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19 Crowd-Pleasing Mexican Starters

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f you love Mexican food, here are some great appetizer ideas. They are tasty snacks that everyone at your party will enjoy. You can make creamy dips, crispy taquitos, and fresh salsas. These recipes are simple but have a lot of delicious flavor. They work for a big group or just for your family to snack on. Try one of these recipes the next time you want a fun and easy Mexican-inspired dish.

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Cilantro Lime Crema

A bowl of creamy green sauce with a spoon on a wooden surface. A lime half, fresh cilantro, and tortilla chips are arranged around the bowl.
Cilantro Lime Crema. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

It is a creamy sauce made with sour cream, lime juice, and cilantro. Cilantro Lime Crema is great on tacos or as a dip.
Get Recipe: Cilantro Lime Crema

Chicken Mole Nachos

Chicken Mole Nachos served on a sheet pan and next to sour cream, cilantro leaves, and a bag of chips.
Chicken Mole Nachos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These are nachos topped with chicken in a rich and spicy mole sauce. Chicken Mole Nachos have a deep, chocolatey flavor.
Get Recipe: Chicken Mole Nachos

Tomato Molcajete Salsa

Tomato molcajete salsa surrounded by cilantro, jalapeno, and chips.
Tomato Molcajete Salsa. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This salsa is made in a stone bowl called a molcajete for a chunky texture. Tomato Molcajete Salsa has a deep, roasted flavor.
Get Recipe: Tomato Molcajete Salsa

Queso Fundido

Queso Fundido Con Chorizo in a black iron skillet surrounded by corn chips and cilantro.
Queso Fundido Con Chorizo. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

It is a hot dish of melted cheese, often with chorizo sausage mixed in. Queso Fundido is perfect for scooping with tortillas.
Get the Recipe: Queso Fundido

Chicharrones de Harina

A bowl filled with crispy chicharrones drizzled with hot sauce. Next to the bowl, there are a few lime wedges and a partially visible bottle of Valentina hot sauce on a wooden surface.
Chicharrones de Harina. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These are light, puffy, fried snacks made from wheat flour. Chicharrones de Harina are often eaten with lime and hot sauce.
Get the Recipe: Chicharrones de Harina

Esquites (Mexican Corn in a Cup)

A glass serving dish is filled with Mexican street corn topped with a slice of lime, cheese, chili powder, and hot sauce. A spoon is placed on the right side of the dish, and a blurred green lime is visible in the background.
Elote en vaso. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

It is a cup of corn mixed with mayonnaise, cheese, lime, and chili. Esquites is the street corn version you eat with a spoon.
Get the Recipe: Esquites

Mexican Charcuterie Board

Mexican Charcuterie board with guacamole, con salsa, olives, and different kinds of Mexican cheeses.
Mexican Charcuterie Board. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is a large platter with different cheeses, meats, and snacks. A Mexican Charcuterie Board lets people try a little bit of everything.
Get Recipe: Mexican Charcuterie Board

Chorizo Cheese Dip

Close-up of a hand holding a tortilla chip dipped in creamy, melted cheese sauce. The background is filled with the same rich, orange-brown cheese dip, creating a warm and appetizing scene.
Chorizo Cheese Dip. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

It is a warm, cheesy dip with spicy chorizo sausage mixed in. Chorizo Cheese Dip is very flavorful and stretchy.
Get the Recipe: Chorizo Cheese Dip

Frijoles Puercos (Piggy Beans)

A hand dipping a tortilla chip into a bowl of frijoles puercos.
Frijoles Puercos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is a creamy and cheesy dip made with refried beans. Frijoles Puercos is a rich and tasty appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Frijoles Puercos

Tostilocos

A plate of Tostilocos next to bowls with the ingredients needed to make the recipe.
Tostilocos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is a popular snack with chips topped with many different things. Tostilocos have a mix of sweet, spicy, salty, and crunchy flavors.
Get the Recipe: Tostilocos

Chicken Fajita Nachos

Chicken Fajita Nachos served in a bowl and topped with jalapeno slices.
Chicken Fajita Nachos. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

They are tortilla chips loaded with chicken, peppers, onions, and cheese. Chicken Fajita Nachos have all the flavors of sizzling fajitas.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajita Nachos

Mango Pico de Gallo

Mango Pico de Gallo served in a red clay bowl.
Mango Pico de Gallo. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This is a fresh salsa with diced mango, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Mango Pico de Gallo is both sweet and savory.
Get the Recipe: Mango Pico de Gallo

Mango Pineapple Salsa

Mango Pineapple Salsa served in a bowl with a spoon.
Mango Pineapple Salsa . Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This salsa is made with sweet chunks of mango and pineapple. Mango Pineapple Salsa has a little heat from peppers and is great with chips.
Get Recipe: Mango Pineapple Salsa

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camaron)

A large glass goblet is filled with a shrimp cocktail garnished with cilantro. The dish includes shrimp, onions, and herbs in a tomato-based sauce. A bowl with more of the cocktail is in the background, along with lime wedges and a jalapeño on the table.
Coctel de Camaron. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

It is a cold dish with shrimp in a tangy tomato-based sauce. This Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is a refreshing and light appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Pepinos Locos

A serving platter with pepinos locos, corn chips, lime, and more.
Pepinos Locos. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

They are cups of cucumber topped with spicy and sweet sauces. Pepinos Locos are a cool and crunchy snack.
Get the Recipe: Pepinos Locos

Baked Potato Flautas

Potato flautas on a white plate topped with lettuce and tomatoes.
Potato Flautas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

They are crispy rolled tacos filled with mashed potatoes and cheese. Baked Potato Flautas are crunchy on the outside and soft inside.
Get Recipe: Potato Flautas

Cream Cheese Salsa Dip

Cream cheese and salsa dip served in a blue bowl surrounded by veggie dippers and chips.
Crean Cheese Salsa Dip. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

You just mix softened cream cheese with your favorite salsa. Cream Cheese Salsa Dip is one of the easiest appetizers to make.
Get Recipe: Cream Cheese Salsa Dip

Avocado Salsa

A clay bowl filled with creamy green avocado salsa garnished with a sprig of cilantro, surrounded by tortilla chips on a wooden surface. Another bowl with tortilla chips and a green bell pepper are visible in the background.
Salsa de Aguacate. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

It is a creamy, green salsa made from blended avocados. Avocado Salsa is rich and good on many different foods.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salsa

Ground Beef Taquitos

Three golden-brown, crispy taquitos filled with seasoned meat are arranged on a white plate with a small bowl of red salsa in the background. The taquitos have a deliciously crunchy texture, and the meat is slightly peeking out of each one.
Ground Beef Taquitos. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

They are rolled tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef and fried. Ground Beef Taquitos are crispy and perfect for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Taquitos

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