• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Ilona's Passion
  • Recipes
    • Party Food
      • Sweets
      • Savory
    • Drink
    • Dessert
    • Brunch
    • Luncheon
    • Appetizer
    • Dinner
  • Entertain
  • DIY
    • Gift Ideas
    • Party Ideas
    • Printables
    • Free Stuff
  • Shop
    • Parties
    • Ebooks
  • About
    • About Ilona
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Home » Entertain » Mexican Buffet Menu Food Ideas

Mexican Buffet Menu Food Ideas

Updated: December 28, 2020 / Published: July 2, 2020 By Ilona This website contains affiliate links. Read Privacy Policy.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

Mexican buffet menu party ideas with food recipes for barbacoa, lime cilantro rice, avocado dip, beans, corn and tomato salsa. Free printable Mexican table tents!

A table set up for a Mexican buffet ideas for party with tortilla bowls with homemade tomato salsa, beans.

This post was originally compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CreateYourBowl #CollectiveBias.

Whether you are throwing a Mexican party or Cinco de Mayo feast you can find all recipes, ideas and free printables here without looking somewhere else. You have a complete menu buffet ideas with lots of food recipes made from scratch for barbacoa that is cooked in slow cooker, homemade tomato salsa or avocado dip for chips.

Mexican Buffet Ideas

  • Decorations: decide how you will decorate your table, choose Mexican inspired tablecloth in multiple colors, buy colorful napkins, pick your plates (white or colorful). Add some fresh flowers or cactus, these real Kalanchoe flowers added a nice touch to the table.
  • Set Up: decide if the party will be inside or outside, for instance on the backyard. Prepare plates and bowls to be used for servings, glasses, cutlery and slow cooker for barbacoa meat to keep it warm all the time.
  • Recipes: prepare a grocery list and decide which recipes you will make, in here we have barbacoa, lime cilantro rice, corn, salsa, guacamole and few toppings.
  • Drinks: horchata, margarita, atole, michelada, paloma, water, juices, soda or other drinks, for instance non-alcoholic mojito or orange lime refresher.

Party Mexican food beans, barbacoa, cilantro lime rice, sour cream, lettuce, corn, tomatoes.

Check all printables that you can easily print in your home for free and use it for celebration including invitations, tags and chocolate wrappers for different occasions. For Mexican menu these free printable table tents perfectly match the Mexican buffet party: Rice, Salsa, Dip and Meat labels.

Colorful printable table tents.

if you are a subscriber click here to get—->>> All Printables

Small burrito bowl with meat, rice, salsa and toppings.

I served this Mexican party with OLD EL PASO Mini Tortilla Bowls that I purchased in Loblaws. You can also find an original OLD EL PASO Tortilla Bowls that are bigger. When I found OLD EL PASO Tortilla Bowls I wanted to try them. They are so convenient and sturdy, but they are soft. The mini bowls are so easy to keep in one hand, they keep all food neatly. You don’t have to worry about spilling your food all over the place because OLD EL PASO Tortilla Bowls keep everything nicely.

Making your own small burrito bowl with rice, corn, salsa.

Mexican Feast

Mexican feast buffet is very convenient for a host and as well for guests, nicely set up with Mexican food recipes and decorations. The host will set up a table with drinks and food, then every guest can choose their own food. Each dish is prepared and served separately, so every guest can make their own bowl. If some of your guests don’t eat meat, they can omit that. Also, some guests might not like beans, so they can choose another toppings.

The best part about Mexican food is that each guest can come over to the Mexican buffet and prepare their own bowl. There is no need for the party host to serve food to each guest. You can spend this time with your friends interacting instead of spending time in the kitchen. This Mexican Buffet brings everybody closer, everyone will share their memories and talk about delicious food.

Gifts, flowers, party.

Are you looking for more party ideas? Don’t forget to check Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup Party, Picnic Food Party Ideas or learn how you can throw a perfect party from beginning to the end by reading Event Planning Party Ideas.

Mexican food recipes menu set up for entertaining with meats and rice.

Party Mexican Food Menu

What to serve for Cinco de Mayo or Mexican inspired parties?

  • Barbacoa: cooked in slow cooker with spices like cumin, oregano, sweet paprika and lime juice for many hours.
  • Lime Cilantro Rice: made with lime juice and freshly chopped cilantro.
  • Salsa: prepared from scratch with tomatoes, red onion and cilantro.
  • Corn Salsa: made with diced red onion, corn and cilantro.
  • Avocado Dip: made with mashed avocado, tomatoes, cilantro and green onion.
  • Beans: black, pinto or red kidney beans.
  • Toppings: sour cream or plain greek yogurt, shredded cheese, lettuce and chips.
  • Dessert: vanilla ice cream.

Printable table tents for salsa and meat surrounded by chips, corn, homemade salsa and sour cream.

Party Mexican Food Menu Tips

  • This menu is suggested for 12 people but it is approximately, it can be served to more than 12 people.
  • If you would like barbacoa to be more spicy, add few more chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, also increase salt if needed.
  • Start by preparing barbacoa in a slow cooker, since it will take the most time, the meat can be kept in slow cooker all the time on warm and guests can take how much meat they want straight from crockpot.
  • Next prepare your tomato and corn salsa, avocado dip and prep your toppings, store them easily in the refrigerator until the party.
  • Just before the party cook rice and warm up beans.
  • Print your Free Printable food labels.

