42 Healthy Mexican Meal Prep Recipes (all under $3 per serving)

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These healthy Mexican meal prep recipes will make an excellent addition to your meal plan! They use delicious Mexican flavors that are super moreish but are nutrient-dense so filling at the same time! 

Each recipe comes in at under $3 per serving, with some at under $1, making these recipes very budget-friendly.

If you’re a lover of multiple cuisines like me, make sure to have a look at our Asian meal prep and Mediterranean meal prep ideas afterward!

Frequently Asked Questions about Mexican Meal Prep

What makes Mexican food so good for meal prep?

Mexican food is perfect for meal prepping because most recipes rely on spice. Spices are incredibly low-calorie and add so much flavor! Many Mexican recipes are veggie-packed, giving you all those crucial vitamins and minerals.

Should I use crispy tacos in meal prep?

You can, but you should keep them separate from their fillings. If you fill your crispy taco shells with filling and leave them overnight, they will be soft and mushy in areas.

If you want to prepare your filling inside the taco shell, I recommend using soft tortillas.

Is Mexican meal prep good for weight loss?

Yes! Mexican meal prep is an excellent option for a weight loss diet. Since many flavors rely on spice, fruit, and vegetables, Mexican meal prep tends to be low in calories and nutrient-dense.

42 Healthy Mexican Meal Prep Recipes (all under $3 per serving) 

Now, enjoy our top picks for Mexican meal prep ideas!

Lunch & Dinner Mexican Meal Prep Ideas

1. Low-Carb Mexican Meal Prep Bowls

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Are you looking for a quick and easy lunch idea? These Low-Carb Mexican meal prep bowls are perfect for taking with you on the go! Low-carb, high-protein, gluten-free, and delicious.

2. Bean Chili

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

One-pot bean chili that’s super easy to make, healthy, and delicious. This bean chili is packed with vitamins, complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. It uses aromatic Mexican spices that give it a smokey, rich flavor.

3. Mexican Tuna Salad

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This healthy and easy Mexican tuna salad is quick to put together and uses canned tuna, requiring no cooking. It’s super easy to make and eat if you’re in a hurry!

4. Easy Mexican Tuna Salad for Healthy Meal Prep

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This Mexican tuna salad is perfect for easy and healthy meal prep! There’s no cooking involved, so it’s super quick and easy to make, plus it’s bursting with bright Mexican-inspired flavor. And because it’s got lean protein, lots of veggies, and good fat, it’s a completely healthy meal!

5. Shrimp Fajita Quinoa Bowls

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Shrimp fajita quinoa bowl is a quick and flavorful option if you are craving fajitas but don’t want to eat tortillas. It is made with juicy, perfectly spiced shrimp, fresh peppers, and onions; it’s served over quinoa that’s brightened with lime juice and cilantro.

6. Easy Vegan Quorn Fajitas

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

These Quorn fajitas are an excellent option for a meal prep lunch. For freshness, they keep well in the fridge for three days and can be made up each morning before work!

7. Vegetarian Taco Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This crowd-pleasing vegetarian taco salad is filled with bright flavors and simple ingredients! Fire-roasted corn, creamy avocado, and fresh salsa, all tossed in a homemade cilantro lime dressing.

8. Mexican Meatballs

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

These perfectly spiced and seasoned juicy Mexican Meatballs are cooked healthier using an air fryer or an oven. They’re a 45-minute comfort dish that packs quite a punch! It comes with an Adobo-flavored tomato sauce with the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky with a touch of heat.

9. Chicken Enchiladas with Zucchini

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Swap the tortillas for this low-carb alternative to make killer chicken enchiladas with zucchini! They’re stuffed with tender pulled chicken and coated in a Whole 30 compliant red enchilada sauce.

10. Spicy Mexican Rice

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Spicy Mexican rice is made with your choice of brown (our favorite) or white rice and flavored with onion, garlic, bell pepper, carrot, tomatoes, and spices. We cook the rice in broth for extra flavor, then stir in some corn, cilantro, and lime juice at the end. It’s an incredibly zesty and delicious side dish that’s perfect for all your Mexican meals.

