Mexican food is made for sharing with family and friends. we are sharing everything you need to have an epic Mexican Dinner Party at home. Whether you are looking to go all out with a showstopper of a formal sit down menu, a casual Mexican buffet for a large gathering.

Mexican Dinner Party main recipe finished dishes

Gran Luchito's

Mexican
Dinner Party

First things first, you need to decide on the vibe that your Mexican dinner party is going to have. It will depend on the number of people that are coming. To make things simple, we would suggest two different choices. For numbers over 8 people, we would suggest an informal and very casual DIY style Mexican buffet feel, with sharing appetisers and a big Taco or Fajita spread for the main course. There is nothing to stop you from doing this for smaller numbers too! However, the second option would be a sit-down affair, and more formal. This is better suited to a group of 8 or less, and could involve a proper starter for each guest, and then a main Mexican showstopper of a dish!

Gran Luchito's Informal and Fun Mexican Buffet Menu

If you’ve decided on an informal and very casual Mexican dinner party, we recommend a relaxed Mexican buffet menu which is particularly great if you are hosting larger numbers. Read on for our recommendations for crowd-pleasing Mexican buffet platters. We recommend starting with an appetiser spread wherever you are serving pre-dinner drinks, whether on a table in your sitting room, kitchen, or outside terrace/garden that everyone can pick at whilst enjoying drinks!

The Mexican Buffet Main - Taco or Fajita Sharing Platter

We recommend making a few different taco fillings to suit every taste and placing on a platter for everyone to tuck into. A taco dinner party! Our faves for a taco platter are Tacos Al Carbon, Crunchy Beef Tacos, Double Decker Tacos and Vegan Tacos. Be sure to check out all our taco recipes for more ideas.

If you are going to throw a Mexican dinner party, the beauty of entertaining with Fajitas is that you can place the fajita filling on a big platter, put out fajita toppings in bowls with a side of Soft Taco Wraps and everyone assembles their wraps just as they would like. Our crowd-pleasing fajita recipes include Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle, Steak Fajitas and Vegetarian Fajitas.

With everyone getting involved in the assembly, Fajitas is definitely the easier option. Be sure to check out all our fajita recipes.

Formal Sit Down Mexican Dinner Party Menu

Now our dinner party menu for a sit-down, more formal fiesta for a smaller group of up to 8.

We like to start our Mexican dinner party with Margaritas, chips and salsa. We, therefore, recommend kicking off your formal dinner party by offering each guest an icy Paloma Cocktail when they arrive.

For starters, we recommend choosing from delicious Grilled Shrimp made with a secret nutty marinade of Crunchy Salsa Macha, alternatively some warming Pozole Soup, or a colourful chopped Mexican Salad.

Mexican Dinner Party Mains

The main course needs to be a real showstopper of a dish. Something that is bound to impress your guests and have them asking for seconds.

For this, we would recommend making Enchiladas. What makes it great, aside from the melted cheese and sauce, is that most of the work is done in advance, so there is no last-minute cooking or tidying to do. All you do is slip the dish you prepared earlier into the oven and hey presto!

A crispy green salad pairs well with enchiladas, but be sure to check out our Mexican sides if you would like more recipe inspiration.

If you are not keen on enchiladas then we recommend these showstopper Mexican classic dishes including Beef Barbacoa, Chicken Mole, Stuffed Poblano Peppers (a really epic dish for vegetarians) and smoky Mexican Steak.

Mexican Puddings

With either a formal sit down dinner party or casual buffet, there’s quite a lot of delicious food, but just in case anyone has saved room for pudding we have a few ideas to end the meal on a sweet note!

A few of our favourite Mexican puddings to end the fiesta on a sweet note from our friends at Delish are:

  • Homemade Churros – fried dough coated in cinnamon and sugar served with a chocolate dip
  • Flan – a baked custard with indulgent caramel sauce
  • Dulce de Leche – epic caramel made with sweetened condensed milk

Find Gran Luchito. in the Mexican Section

Gran Luchito's Best

Mexican Dinner Party Dishes

Here you will find all the Mexican recipes we think are fab for entertaining friends and family at home. Fajitas, Tacos and Enchiladas as well as Mexican Classics are top of the list! Have a scroll through and see what interests you and then get planning, whether it’s a casual or fancy Mexican dinner party.