Mexican food recipes with Mini Old el Paso tortilla bowl with toppings.

Mexican Buffet Ideas Faq’s

What is on a Mexican buffet? Corn or flour tortilla, rice, carnitas, barabacoa, chicken, salsa, guacamole, beans, sour cream, shredded cheese, enchilada etc. Mostly, Mexican inspired food recipes is served.

What should I bring to a Mexican potluck? These are few examples: refried beans, queso dip, homemade tortilla chips, nachos, mango salsa mini cups, pineapple salsa, tex-mex salad, Mexican snacks, any desserts or something to drink.

Mexican Buffet Ideas with avocado dip made with cilantro and jalapeno.

Cilantro lime rice with party label and corn salsa.

Mexican Recipes

  • Black Bean Mexican Soup
  • Beef Crockpot Chili
  • Mexican Salad with Avocado Dressing
  • Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
  • Easy Fish Tacos

Vanilla ice cream served in Old el Paso tortilla bowl.

Would you like to see more? SUBSCRIBE to receive recipes and party themes in your inbox! Also, follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM or TWITTER.

Mexican Buffet Menu Ideas - full Mexican buffet menu ideas with recipes like barbacoa, lime cilantro rice, avocado dip, beans, tortilla bowls, corn and homemade salsa. Free Mexican printable table tents included! by ilonaspassion.com I @ilonaspassion #CreateYourBowl #ad
Print Recipe
LEAVE A STAR RATING!
0 from 0 votes

Mexican Buffet Menu Food Ideas

Mexican buffet menu recipes with barbacoa, rice, salsa and avocado dip.
Prep Time1 hr
Cook Time5 hrs 30 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: mexican buffet, mexican food
Servings: 12
Calories: 1547kcal
Author: Ilona

Ingredients

  • 24 flour tortilla or 4- 5 pckgs. of original or OLD EL PASO Mini Tortilla Bowls

Barbacoa

  • 6 lb. beef roast
  • 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 3 Tbsp cumin ground
  • 2 Tbsp. oregano
  • 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp. sweet paprika
  • 7 garlic cloves pressed or shredded
  • 5 chipotles in adobo cut into small pieces
  • 2 onions sliced
  • 2 bay leaves

Lime Cilantro Rice

  • 3 1/4 cups water
  • 1 1/5 cup long-grain rice
  • 1 tsp. butter
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 3 limes
  • 1/2 cup cilantro chopped

Corn

  • 2 cups corn frozen and cooked
  • 1/4 cup red onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1/4 tsp. salt

Salsa

  • 7 tomatoes medium-sized, diced
  • 1 red onion small, chopped
  • 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. black pepper

Avocado Dip

  • 3 avocados
  • 2 tomatoes medium-sized, diced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1/4 cup green onion chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. black pepper

Extras

  • 2 28 oz. kidney beans cans, heat up
  • 2 cups cheese shredded
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 5 cups lettuce chopped
  • 5 cups tortilla chips
  • 8 cups vanilla ice cream
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Barbacoa

  • Cut beef into cubes about 1 inch by 1 inch, add to slow cooker.
  • Add chicken broth, lime juice, cumin, oregano, oil, salt, sweet paprika, garlic, chipotles in adobo sauce, onions and bay leaves.
  • Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
  • Remove the meat from slow cooker and cut into small pieces by knife or you can use fork to shred the meat.
  • Put back into the slow cooker, cook on low for 3 hours or high for 1,5 hours. When the meat is ready and soft turn off. You can also add more salt if you need it.

Lime Cilantro Rice

  • In a medium saucepan combine water, rice, butter, salt, butter, lemon juice and squeezed lime juice from 1 lime.
  • Bring to boil, lower the heat, cook on low-medium heat for 20 minutes. Add squeezed lime juice from remaining limes, add cilantro, mix well.

Corn

  • In a medium bowl combine corn, red onion and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Combine well.

Salsa

  • In a medium bowl mix tomatoes, red onion and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Combine well.

Avocado Dip

  • In a medium bowl mash avocados with fork, add tomatoes, cilantro and green onion. Season with salt and pepper. Combine well.

Mexican Bowl

  • Put rice on the bottom, then meat, beans, corn, salsa, avocado dip, sour cream, cheese, lettuce.
  • Serve vanilla ice cream in bowls.

Video

Notes

  • This menu is suggested for 12 people but it is approximately, it can be enough for more than 12 people.
  • If you would like barbacoa to be more spicy, add more few more chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, also increase salt if needed.
  • Start by preparing barbacoa in slow cooker, since it will take the most time, the meat can be kept in slow cooker all the time on warm and guests can take how much meat they want straight from crockpot.
  • Next prepare your tomato and corn salsa, avocado dip and prep your toppings, store them easily in the refrigerator until the party.
  • Just before the party cook rice and warm up beans. 
  • Print your Free Printable food labels.

