Calories in Mexican Dishes, Per Serving (2026)

Main dishes range from 300 to 1,200 calories, while sides and extras vary from 100 to 400 calories. Fried items and loaded burritos top the list.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of calorie counts in popular Mexican dishes, sourced from USDA FoodData Central and chain nutrition data. Understanding these values can help you make informed choices when dining out or preparing meals at home.

How Many Calories Are in Mexican Dishes?

Mexican dishes can vary significantly in calorie content based on ingredients and preparation methods. Here is a breakdown of calories in popular main dishes and sides.

Dish	Serving	Calories	Protein (g)	Fat (g)
Beef Taco	1 taco	300	15	20
Chicken Burrito	1 burrito	600	25	25
Bean and Cheese Burrito	1 burrito	500	20	18
Cheese Quesadilla	1 quesadilla	400	15	25
Chicken Enchiladas (2)	2 enchiladas	600	30	25
Beef Nachos	1 plate	1,200	40	70
Taco Salad	1 salad	500	25	30
Chimichanga	1 chimichanga	800	30	50
Tamale	1 tamale	200	5	10

Comparing these dishes can help identify lower-calorie options for your meal.

What About Sides and Extras?

Sides and extras can add significant calories to your meal. Here are the calorie counts for common Mexican sides.

Dish	Serving	Calories	Protein (g)	Fat (g)
Chips and Salsa	1 serving	300	5	15
Guacamole	2 oz	100	2	9
Refried Beans	1/2 cup	150	7	6
Mexican Rice	1 cup	200	4	1
Churro	1 churro	200	2	10
Sour Cream	2 tbsp	60	1	6

Sides can significantly increase the calorie count of your meal, so consider portion sizes.

Which Mexican Dish Has the Fewest Calories?

The dish with the fewest calories is:

1. Sour Cream (2 tbsp): 60 kcal
2. Guacamole (2 oz): 100 kcal
3. Refried Beans (1/2 cup): 150 kcal
4. Tamale (serving): 200 kcal
5. Churro (1 churro): 200 kcal

Which Mexican Dish Has the Most Calories?

The dish with the most calories is:

1. Beef Nachos (serving): 1,200 kcal
2. Chimichanga (serving): 800 kcal
3. Chicken Burrito (serving): 600 kcal
4. Chicken Enchiladas (2): 600 kcal
5. Taco Salad (serving): 500 kcal

How to Track Mexican Food Calories Accurately

Estimating calories in Mexican food can be challenging due to portion sizes, ingredient density, and hidden fats or sugars. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies Mexican dishes from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million verified foods. It also supports barcode scanning for packaged items and voice logging for quick entries. Nutrola is available from €2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

For related references, see calories in common breakfast foods, calories in every soup, and calories in sandwiches and subs.

How We Calculated These Numbers

Data was gathered from USDA FoodData Central, chain nutrition data, and manufacturer labels. Serving sizes were standardized, and calorie counts were rounded to the nearest 5 or 10 calories for clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many calories are in a chicken burrito?

A chicken burrito typically contains around 600 calories, with about 25 grams of protein and 25 grams of fat.

What is the calorie count for a beef taco?

A beef taco generally has about 300 calories, including 15 grams of protein and 20 grams of fat.

Are nachos high in calories?

Yes, beef nachos can reach up to 1,200 calories per serving, primarily due to cheese and toppings.

How many calories are in a cheese quesadilla?

A cheese quesadilla usually contains around 400 calories, with 15 grams of protein and 25 grams of fat.

What are the calories in chips and salsa?

Chips and salsa can amount to about 300 calories per serving, depending on the portion size of the chips.

Is guacamole high in calories?

Guacamole contains about 100 calories per 2 oz serving, mainly from healthy fats.

Key Takeaways

• Mexican dishes can vary widely in calorie content.
• Fried items and large portions often have the highest calories.
• A beef taco has around 300 calories.
• Chips and salsa can add significant calories to meals.
• Guacamole is relatively low in calories but rich in healthy fats.
• Tamales are one of the lowest-calorie options available.