Guacamole

Homemade Guacamole

A super fresh and easy to make at home guacamole recipe made with mild tomatillos, jalapeños and creamy avocados that tastes delicious - you should try it!... See full recipe

Guide to Pacific Coast Mexico with Birria Tacos

Birria Tacos

Seriously indulgent tacos with slowly stewed beef and cheese..What’s not to love about beef tacos dipped into “Consomé” or meat juices? You'll want these again and again.... See full recipe

Pork Belly Tacos prep steps

Pork Belly Tacos

Tacos you will crave! What could be better than crispy and succulent pork belly tucked into tacos?! Lovingly cooked in beer and spices and coated in our divine Chipotle Paste.... See full recipe

Mexican food and How to make tacos

Carne Asada Tacos

A warm tortilla wrap filled with thinly sliced grilled steak, onions, guacamole, and our Chipotle Salsa. There is so much to love about this Carne Asada Tacos recipe. ... See full recipe

Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo

A super flavourful and fresh homemade tomato salsa with chillies, coriander, lime and chipotle that is is easy to make and can be added to just about anything... See full recipe

Chicken Tacos finished dish

Chicken Tacos

With flavourful grilled chicken, not only is this a healthy taco, but the authentic pico de gallo and homemade guacamole toppings make it taste super fresh. ... See full recipe

Chicken Enchiladas finished dish

Chicken Enchiladas

We love hosting a Mexican food night at home and this chicken enchiladas recipe always goes down a treat with our friends. It's definitely the most popular enchilada recipe! ... See full recipe

Mexican food with Easy Chicken Enchiladas, Quick & Easy Mexican

Green Chicken Enchiladas

With our Tomatillo Enchilada Sauce we make it easy for you to make a delicious and savoury, ooey, gooey Chicken Enchilada recipe. This is a good one to make midweek!... See full recipe

Chile Colorado finished dish

Chile Colorado

Chile colorado is a popular recipe in the north of Mexico, where dried chillies are toasted, soaked, crushed into a red brick coloured smooth sauce, along with our Chipotle Paste!... See full recipe

Guide to Pacific Coast Mexico with Aguachile

Aguachile

Here's our beautiful Aguachile recipe - raw fresh prawns cooked in lime juice and covered in a spicy marinade using our special blend Habanero & Lime Fajita & Taco Mix.... See full recipe

Roast Turkey Breast

Roast Turkey Breast

Roast turkey breast covered with delicious al pastor marinade, served with warm Soft Taco Wraps and grilled pineapple seasoned with Garlic and Guajillo Fajita and Taco Mix. Yum!... See full recipe

Beef Enchiladas

Beef Enchiladas

Saucy, melty and totally delicious Beef Enchiladas. A practical recipe after a busy day, this uses minced beef with onions and our Chipotle Enchilada Sauce.... See full recipe

Vegan Fajitas

Vegan Fajitas

Be creative with leftover veg in Vegan Fajitas with chipotle refried beans! We use tenderstem broccoli, spring onions, green beans, yellow peppers, cherry tomatoes and coriander in ours!... See full recipe

Arroz Con Pollo

Arroz Con Pollo

Fluffy Mexican style rice with lightly fried veg and delicious crispy chicken pieces cooked on top. This is the perfect one-pot meal that you can prepare for your family!... See full recipe

Mexican food with Vegetarian Enchiladas, Mexican recipes

Vegetarian Enchiladas

Hearty veggies, black Cantina Beans and red Chipotle Enchilada Sauce are a delicious filling in this Veggie Enchilada recipe that is suitable for vegans too.... See full recipe

Crunchy Beef Tacos instruction image

Crunchy Beef Tacos

These tacos, made with seasoned minced beef and crispy taco shells, will satisfy your cravings. Try them today and experience an explosion of flavour with every bite.... See full recipe

authentic mexican food

Pozole Soup

This authentic Pozole Soup recipe is cooked slow 'n low with Chipotle Paste for a rich, spicy brothy soup with lots of veggies - perfect for a cold night.... See full recipe

Chicken Tinga Tacos

Chicken Tinga Tacos

Authentic Puéblan Chicken Tinga in minutes! Use our Tinga Taco Simmer Sauce to create this classic taco dish at home for the family in no time. Tasty, hearty and delicious.... See full recipe

