Mexican recipes

Street-Style Carne Asada Marinade

If you have ever stood at a taquería counter watching carne asada hiss on a hot grill, you know the aroma I am talking about. It is bright citrus, warm garlic, a little smoke, and that savory beefy edge that makes you order “una más” even when you are already full. This is the skirt steak marinade...

Carne Asada vs. Al Pastor: Perfect Taco Meat

If you have ever stood in the meat aisle (or in front of your grill) wondering whether tonight is a carne asada night or an al pastor night, you are not alone. Both are iconic, both are delicious, and both can absolutely be made at home without turning your kitchen into a taquería production line....

10 Quick Mexican Main Dishes for Busy Weeknights

On weeknights, I cook the way my abuela taught me, with one eye on the comal and the other on the clock. The good news is Mexican food is full of fast dinners that still taste like you took your time. Think smoky chiles, bright lime, crunchy tortillas, and a little crema to pull it all together....

Authentic Beef Birria Tacos

If you have ever bitten into a birria taco that crackles on the outside, then melts into juicy shredded beef inside, you already know the magic: the broth does double duty as both a soup and the flavor “paint” that turns a simple tortilla into something unforgettable. This is the version I grew up...

About Elena Valdés

Bienvenidos to The Mexi Plate. I’m Elena Valdés, a Mexican-American home cook born in Jalisco and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I grew up with a foot in two worlds, but food was always the thing that kept me steady. If you’ve ever tasted a salsa that instantly feels like home, or smelled chiles...