish; add a vegetable soup or maybe this sweet and sour quinoa salad.
Mexican Cheese Entomatadas
Soft corn tortillas submerged in a tomato-chipotle sauce filled and covered with cotija cheese.
Mexican Sweet Potato Salad
Colorful and satisfying, this salad has the perfect balance of sweet and savory. You’ll want more.
Poblano Pepper and Corn Tacos
Also known as tacos de rajas, this is a very popular Mexican dish families enjoy all year round but especially during the Lenten season. Try them out!
Molletes
So humble, yet oh so delicious. Molletes are open-faced bean sandwiches served with cheese and salsa.
Chilaquiles with Guajillo Sauce
Soft tortillas submerged in a spicy guajillo salsa and topped with a sunny side egg and cheese.
Mexican Red Chilaquiles
The roasted red salsa is so good you would want to have a jar in your fridge at all times. This is an easy and super delicious dish for the season.
Mexican Pinto Bean Soup
Who says soup can’t be the main dish? Incredibly delicious and a great source of protein, this Mexican Pinto Bean Soup, lso known as Sopa Tarasca, is served with fried ancho chile, avocado, cheese, and sour cream.
Chipotle Black Bean Mini Tortas
I always keep a package of black bean patties in the freezer. It helps me prepare dishes quickly, saving time and effort. This is a great example.
Mexican Chile Relleno Pizza
A different kind of pizza made with flatbread, but with all that robust Mexican chile relleno flavor.
Poblano Pepper Galette
This is an easy, fast, meatless meal that looks like you’ve worked on it for hours, but takes just minutes to assemble. Flaky, crispy crust, covered with poblano pepper strips, sweet corn, fragrant onion and creamy cheese.
Sweet Desserts for Cuaresma
The traditional dessert for the season is Mexican capirotada, which I share with you below. However, other popular Mexican desserts are also served during this time of year.
Lenten Capirotada
A traditional Mexican bread pudding we serve just during the Lenten season.
So what do you think of them? Have you made any? Which recipe will you try first?
If one of these recipes has captured your attention and you decide to make it, I invite you to share it on social media using #mamalatinatips so I can see it and share it, too. We would love to know your thoughts.
Pin for Later
Enjoy!
- Creamy Coffee Flan Recipe - May 14, 2024
- Cantaloupe Agua Fresca Recipe - April 30, 2024
- Pineapple Agua Fresca Recipe (Agua de Piña) - April 27, 2024