Halloumi Tacos

Halloumi Tacos

Both vegetarians and meat-eaters will love these seasoned and pan-fried Halloumi Tacos. Delicious and bursting with flavour! Top with our Chipotle Crema for added pizzazz.... See full recipe

Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Stuffed Poblano Peppers

“Chiles rellenos” are stuffed poblano peppers, covered in a light batter made of egg whites whisked until stiff, then shallow fried and served with a homemade tomato sauce.... See full recipe

Turkey Enchiladas

Turkey Enchiladas

Turkey Enchiladas has to be one of the best ways to make use of any holiday leftovers! Crisp up those remains, and make them into a delicious, melty, hot and oozing dish for your family.... See full recipe

authentic mexican food

Tuna Tostadas

A crispy corn tostada is topped with smoky Chipotle Mayo, then a delicious fresh tuna ceviche marinated in lime and soy and topped with crispy leeks - an epic starter!... See full recipe

Salmon Tacos

Salmon Tacos

Looking for an easy and fresh summer taco recipe? These pan fried, blackened Salmon Tacos are loaded with freshness. The best quality ingredients makes the best tacos!... See full recipe

Pollo Asado Finished dish Recipe

Pollo Asado

This Pollo Asado recipe for Mexican Grilled Chicken has an irresistible, flavourful, citrusy, chipotle flavour marinade. Talk about finger licking good -you have to try!... See full recipe

Mexican Steak, Recipes with Chipotle Paste

Mexican Steak

Make your Mexican Steak taste even better by marinating it with a dollop of our Chipotle Paste for a smoky depth of flavour that is truly irresistible.... See full recipe

Fish Tacos - finished dish

Fish Tacos

Fresh and flavourful fish tacos with a pan fried white fish that's been marinated in Mexican spices. Serve the fish over warm tortillas, a fresh salsa and a touch of lime!... See full recipe

Vegetarian Fajitas

Vegetarian Fajitas

Our Vegetarian Fajitas are perfect for entertaining, super healthy and really quick to make. Packed full of red onions, sweet potatoes, colourful peppers and courgette.... See full recipe

finished dish

Cheese Empanadas

These Cheese Empanadas with sweet potato and brie are easy to make using pre-made shortcrust pastry sheets, full of flavour and spice and a total crowd pleaser.... See full recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas, Mexican recipes

Slow Cooker Fajitas

Fancy a fajita recipe that you can make in the slow cooker? This Slow Cooker Fajitas recipe couldn't be easier! Just add everything in with our Red Fajita Simmer Sauce. ... See full recipe

Pork Pibil Tacos

Pork Pibil Tacos

Fresh oregano and zesty orange fill this dish with some seriously beautiful flavour...The spices used also give a vibrant burnt orange colour to this dish.... See full recipe

Tacos Al Pastor, Taco Recipe

Tacos Al Pastor

Seriously flavourful pork shoulder with pineapple, jalapeños, coriander & fresh lime! The pork is grilled and served in Soft Taco Wraps, topped with Jalapeño & Pineapple.... See full recipe

Mexican food with Fried Chicken Tacos

Fried Chicken Tacos Recipe

Crispy and delicious fried chicken for a twist on your usual chicken tacos! The whole family will love these straightforward chicken tacos with Smoky Chipotle Fajita & Taco Mix.... See full recipe

Carne en su Jugo

Carne En Su Jugo

This quick beef stew is served with fried crispy bacon on top, finely diced onion, finely chopped coriander, with tortillas on the side. Pure Mexican comfort food in a bowl!... See full recipe

Baja Fish Tacos

Baja Fish Tacos

Crispy, chipotle and beer battered fish with crunchy veg, fresh lime and chilli mayo - a Mexican beach holiday in a taco! A delicious combination of flavours and textures.... See full recipe

Mexican Food - Pulled Pork Enchiladas

Pulled Pork Enchiladas

The ultimate dinner party dish. Prepared with our Tomatillo Enchilada Sauce and filled with succulent slow cooker pulled pork, lovingly cooked with Chipotle Paste.... See full recipe

Fish Fajitas

Fish Fajitas

Make your fajitas summery, fresh and light by using halibut instead of the usual chicken or beef! These Fish Fajitas are delightful with just a squeeze of lime and some Chipotle Crema.... See full recipe

