Mexican-Inspired Tapas Dishes & Food Ideas

January 14, 2026
Mexican-Inspired Tapas Dishes & Food Ideas

Mexican-inspired tapas dishes bring bold flavours, colourful ingredients and easy-to-share plates to the table. They work well for casual get-togethers, dinner parties or relaxed evenings at home, offering small plates that feel fun and familiar without being complicated. From crispy bites to saucy, scoopable options, Mexican-themed tapas are ideal for mixing-and-matching so that everyone can enjoy a little bit of everything at their own pace.

If you’re looking for fresh Mexican-inspired tapas ideas to serve as starters or are planning a full spread for sharing, these recipes offer plenty of inspiration. Our selection of Mexican tapas recipes can be adapted into flexible, easy-to-enjoy dishes, which are perfect for anyone who loves big flavours on small plates, without the fuss.

Our Best Mexican-Inspired Tapas Dishes for Sharing 

To help inspire your next get together, we’re bringing you a selection of Mexican-inspired tapas dishes that are filled with flavour, easy to share, and perfect for any casual gathering or laid-back evening at home. 

char grilled steak fajita tacos

Char-Grilled Steak Fajita Tacos

These char-grilled steak fajita tacos bring smoky, seasoned slices of sirloin together with sautéed peppers and onions in soft flour tortillas, making them a bold choice for a tapas-style spread. With juicy steak, creamy avocado and a squeeze of lime, this Mexican-inspired dish adds satisfying, shareable flavour to your collection of small plates. Here’s how to make them!

Recipe Name

Char-Grilled Steak Fajita Tacos

Total Time

30 minutes

Spice Level

Mild

Servings

4

Ingredients

  • 2 x 225g sirloin steaks (each at least 1.5cm thick)
  • 1/2 pack Old El Paso™ Smoky BBQ Seasoning Mix for Fajitas
  • 1 large onion, thickly sliced
  • 1 large red pepper, deseeded and sliced
  • 1 large green pepper, deseeded and sliced
  • 1 pack Old El Paso™ Stand 'N' Stuff Soft Flour Tortillas
  • 1 avocado, peeled, halved, stoned and diced

To Serve

  • Soured cream
  • Lime wedges

Preparation

  1. Sprinkle both side of the steaks generously with the fajita seasoning, pressing it gently into the flesh. Leave for 5 minutes.
  2. Heat a large cast iron griddle pan over a very high heat. Cook the steaks in the hot pan for 3-5 minutes on each side, until charred and cooked to your liking. Transfer to a warmed plate and leave to rest for 10 minutes.
  3. Add the onion and peppers to the hot griddle pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender and lightly charred, turning occasionally. Meanwhile warm the flour tortillas as directed on the packaging.
  4. Transfer the steaks to a chopping board and thinly slice. Divide the steak, peppers and onion between the warmed tortillas. Top with the avocado. Serve with soured cream and lime wedges to squeeze.

Expert Tips

  • The steak can be cooked on a hot barbecue and the onion and peppers around the cooler edges of the barbecue.
  • Spoon some Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky Salsa into the base of each warmed flour tortilla before adding the steak and vegetables.
  • Serve with a side of Old El Paso™ Original Nachips™.

Made With...

Vegetarian Mexican-Inspired Tapas Recipes

These vegetarian Mexican-inspired tapas dishes bring bold flavours and satisfying ingredients to your table. They are the perfect choice for sharing at parties or enjoying as a light meal, they feature vegetables, beans, and chickpeas that deliver great taste.

Whether you're hosting a gathering or looking for easy-to-prepare Mexican style tapas, these dishes offer delicious plant-based options that everyone will love. Let's explore our favourite Mexican tapas recipes that are as impressive as they are simple to make.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Whole Wheat Tacos

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Whole Wheat Tacos

This Mexican-inspired tapas dish, featuring sweet potato and Black Beans, is a pleasing combination of earthy sweetness and satisfying texture. Roasted sweet potatoes provide a natural, caramelised flavour, while black beans add substance and a creaminess. Ready in just under an hour, they're ideal for casual entertaining or weeknight dinners.
View Recipe
Zesty Chickpea Whole Wheat Tacos

Zesty Chickpea Whole Wheat Tacos

These Zesty Chickpea Whole Wheat Tacos are bursting with flavour! Packing a tasty punch, seasoned chickpeas bring a satisfying bite, while fresh herbs, tangy lime, and a hint of chilli create a zest that's impossible to resist. Served on our whole wheat tortillas with crunchy vegetables and your favourite toppings, these chickpea tacos are light yet filling. They come together in only 35 minutes, making them perfect for quick Mexican tapas spreads.
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Mexican-Inspired Tapas with Asian flavours

Fancy something different? These fusion Mexican tapas dishes bring together the best of two culinary worlds. Combining Mexican-inspired tortillas and wraps with Asian seasonings and ingredients, these dishes offer exciting flavour combinations perfect for sharing or casual dinners.

beef bulgogi korean tacos

Beef Bulgogi Korean Tacos

These Korean Beef Bulgogi Korean Tacos bring Korean BBQ flavours to soft flour tortillas. Thinly sliced sirloin steak is marinated in a sweet-savoury blend of soy sauce, spring onions, and sugar, then quickly pan-fried until caramelised. Topped with a crisp coriander-lettuce coleslaw and fiery sriracha salsa, these fusion tacos deliver layers of contrasting textures and tastes. The marinade requires just 30 minutes, making these Korean-inspired tacos surprisingly quick to prepare for your Mexican tapas spread.
View Recipe
asian-chicken-wraps

Mexican-inspired Asian Chicken Wraps

These Asian Fusion Mexican-inspired wraps combine cooked chicken with Chinese leaf, water chestnuts, and flaked almonds for a satisfying crunch and flavour. Tossed in sweet and sour sauce with sliced red pepper, the filling comes together in just two simple steps. Ready in 15 minutes from start to finish, these wraps are ideal when you need impressive Mexican tapas dishes without spending hours in the kitchen. Roll them up and slice for easy sharing at your next gathering.
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Make Some Noise with Old El Paso

Ready to bring more tapas dishes to your table? You will be spoiled with the many options we have, and your guests will be too! These Mexican-inspired tapas recipes and dishes are sure to elevate your mealtimes with flavourful and filling foods. What an incredible way to make the most out of your time with your beloved people!


Which will you choose for your next get-together? Explore more of our quick and easy recipes here and don’t forget to tag us in all of your Old El Paso dishes on social media!