11. Cilantro Lime Chicken with Cauliflower Rice

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This easy cilantro lime chicken with cauliflower rice cooks all in one skillet in under 30 minutes! Spoon into bowls and add your favorite toppings for a colorful, flavor-packed meal.

12. Taco Stuffed Sweet Potato Boats

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Mexican-inspired, easy taco stuffed sweet potato boats to take your taco night to a new fun and healthy level! This simple dinner is nutritious, saucy, cheesy, gluten-free, and grain-free! Super easy to make and loaded with lean protein, fiber, and vitamins. Ideal for meal prepping, family dinners, and comforting meals!

13. Chicken Fajita Meal Prep

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This healthy chicken fajita meal prep is easy, delicious, and comes together in less than 30 minutes! Serve this flavorful fajita chicken and bell peppers with your favorite salsa and fluffy quinoa for a fast and easy Mexican lunch or dinner weekday meal prep

14. Smoky Vegan Mushroom Tacos

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

The smoky chipotle mushroom filling cooks in 10 minutes. Top with guacamole, quick pickled red onions, and fresh lime juice. A delicious easy weeknight dinner that can also be easily scaled up to serve a cr

15. Healthy Ground Turkey Enchiladas

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

These healthy turkey enchiladas are full of veggies, baked in red enchilada sauce, and topped with cheese for the perfect family meal. They are easy to make, full of flavor, and a recipe everyone will enjoy.

16.  Mexican Quinoa Salad

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This Mexican quinoa salad is full of fluffy quinoa, crunchy vegetables, and a sweet and tangy dressing. Serve this for lunch or dinner with your favorite dishes for a deliciously satisfying meal.

17. Veggie Burrito Bowl with Cauliflower and Refried Beans

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This veggie-packed burrito bowl with a tasty Mexican cauliflower rice base is easy to make in just a few quick minutes. Great to make ahead for healthy meals during the week. This Mexican-style burrito bowl is perfect for meals on the go since it’s super tasty hot, or cold.

18. Beef & Quinoa Healthy Chili

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This beef & quinoa chili makes a delicious and healthy one-pot meal that can be made in less than 30 minutes! Make up a big batch to eat throughout the week or freeze for later!

19. Vegan Tamales

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

This cheesy mushroom vegan tamales recipe is ready in no time and is so comforting and delicious! Easy to make and a great vegetarian dinner option.

20. Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Incredible melty chicken enchiladas! Made with homemade enchilada sauce, shredded chicken, and melty cheese, these are perfect for meal prep.

21. Smoked Paprika Salmon with Mango Salsa

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Smoked paprika salmon is an easy Mexican salmon recipe that is seasoned, pan-fried (or baked), and served alongside sweet and spicy mango salsa. A quick salmon dinner for busy and hungry weeknights!

22. Vegan Cauliflower Tacos

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This delicious vegan cauliflower tacos recipe is served with a dairy-free cilantro-lime yogurt sauce. So delicious and easy to make!

23. Healthy Mexican Chicken Soup

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This healthy Mexican soup is a meal that the whole family can enjoy together! It’s an easy dinner that you can double batch and have for your weeknight dinner and meal prep the following days. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and totally customizable! Add toppings for extra flavor, or leave them out for a light and lovely soup.

24. Crispy Chicken Fajitas

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Chicken fajitas with onions and bell peppers make for a simple family meal. An easy marinade with fajita seasoning and a quick sear in the skillet is all that is required for the most crispy and flavorful fajitas ever!

25. Easy Beef Burritos

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

If you’re a beef lover, you’re going to love these mouth-watering beef burritos! They’re nutrient-dense since they are packed with guacamole, beans, rice, greens, and more! 

26. Jackfruit Chilli

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This smokey Jackfruit chili makes for a great meal prep dinner and can even be made on the stove or in the slow cooker! Super tasty and super easy to make.

