Bienvenidos amigos and amigas! Are you ready for a delicious journey through the vibrant world of traditional Mexican cuisine?
This culinary article will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Mexico.
So grab your sombrero and bring your appetite because we’re about to discover the 15 most irresistible and iconic traditional Mexican foods that will have you saying, “¡Olé!”
Fiesta for Your Taste Buds: Top 15 Traditional Mexican Delights
Mexican cuisine is a delightful blend of savory, spicy, and tangy tastes that leave a lasting impression in our hearts — and stomachs too! So, we hope you’re hungry because we have one “delicioso” list of 15 traditional foods to try when visiting Mexico[1] .
1. Gorditas: Tantalizingly Thick and Irresistibly Delicious
Gorditas are delectable desserts that will leave you wanting more. They are a beloved Mexican dish that translates to “little fat one” — which they are called due to their plump and round shape.
Making gorditas starts with masa, a dough made from ground corn. The masa dough is cut into small, thick, round shapes and cooked on a griddle or comal until golden brown.
The beauty of gorditas lies in their filling, which could be both savory and sweet. In the traditional savory version, the gorditas are sliced open and filled with beans, meats, grilled vegetables, cheese, and salsa.
For those with a sweet tooth, gorditas are also eaten as a dessert. Sweet gorditas are typically filled with caramel, chocolate, or fruit preserves.
2. Tamales: Wrap, Roll, and Savor the Flavorful Delights
Tamales are a cherished Mexican culinary gem that has captured the senses for generations. These savory delights are made by layering a delectable filling onto a masa dough, wrapping it in a corn husk, and steaming it to perfection.
The fillings for tamales include meats like chicken, hog, beef, or seafood, or vegetarian and vegan options such as cheese, beans, and roasted veggies. Sometimes, you can have both as a filling. There are no rules in the world of tamales!
Typically, people enjoy these tasty bundles on special days like holidays, birthdays, and family get-togethers. They can be eaten as a main course, with rice and beans on the side, or as a delectable roadside snack.
So, whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Mexico City or enjoying a homemade dinner, tamales embody the richness of Mexican cuisine with every delicious bite.
3. Chilaquiles: Crunchy, Saucy, and Oh-So-Satisfying
The popular Mexican chilaquiles are another tasty and soothing culinary delight. It consists of tortilla chips drenched in a mouthwatering sauce and topped with various flavorful toppings.
One of the most common sauces used for chilaquiles is the red sauce made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chili peppers such as guajillo or ancho. Another famous sauce is the green sauce made with tomatillos, cilantro, chili peppers, and sometimes spinach.
Typical toppings include cheese, onions, cilantro, sour cream, sliced avocado, shredded chicken, eggs, beans, and many more, allowing for endless variations and customization.
People like to eat chilaquiles for breakfast or brunch, as they provide a satisfying start to the day. However, there is nothing wrong with having them at other times of the day, such as for lunch or dinner.
So, whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a savory brunch, or a filling dinner, chilaquiles will add a lovely blend of textures and flavors to your palate.
4. Huevos Con Salchicha: Sausage Scramble Delight
Huevos con Salchicha, a playful and flavorful dish, is a beloved breakfast classic that brings together the heartiness of scrambled eggs and the delightful smokiness of sausages.
People enjoy it in a variety of ways. Some like to keep it simple, serving scrambled eggs and sausages as a standalone dish. Others like incorporating additional ingredients like onions, bell peppers, or tomatoes to enhance the flavors.
Huevos con Salchicha is frequently served with side dishes like toast, warm tortillas, or freshly baked bread rolls and sauces like ketchup, salsa, or hot sauce.
All in all, Huevos con Salchicha is a delicious option that combines the simplicity of eggs with the savory goodness of sausages. So, next time you’re craving a hearty breakfast in Mexico, opt for Huevos con Weenies and start your day with a smile!
5. Chicken Mole: A Dance of Flavors
Chicken Mole, a Mexican culinary masterpiece, combines the rich tastes of spices, nuts, seeds, veggies, chicken, and chocolate. Yup, you’ve read it right — chocolate!
There are various recipes for mole, each with its distinct characteristics. However, the most renowned one is Mole Poblano, which hails from Puebla in Mexico.
Mole Poblano includes making a sauce from dried chili peppers, nuts, sesame seeds, onions, garlic, tomatoes, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and the star of the show: unsweetened chocolate. The result is a thick, complex sauce bursting with flavor.
