Home » All Mexican Recipes » Mexican Recipes for Lent
by Yvette Marquez on February 20, 2023 (updated February 21, 2024)
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Growing up Catholic, Fridays meant Meatless Fridays even when it wasn’t the Lenten season.
Although I have not committed to that tradition year round, I still give up meat on Fridays during Lent. Following is a collection of my favorite Lent recipes which make me long for Lenten Fridays early in the week.
If you take part in Lent, remember you don’t have to substitute sabor during this time of reflection.
Stacked Red Enchiladas (Enchiladas Rojas)
5 (11 ratings)
Thesehomemade red enchiladas are full ofauthentic Mexican flavor!With or without a fried egg, you’ll find yourself making this recipe time and time again.
Authentic Chiles Rellenos Capeados
4.92 (35 ratings)
An authentic fried Chiles Rellenos recipe. Anaheim peppers are roasted and then filled with melty queso Oaxaca, coated in a delicate, soft, but slightly crispy coating and served with a warm ranchero salsa. Delicious!
Tuna Salad with Chopped Eggs
4.99 (60 ratings)
This is my mom’s simple and delicious tuna egg salad recipe! This tuna salad is healthy and makes an excellent sandwich filling for a comforting meal or a protein-packed topping on mixed greens or lettuce leaves for a light lunch. It packs up great for school and road trip lunches.
Tortitas de Camarón con Nopales (Mexican Dried Shrimp Patties with Red Chile Sauce and Cactus)
5 (4 ratings)
Today, I'm so excited to share my recipe for Tortitas de Camarón con Nopales, a traditional Mexican dish that is perfect for Lent. Chopped nopales (cactus paddles) are cooked and simmered in a slightly spicy guajillochilesauce then poured over dried shrimp patties for a deliciously satisfying pescatarian meal.
Vegetarian Mexican Tostadas with Refried Beans and Guacamole
5 (2 ratings)
This dish was our go-to meal especially during Lent and still is. It doesn’t get any simpler than this recipe.
Camarones a la Diabla
4.75 (12 ratings)
Camarones a la Diabla are juicy large shrimp cooked in a flavorful and spicy red chile sauce.
Sopa de Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup)
4.48 (17 ratings)
This simple and earthyMexican Lentil Soup (Sopa de Lentejas)is a complete one-pot meal,feeds 8 to 10 people, can easily be made in 30 minutes, and is healthy and heartypacked with protein, fiber, and veggies.This tasty dish is filling and full of flavor yet light and vegetarian.
Nopales con Huevo
4.63 (8 ratings)
Nopales con huevo is a classic Mexican dish made with cactus paddles and scrambled eggs.
Calabacitas con Elote (Zucchini with Corn)
4.55 (11 ratings)
Here's an easy way to make Calabacitas con Elote (Zucchini with Corn) – a zesty and satisfying side dish to have in your summer menu. The buttery creaminess of the suero catapults me to my childhood every time.
Migas Breakfast Tacos
4.72 (7 ratings)
Hold breakfast in your hand, Austin style! Its food for the soul folded in half and stuffed with eggs, fresh ingredients, and crunchy tortilla chips. Try this easy recipe for a taste of a Tex-Mex breakfast.
Sopa de Fideo
4.78 (9 ratings)
Sopa de Fideo is an incredibly simple, flavorful Mexican noodle soup made with a savory tomato-based broth. It is the epitome of kid-friendly comfort food, and takes just 20 minutes to make!
Mexican Shrimp Ceviche (Ceviche de Camarón)
4.82 (11 ratings)
Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Mexican Shrimp Ceviche recipe is sure to become one of your favorite summer recipes. Made with just 11 ingredients and 15 minutes of active prep, this easy ceviche recipe is the no-cook meal of your dreams!
Caldo de Pescado y Camaron (Fish and Shrimp Soup)
4.09 (12 ratings)
Excellent for a Lenten meal this fish stock and shrimp in a chipotle-tomato broth is slightly spicy and easy to prepare. Serve soup with lime wedges, hot sauce, and saltine crackers.
Beer-Battered Fish Tacos
5 (1 rating)
Mexican beer-battered cod, fried to perfection topped with chipotle cream sauce and garnished with red cabbage, thinly sliced jalapeños and radishes, pico de gallo, and avocado. Wrapped in a warm corn tortilla, this taco has the perfect level of heat and combination of textures.
Crispy Potato Tacos
5 (8 ratings)
Crispy potato tacos are also known as “Tacos Dorados de Papa” or “Tacos de Papa” in Spanish. If you’re looking for a vegetarian taco recipe, try these crispy tacos stuffed with a flavorful and cheesy mashed potato mixture.
Coctel de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp co*cktail)
5 (22 ratings)
This shrimp co*cktail with a spicy co*cktail sauce made with freshly chopped red onions, cilantro, and avocados is the perfect light and easy appetizer or healthy lunch, especially during hot months.
Elote en Vaso (a.k.a. Esquites)
5 (5 ratings)
This is Mexico’s finest street dish, often sold in styrofoam cups.