27. Caldo Tlalpeno – Mexican Chickpea Soup

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

A warm, spicy, comforting and super delicious Mexican chicken soup with garbanzo beans/chickpeas, served with creamy avocado slices and grated cheese. So good!

Instant Pot/Slow Cooker Mexican Meal Prep Ideas

28. Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean Chili

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This delicious chipotle bean chili is super easy to make! All you need is a slow cooker, a handful of ingredients, and a couple of minutes to prep. This healthy bean chili is also high in protein, vegan, and low in calories. It’s perfect for cooking in a big batch and meal prepping, costing just $1.61 per serving.

29. Slow Cooker Carnitas and Rice (less than $1 per serving)

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This is the perfect budget-friendly Mexican meal prep idea we have. It’s freezer-friendly and each portion costs less than $1 per serving and you can easily batch make 10-20 portions. 

30. Chile Verde Pork

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This slow-cooker chile Verde is low carb and gluten-free. It’s a great way to meal prep as the meat can be used in enchiladas, tacos or salads.

31. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This homemade Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup is made in a fraction of a time and is an excellent protein-fiber, rich, one-pot complete meal loaded with chicken and veggies. Serve it with your choice of toppings, and you have a warm and comforting bowl of soup to devour!!

32. Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

These shredded Mexican beef bowls are made in the slow cooker and perfect for weekly meal prep with rice, beans, plantains and peppers to round them out!

33. Slow Cooker Vegan Fiesta Soup

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Slow cooker vegan fiesta soup is a party in a bowl. This thick, rich, creamy, and flavorful dish is a warm and wonderful treat filled with beans, veggies, and flavor—Yummy, easy, and worth making on repeat.

34. Crockpot Mexican Chicken

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This crockpot Mexican chicken is the perfect meal prep base for tons of dishes: quesadillas, burrito bowls, salads, nachos, and more! Just set it and forget it, and you get juicy, deliciously spiced chicken.

35. Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

All your favorite flavors of chicken enchiladas are deconstructed and added to this wonderfully Mexican spiced chicken broth for a delicious Mexican chicken soup made in an Instant Pot.

36. Keto Whole30 Carnitas

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

These Carnitas are quick and easy to make, versatile and even better than leftovers. This low-carb, no sugar meal is great for tacos, burritos and salads.

Mexican Snacks and Sides Meal Prep Ideas

37. Mexican Black Beans

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Easy Mexican black beans made from scratch using Instant Pot or stovetop pressure cooker. Hearty, flavorful, high in protein and fiber-rich dish. Serve it with some rice for a complete meal or as an accompaniment to your favorite Mexican dish. This recipe is no-soak, vegan, gluten-free.

38. Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This Mexican Cauliflower “Rice” is flavorful and tastes just like Mexican rice. No one will know it is made with cauliflower instead. Serve it with tacos, fajitas, or your favorite Mexican dishes.

39. Chipotle Mexican Coleslaw

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

A quick and spicy Chipotle Mexican Coleslaw made from cabbage, carrots, jalapeños, chipotle mayo, lime juice, and cilantro! It makes a perfect dish for summer picnics, BBQs, and potlucks and is paleo, Whole30, and dairy-free.

40. Pineapple Pico de Gallo Salsa with Avocado

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Add flavor to anything from fish tacos to chicken burritos with the simple pineapple Pico de Gallo salsa. This sweet and spicy salsa can be a perfect side dish for your grilled chicken, fish or shrimp. You can also serve the chunky salsa with baked tortilla chips as an appetizer or a healthy snack.

41. Green Mexican Rice

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This Mexican green rice recipe makes the perfect accompaniment for fajitas, burritos, enchiladas and more! Vegan, gluten-free, and ready in just 25 minutes!

42. Mexican Corn Salad

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This Mexican corn salad is corn kernels and vegetables tossed in a creamy lime dressing, then topped with cotija cheese. A twist on the classic Mexican street corn that’s easy to eat and perfect for a potluck!