The Mole sauce is then seared or simmered with chicken chunks. The sauce spices the chicken and produces a juicy and delicious mouthwatering mixture. As a finishing touch, add Mexican rice and warm corn tortillas.
So, whether you enjoy complex flavors, Chicken Mole promises to take your senses to new heights. Prepare to be enchanted by this unique blend of savory, sweet, and aromatic!
6. Caldo de Res: Soup-Er Bowl of Love
Caldo de Res, also known as Mexican Beef Soup or Beef Broth, is a hearty and comforting dish that warms the body and soul.
The traditional Mexican soup features a colorful array of vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, corn on the cob, green beans, cabbage, and zucchini. The veggies are flavored with herbs like bay leaves, cilantro, and parsley, and spices like cumin and oregano. The main ingredient is beef. It’s added as shanks or short ribs that have been simmered for hours to produce a flavorful broth.
Caldo de Res is served with rice, warm tortillas, and condiments like lime wedges, chopped onions, cilantro, and spicy salsa. You’re in for a delectable and soulful experience!
7. Menudo: A Bowlful of Mexican Comfort
Our next traditional pick is Menudo, another flavorful soup often enjoyed in the mornings as a soothing meal to get rid of a hangover. Because of this, it’s the perfect choice after a night of drinking tequila.
Moving on to the recipe, the very core of menudo is beef tripe, which is the edible lining of a cow’s stomach. The broth is made from spices and herbs, with dried chili peppers serving as the main spice, followed by garlic, onion, oregano, and cumin.
Traditional toppings for menudo include chopped onions, avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and crushed red pepper flakes. The dish is frequently served with warm corn tortillas or crusty bread, ideal for sopping up the delectable broth.
Menudo has a special place in the Mexican culinary tradition and offers a fascinating voyage for the taste buds. Don’t miss out on tasting this well-known Mexican favorite’s luscious aromas and soft textures.
8. Elote: Corn-Tastic Delight
Let us introduce elote, the beloved street food staple in Mexico and beyond. Both simple and satisfying, Elote combines the natural sweetness of corn with a medley of savory and tangy toppings.
Elote is grilled or boiled corn on the cob, coated with mayonnaise, crema Mexicana, and sour cream. A range of delectable toppings and seasonings complements the creamy foundation.
The traditional and most popular topping is Cotija cheese, a salty and crumbly Mexican cheese that provides a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the kernels. Tajn, a Mexican seasoning mix prepared from chili peppers, lime, and salt, is sprinkled over the corn to add a delightful kick and a sense of spice. And last but not least, the dish is completed with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Along with these traditional garnishes, elote can be prepared with chopped cilantro, diced onions, hot sauce, or even crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for a spicy twist. The toppings can be altered to accommodate individual tastes, opening the door to countless creative flavor pairings.
Elote corn is a must-try delicacy that will tantalize your taste buds and take you back to the lively streets of Mexico.
9. Borracho Beans: Get ‘Drunken’ on Flavor
Borracho beans, called “drunken beans,” highlight the flavorful combination of pinto beans, bacon, and beer.
The main ingredient of borracho is pinto beans, a type of dry bean often used in Mexican cuisine. The beans are cooked in a rich broth of Mexican beer, adding subtle richness and a touch of bitterness. Borracho beans are also cooked with bacon to enhance the taste, which adds a smoky and savory element to the dish.
The dish often incorporates a variety of complementary ingredients. These may include onions, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeños, cumin, oregano, and chili powder. This Mexican delicacy is served with grilled meats, enchiladas, tacos, warm tortillas, or rice.
If you’re a bean fanatic, a fan of Mexican food, or just looking for a hearty and savory dish, don’t miss out on these drunken beans when roaming the streets of Mexico for something to eat.
10. Taco: Tiny Packages of Flavorful Delight
Next, we have tacos, the signature Mexican street food.
The foundation of every taco is the tortilla, a paper-thin and pliable flatbread made from either corn or wheat flour. The tortilla can be filled with grilled meats like carne asada (beef), al pastor (marinated pork), or pollo asado (grilled chicken) to seafood like shrimp or fish. There are also plenty of vegetarian versions available, with fillings like grilled veggies, beans, cheese, or tasty salsas.
The creativity of making tacos is in the toppings. Traditional toppings include chopped onions, fresh cilantro, and a splash of lime juice. The taco’s flavor profile is further enhanced by salsas, which can range from mild to hot. Other common garnishes include guacamole, sour cream, pickled onions, and crumbled cheese.
