Mexican Dishes That Are Popular In Mexico
Mexico is famous for its sunny weather, Mariachi, and beautiful beaches, but many visitors will also travel to Mexico to taste their acclaimed cuisine. Offering what many consider the best tastes and flavor combinations around, make sure you try more than just the usual tacos and burritos when you get there. There are many popular foods in Mexico that Mexicans will recommend to visitors and expats.
When strolling through a Mexican market, you’ll be met with enticing scents and aromas of Mexican street food being prepared with fresh ingredients. When you sit down at a local restaurant, you will be in awe of the variety of local, traditional dishes beyond what you know as Mexican food offerings being served.
In Mexico, chefs tend to use fresh produce, white cheese, slow-roasted pork, and fragrant herbs like cilantro, parsley, and epazote. Mexican cuisine includes simple dishes bursting with flavor that vary according to their region in Mexico.
Let’s take a look at the eight most popular foods in Mexico.
- Chilaquiles
A typical breakfast and available throughout Mexico, chilaquiles means chilis and greens in the Nahuatl language. You can probably guess some of its ingredients. Often made from leftovers and popular as a hangover dish, these are a great way to start your day. The base is corn tortillas cut into triangles and lightly fried. Then green or red salsa is placed on top and served with meat or eggs and a side of refried beans accompanied by shredded soft cheese, fresh red onion, and cream.
- Pozole
Once used as part of ritual sacrifices, this soup is made with chicken, pork, or vegetables. It’s made from hominy corn with plenty of herbs and spices that give it a rich, spicy flavor. It is cooked like a stew for hours and sometimes even overnight, and then it is served with lettuce, radish, onion, lime, and chili.
- Tacos al pastor
The name means “tacos in the style of the shepherd,” and although we know how much you love tacos, these are very different. Also on the list of common foods in Mexico, these tacos feature thinly sliced pork, slow-roasted over a fire, and served with pineapple, cilantro, and onions. Of course, served on corn tortillas.
- Tostadas
Mexican families don’t let stale tortillas go to waste; instead, they use them to make tostadas. These are basically fried tortillas served with cheese, meats, veggies, and garnishes of choice. They can be quite filling, so take it slow.
- Chiles en Nogada
Talk about a patriotic dish; this one comes in the three colors of the Mexican flag. For the green, there are chilies filled with a mixture of chopped meat, fruits, and spices. For the white, you’ll find a walnut-based cream sauce. And for the red, there are pomegranate seeds. The origins of this dish stem from Puebla, where it was first served to Don Agustin de Iturbide, liberator and Emperor of Mexico.
- Enchiladas
The history of this dish comes from when people in the Valley of Mexico would eat tortillas wrapped around small fish. These days there are various styles of enchiladas across Mexico. They are made with corn or flour tortillas stuffed with meat, seafood, or veggies, and then a chili sauce is drizzled over the enchiladas, and they are topped with garnishes. Although on the list of common foods in Mexico served for breakfast, you can devour them throughout the day.
- Quesadillas
Popular foods in Mexico are served as street food and also available in many restaurants; quesadillas top the list and are great for lunchtime as they are a lighter meal. Made with corn or flour tortillas, the main ingredient of quesadillas is cheese. They are often filled with meat, onion, and veggies too.
- Tamales
Enjoy your tamales as breakfast or a snack after a long day on the beach. Meaning “wrapped” in Nahuatl, they are made from a corn dough wrapped in a corn or banana husk before being steamed. Popular versions of this dish are filled with chicken, peppers, or cheese. They also come in a sweet version with fruit or chocolate.
Are you looking for excellent authentic Mexican food and Mexican craft beers or tequila? Come to Benito’s in the Fairmount area of Fort Worth. We are well known for our breakfast dishes, pico de gallo, fresh guac, queso flameado, and a range of Mexican beers and margaritas – all popular foods in Mexico. You’ll experience authentic Mexican cuisine with us at Benito’s.
To book a table, call us at 817-332-8633. To find out more, go to our website.