Nutrition

Serving: 8gCalories: 1547kcalCarbohydrates: 153gProtein: 77gFat: 73gSaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 226mgSodium: 1891mgPotassium: 2472mgFiber: 23gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 2624IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 594mgIron: 15mg
Did you make this recipe?Make a picture and share it with @ilonaspassion and tag #ilonaspassion!
Share on Facebook Pin Recipe

Update Notes: The recipe was originally posted in 2016, it was updated with new video and tips in July, 2020.

Burrito bowl with all delicious meat, rice and Mexican buffet ideas for toppings, a party menu and table set up.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Filed Under: Dinner, Entertain, Party Themes, Recipe Tagged With: fiesta, menu ideas, mexican buffet, mexican fiesta

Latest Videos

Previous Post: « Picnic Food Party Ideas
Next Post: Pink and Gold Baby Girl 1st Birthday Decorations »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. thebestmalebloggerever

    May 25, 2016 at 12:25 PM

    Oh my word this looks so good!

    Reply
    • Ilona

      May 26, 2016 at 2:19 PM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. littlesunnykitchen

    May 25, 2016 at 12:35 PM

    I have never seen a tortilla bowl before but this looks so cool! Would be amazing to make taco bowls 🙂

    Reply
    • Ilona

      May 26, 2016 at 2:17 PM

      They are cool and convenient:)

      Reply
  3. gingey bites

    May 25, 2016 at 12:45 PM

    Yummy, I also love Mexican food and this looks like a FEAST fit for a party! 🙂

    Reply
    • Ilona

      May 26, 2016 at 2:17 PM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C

    May 25, 2016 at 1:55 PM

    What a fabulous spread! I love Mexican food, (second only to Italian food, in my opinion). 🙂 I’ve always wanted to try making barbacoa beef in the slow cooker. I bet it’s delicious.

    Reply
    • Ilona

      May 26, 2016 at 2:17 PM

      Yes, it is delicious. Thank you Andrea!

      Reply
  5. Jolina - The Unlikely Baker

    May 25, 2016 at 2:21 PM

    We had a taco party sometime ago but nothing like this. So much fun! And love those taco bowls. Say bye to taco filling falling over to the other side! Must schedule a taco party again soon.

    Reply
    • Ilona

      May 26, 2016 at 2:16 PM

      Taco parties are fun Jolina!

      Reply
  6. Beth @ Binky's Culinary Carnival

    May 25, 2016 at 3:06 PM

    Such a fun party! I love all the decorations and presentation! I haven’t seen the taco bowls yet. I’ll have to keep a look out for them because, like you Mexican food is my favorite food on the planet!

    Reply
    • Ilona

      May 26, 2016 at 2:15 PM

      Thank you Beth!

      Reply
  7. Brie

    May 25, 2016 at 6:18 PM

    These look so delicious and your set up is so pretty! I love the mini bowls!

    xo Brie
    http://www.sophistifunkblog.com

    Reply
    • Ilona

      May 26, 2016 at 2:15 PM

      Thank you Brie!

      Reply
  8. Judi Moss

    December 26, 2017 at 2:10 PM

    Do you have to heat the Mini bowls

    Reply
    • Ilona

      December 27, 2017 at 5:51 PM

      You don’t have to but if you prefer warmer bowls I would heat for few seconds in microwave.

      Reply
  9. enjoyqq.dewalego.com

    March 23, 2020 at 11:56 PM

    Heⅼlo! This is mmy first cоmment heгe so Ijust ԝanted tօ give а quick shout out аnd say I gnuinely enjoy reading through
    youг blog posts. Сan yοu recommend aany оther blogs/websites/forums tһat cover
    the ѕame subjects? Thank you sߋ much!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'm Ilona, the creator of entertaining food and weeknight meals. As a designer of all beautiful things for a party, I offer entertaining styling tips and gift ideas. I love to cook everything from scratch and travel around the world, check out my bio here

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Gifts, flowers, party.
Glasses with water and lemon slices   Pink cupcake with strawberry frosting   Candies   Back to School Free Printable

Party Food

Baked mushrooms with broccoli and cheese.

Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms with Cheese

Apple fritters with candy corn sauce.

Apple Fritters with Candy Corn Sauce

Halloween treats and candies.

Party Halloween Treats and Snacks

10 fall desserts for a crowd. Yummy autumn inspired recipes including soft pumpkin cookies, apple bars, pumpkin pancakes, crumb muffins, pumpkin bread and baked pear by ilonaspassion.com I @ilonaspassion

10 Fall Desserts for A Crowd with Recipes

Brownie bars with nutella.

Easy Nutella Brownies

Remoulade with fried pickles.

Remoulade Sauce

Deep fried pickles with remoulade sauce.

Deep Fried Pickles

Refreshing cucumber watermelon salad.

Cucumber Watermelon Feta Salad

Footer

Ilona’s passion

  • About Ilona’s Passion
  • Work with Me
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Shop

Dulce de leche cupcakes in a pink and gold party set up.

Copyright © 2021 Ilona's Passion on the Foodie Pro Theme

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.