10 best budget-friendly Mexican dinners
Try Food Editor Amanda’s easy and affordable Mexican dinner ideas
Dive into our collection of flavourful Mexican feeds, all costing under $5 per serve*. These dinner ideas are quick and easy to get on the table; use fresh and affordable ingredients; and never fail to please even the fussy eaters.
“Mexican night is my favourite night of the week. Mexican cuisine is fresh, versatile and cheaper than a trip to Cancun! A lot of these recipes use common pantry staples and affordable canned foods, so they’re super easy to stretch or substitute. They also freeze and reheat really well so you can make a big batch and have lunch or weeknight dinners ready to go” - Amanda.
01
Mexican-style chicken tortilla bake
Transform a humble roast chook into a fresh and flavourful take on tortillas for dinner. (The kids will love to help layer the chicken, cheese and tortillas, too!) This dish is super easy to cut into portions and save for lunches or another meal. Winner-winner!
02
Chicken and bean tacos
Crunch into taco night with this simple and budget-friendly recipe. Pack your taco shell to the max with beans, crispy chicken, creamy coleslaw and cheese for a dinnertime trip to the Mexican coast.
03
Chilli con carne capsicums
Get your daily serving of vegetables with dinner served directly inside of one! These capsicums stuffed with Mexican-inspired chilli con carne are as tasty as they are convenient, making this a great budget-friendly meal to add to your weeknight rotation.
04
Air-fryer taco chicken wings
These juicy taco-flavoured chicken wings are the perfect quick and easy summer dinner. Enjoy the spice of Mexican-inspired seasoning with a squeeze of lime juice and sprinkle of fresh coriander. Prepared in the air fryer, these crispy morsels will fly off the plate.
05
Sausage enchiladas with tomato salad
Try this delicious take on Mexican enchiladas using juicy beef sausages that are great value this summer. Serve your traybake with a refreshing tomato salad for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that won’t break the bank.
06
Vegetarian nachos
Start meat-free resolutions on the right foot with a serving of classic vegetarian nachos. Dig into crispy corn chips covered with a filling three-bean mix and a smattering of your favourite toppings. Just serve with some fresh lime for the perfect no-fuss dinner.
07
Sausage and bean salad
This warm beef-sausage salad has all the right ingredients for a stress-free midweek dinner: it’s easy to make, it’s filling and it’s full of flavour. Featuring great value beef sausage, this recipe’s a no-brainer.
08
Freezer-friendly chilli con carne
This freezer-friendly chilli con carne will be your best friend for batch cooking meal-prepping. It’s super affordable at $3.12 per serve, and reheats well as delicious and convenient mid-week meals.
09
Air-fryer cauliflower tacos
Obsessed with your air fryer as much as we are? Get some added serves of vegetables at dinner with these crispy cauliflower tacos. This recipe is a moreish but light take on taco night that you’ll want to add to your summer repertoire!
10
Easy bean nachos
Ready in 30 minutes, this classic is a confirmed crowd-pleaser. Shredded lettuce, tomatoes and coriander add freshness to the moreish and cheesy bean salsa. It’s easy, budget-friendly and perfect for weeknight dinners.
*The cost per serve is calculated by dividing the approximate cost of the ingredients (excluding ingredients marked as "extra to serve") by the number of serves in the recipe. Ingredient prices are based on standard shelf prices in NSW Woolworths Supermarkets as at [17/11/23]. Prices and products may vary by State and may not be available in all Supermarkets, Woolworths Metro, MetroGo, Woolworths Online (including Everyday Market) and Ampol Woolworths Metro. Where a specific brand is not listed for an ingredient, calculations are based on the price of the Woolworths own brand version of the ingredient or the next cheapest alternative.