Mexican Food - Prawn Fajitas

Prawn Fajitas

With a touch of tequila, lime, and our signature smoky Chipotle Paste, these prawns fajitas are seriously fun food that are guaranteed to put a smile on everyones face.... See full recipe

Chicken Taquitos

Chicken Taquitos

A sure fire way to get the party started is to whip up a batch of our easy chipotle Chicken Taquitos! These can be made as a starter, party snack or tasty dinner!... See full recipe

Halloumi Fajitas

Halloumi Fajitas

Strips of pan-fried Halloumi are served with onions, peppers and olive oil having been infused with a mixture of our Chipotle Paste and Chipotle Fajita & Taco Mix.... See full recipe

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef

Our Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef recipe is yet another reason to love the slow cooker! It cooks beef to perfection, full of flavour and so tender it falls apart.... See full recipe

Michelada

Michelada

Part beer, part cocktail, this "beertail" is full of flavour and fun. Like a Bloody Mary, Micheladas are perfect for hangovers, and very refreshing on a hot summer's day.... See full recipe

Cuban Pork

Cuban Pork

Cuban Pork is a fabulous way to prepare pork and we hope you enjoy our humble rendition of the classic Cuban dish. We’ve used our Chipotle Paste to give a smoky and spicy twist.... See full recipe

Chipotle Margarita

Chipotle Margarita

The margarita is a guaranteed party starter. With a touch of smoky Chipotle Paste, tequila, and balanced with zesty lime and orange liqueur, it's got a zing to get you going.... See full recipe

Chicken Mole

Chicken Mole

Mole is one of the most important dishes in Mexican gastronomy. Here is our traditional mole recipe, prepared in a simple way so that everyone can prepare it at home.... See full recipe

Grilled Shrimp

Grilled Shrimp

Looking for a very tasty recipe for shrimp or prawns, then this is it! A marinade using our Crunchy Salsa Macha gives a spicy-smoky taste to these deliciously charred shrimps.... See full recipe

Cheese Board Luchito Style

Cheese Board Luchito Style

Our Mexico Chilli Gift Set is the perfect addition to bring a bit of heat and amazing smoky flavour to a beautiful cheese board this holiday season! Festive and no cooking required!... See full recipe

Baked Salmon

Baked Salmon

The simple combination of Chipotle Paste, butter, lemon zest, and parsley are mixed together to create a delicious smoky butter. The butter is then spread over the salmon and cooked!... See full recipe

Caldo Tlalpeno

Caldo Tlalpeño

Caldo Tlalpeño is a hearty Mexican soup made with a chicken and tomato based broth, shredded chicken, vegetables and rice. It's seriously nourishing and satisfying, perfect for the cold!... See full recipe

Slow Cooker Enchiladas

Slow Cooker Enchiladas

A filling of slow cooked tender beef brisket makes this enchiladas recipe especially delicious and worthy of any special occasion, or get-together with friends.... See full recipe

Sign Up For Our Free Guide To Mexican Classics

Sign Up For Our Free Guide To Mexican Classics

  • Free Taco Cookbook
  • Monthly newsletters with our latest recipes and special offers

Gran Luchito's

Mexican Dinner
Party FAQs

Here are our most frequently asked questions about hosting a Mexican Dinner Party. If you’d like to ask one, please do so in the comments section below the recipe. To learn more about making Mexican at home, be sure to check out the Gran Luchito Youtube Channel.

What music goes well with a Mexican Dinner Party?

Here are the tunes on our favourite Mexican Dinner Party playlist:
Paco De Lucia, Entre Dos Aguas
The Champs, Tequila Song
James Taylor, Mexico
Gypsy Kings, Bamboleo
Los Rancheros, El Che y Los Rolling Stones
No Llores Mas Morena, Pedro Suarez-Vertiz
La Flaca, Jarabe de Palo
Willy Ferrer, Dejame
Ruben Blades, Plastico
Mana, Oye Mi Amor

What's the most common dinner in Mexico?

Dinner is quite a bit different in Mexico where you will find it is a much smaller meal of leftovers wrapped in tortillas. Lunch is typically the bigger meal of the day in Mexico.

What's the best way to feed a crowd at a Mexican dinner party?

We think large roasting joints that can be slow cooked are not only easiest and economical but also delicious and special. Place the tender slow cooked meat on a platter and serve with warm tortillas, sides of rice and beans and some taco garnishes.