Low Carb Tex-Mex Cooking & Recipes
Head South of the Border with these Delicious Low Carb Tex-Mex Recipes
If the time has come to add some new flavours in to your weekly low carb meal plans, then we have some great suggestions for you that are healthy, fun, and full of delicious seasonings and bold tastes. We’re talking about Tex-Mex cooking, and we guarantee that you’re going to love these recipes!
What is Tex-Mex Cooking?
It may come as a surprise to you that many of the dishes that are commonly referred to as Mexican food are actually not prepared in the traditional Mexican ways. Most of these kinds of foods that are popular in North America are actually a hybrid of Mexican cooking and Southwestern American cooking, specifically from the area in and around Texas. Hence the name, Tex-Mex.
Common Ingredients in Tex-Mex Recipes
Many of the common ingredients that you’ll see in Tex-Mex recipes are the same as traditional Mexican cooking ingredients, along with some that originate from contemporary American cuisine.
Tortilla shells and tortilla chips are very common in Tex-Mex recipes and are essential for making tacos, nachos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, and more. These shells are usually made from either corn or wheat, and can be either hard and crunchy, or soft and pliable.
The typical store brands of tortilla shells and chips you’ll find at your average supermarket are likely not low carb. Be sure to look for healthy low carb versions of tortilla shells, like the ones from Mama Lupe’s. You can also find healthier types of tortilla-style chips that are lower in carbs, such as the tasty chips from Beanitos.
Other common ingredients in Tex-Mex cooking include popular meats like beef, chicken, pork, fish, and shrimp. These meats are usually heavily seasoned with a palette of spices such as hot peppers, garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, coriander, and many others.
Shop all Low Carb Seasonings and Spices
Cheese is essential in the world of Tex-Mex cooking, with cheddar being the most popular, and Monterey Jack cheese being used in many recipes. Often, you’ll find a spicy cheesy sauce known as queso as a component of many dishes. Queso is great for dipping chips and can also be used as a topping for baked Tex-Mex dishes like enchiladas.
Vegetables are also a big part of Tex-Mex cooking. Most common vegetables in this style of cuisine include bell peppers, onions, corn, tomatoes, chili peppers, and avocado, to name a few. Vegetables are often served fried and seasoned alongside things like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, and are used as one of the fillings for fajitas.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what you can expect from Tex-Mex cuisine, let’s get right in to a handful of amazing low carb recipes that are easy to make and will definitely satisfy the whole family.
Casseroles like this one are always a big hit with hungry families. This recipe for a zesty Tex-Mex ground beef casserole uses ingredients that are easy to find and has the added benefit of being keto-friendly as well as low carb. You can also ramp up the heat with extra jalapenos or cayenne pepper if you want to kick things up a notch or dial the quantities down for families who prefer a milder spice. No matter how you adjust this recipe, we’re sure it won’t last long once it hits the table.
Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Skillet Dinner
We love one-pan recipes like this one! It’s fast and easy to prepare and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. The tender chicken, savoury seasonings and melty cheese are simply delicious. This dish has plenty of vegetables in it as well, including cauliflower, baby corn, and tomatoes, making it a great choice for any low carb meal plan. Plus, you can make this ahead of time and freeze it for an easy meal on those busy mid-week workdays where time is short but you still want a hearty and healthy dinner.
Low Carb Gluten-free Quesadilla Shells
Now here’s an interesting gluten-free twist on quesadillas, which are one of the most popular Tex-Mex foods you’ll find, especially with kids. While you can easily make any quesadilla recipe lower in carbs by simply swapping a regular tortilla shell for a low carb version, this recipe goes the extra mile by showing you how to make your own super-low-carb tortillas from coconut flour. Fill them with the ingredients you prefer, including shredded cheese, jalapenos, onions, and grilled chicken, and you’ve got an easy and healthy low carb meal that will suit any taste.
Keto Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano
What could be better than a big poblano pepper stuffed full of cheese, chicken, and zesty Tex-Mex seasonings? This recipe delivers a brilliant combination of flavours and is amazingly simple to make. This recipe is very low in carbs and packed with protein to satisfy even the biggest appetites. This is another recipe that works incredibly well re-heated, so don’t be apprehensive about making a bigger batch and freezing some for easy dinners at a later time.
Well, of course you knew there had to be a low carb nacho recipe on this list, but this is no ordinary batch of nachos. These low carb chips are made entirely out of cheese and a seasoning blend, making them the perfect match for the low carb lifestyle. After you make your cheese chips, pile on your favourite nacho toppings like sour cream, chopped jalapenos, olives, tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, or anything else that strikes your fancy. Nachos are one of those kinds of foods that are meant to be customized, so let your creativity run wild!
Experience the Flavours of Tex-Mex
One word you won’t find used to describe any Tex-Mex recipe is ‘bland’. This cuisine is all about big flavours, spicy heat, and rich, savoury tastes. For low carb dieters, Tex-Mex cooking is a fantastic way to change up your routine and explore some different types of foods that are easy to make and very healthy.
So, get ready to bring the taste of the Southwest to your next low carb meal plan and explore the world of Tex-Mex!
