Easy Mexican BBQ Recipes, Side Dishes & Food Ideas
May
21,
2024
Bright, colourful, and full of flavour, Mexican dishes are perfect for barbecues and there’s a range of delicious delights you can whip up on the grill in minutes. Join us as we explore some easy Mexican-inspired BBQ recipes and food ideas that are sure to impress your guests this summer. There’s inspiration for everyone, whether you’re catering to a small group or large crowd. With that said, let's get cooking!
Our Best Mexican BBQ Meal Ideas & Sides
Pulled Chicken Tacos with Smoky BBQ Sauce
Pulled chicken tacos are a great Mexican BBQ dish. To make, simply slow-cook chicken breasts in our Old El Paso™ Fiery Jalapeno & Tomato Fajita Kit for tender and flavourful meat. Once cooked, shred the chicken, and toss it with a smoky BBQ sauce made with Old El Paso™ Fajita Seasoning Mix Smoky BBQ. Serve the pulled chicken in Old El Paso™ Stand 'N' Stuff™ Soft Flour Tortillas and top it with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime for a dish that’s both smoky and zesty.
Grilled Steak Fajitas with Salsa Verde
If you prefer red meat at your barbeques, our mouthwatering grilled steak fajitas recipe is a must try! Begin by marinating strips of steak in a mixture of lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and Old El Paso™ Fajita Seasoning Mix. Next, grill your steak to your desired level of done and serve it with a side of sautéed bell peppers and onions. To add a tangy twist, you can also drizzle your steak with salsa verde. Optionally, you can wrap the beef and veg up in our Old El Paso™ Stand 'N' Stuff™ Whole Wheat Tortillas for a delicious and filling meal.
Easy Vegan & Veggie BBQ Ideas
Mexican-Style Grilled Vegetables
Mexican-style grilled vegetables are another quick and easy dish you can serve up in minutes. To prepare these toss your favourite veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, and onions in oil, lime juice, and Old El Paso™ Chili Con Carne Seasoning Mix. Grill until tender and slightly charred to bring out their natural sweetness and serve them up as a tasty side or in warm tortillas for a tasty vegetarian option.
Grilled Mexican Street Corn
One of the most iconic Mexican street foods, Elote, also known as Grilled Mexican Street Corn, is a must-have at your BBQ. This simple dish features charred corn on the cob slathered in a tangy and creamy sauce made with mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and spices like chili powder and paprika. Finish it off with a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese and a squeeze of lime for a burst of freshness that will have your guests coming back for seconds!
Grilled Pineapple Skewers with Chili Lime Glaze
End your BBQ on a sweet and spicy note with these grilled pineapple skewers. Cut fresh pineapple into chunks, thread onto skewers and cover with a mixture of honey, lime juice, and a sprinkling of chili powder. To finish, place the skewers over the grill until caramelised and serve as a dessert or with grilled meats for a savoury contrast!
Twisted Smoky BBQ Chicken Nachos
Perfect for sharing this summer, try these Smoky BBQ Chicken Nachos from Twisted. All you need is some chicken, veggies, Original Nachips™, Smoky BBQ Fajita Seasoning Mix, Sliced Green Jalapeños and Squeezy Cool Soured Cream Topping.
Try Our Steak & Veggie Skewers Recipe
Steak & Veggie Smoky BBQ Skewers
A Mexican BBQ wouldn't be complete without these smoky Steak & Veggie Skewers that couldn't be easier to make!
Recipe Name
Steak & Veggie Smoky BBQ SkewersTotal Time
30 minutesSpice Level
MildServings
4Ingredients
- 4 tbsps of Old El Paso™ Smoky BBQ Fajita Seasoning Mix
- 450g steak sirloin (2 steaks) cut into 2cm chunks.
- 100g chestnut or mini portobello mushrooms
- 2 coloured peppers, deseeded and cut into 2cm chunks
- 1 courgette, trimmed and cut into 2cm rounds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to medium/high. Trim any thick fatty bits off the steak then cut into 4cm chunks.
- Add to a large tray or bowl with the veggies, drizzle with olive oil and the Old El Paso™ Smoky BBQ Fajita Seasoning. Mix to coat really well.
- Get 4 metal skewers and alternate with all the various veggies and meat until you have used up all the bits.