The way tacos are eaten adds to their allure. Tacos encourage a hands-on approach, whether served in a crowded taqueria, a food truck, or at home. Wherever you eat them, be ready for a flavor-packed adventure.
11. Flan: Creamy Caramel Dreams
Flan is a creamy and silky delicacy that has captured the hearts of dessert lovers worldwide.
Flan consists of a rich custard made with eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and a dash of vanilla, topped with a beautiful caramel topping. This dessert can be enjoyed as is, allowing the creamy and caramel flavors to show through, or it can be topped with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce, a dollop of whipped cream, fresh berries, or cinnamon.
Flan’s allure stems from its rich texture and well-balanced sweetness. The silky custard will melt in your mouth, while the caramel adds a depth of taste — the perfect way to end any dinner.
12. Mexican Hot Chocolate: Get Cozy With Mexi-Cocoa Magic
Mexican hot chocolate is a delicious spinoff of classic hot chocolate.
This traditional dessert is made with a unique blend of ingredients, including cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sometimes chili powder or cloves. The hot delight is often enjoyed with pan dulce (sweet bread), churros (fried dough pastries), or even a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon on top.
Mexican hot chocolate is a wintertime favorite that is sure to satisfy you. Allow yourself to be carried away by its rich flavors, enticing smells, and sensation of comfort.
13. Quesadilla: Cheesy Bliss and Tortilla Twists
Quesadillas, the delicious and versatile Mexican dish, is a true crowd-pleaser.
The foundation of a quesadilla is the tortilla, whereas the cheese is the star player that adds that irresistible ooey-gooey interior. Quesadillas also contain grilled or sautéed bell peppers, beans, corn, onions, mushrooms, and a protein (typically chicken, beef, or shrimp).
After adding the ingredients, the quesadilla is folded in half to form a half-moon shape and cooked until golden brown and crispy. Once done, the quesadilla is served with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or pico de gallo. These sauces offer a refreshing and tangy taste, making the flavor of this classic even more robust.
The beauty of quesadillas lies in all the ways you can fill them, from adding just cheese to more interesting combinations like meat and grilled veggies. This traditional dish is enjoyed as a quick snack on the run, a filling lunch, or a filling dinner option.
14. Pico de Gallo: Salsa Delight
The salsa-like condiment known as pico de gallo gives Mexican food a blast of flavor and color. It translates to “rooster’s beak,” and for a good reason — its diced ingredients resemble something a bird would peck.
Making pico de gallo consists of chopping tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and cilantro, and seasoning with salt and lime juice.
This versatile salsa-like condiment tastes great on its own, but it also goes splendidly with tortilla chips, tacos, quesadillas, grilled meats, or seafood.
In addition to its fantastic taste, pico de gallo is a healthy food option that packs many vitamins and antioxidants. So take a cutting board, assemble the ingredients, and make the traditional Mexican Pico de Gallo!
15. Plátanos Fritos: Sizzle and Sweetness Unite
Plátanos Fritos, or fried plantains, are a conventional Mexican dish that highlights the natural sweetness and distinct texture of ripe plantains, a type of banana.
Plantains are larger and more starchy than bananas. They are best when fully ripe, especially when their skins turn yellow or black. They have a sweet flavor that shines through when cooked, making them ideal for frying — which is why they are often referred to as “cooking bananas.”
Making plátanos is easy. Peel and slice the bananas into thick slices, either diagonally or straight, and cook till golden and caramelized. And that’s it! You’ll get a beautiful, crispy surface with a soft, tender center that tastes heavenly sweet.
If you want to try plátanos as a savory side dish, they work great with meats, stews, and rice dishes. If you’re craving something sweet, try plátanos with condensed milk, honey, or cinnamon sugar. Either way, you won’t be sorry!
You can also try plátanos as a filling for empanadas or a topping for ice cream. In some regions, you can also find them as a base for dishes such as tostones (twice-fried plantains) or mofongo (mashed plantains with savory toppings).
Conclusion
Are you ready to awaken your taste buds? Which recipe looks the most intriguing to you? Is it the cheesy goodness of gorditas, the crispy crunch of tortillas, or the zesty freshness of Pico de Gallo?
Whatever option you pick, each bite will tell the same tale – the story of a civilization proud of its culinary traditions.
