Hosting a Mexican style feast, and need some ideas for what starter goes with fajitas?
I’m here to help!
Whether you want something quick and easy to share over a margarita or two before you serve up your main course, or you want to get a little creative in the kitchen and really impress your dinner guests, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here…
The best starter for fajitas is homemade guacamole with tortilla chips. It’s fresh, vibrant, nutritious, and absolutely delicious, and light enough to tempt the tastebuds without being too filling ahead of your fajita feast!
Some other fantastic options include cheesy potato skins, margarita cocktails, mini taco bites, Mexican roasted cauliflower, chipotle prawns, and jalapeño poppers. Keep reading for more ideas, plus tried and tested recipes…
(By the way, you might also want to visit my guide to salads that go with fajitas!)
Homemade guacamole is my go-to starter for fajitas, and the added bonus is that it’s really easy to make. You’ll need just a handful of fresh ingredients including avocado, tomato, lime, coriander, red onion, and red chilli.
Add some tortilla chips to a bowl, and you’re good to go! It’s a fun and informal starter that’s perfect for enjoying at the dinner table with friends and family, without biting off more than you can chew in the kitchen.
Loaded potato skins are perfect for the whole family, and adults and kids alike will love digging in.
This recipe for loaded potato skins is my favourite, and the combination of sour cream, cheese, and spring onion makes for a perfect appetiser for spicy fajitas.
Of course, you can get creative and use a variety of your own favourite toppings. If you want to make a real feast, chilli con carne makes a wonderful topping!
If you’re cooking for adults, a margarita is a fun and easy way to kick off your Mexican meal! This classic margarita recipe is made with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, and is fantastic when enjoyed alongside some chips and dips, like guacamole and a spicy homemade salsa.
If you want to get a little experimental, there are plenty of variations to try. Try a fruity version in the form of strawberry or passionfruit, go frozen, or add heat with chillis.
If you’re swerving alcohol, you don’t have to miss out. This virgin margarita is just as delicious!
Tacos are fun, informal, and perfect for those evenings when you’re feeding a crowd or you have the family over for dinner.
Of course, they can be a main course in their own right, but these mini taco bites are perfect for serving as an appetiser or as a nibble with a couple of drinks at the start of the evening.
Feel free to get experimental with the topping ideas, so you can incorporate your favourites. You could substitute the taco mince for shredded chicken or jackfruit, for example, or skip the meat altogether and simply use lots of colourful, crunchy veggies.
If you’re always on the lookout for fun ways to get your family to eat more veggies, you need to try this Mexican roasted cauliflower recipe! It’s so simple yet tasty, and light enough to serve as a starter or even a side dish before a filling main course like fajitas.
Cauliflower florets are tossed in a mix of spices and roasted until caramelised and crispy, before serving with zesty lime juice, coriander, red onion, and some fresh and creamy avocado.
If you love seafood and Mexican flavours, try these chipotle prawns. They take just twenty minutes from start to finish, and they’re wonderful served on their own with some lemon wedges, or with a side of crusty bread for mopping up the delicious sauce.
If you’re cooking for fussy eaters then you might want to take the shells off, though this dish looks particularly impressive when you leave the shells on. Just make sure that you have some wipes or water bowls at the table to deal with messy fingers!
A block of halloumi is a super useful ingredient to have in the fridge, and you can use it to create all kinds of quick and easy lunches and starters. It’s also great if you’re cooking for vegetarians but still want to offer something with a satisfying bite, or you’re just trying to cut down on your meat consumption a little.
Just shred chunks of the salty cheese on to sticks, add some of your favourite veggies if you like, spritz with a little olive oil, and cook in a griddle pan or under the grill until slightly charred, melty, and delicious.
If you like, you can get experimental by adding different herbs and spices. I like to keep things simple and just serve with some wedges of lemon or lime, chopped red chilli peppers, and freshly chopped coriander.
Cheesy jalapeño poppers are so tasty and versatile, and I make them for so many different occasions. Add them to a buffet, offer them as nibbles alongside cocktails, or serve them as a starter for fajitas!
This recipe for jalapeño poppers is baked instead of fried, so it’s a little lighter yet compromises nothing when it comes to flavour and satisfaction.
You’ll stuff your peppers with a creamy, cheesy mixture, and then top with crispy panko breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch. This choice is perfect if you love spicy food.
For a colourful and nutritious starter that’s really easy to prepare, why not try grilled corn?
You can get as fancy as you like by adding toppings like sour cream and chopped chillis and spring onions, or just add a little bit of salted butter and invite everyone to dig in.
There are plenty of choices for starters for your next fajita night! Choose from:
Which of these recipes will you be trying? Leave a comment and let us know!
