Growing up Catholic, Fridays meant Meatless Fridays even when it wasn’t the Lenten season.

Although I have not committed to that tradition year round, I still give up meat on Fridays during Lent. Following is a collection of my favorite Lent recipes which make me long for Lenten Fridays early in the week.

If you take part in Lent, remember you don’t have to substitute sabor during this time of reflection.

Red Enchiladas (Enchiladas Rojas)

Every Friday we all gathered at our grandma’s house for lunch or dinner for her famous Red Enchiladas. These homemade red enchiladas are full of authentic Mexican flavor! 

Recipe: Red Enchiladas (Enchiladas Rojas)

Stacked red enchiladas with a refried egg on top on a Mexican plate.

Tuna Salad

Nostalgic, comforting and packed with protein, my Mom’s simple and delicious Tuna Salad made with egg and dill pickles is a family favorite. 

Recipe: Mom’s Best Tuna Salad

open faced tuna sandwich with a whole jalapeño on the side on a wooden cutting board.

Tortitas de Camarón con Nopales

Tortitas de Camarón con Nopales – a traditional Mexican Lenten dish. Slightly spicy guajillo chile sauce is combined with cooked nopales served on shrimp patties! 

Recipe: Tortitas de Camarón con Nopales

Delicious tortitas served to the table in a big blue pan with a big batch of shrimp.

Refried Bean and Guacamole Tostadas

A dollop of guacamole spread over a crunchy corn tostada makes this the ideal go to meal in a hurry. If you have beans try frying them and spreading them over the other tostada. These two compliment each other like two peas in a pod.

Recipe: Refried Bean and Guacamole Tostadas

Vegetarian Mexican Tostadas With Refried Beans & Guacamole on a Mexican talavera platter on a striped fabric.

Camarones a la Diabla

Camarones a la Diabla are juicy large shrimp cooked in a flavorful and spicy red chile sauce.

Recipe: Camarones a la Diabla

Camarones a la Diabla in a black skillet.

Lentil Soup

My grandma made lentil soup often, especially during the Lenten season. This earthy soup is healthy and hearty with the addition of carrots, celery, tomatoes, and spinach.

Recipe: Lentil Soup

lentil soup in a Mexican bowl for Lent with a bolillo on the side.

Nopales con Huevo

Nopales con huevo is a classic Mexican dish made with cactus paddles and scrambled eggs.

Recipe: Nopales con Huevo

Nopales con Huevo on a plate with folded corn tortillas and a glass of orange juice on the side.

Calabacitas con Elote (Zucchini with Corn)

This has to be one of the oldest dishes in Mexican homes. According to my Grandma, everyone used to have a garden in their yards, even a small one, and, along with corn, squash was one of the staples harvested.

Recipe: Calabacitas con Elote (Zucchini with Corn)

Calabacitas con Elote (Zucchini with Corn) topped with cheese on a board and colorful striped fabric.

Breakfast Migas Tacos

Its food for the soul folded in half and stuffed with eggs, fresh ingredients, and crunchy tortilla chips. Try this easy recipe for a taste of a Tex-Mex breakfast.

Recipe: Breakfast Migas Tacos

migas on a grey plate with avocado slices and toasted flour tortillas for making breakfast tacos.

Sopa de Fideo

Sopa de fideo is an incredibly simple yet flavorful soup made with a tomato-based broth and toasted vermicelli noodles. Its simple and comforting but also because of the warm, fuzzy nostalgic feelings it brings!

Recipe: Sopa de Fideo

two bowls and a pot of soda de Fideo great lent dish.

Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas

This shrimp ceviche is served on tostada shells with a creamy, spicy, and flavorful avocado crema, and sprinkled with pepitas, making this the perfect dish for the Lenten season.

Recipe: Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas

shrimp ceviche tostadas on two Mexican hand painted plates.

Caldo de Pescado y Camaron (Fish and Shrimp Soup)

Excellent for a Lenten meal this fish stock and shrimp in a chipotle-tomato broth is slightly spicy and easy to prepare. 

Recipe: Caldo de Pescado y Camaron (Fish and Shrimp Soup)

Caldo de Pescado y Camaron (Fish and Shrimp Soup) in two black bowls and crackers on the side.

Beer-Battered Fish Tacos

Mexican beer-battered cod, fried to perfection topped with chipotle cream sauce and garnished with red cabbage, thinly sliced jalapeños and radishes, pico de gallo, and avocado.

Recipe: Beer-Battered Fish Tacos

Beer-Battered Fish Tacos with all the toppings and garnishes in a Mexican tray on a gray table.

Coctel de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)

My mom used to make this spicy shrimp cocktail for Christmas Eve or New Years Eve parties, and during the Lenten season.

Recipe: Coctel de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)

three glass dessert bowls filled with Mexican shrimp cocktail with saltine crackers served on the side.

Elote en Vaso (Corn in a Cup)

Street food in a cup. The lime juice, cheese, crema, and corn are a surprisingly little treat any time of day.

Recipe: Elote en Vaso (Corn in a Cup)

mexican street corn in a mason jar with turquoise spoon.

Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

My favorite dessert during Lent — This bread pudding tastes amazing warm or cold. The sweet notes of the piloncillo with the cinnamon give it its signature aroma.

Recipe: Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

capirotada Mexican bread pudding dessert for lent

Do you practice meatless Fridays during Lent? You can find many more Mexican Lent Recipes on the blog and in my new cookbook, Muy Bueno Fiestas.

Originally published: February 2012.