Frijoles de la Olla
4.75 (32 ratings)
A pot of freshly made Mexican frijoles or “frijoles de la olla” is my absolute favorite way to eat beans. The perfect side dish for your Mexican feast.
Ensalada de Nopales Asados (Grilled Cactus Paddle Salad)
5 (2 ratings)
Grillednopales and bell peppers combined withtomato, red onion, black olives, and avocado drizzled with with a tangy,salty, and smokydressing.
Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)
4.84 (152 ratings)
Capirotada is a Mexican bread pudding made with cinnamon, piloncillo, cloves, raisins, bread, and cheese. I can smell and taste the sweet warm melted cheese as I type this. Yes, you read it right…cheese. The combination of these ingredients is sure to awaken your taste buds!
Do you practice meatless Fridays during Lent? You can find many more Mexican Lent Recipes on the blog and in my new cookbook, Muy Bueno Fiestas.
Originally published:February 2012.
posted by Yvette Marquez on February 20, 2023 (updated February 21, 2024)
20 comments Leave a comment »
About the Author
Yvette Marquezis anEmmy-winning producer and writer, award-winning food blogger, and author ofMuy Bueno,Latin Twist, and Muy Bueno Fiestas. She is a second-generation Mexican-American, born and raised in El Paso, Texas and currently lives in Colorado. She has been sharing cherished family Mexican recipes since 2010. Her blog is the perfect destination for anyone looking to embrace their culture through food, fiestas, and family life.Yvette has been featured in several prominent publications, websites, radio, and TV.Follow her at:Instagram/Twitter/Facebook / Pinterest/ YouTube
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Leave a Reply
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Brittany Rodriguez — Reply
Thank you for posting! All these recipes remind me of my childhood. This year we are doing no meat for all days of lent and was trying to find recipes and get ideas.
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Saul — Reply
No pues wow
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Hilda — Reply
Do you have a recipe for “chacales”?
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Hola Hilda! Sorry for the delay. I have a recipe for Sopa de Chacales in my latest cookbook, Muy Bueno Fiestas.
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Hilda Lopez Brown — Reply
Thank you so much for posting this blog. This Lenten season reminds me so much of my mom, this was her favorite season and mine too because of all the cooking she would do and I got to enjoy every meal with her. Only memories of my mom I have with me these days. I definitely time traveled with your blog. Thank you and God bless you.
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Veronica — Reply
My grandmother used to make that egg and shrimp patties with that tomato based soup with potatoes..the soup almost like gravy And make Papa labas they were a potato enchilada so good
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Vangie — Reply
A lot of choices for LENT. My favorite, green or red enchiladas, yum. Don’t forget the capirotada.
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Sandra — Reply
Thank you for the great recipes for lent. My mom would make egg tortas with dried shrimp. She would beat the eggs and add the dried shrimp. She would then fry them into these little round tortas and make mole to pour over them. Delicious!
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festus — Reply
Putting it up in my house menu…Friday is the day fro this
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Rodrigo Saldana — Reply
My mother use to make a soup mostly water base with tomatoes and garlic onions and then make a breaded potato and shrimp fried to add also added fresh ciliantro to the soup me and my sisters have been searching for the recipe and would appreciate your help if possible I have a culinary back ground and feel I could make the soup/dish just want to see if anyone could help me to make this more authentic! We’re from south central Texas! Thanks!
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Heidi Rousseau — Reply
We are not religious folks but do love mexican food and respect others who do the religious thing.I love chile rellenos and was raised just north of the mexican border so love most things mexican.Make my own pinto beans and freeze them after they are cooked so I can make homemade soups plus other things with them.
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Alicia Ibarra — Reply
I love ALL the recipes you’ve posted for Lent Season…would you happen to have one for Tortas de Camaron with nopales?? Please share if you do…I’d like to make them for this coming Friday. 🙂 Thanks
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Hola Alicia! I know this reply is a few years late, but I now have a recipe forTortas de Camaron with nopales. The recipe has now been added to this blog post. Happy Lenten season.
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Lizzy Brito Aguilar — Reply
What a great picture of my tia! Love your blog!
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Karen — Reply
This is great!! My fiancé is Mexican and am always looking for awesome authentic recipes to make for him! Even though we’re working the Fish Fry at our church every Friday, these will be great recipes to use anytime! Especially the Chile Rellenos! His favorite! Thank you!!
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Deborah — Reply
I’m always looking for good meat-free meals, and all of these sound wonderful!
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Lea Ann — Reply
I’ll take the green enchiladas please! It all looks wonderful Yvette. Really nice to see you yesterday.
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Ruby — Reply
Just the type of post I was looking for! Thanks for the awesome meal ideas. Yesterday i ate fish(sticks) for the 5 time in my life. Needless to say i wasn’t happy but i wasn’t going to against my beliefs and eat meat 🙂
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mayra — Reply
In my house we love flautas de papa during this time
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Monique — Reply
Thanks so much for posting this. I think I’ve got all 7 Fridays of Lent covered! 😀 Those chile rellenos (mmm, my faves!) look amazing!!
