Mexican cuisine is layered with history, culture, flavors, and influences from all over the world. You’ll find that dishes are based on several fundamental ingredients and then presented in myriad ways. The “holy trinity” of corn (maíz), beans, and squash are native ingredients that formed the base of the diet in pre-Columbian times. Not only do they provide complete protein together but also when grown in the same soil keep the earth healthy and fertilized. Later in history European settlers brought wheat, dairy products, and chilies. Today you’ll find all these ingredients arranged to form some of the world’s most flavorful, varied cuisines.
Here are some of the best foods to try in Mexico:
Tacos
Traditional Mexican tacos are a staple in the country’s cuisine and culture. The style will vary according to the location, such as the iconic Mexico City street taco served on a small corn tortilla filled with meat and topped with onion, cilantro, and lime. Here are some of our favorites Mexican tacos that are worth the try – at least once. Here are some of our favorite taco fillings:
Tacos al Pastor by Yezmin Barreto from Pixabay
Al Pastor: The “shepherd’s taco” is one of the most popular types of tacos, with no surprise because they are flavorful with the perfect balance of salty, fatty, acid, and sweet. It is due to the thinly sliced pork, slow-roasted over a spit, called “trompo” along with pineapple and spices. It is then served with pineapple and onions.
Cochinita Pibil: This dish is made by marinating pork in achiote spice, sour oranges, and onions, then wrapping it in banana leaves and cooking it underground. This result is meat that dissolves in your mouth because of its tenderness and juiciness.
Birria: Usually made with goat meat marinated in a chili-based broth, making super juicy and spicy. Although it originated in Guadalajara, you will be able to find street vendors selling birria all over the country. What is special about this taco is that the tortillas are drenched in the meat broth before warming them up on the grill. They are topped with more meat and sometimes cheese. You can even ask for a cup filled with the meaty broth – so you can keep dipping away! Videos of these tacos have been trending new app TikTok, making everyone wishing to try because of how delicious they look.
Chapulines Tacos by Katja Schulz from Flickr
2. Chapulines
This snack is rather unfamiliar in the rest of the world but is pretty common in Mexico and in a particular state of Oaxaca. Chapulines are roasted grasshoppers seasoned with lime, garlic, and salt. Grasshoppers are actually very high in protein and low in unhealthy fat. They can be enjoyed plain, like peanuts, or wrapped in a tortilla like a taco with some avocado and cheese.
3. Chilaquiles
Every meal is pretty important in Mexico, but breakfast is taken to another level – especially with chilaquiles. This dish consists of a bed of fried corn tortillas cut in triangles topped with red or green salsa, shredded chicken or scrambled eggs, cheese, cream, and cilantro. If this meal is not the breakfast of champions, we do not know what it is.
4. Mole
This creamy, fragrant sauce is comparable to Indian curry in that it often consists of 20+ ingredients including vegetables, nuts, spices, and often one very special and unique ingredient, chocolate, native to Mexico. There are many kinds of mole, including red, green, yellow, and grown – some say there are more than 50 types. Although moles have hints of sweetness coming from spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, the dish is meant to complement savory dishes, like chicken, enchiladas, chilaquiles, and tamales.
Mole Enchiladas by Cesar Huitron from Pixabay
Oaxaca is the state known as the queen of moles, but they can often be found throughout the country. This creamy, fragrant sauce is comparable to Indian curry in that it often consists of 20+ ingredients including vegetables, nuts, spices, and often one very special and unique ingredient, chocolate, native to Mexico. There are many kinds of mole, including red, green, yellow, and grown – some say there are more than 50 types. Although moles have hints of sweetness coming from spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, the dish is meant to complement savory dishes, like chicken, enchiladas, chilaquiles, and tamales. Oaxaca is the state known as the queen of moles, but they can often be found throughout the country.
Chile en Nogada by Sally Meza from Pixabay
5. Chiles
Mexico is acclaimed for its spice and unique flavor, and it is all thanks to its chilis. With more than 150 different varieties of chiles all over the nation, Mexicans use them not to create spiciness, but to enhance other flavors. If you enjoy and admire the different Mexican chilis and their flavor, you are going to enjoy these dishes based on the famous Chile Poblano – originated in the state of Puebla one of Mexico’s most acclaimed culinary gems.
Chiles en Nogada: This dish pays homage to Mexican independence, hence the ingredients resemble the Mexican flag. It consists of a poblano chili stuffed with a picadillo made from shredded meat, then drenched in a white sauce made with walnuts and spices, and finished with a sprinkle of red pomegranate seeds and cilantro.
Chile Relleno: It is a roasted poblano chili stuffed with cheese, coated in batter, and deep-fried until golden. It is usually drenched in a red or green sauce for even more deliciousness. Beware because it is still a chili and it can be very spicy. Enjoying this delicious chile relleno with a side of tomato rice, refried beans and guacamole would be a meal to always remember and never forget.
6. Esquites & Elotes
Esquite & Elote street stand by James Stave from Flicker
Elotes are the literal translation to corn on the cob, whereas, esquite is the result of grating the corn and enjoying it in a cup. This traditional street food is common in almost every corner of each Mexican city or town. The elote or esquite is then drenched in all goodies. The toppings grated cheese, butter, mayo, lime juice, chili powder, and hot sauce so that you can personalize your cob or cup.
7. Pozole
One of the most comforting and delicious Mexican traditions, pozole is a hearty soup made from hominy (dried corn kernels), pork, and it can have a red base using guajillo or ancho chilis, or a green base with tomatillos, cilantro, and jalapeño. The soup is then garnished with a bunch of goodies like shredded cabbage, diced onions, sliced radishes, cheese, and cilantro.
8. Mezcal
Okay, not a food, but should be mentioned! Famous as Mexico’s national liquor, mezcal is made by extracting the thick stem insides of the agave plant. This form of extraction began in Oaxaca way before Christopher Columbus touched the American lands, and the tradition has continued since. Mezcal is known for having a smoky flavor and it is commonly consumed on its own -- usually in small shot glasses with a worm in the bottom. While tequila is a form of mezcal, as it is also made from agave, they are not one and the same. By Mexican law, tequila can only be produced in five states and is only made from the blue agave plant. Both spirits use a different cooking process, resulting in distinct flavors.
Want to visit Mexico on a more personal level?
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