- Cook on the BBQ for 15 minutes turning every 5 minutes to make sure the steak and veggies get all lovely and charred and cooked.
Made With...
BBQ Tips & Basics
To help you get your Mexican-inspired barbeque started we have a range of barbecue tips to ensure things are done correctly!
How To Light A BBQ
First things first, choose the right kind of lighter. A long wand with a clickable trigger and a gas flame is great for keeping your fingers safe.
Next, you need to make sure you have an accelerant to get some flames going enough for the coal or briquets to light. Crumbly white firelighters are perfect, as are pieces of screwed up scrap paper such as newspaper.
Some bags of coal come with built in firelighters, so all you have to do is light the outside of the bag.
How To Cook On A BBQ
Be sure to wait until the BBQ has reached peak heat. You can control your temperature further by creating two different heat profiles for your BBQ. Simply pile your fuel on one side, so that you have a direct heat on one half and an indirect heat on the other. For things that need a little more cooking time sear first, then place on the cooler side to slowly reach perfection.
Don't overload your grill, make sure food is laid side by side and not crowded - this will help it cook more evenly. And remember that just because the outside looks very well done, it doesn’t necessarily mean your food is cooked through. For meat, check that the juices run clear (or use a thermometer) and give your vegetables a poke with a skewer to check they’re as soft as they need to be.
How To Clean A BBQ
To make cleaning your BBQ as easy as possible, remove the grill and scrape off as much food residue as possible while it's still warm. Then, pop it in a tub with some soapy water and give it a scrub. You can also use half a lemon dipped in salt to scrub your BBQ clean without using any harsh chemicals.
Some grills are dishwasher safe, but a little bit of elbow grease goes a long way. Be sure to dry it off well and brush on a little vegetable oil to help prevent rusting.
Enjoy Your Mexican-Inspired Barbeque!
Mexican food and BBQs are a match made in heaven. With these easy Mexican BBQ recipes, food ideas and tips you can bring the flavours of Mexico to your outdoor gatherings. From mouth-watering Mexican street corn to delicious pulled chicken tacos, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So, gather your loved ones, fire up the grill, and let Old El Paso™ be your partner in creating memorable moments of togetherness over delicious Mexican-inspired BBQ dishes. Happy cooking and happy grilling!
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BBQ FAQs
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What should you put a disposable BBQ on?The underside of a disposable BBQ can get very hot, so you really need to be sure to place it on a stone or fireproof surface if you don't want to scorch your grass or melt your outdoor table! To keep things simple, you can lay it on your garden path.
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Which is the best BBQ to use?The answer depends on what you're looking for. If the full smoky flavour is your priority, then it has to be a charcoal BBQ. If you're more worried about keeping a consistent cooking temperature and you want to cook with the lid on (ideal in rainy seasons), then a gas BBQ might be your best bet.
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How hot should a BBQ be?To be confident your food is cooked through, you want to wait until your BBQ gets up to a good temperature. If you're using coals, don't start until they are grey and glowing. Generally, a high heat is 230-350℃, a medium heat is around 175℃ and low heat is around 160℃.
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Can you cook frozen meat on the BBQ?You can cook frozen meat on the BBQ, but some types are better suited than others - always be sure to check the pack instructions. Thin cuts like frozen burgers fare best, while chunkier options like chicken breasts are tricky to cook evenly. Typically, frozen food will take 50 per cent longer and the best way to make sure it's cooked through is to employ the 50/50 technique, which means piling up your fuel on one side of the BBQ so you have an intense heat and an indirect one. Cook your frozen meat low and slow before searing at the end.
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Why does meat stick to the BBQ?There are a few different factors at play here. The most likely one is that your grill isn't hot enough or you're trying to turn your meat too early. You want the bars of the grill to sear the meat, making it easy to peel it away. Meat can also stick to a grill that hasn't been cleaned properly. A little bit of oil on the meat can help to ensure this doesn't happen.
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What can vegans eat at a BBQ?From seitan to tofu, there are tons of meat alternatives that take perfectly to the BBQ. Let your protein marinate for at least an hour and keep some sauce on hand to baste as you go. Be sure to experiment with the king of BBQ veg too, the aubergine. Brush with miso and honey before grilling for a soft and flavoursome snack. Portobello mushrooms are also a great burger alternative and grilled cauliflower steaks are the latest craze for a very good reason.